De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

Over the years I have noticed an evolution in the circumstances of our presbyterate which, whether we have heeded it or not, has undoubtedly wrought existential changes in the life of your average priest. Growing up, there were usually  two priests, often three, in a parish. Now priests are largely solitary. As a priest friend of mine remarked a few years ago, this means that it is easy for the good ones to work themselves to death with no one to tell them to take a day off, it's similarly easy for others to descend into darkness, error, alcoholism, etc. A priest is a father and as such, for most of us who take our faith seriously, he commands a certain degree of paternal respect. He is someone who you go to for advice, for wisdom, for succour when things are so bad you can't cope anymore.  But who does he go to? Do you know your priest well enough to be able to say who his friends are? That he has a hot meal? That his heating works? I am blessed to have a family, my home life...

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ Mt 25:23 At the beginning of the month, Southend Deanery lost one of its most loved and respected priests, Father Andrew Dorricott. This has been a source of great sorrow for many people who have lived in the area for many years. Fr. Dorricott was widely known, changed many lives and was loved & respected by everyone who knew him. As a relatively recent arrival in Southend Deanery (I moved to Leigh-on-Sea in 1999), I had met Fr. Dorricott a couple of times, but didn't know him half as well as I would have liked. However my heart felt sympathies are with all those who feel his loss deeply at this time, and a reminder that he is has gone home to our Father in heaven. Independent Catholic News has this rather fitting tribute: Fr Andrew Dorricott MBE has died - a long serving parish priest, prison chaplai...