Drama As Outgoing Catholic Priest Slams Parishioners For Their ‘Gossips,’ ‘Entitled’ And ‘Righteous’ Behavior In Farewell Poem

A Catholic priest has openly criticized his parishioners, condemning what he described as their “entitled” and “self-righteous” attitudes. In his farewell poem, Father Pat Brennan criticized some congregation members for being unwelcoming, citing “gossips” and those who judge others harshly as contributing factors to declining attendance. He further described them as “the righteous, the clique, the worthy,” stating they were the reason he chose to depart Holy Family Catholic Church in Coventry after serving there for nine years. The poem was published in the church’s newsletter, alongside a message explaining ‘those few who had been vocal in criticism in and outside the parish’ had pushed him out. In the poem titled, ‘Not I Lord Surely’, he writes: ‘What makes people not come to church? Could it be the people who already go? The righteous, the clique, the worthy, ‘The disdainful look given, the thought ‘you’re in my seat’. The unfriendly, so that the stranger remains always so.’ The priest goes on to blast ‘gossip’ that ‘flows from holy lips’ describing the perpetrators as ‘a mix of disgruntled, unlikeable, entitled offended, who don’t want to know.’ ‘Better than you, holier too, tutting for a living, whispering about you know who,’ he added. He said the behaviour can leave people feeling ‘rejected’ instead of welcomed and loved. Maura Murray-Reeve, who has ties with the church in Holbrooks and shared the poem in a local residents’ Facebook group, said she was ‘extremely disappointed’ to see Father Brennan felt ‘pushed out’. She said: ‘Father Pat has been the parish priest for almost 10 years and he has always been very welcoming. ‘It is disgusting to think that he was treated so poorly by a sad minority. They should be ashamed of themselves.’ She told the BBC she was was ’embarrassed’ to be part of the church that had treated Father Brennan wrongly, and it was important for him to share his experience. ‘This isn’t the way we should be making a priest feel,’ Ms Murray-Reeve said. Pauline Browne Spelman wrote on Facebook: ‘It’s so sad but true, I know people who go to church and act holier than thou but are really unkind to others and leave them out so this doesn’t surprise me at all’. Victoria Marie added: ‘Such a shame, Fr Pat is such a lovely and welcoming priest’. The newsletter states the Archbishop of Birmingham has appointed Father Charles Miller as the new parish priest, who will arrive at the end of July. The Archdiocese of Birmingham said in a statement: ‘Fr 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, Fr Pat will continue as parish priest at Bulkington and Bedworth, and a new parish priest has been appointed to Holy Family.’