Well, that’s one way to make an exit.
A parish priest has written one hell of a farewell letter after stepping down from the Holy Family Catholic Church in Coventry after nine years.
And he’s hit out at ‘unfriendly’ parishioners giving him ‘disdainful’ looks and ‘tutting for a living’.
Father Pat Brennan runs a blog called Humble Piety and has uploaded several poems, prayers and other pieces since 2008.
But his poem called ‘Not I Lord Surely!’ has suggested the number of people attending his church, which has gradually dwindled over the years, could be due to ‘gossiping’ parishioners.
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He announced in the church newsletter that he will be leaving his post after nine years – but will continue as parish priest at two other churches.
Father Brennan was ordained as a priest in Birmingham in 1992.
In the church newsletter he said he was leaving the parish with many fond memories, adding: ‘You can’t please all the people and those few who have been vocal in criticism in and outside of the parish, have contributed to my leaving.
‘Despite those few, I will keep the fondest memories in my heart and am grateful to have been parish priest here at Holy Family.’
He also added: ‘I was very happy at Holy Family and had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful people.
‘I am proud of how the church looks now, visitors have spoken of a restoration of dignity.
‘The Covid times opened the parish up to many others taking comfort watching the liturgy and being uplifted at that time, staying with us online since then.
‘This is not an easy vocation, so the promise of prayers, the love and support given, does encourage greatly these who answer the call to follow Christ in the priesthood.’
Father Pat Brennan’s sassy poem in full
What makes people not come to church?
Could it be the people who already go?
The righteous, the clique, the worthy,
the disdainful look given, the thought you’re in my seat
the unfriendly, so that the stranger remains so.
Gossip flows from holy lips,
a hobby to talk about so and so, you know?
A mix of disgruntled, unlikeable,
entitled offended, who don’t want to know
Better than you, holier too,
tutting for a living, whispering about you know who…
Did you ever go inside and wish you hadn’t arrived
The words of love conveniently ignored
A plethora of benches occupied by the weekly bored
What makes people not come to church?
The cold indifference and quiet distain of those who already go.
If your first instinct when you hear the words “Go in peace” is time for war
Then think again, ask am I the reason people flee, am I to blame, is it me?
Not I surely?
So not quite the whole story.
Just don’t make it so
Continue to go, but in Christ’s likeness grow.
Rejected… this is how for some it can feel.
Yet each person who steps inside should be…
Welcomed, accepted, loved, forgiven, this is the mark of the Lord’s own seal.
What makes people stay and not run away?
Hearing Christ’s command to love and allowing those words in our heart to stay.
Father Brennan has now been replaced as parish priest by Father Charles Miller, who will join his post at the end of July.
His exit, including his poem, have hit the headlines in recent days and drawn criticism of how he was treated during his nine years as parish priest.
And Father Brennan has responded to this attention with another poem, titled ‘Slow News Day?’ in which he describes the ‘confusing’ experience of hearing his own name and poetry on the local radio.
In a statement, the Archbishop of Birmingham told the BBC: ‘Father Pat is an experienced and much-valued member of the clergy.
‘He has been running three parishes for several years, which is a large workload.
‘As part of new parish clustering, Father Pat will continue as parish priest at Bulkington and Bedworth and a new parish priest has been appointed to Holy Family.’
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