Westminster priest honoured for his City garden

Westminster priest, Father Bruno Healy, was made a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners at a ceremony at Salters Hall in the City of London last night.

Three years ago, Fr Bruno, priest-in-charge at St Joseph's in Bunhill Row, established the Quiet Garden, dedicated to Cardinal Hume, in what had been a derelict plot of land beside his church. The leafy oasis- one of the few green spaces in the area - is proving to be very popular with local residents and office workers.

While Father Healy said he was delighted to be admitted as a Freeman to the Company of Gardeners, he added: "I see this as a wonderful opportunity to be further involved as a man of God in the institutions and life of the City of London. This little garden has helped me to move both the threshold of my church and my ministry as a priest to a much wider public way beyond Catholic confines.

"All sorts of doors have opened through the creation of this small contemplative patch of green". The Quiet Garden will be open and serving refreshments to all who visit during the London Open Gardens weekend on Saturday, 11 and Sunday 12 June. All proceeds will go to the Cardinal Hume Centre.

For more information and pictures visit the parish website at: www.AtPrayerintheCity.com