As a young child, I was adopted and my adopted father died when I was four. Every adopted person I\u2019ve talked to says the same thing: we grow up with an empty space inside. Is that why I turned to God? I\u2019m not sure. I wasn\u2019t particularly religious before, but in my late twenties I became aware that I was surrounded by a feeling of patience. There was no \u201cbig moment\u201d when I decided to go to theological college, but it somehow became clear to me that I should live my life as a parish priest and I was eventually ordained in 1992. And the only reason I could give for being a priest was that I was a broken man. Maybe that\u2019s the only quality you need.<\/p>\n
As a non-stipendiary priest, you don\u2019t get paid. You get a house, but money has to be earned elsewhere. I\u2019m supposed to spend two days a week as a priest and the rest of the time on my other stuff \u2014 writing or catching up with friends and family. I\u2019m sure some people see my books or watch me on TV and think I\u2019m rolling in cash. Definitely not! It makes things a bit easier but, financially, life is still tricky. That\u2019s OK. I don\u2019t need a big TV or a fancy car. I have a home and goldfinches in my garden. If I lust after anything, it\u2019s chocolate peanuts.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a> (subscription).<\/p>\n The charismatic priest on swapping drink and drugs for Jesus and the Sussex countryside https:\/\/t.co\/8SZ0AbqCIX<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Sunday Times Magazine (@TheSTMagazine) October 6, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n