Canon Pat Browne pays tribute to Charles Kennedy

Canon Pat Browne, who serves as Catholic Priest at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, paid tribute to Scottish MP Charles Kennedy who died last week.

Fr Pat, who is also Parish Priest at Holy Apostles in Pimlico, wrote in the parish newsletter yesterday: "I was deeply saddened on Tuesday this week when I heard of the death of Charles Kennedy. In my role as Catholic Priest in Parliament I got to know him as he was a regular participant at the Masses I celebrate in Parliament every Wednesday.

We exchanged texts the day before the general election and I re-read his last one to me this morning. It said: " ...as I did on the morning of the referendum last September - I'm going to local Mass. Not really to pray so much for me - but for my country. God bless you. CK"

So many people are paying tribute to his work, to him as a person, and to his integrity. They also talk about his struggles - and especially with alcohol. He was a decent man. A reminder to us that being decent doesn't mean we always get it right or are free of struggles. We can be decent in spite of those things or even because of them. We have much to learn from people like Charles.

May He Rest in Peace.