Papal honour for Don Maclean
![Archbishop Longley with new Papal Knight Don Maclean](https://cdn.indcatholicnews.com/articles/148245355817938203938906025653.png?width=330)
Archbishop Longley with new Papal Knight Don Maclean
Don Maclean, comedian, broadcaster and pantomime dame extraordinaire, was invested as a Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Pope St Sylvester by Archbishop Bernard Longley during a special Mass at Our Lady of the Wayside Shirley, Solihull, on Saturday 26 May - the eve of Petecost.
The church looked its best in the spring sunshine. The congregation heartily joined choir and musicians Don Maclean’s choice of hymns including: Faith of our Fathers; Hail Queen of heaven, and Soul of my Saviour.
At the start of Mass Archbishop Longley welcomed Don Maclean and his wife Toni, their two children, Rachel and Rory; children-in-law, Guy and Mel; and grandchildren, Gracie, Cheska (Francesca) and Noah.
Bishop Philip Pargeter, Emeritus Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham; Mgr Canon Timothy Menezes, Vicar General; and Canon Gerry Breen, Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham concelebrated the Mass with the Archbishop of Birmingham together with other priests. These included Fr Gerry Murray, Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Wayside, and Mgr Louis McRae, now aged 97, who resides in the parish and still celebrates Mass.
Throughout the ceremony Don Maclean was well protected by a cohort of 12 Papal Knights and Dames together with eight Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre, of which Don Maclean is himself already a Knight.
Don’s local mates from the world of show business – actor playwright Malcolm Stent, comedian Jasper Carrott, and broadcaster Dave Ismay also attended.
Other personal guests were Councillor Kate Wilde, former Mayor of Solihull, the Revd Ernie Rea, a Presbyterian minister from Northern Ireland, who was head of Religious Broadcasting at the BBC, 1989-2001; Hilary Robinson, a former senior BBC producer, and children’s author; and Gary Newbon, the former ATV and Central Television sports presenter and executive.
Old Boys of the former St Philip’s Grammar School, situated next to the Birmingham Oratory, where Don Maclean was a pupil from 1954-1959; together with Catenians from Solihull and North Warwickshire also were in the packed congregation.
During his homily Archbishop Bernard Longley said: “By a very happy coincidence today is not only the eve of Pentecost - it is also the feast day of St Philip Neri, the founder of the Oratory and the patron saint of Don’s old school in Edgbaston.
“There is something highly appropriate about St Philip being one of Don’s patrons and perhaps also a major spiritual influence in his life. For Filippo Neri was noted for the cheerfulness of his outlook on life and the way that he was able to use humour in order to spread the Gospel.”
The Archbishop of Birmingham said: “People sometimes speak of those rare times when the whole of our lives seem to appear before us, gathered as it were into one single moment. Don, perhaps there is something of that in what you are experiencing today.
“St Philip Neri was with you in the days of your youth, when you were beginning to observe and understand human nature and to reflect it through your own quick-witted talents and your remarkable ability to communicate with others.
“St Philip Neri is once again with you today as the Catholic Church recognises and gives thanks for the ways in which you have used those talents to build up the Kingdom of God and to bring others closer to the truth in Christ.”
He concluded: “As the Year of Faith approaches it is good to have a reminder in Don’s life and work of the power of words to move and uplift others and especially to point them gently towards Christ our Lord. As we now begin this investiture we remember that in the Order of St Sylvester the Holy See recognises in particular those who have used their professional skills to advance the Church’s mission and so serve the risen Lord. Don for this we give thanks.”
Don Maclean received a standing ovation after he delivered a comic address.
Don Maclean, 68, has been in showbusiness for more than 40 years, on stage, screen and radio. He first came to the attention of the general public through his appearances in Crackerjack, BBC 1 1972-1977 and the Black And White Minstrel Show, BBC1, 1974-1977 which he hosted.
Starting out as a stand-up comic, Don has branched into acting, and has starred in 39 pantomimes - his 40th will be in Poole this year, playing Widow Twanky in Aladdin.
He hosted Good Morning Sunday on Radio 2, 1990-2006, every week for an amazing 16 years, for BBC Religious Broadcasting, during which he presented the programme live from Jerusalem, Rome, Hiroshima and Ground Zero, New York.
In 2001 Don Maclean was made an MBE for services to religion and inter-faith relations. This was followed in 2003 by his investiture as a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre at St George’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Southwark. He had an audience with Pope Benedict XVI in Rome during 2006.