Author Archives: Church Mouse

British vicars rarely grumble about people joining their congregations, but a number might be dreading a visit next month by a "mystery worshipper" – the Church of England equivalent of the restaurant critic.

In an unprecedented move, as many as 100 specially recruited researchers will turn up incognito in pews across London on April 24 to judge the quality of the Sunday service on offer.

The volunteers, using pen names such as "Church Mouse" and "Dunelm" to protect their anonymity, will then post their verdicts on the … Continue reading →

10 Steps to Quell Dissent and Maintain the Truth

…and maintain the Truth.

Power, fear, influence. And how to use them…

It would seem that Neocats, like many other creatures, are predisposed to marking out what they consider to be their territory.

Time and time again our pastors have insisted that St Vincent’s is not a Neocatechumenal Church. Last week a large sign was fixed to the Redfern Street facade of the old church, emblazoned with Kiko’s Madonna, the unmistakable sign of the Way [see Icons of the Neocatechumenal Way].

The community had not been consulted.

For more than 3 decades St Vincent’s Church, Redfern has offered comfort to grieving Aboriginal families who came, far too often, to bury their loved ones.

After Ted Kennedy’s departure, the various priests appointed to the parish have alienated the Aboriginal community to the point where, in the words of one of their spokespeople, they are made to feel as lepers in their own Church. You can imagine the grief felt by the whole St Vincent’s Community when it was made clear by Neocat priests Prindiville and Sudla that only "card carrying Catholics" could be buried from … Continue reading →