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Who am I? This question reminds me of a cartoon I saw once. Car driving
off into the distance. Two policemen standing by the side of the road,
scratching their heads, looking puzzled. One policeman to the other:
'Remind me never to ask a philosopher for evidence of his identity...'
Well, I'm a Catholic priest, who has finished a period of teaching philosophy and has now moved back to a parish in Peckham, London. Born 1956. English. Grew up in London suburbs, bordering on Kent. We lived in Orpington. Unremarkable place, only noted for two things: (1) a certain breed of hen - the Buff Orpington (honest!), and (2) a freak Liberal victory in an election in the 1960s. |
Oldest child of four. Mother a Londoner,
Father partly Indian (he lived there until he finished school).
Curry - a family tradition. (I can cook it quite well myself).
Studied physics at Oxford. As it happens I, my brother and sisters
all quite scientific for some reason. Strangely enough, scientific
education quite useful in my work as a priest, since science and
religion so often seen as opposed.
Worked for a couple of years in industrial research.
Only then (!) really began to ask myself what I
wanted to do with my life. Possibility of being called to be a priest
seemed absurd at first, but things gradually began to fall into place
in this direction.
Six wonderful years living in Italy while studying
for ordination. Then four years in one of our 'multicultural'
parishes in South London (more curry!). Very friendly, both
priests and people - a good place for a 'first appointment'.
Spent ten years teaching what I call 'Bluffer's Guide to Philosophy',
enjoying the challenge of trying to explain abstract ideas as simply and
as concretely as possible. I rejoice in thinking up funny-sounding
examples (ask me why God is like a one-legged Scotsman...)
Just settling back into parish work in a place called Peckham in
south-east London, two or three miles from the city centre.
Interests: so many things, really. Mainly books, music and computers
(probably in that order). Books including (in no particular order)
science fiction and fantasy, 19th century novels, children's books.
The latter, because I've never stopped liking the Narnia books, and
so have no prejudice against adults reading children's books.
There are so many good children's books around - as well as a lot of
not-very-good ones - that I really enjoy looking out for new ones for
my nephew and nieces. Since I first read Anne of Green Gables,
L M Montgomery has been a particular enthusiasm with me.
That's all I can think of for the moment - but then you've probably
had enough by now anyway!
All the best,
Paul.
| Last updated 19th July 1999 |
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