Planned removal of Father Gott
Posted by Felicity Potter,
Wednesday, July 9, 2003
The news that Father Gott is shortly to be moved to another diocese after all his work over 24 years in building good community relations in Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge must be distressing to a wide range of people locally, and given his age and bad health seems particularly cruel and unnecessary. Unless anyone else has already got a petition going, I am planning to start one for anyone who feels the same way. The person responsible for the decision is the Right Reverend David Konstant, Catholic Bishop of Leeds.
Posted by Frances, Mytholmroyd Net
Wednesday, July 9, 2003
Felicity I will help you with the petition as much as I can. Father Gott is very much part of the Mytholmroyd community and has done much to bring people together. His church is available to everyone regardless of their faith. I was surprised at the strength of my feeling over the weekend (as a non-catholic) hearing that he might be transferred to another parish. An awful lot of people feel the same way and yes you are right the Rev. David Konstant Bishop of Leeds is behind the decision.
Posted by Felicity Potter,
Wednesday, July 9, 2003
Petitions against the removal of Father Gott are now available for signing at The Book Case, the Hospice Shop, Oxfam and Java Lounge on Market Street, and at Lindleys and Forbuoys newsagents in the centre of Hebden Bridge. Thanks!
Posted by Frances, Mytholmroyd Net
Friday, July 11, 2003
This is the reply I have received from The Bishop of Leeds in response to my letter expressing sadness about John Gott's removal:
8th July 2003
Thank you for your note about Fr Gott. I well understand the sadness of parishioners when a much loved priest moves but I am afraid that this is something that inevitably happens from time to time. I am well aware of the good work that Fr Gott has done over nearly a quarter of a century.
I do hope the new Parish Priest will be well received. He, too, has a great deal to offer the parish.
With every good wish
Your sincerely
David Konstant
Bishop's House
13 North Grange Road
Headingley
Leeds LS6 2BR
Posted by Josephine Hartley,
Saturday, July 12, 2003
What does Father Gott want? Has anybody asked him?
Posted by Frances, Mytholmroyd Net
Saturday, July 12, 2003
Mytholmroyd Petitions are now place at Carl Boggis's chip shop and the hairdresser's on Burnley Road "Headquarters". Anyone wishing for a copy to circulate for themselves please e-mail me.
Posted by Josephine Hartley,
Saturday, July 19, 2003
Having spoken to various key people concerned with the Fr Gott question, I apologise for not giving them credit for having done their homework before organising a petition. I look forward to hearing the outcome of their efforts.
Posted by Felicity Potter,
Saturday, July 19, 2003 Just to report that the petitions against moving Father Gott to a new parish are going well. A lot of people on signing mention some way in which he's helped them over the years. The Print Bureau on Albert Street now have their own petition. A good article by Norman Masters appeared in this week's HBT so read it if you haven't already, and I'm collecting the petitions on Wednesday so if you haven't signed, please do so! Thanks to everyone who has.
Posted by Eileen O'Brien,
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Many thanks from us at The Good Shepherd to Felicity Potter and Frances Robinson for communicating Fr. Gott's predicament and organising petitions and talking to the Hebden Bridge Times. We are so relieved that Fr John is staying - thanks in large part to your persistance, support and hard work. We are overwhelmed. Thank you. Eileen O'Brien.
Posted by Teresa Merrison & Eddie Merrison, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
Tuesday, August 5, 2003
We just want to say how pleased that with all the support of Father Gott,s parishioners and everyone in Hebden Bridge and surrounding area's that Father Gott is now staying in Hebden Bridge.
As visitors to the area we found 'The Good Shepherd' in Mytholmroyd and Father Gott. Right from the first we knew Father Gott was somebody special, he has a lovely way with everybody and makes them feel special. It is a lovely church with a lovely atmosphere.