Prayers for Scotland’s newest priest who is critically ill

[lizardley]

Scotland’s newest priest was ordained at short notice on Easter Monday at a Greater Manchester hospital after his treatment for leukaemia failed.

Fr Graham Turner’s ordination was postponed last June after he was diagnosed and doctors began aggressive treatment. When Cardinal Keith O’Brien heard during Holy Week that the prognosis was bleak for the critically ill deacon of St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, he appealed for prayers at the Chrism Mass and plans to ordain him for St Andrews and Edinburgh Archdiocese were revived.

Despite the deacon’s physical frailty, he was ordained by Cardinal O’Brien at 2pm on Monday in the chapel at Salford Royal in the presence of Mgr Michael Regan, St Mary’s Cathedral administrator and Fr Turner’s parish priest, Mgr Rod Strange, Rector of the Pontifical Beda College in Rome, Fr Turner’s parents George and Marilyn, brother, Ian, sister, Sue, and clergy friends from Salford Diocese and St Andrews and Edinburgh Archdiocese.

For full report, including cardinal’s comments and ordination photograph, visit: sconews.co.uk/latest-edition/17945/prayers-for-nation’s-newest-priest/

 

[unafraid]

Scotland’s newest priest was ordained at short notice on Easter Monday at a Greater Manchester hospital after his treatment for leukaemia failed.

Fr Graham Turner’s ordination was postponed last June after he was diagnosed and doctors began aggressive treatment. When Cardinal Keith O’Brien heard during Holy Week that the prognosis was bleak for the critically ill deacon of St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, he appealed for prayers at the Chrism Mass and plans to ordain him for St Andrews and Edinburgh Archdiocese were revived.

Despite the deacon’s physical frailty, he was ordained by Cardinal O’Brien at 2pm on Monday in the chapel at Salford Royal in the presence of Mgr Michael Regan, St Mary’s Cathedral administrator and Fr Turner’s parish priest, Mgr Rod Strange, Rector of the Pontifical Beda College in Rome, Fr Turner’s parents George and Marilyn, brother, Ian, sister, Sue, and clergy friends from Salford Diocese and St Andrews and Edinburgh Archdiocese.

For full report, including cardinal’s comments and ordination photograph, visit: sconews.co.uk/latest-edition/17945/prayers-for-nation’s-newest-priest/

Longevity has its merits, but if this new priest is able to witness in complete fidelity to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for but an instant, then his ordination was a blessing to the Church, himself, and all who were moved by his priesthood.

I always marvel at God’s mercy, especially in instances such as this. It brings to mind the sinner who repented while next to Jesus on the cross. Such a sudden conversion, and brief faith experience, yet Christ honored him with a dazzling and glorious reward.

The Lord’s ways are beyond our ken; only faith suffices in certain situations. I, myself, do not need understanding, but rather, I choose to trust in God’s judgement and wisdom

 

[GWright]

I only learned of this sad story a few days ago.

I’m pleased that Graham Turner has achieved his goal of being a Catholic priest, and I know that his ministry will be no less worthwhile - for God or for Scotland’s Catholics - regardless of its duration.