In a packed St Mary’s Cathedral on 23rd June 2007, Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool ordained Simon Broughton as a priest for our Diocese. More than 30 diocesan priests were joined by Simon’s friends and staff from Ushaw College including the President, Mgr Terry Drainey, who presented Simon to the Archbishop for ordination.

In his introductory remarks the Archbishop said he had received a brief message from Bishop Crowley saying ‘he was on the first steps to recovery’ and sending to Simon and his family greetings on this most important day. Patrick McKeague read the first reading whilst Liam Collister chanted the Psalm ‘Taste and See’. After Deacon Ken Senior read the Gospel, Simon was presented to the Archbishop for ordination.

In his homily, Archbishop Kelly took the Theme ‘Choose Life’ (Bishop Crowley’s motto) and identified for Simon key points of priestly service emphasising the importance of prayer in the life of a priest. The intoning of the Litany of the Saints was followed by the solemn laying on of hands by the Archbishop and then all priests present. His Mam, Nora, and Fr Philip Gillespie of Ushaw vested him with his stole and chasuble, and the Archbishop then presented him with the paten and chalice brought to him by his family led by his Dad, Robert. He was then led by the Archbishop to the altar as the congregation warmly clapped their newest priest.

Just before the final blessing, with thunder, lightning and torrential rain outside the Cathedral, Mgr Dasey, Diocesan Administrator, thanked the Archbishop for coming to the Diocese for the ordination, welcomed Simon to the Diocesan Presbyterate and thanked Nora, Robert and all Simon’s family for all the help and support they had given him. He reminded the congregation that three more students would be starting studies for the priesthood in October, and asked for their continued support.

The Archbishop, Simon and the clergy left the altar to continuous applause from the congregation. Spirits remained high throughout the afternoon despite torrential rain whilst the new priest spent almost two hours giving his first blessing to members of the congregation.