Catholic church criticised for spending £260,000 on new presbytery in New Brighton – just yards from one they controversially closed last year

Jan 6 2010 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

Catholic church criticised for spending £260,000 on new presbytery in New Brighton – just yards from one they controversially closed last year

THE Catholic church has come under fire for spending £260,000 on a new home for a Wirral priest – just yards from a presbytery they controversially closed last year.

The ongoing campaign against the closure of Ss Peter and Paul’s church in New Brighton, known as the “Dome of Home”, took a new twist after a campaigner discovered the purchase.

Councillor Tony Pritchard, who has supported the campaign group SOUL – Save Our Unique Landmark – described the situation as “absurd”.

He said: “This house is only a stone’s throw from the presbytery that they already had which was perfectly fine for the previous priest, Fr Wentworth.

“The building is in good condition, and I would think could certainly be made habitable for less than was spent on an entirely new house.”

Since the closure of Ss Peter and Paul’s church, members of the congregation have been offered services at the nearby Anglican All Saints Church, although a number have chosen to go to Catholic masses elsewhere.

The Diocese forced the closure in 2008, saying Ss Peter and Paul’s was too large for the congregation and too expensive to keep operating.

Early last year the Catholic church had been issued with an ultimatum to repair the crumbling Grade II-listed church building or face legal action.

Wirral council wrote to the Bishop of Shrewsbury, the Rt Rev Brian Noble, insisting that repairs be carried out.

According to Land Registry documents, the new home for the New Brighton priest is Gorsehill Road, which was acquired by the Shrewsbury Roman Catholic Diocesan trustees on October 23, 2009 for £260,000.

Fr John Joyce, spokesman for the Shrewsbury Diocese, said they would be making no comment about the councillors’ complaints.