Key Sentence:
- The priest said he felt compelled to delete his Twitter account after being accused of not doing enough to carry out Sir David Ames’ latest ritual.
Father Jeffrey Wanow said he rushed to the scene on October 15. When he heard that the MP a devout Catholic had been stabbed to death in Lee-on-Sea, Essex. But the priest said police would not let him in to administer the sacrament because it was a crime scene.
Father Woolnough said the criticism he had received since then was “painful.” Most people were kind enough to give messages of support; others accused me of giving up on the spot,” he said. “The police have to do their job. If I say I have to respect them, it doesn’t mean I agree with them.”
“But as a legally respected citizen, I have to respect that the police won’t let me in. And I have to find Plan B, and Plan B is a prayer for me, and I have to pray on the spot to pray the rosary. An inscription with an inscription, Pastor Jeffrey Wall now. Had rushed to the Methodist Church in Belfast, where Sir David Ames had been stabbed.
Pastor Woolnough is the Catholic Church of St. Peter’s pastor in Eastwood, Southend, near where Sir David was murdered.
He said he tried “foolishly” to defend his actions on social media, but it “disturbed the beehive,” so he deleted his Twitter account. “I’ve tried to tell people that I did my best, but obviously, the best is not good enough,” he said. Father Woolnough said he had had phone conversations with “some very high priests in the hierarchy. Who told him he had “done the right thing.”
The addition of Ames has since been proposed to allow access for Catholic priests, including at crime scenes.
It is intended to amend the Law on Police, Crime, Punishment and Courts. The man accused of murdering Sir David will stand trial next year. Ali Harby Ali, 25, from Kentish, North London, has been charged with murder and conspiracy. An investigation into Sir David’s death will be opened on Wednesday by Essex investigators.