Fr Rory Writes:

Thanks be to God: I have been given the green light to return to ministry, and for this I am very grateful to God. Bishop Richard and with him the Diocesan Care Team have given me incredibly good support, and I have been blessed.

My experience has caused me a great amount of painful soul searching time, especially three weeks on the Island of Alderney. The Lord is compassion and love; but that means we share in His passion. I had a lot of time to review my faults and my failures, and when you come to that moment in the Gospel when the beam in your eyes needs to be removed, before you can attempt to do anything different, I was indeed drained and strained. Then from the Lord came very clearly the message that with the Lord there is mercy and fulness of redemption. So I seek that mercy and I ask those who have their misgivings for a season of grace. For those who have been so happy to see me back has been such a help.

When I and others were in the Seminary quite a while ago, we had a time of great hope and expectation. The 2nd Vatican Council had taken place; a promise of new life and spirit in our church with much involvement by lay people. I truly believe Bishop Richard’s challenge of what the church will be in 2030 is most important. Now with the shortage of priests this challenge has to be faced, and with the help of God, though different; the life in both our churches will be strong.