Advent Group - Supporting Priests & Religious since 1969
BBC Radio Scotland Interview
- Written by: Alex Walker
BBC Radio Scotland 15 min interview with Stephen Jardine on celibacy and the BBC TV show Fleabag. You can only play this audio file on a PC or tablet.
{oggremote}https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/adventgroup/audios/bbcradioscotlandAlex29032019.ogg{/oggremote}
Telegraph article on the back of BBC show Fleabag
- Written by: Alex Walker
I HAVE NEVER REGRETTED LEAVING THE PRIESTHOOD FOR A WOMAN BY ALEX WALKER
The Telegraph 27th March 2019 Telegraph Article 27.03.19
I remember the moment I first set eyes on Jan. It was 1986, and I was a 31-year-old Catholic priest at a church in Kendal, Cumbria. She was a member of the congregation, who ran aerobics classes for parishioners. She knocked on the presbytery door to hand over some money and there she was: a pretty 26-year-old gazing up at me. "Father, this is for you:' she said, handing over the collection. I did not realise at the time what a huge impact she would have on my life.
I had known that I wanted to be a priest from the age of 13. Raised in a Catholic family, I packed myself off as a teenager to Underley Hall boarding school, ajunior seminary for boys. Ordained in Blackpool at the age of 25, I knew that celibacy was part of the package. It was discussed openly and we were all acutely aware that by dedicating our lives to God, we were forgoing any possibility of a wife and children. But talking about it is very different from living it.
After meeting Jan, we quickly developed a close, platonic friendship, and I always looked forward to seeing her at parish walks and barbecues. Before long, the two of us were taking trips to cafés and the cinema. She was chatty, intelligent and very attractive, and I enjoyed our long chats about faith and theology. At some point - I'm not exactly sure when - we developed feelings for each other.
Read more: Telegraph article on the back of BBC show Fleabag
Former priest: Cancel celibacy vows to solve church's culture of secrecy
- Written by: Alex Walker
Not the most accurate of reporting, but then I only gave the interview as background information. There are statements here which are not true and which I never said. Alex
Removing the requirement for Catholic priests to remain celibate would help to erode a culture of secrecy around offspring and relationships, according to one former priest.
Read more: Former priest: Cancel celibacy vows to solve church's culture of secrecy
Andy Bebb - RIP
- Written by: Alex Walker
From Matt Bebb:
Ahh pants. It is With great sadness that I have to announce that the great man has moved on. He loved you all.
Read >>> Beyond Belief with Andy Bebb
Page 14 of 27