Catholic priest slams 'entitled' parishioners in furious poem as he quits post
A retiring priest launched an astonishing attack on 'entitled' and 'gossiping' parishioners in a farewell poem.
Father Pat Brennan penned the ode as a 'parting gift' for some members of his congregation at Holy Family Catholic Church. He suggested dwindling numbers in the pews could have resulted from 'the righteous, the clique and the worthy'.
The poem describes "disdainful" looks given by some parishioners at the Coventry church when someone had sat in "their seat'. It also described the "gossip flowing" and people "tutting for a living, whispering about you know who". He described some of the congregation as a 'mix of disgruntled, unlikeable, entitled offended'.
Father Brennan is departing Holy Family Catholic Church after a nine-year spell as priest.
In his poem 'Not I Lord Surely!' - which was sent in a newsletter - he wrote how words of love were "ignored'. He suggested some people's "first instinct" at the sentiment "go in peace" was instead "time for war'.
Maura Murray-Reeves, who has ties with the church, told the BBC she was "embarrassed" he had been treated wrongly. She said it was important for him to share his experience, adding: 'This isn't the way we should be making a priest feel.'
Separately to the poem, Father Brennan said he had been 'very happy' at the church and met some 'wonderful people'. But he added that those who had been 'vocal in criticism in and outside the parish' had contributed to his decision to leave.
The new parish priest, Father Charles Miller, will arrive next week.
In a statement the Diocese of Birmingham said: '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. A new parish priest has been appointed to Holy Family."
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