Backlash after uni ‘cancels’ Catholic priest
HE WON’T BE CHAPLAIN – BUT HE CAN TAKE SUNDAY MASS
A NOTTINGHAM priest has been blocked from becoming a university chaplain because of his opinions on abortion and euthanasia.
Father David Palmer, who serves in the Nottingham parish of St Mary’s with St Paul’s, said on his personal Twitter account that euthanasia is “killing the vulnerable”.
The University of Nottingham said it was not concerned about Father Palmer’s views but was about the manner in which they were expressed.
It hoped to continue its 90-year tradition of providing a Catholic chaplaincy.
But there has been a social media backlash from the Catholic community in Nottingham.
Another Catholic priest, former University of Nottingham chaplain Father Jonathan Whitby-smith, tweeted: “University of Nottingham took issue with Father David Palmer saying euthanasia is killing the vulnerable and abortion is the slaughter of innocents. As a Catholic I believe the same. So why did Notts Uni recognise me as Lay Catholic Chaplain 2010-12? Would they recognise me now? What’s changed?”
A Diocese of Nottingham spokesperson said: “The Diocese of Nottingham’s first priority is sacramental provision for students and staff and, as a result of discussions between the bishop and the university, it has been agreed that Father David will continue to offer Sunday Mass at the university, which is an essential part of the Catholic faith.
“The Catholic Church is renowned for its commitment to social justice throughout its history.
“It is not surprising then that Catholics across the Diocese of Nottingham and beyond have a natural concern for the protection and dignity of all human beings, which includes offering practical support for women facing crisis pregnancies and care for their unborn children.”
Following the news that he had been “cancelled” as chaplain, Father Palmer tweeted: “Let’s be honest... we will never be accepted... so we need to fight for the faith. To compromise is to surrender... they don’t want us.”
The university says that it welcomes the views and values of Nottingham’s chaplains.
The priest will continue to attend the university as a guest speaker for Sunday Mass, but his predecessor will remain the university’s recognised chaplain.
A University of Nottingham spokesperson said: “The University of Nottingham values Catholic chaplaincy very highly as part of our multi-faith approach where dedicated chaplains provide invaluable support to staff and students of each faith.
“A university should be a place for the robust exchange of views and debate over ideas, and we have no issue with the expression of faith in robust terms – indeed we would expect any chaplain to hold their faith as primary.
“Our concern was not in relation to Father David’s views themselves, or the tenets of the Catholic faith which we fully respect, but the manner in which these views have been expressed in the context of our diverse community of people of many faiths.
“We are therefore grateful to the Bishop of Nottingham for his solution that the current chaplain remains the recognised chaplain and that Father David will attend the university campus each week to celebrate Sunday Mass for staff and students.
“We are continuing a constructive dialogue with the diocese to ensure that staff and students of Catholic faith are fully supported under this arrangement.
“The university remains totally committed to continuing our 90-year tradition of providing Catholic chaplaincy.”
Father David Palmer was approached for comment.