Bishop Kieran Conry

Lourdes 2012, Bishop Kieran Conry in happier times

Three days ago our bishop resigned, admitting that he had been ‘unfaithful’ to his vows as a Catholic priest. Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel & Brighton diocese since 2001, has been accused of affairs with two women.

His confession generated a firestorm of press comment - including more than 100 website references by Google News!

Two contrasting views of the Bishop emerge.

According to some press sources, he was dictatorial in enforcing a liberal agenda, had no time for traditional Latin masses or music, held liberal positions on other subjects and met with groups who questioned official Church teaching. The bishop was most recently reported as saying that it had been difficult keeping his ‘secret’, that he had not prioritised sexual morality in his sermons, and did not think people would say that he had been a bad bishop. However, some regarded these comments as fuel to the flames, evidence that he was minimising his transgressions; they also pointed out that his confession was involuntary, forced by a national newspaper’s decision to publish the details last Sunday of his most recent alleged relationship.     

On the other hand, there are the views of many of the ordinary faithful of Arundel & Brighton Diocese. Here, the impression - based upon the dozen or so folk in Brighton Diocese that I have spoken with – was one of immediate shock, even hurt – but generally followed by a wave of sympathy, concern and sadness. Many commented that the requirement for priestly celibacy was a Herculean task – even for a Bishop. Not everyone warmed to the late Bishop as a person, he was ‘hard to get to know’ and some thought he was neither experienced enough nor particularly suited to the bishopric role, although many also treasured his various substantial contributions, his approachability and his gift for the apt comment or tribute.

In the days and months to come the diocese will have to address areas that the bishop was intimately involved with and where his absence will leave a large hole, for example, the annual Lourdes Pilgrimage and the Diocesan Jubilee in July 2015.

Remember the good times, and, in your charity, pray for everyone affected, the individuals directly involved, the priests of A&B, the deacons, religious, those in training, parishioners ...and Kieran Conry himself (Romans 3:23).  

'125 Not Out' for The Sacred Heart Church in Hove - Hooray!

 

On Friday evening, 7^th June, Sacred Heart Church in Hove celebrated its 125^th birthday with a special Mass, followed by a party.

Around 350 parishioners attended the Mass of the Feast of the Sacred Heart, including former priests of the parish, invited clergy from the city and some distinguished guests.

The Church was filled, with latecomers sitting on the benches by the rear entrance or on the floor in front of the baptistery. One of my favourite photographs is the one I took from the choir loft, accessed via a circular stone staircase (like the one in the Norman Keep at nearby Arundel Castle). The view was well worth the climb.

 
We had a couple of particularly important guests. First, the Rt. Rev. Kieran Conry, Roman Catholic Bishop of Arundel & Brighton, who presided at the Mass. Here he is with our Parish Priest, Fr. Kevin Dring.

The other key guest was - let me get the title right - The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Brighton & Hove City Council, Councillor Denise Cobb. Mayor Cobb was recently elected and this was one of her first official engagements, so we were particularly honoured to have her with us.

Mayor Cobb attended with her Consort, Luna-Rose Cobb, and had the front pew, up close to the action. I was the church's 'Official Photographer' for the evening, and she was most gracious when I occasionally thrust my lens close to the mayoral nose and fired off the flash.

(Incidentally, the mayor's official photographer, Tony Mould, was also in attendance, carrying a Nikon D4 and a rather large telephoto lens. I sneaked out to have a look at the mayor's car and was delighted to see that the number plate was a special one, acknowledging the Hove part of Brighton & Hove).

During the Mass, Bishop Conry spoke of the importance of parish life extending into the wider community, supporting and enriching it, illustrated by the Sacred Heart’s participation in the Brighton & Hove Churches Winter Night Shelter project. His comments were apt, thought-provoking and very well received; several parishioners came up to me afterwards to say that they had been both impressed and moved by the homily.     

(To be honest, much of the Bishop's words passed over my head. I was concerned that my photos were not very clear. Urgently, I checked the camera settings again and again...and then the answer dawned. There was nothing wrong with the photos, it was just that my spectacles had steamed up and the photos only appeared unsharp!)

Music was a key part of the Mass. Two adult choirs, a children’s choir and a Spanish-language choir joined the church organ in a variety of hymns and praise, including Mozart’s 'Ave Verum Corpus' and the Sacred Heart patronal hymn that begins 'O Sacred Heart, our home lies deep in thee'. Usually rather good, I thought our regular choir and organist excelled themselves on this most important night. 

Afterwards, the congregation and guests gathered in the Parish Rooms to cut the celebration cake and enjoy a huge variety of food and drink provided by the parishioners. And I mean huge...for example, here is one table, before the party.

...and this is what the tables looked like just before the party ended.

 
Mayor Cobb spoke of her surprise and delight at the large turnout, evidence of a flourishing church, while Father Kevin stressed the enormous generosity, friendship and goodwill of the parishioners. 

In short, it was a great occasion and at the end of the evening we dismantled the tables, stacked the chairs, disposed of the leftovers, washed up, hovered the carpet...and went home with the sense of a job well done. Now, I have 300 or so photographs of the evening to sort out, so you may see a few more.