Priest is ordained in hospital

SCOTLAND’S newest priest has been ordained in hospital in his wheelchair after he was left critically ill when his treatment for leukaemia failed.

Father Graham Turner, 48, from Edinburgh, had his ordination postponed last June after he was diagnosed and doctors began aggressive treatment.

But after hearing the latest prognosis for the deacon of St Mary’s Cathedral, Cardinal Keith O’Brien revived plans to ordain him for St Andrews and Edinburgh Archdiocese. Father Turner was ordained by Cardinal O’Brien on Easter Monday in the chapel at Salford Royal Hospital in Manchester.

Cardinal O’Brien said: “The ordination went beautifully. He was wheeled in his hospital bed to the chapel and transferred into a padded wheelchair for the ceremony.”

Father Turner assisted in the Mass and was able, with help from nursing staff, to stand for a short time at the beginning.

Cardinal O’Brien added: “He participated fully and was aware of everything that was going on.”