Parishioners demand to meet archbishop over expulsion of priests

BY FREDDY GRAY
A PARISH ACTION group in Southwark is calling for two expelled priests to be reinstated, but turned down an offer to discuss their concerns with an auxiliary diocesan bishop.
Instead, the angry parishioners want to speak directly to Archbishop Kevin McDonald himself.
The parishioners of St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Brockley, South London, are outraged by the decision to remove their priests. Peter Lee, a local voluntary worker, said the priests were “treated as if they had leprosy.” The deacon, the Rev William Dunphy, announced that parishioners had put together more than 500 signatures in protest at the archbishop’s decision. Last Friday, 346 people filled the church for an emergency meeting to discuss the future of the parish.
The two priests, Fr Robert Copsey and Father Morty O’Shea, belong to the Society of Our Lady of the Trinity (SOLT). Two weeks ago, they were asked them to leave the church after Easter.
The archbishop is said to have expelled SOLT from the parish after allegedly receiving complaints from Carmelita Winston, the headteacher of St Mary Magdalen’s Primary School. Mrs Winston is reported to have been furious after she heard reports that children were instructed to take their First Holy Communion on the tongue, rather than in the hand. Mr Dunphy said: “We know that priests are moved all the time, but this is different. This is to do with the school and the Eucharist.
“It is right that Archbishop McDonald should see the parish himself. He has obviously been badly advised about Brockley. But at the end of the day the decision is up to him.” Archdiocesan officials refuse to discuss the cases but confirmed that parishioners would meet “representatives”.
The priests themselves are also unwilling to give details about their departure. Fr Copsey thanked Brockley’s parishioners for their support.
He said: “I am deeply touched by the people’s concern for the future of their parish. I am not saying I am indispensable. But it was unusual to leave under these circumstances. But as a priest you have to obey your superiors.”