Hundreds of people joined a protest outside a church in south Manchester today over a popular priest who has allegedly been forced to retire.
Father Paddy McMahon, known affectionately as Father Mac, has been the parish priest at St John's in Chorlton for over 25 years.
A well-known Man United fan and friend of Sir Alex Ferguson, he has previously made headlines in Manchester for reading out the football results at the end of each Saturday mass.
Father Mac is now aged 78 but is 'fit and healthy with a deep desire to carry on his life's work', his supporters say.
The Diocese of Salford says Father Mac first offered his retirement under Canon Law aged 75 and his position has been reviewed regularly ever since.
The decision for him to retire this year was 'mutually agreed', the Diocese claims.
However, in a letter to his parishioners, Father Mac made it clear he would rather have stayed on.
"I was asked to plan my retirement even though my own wish would be to remain your Parish priest," he wrote.
More than 2,400 people have signed an online petition asking for the decision to be reversed.
And on Sunday afternoon hundreds of locals attended a protest outside St John's, with many holding banners and placards declaring 'Save Our Priest', 'Father Mac the People's Priest' and 'Youth is valuable, age is honourable'.
Teresa Sheehan is among those supporting the campaign.
She told how Father Mac has supported the community for many years and how he has remained especially hard-working and compassionate during the coronavirus pandemic.
"This time last year most people were being buried without a ceremony - for all those people who went to the grave without anyone, Father Mac did his best," she told the M.E.N
"All through lockdowns he was there giving people their Last Rites."
Writing on the petition page, Andy Holland added: "Father Mac is the very fabric and make up of what the Catholic Church needs.
"He's still able enough to carry on his fantastic work in the community and beyond and has brought many a lapsed Catholic back into their faith.
"He is everything to everyone near and far and the best thing that's ever happened to St John's parish."
The protesters have vowed to come back every week until the Diocese reverses its decision.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Salford said: “Father McMahon, in line with Canon Law, offered his retirement to the Bishop at the age of 75 and its was agreed that, with regular review, he would continue his active ministry at that time.
"These reviews take into account the health and energy of a priest, their general wellbeing and the context of the parish community.
"With these considerations in mind, it was mutually agreed that Father McMahon would retire and we give thanks for his ministry over the years.
"We appreciate it can be difficult for a parish when a long-established priest moves on or retires, but we know that the community at St John’s will welcome the new parish priest in the same spirit as they did Fr McMahon. “
