Dear –redacted-

 You will recall you said Mass for the staff at –redacted- at the start of this academic year; Thursday 2 September 2021 to be precise. 

You will recall also that I had sent you the order of service for your approval, which it was then agreed would be transposed to a PowerPoint.  In the PowerPoint staff were invited to come up for a blessing at communion time.  When I asked to give a quick reminder about the protocol for communion you said “No blessings” despite you having approved the order of service. 

As only the day before –redacted- had said that staff of all faiths and none were welcome in the school you will understand why, at that point, I emphasised coming up to communion. 

 At Communion time staff could read on the PowerPoint that they were welcome to come up for a blessing, as you had approved.  You will recall that when they came to you, they were sent away quite sharply.   

I am sure you will be aware this caused scandal among staff.  I spent a lot of time over the next few days explaining to people that I did not know why you might have done so. There are members of our community who feel your actions, or inaction, negated the welcome offered the previous day by –redacted-

I have spoken about the lack of blessings to theologians who work at St Mary’s University and Allen Hall.  None of them could give me what they described as a ‘sound justification’.   

I thought it appropriate to advise you of the disappointment your action caused. 

 Secondly, at that Mass, after communion, I was consuming about a half dozen left over hosts when you gave the final blessing.  I found myself having to give the dismissal with the Eucharist in my mouth.  I know this may simply be a training matter for priests who do not often have a deacon with them, but this, I am advised, is exceptionally inappropriate.  Perhaps this might be taken up with the Westminster OGF team. 

Yours 

Tony Flavin 

Former chaplain at -reacted-