Ordination to the Priesthood of the Rev Father Christopher Butler took place at Leeds Cathedral on Saturday 21st July 2021 Celebrant by Right Reverend Marcus Nigel Stock, MA, STL, Tenth Bishop of Leeds.
Surrounded by friends and family, many of whom had traveled long distances to see him ordained, Fr Christopher will have been uplifted to hear the Bishop going on to highlight the qualities he brings to the Sacred Priesthood; those qualities of ‘closeness, compassion, and tenderness’ that bring healing and reconciliation are well understood by all who know Fr Chris, and none more so to those who have experienced them in his capacity as a nursing professional who for decades has been a caring, loving, and cheerful presence on the Diocese of Leeds Lourdes Pilgrimage.
‘Closeness, compassion, and tenderness were also the qualities of priesthood recently highlighted by the Holy Father as being those which characterised the friendship between Christ and His Apostles, all of whom – just like all of us, sinners as we are! – were men whose personalities and lives exemplified the whole range of human failings and weaknesses, and yet were chosen by Our Lord Himself to be His closest companions, undergoing a profound and radical conversion of heart and conversion of life.
