CONTACTS

Fr Christopher Basden, born in Cairo, Egypt, was educated at the Salesian College in Beirut and Georgetown University, Washington D.C. He prepared for the priesthood at St John's Seminary, Wonersh and was ordained to the priesthood at Sacred Heart, Wimbledon on December 15 1979 by the Most Reverend William Barden, O.P., Archbishop of The Latins. Fr Basden served in Ashford, Welling, and Maidstone, all in Kent, and was in the USA from 1993 to 1994. He was appointed to St Bede's in September 1994, succeeding Fr William Dinan.

Fr Andrew Southwell, born in Edinburgh Scotland, was educated at Downside Abbey, Louvain, in Belgium, and the Angelicum in Rome. He was professed a Benedictine monk at Farnborough Abbey, and was ordained a priest there in 1990. He was one of the founders of the traditional priory at Alton, and came to St Bede's in March 1997. Succeeding Fr Hugh Simon-Thwaites, S.J. He is the chaplain to the Latin Mass community at St Bede's, and in the archdiocese of Southwark. He is also the chaplain to the Saint Catherine's Trust, which run monthly family days at St Edmund's Ware, a family retreat every Passion Week, and an annual Summer School.

Fr Philip de Freitas was born in Hackney, educated at Waterfield school, Thamesmead, and studied for the priesthood at St John's Seminary, Wornersh. Before then he was actively involved in the Legion of Mary and the Brixton Youth Project, headed by Fr Hugh Simon-Thwaites, S.J. He was ordained by Bishop Charles Henderson here at St Bede's on Candlemas 1998. Since that time he has served in Tooting Bec, Peckham, and Waddon. He has also served in different apostolates in the USA, including Hispanic and FSSP parishes.

Visiting priests
St Bede's parish has developed a strong tradition of welcoming priests and has a link with the missionary centre for formation in Warsaw, which has sent thirteen priests since 1995 to St Bede's to learn English and to prepare for the missions. Other links have been with the University of The Holy Cross in Rome, the FSSP, and the Institute of Christ the King. In 2009 we have had priests staying from Brazil, Uganda, and Tamil Naidu, and we are expecting a priest from Pakistan in June.

Monsignor Leo Joseph White, Prefect Apostolic
Born in Malta on St Joseph's day 1929, Monsignor Leo was educated at St Joseph's Beulah Hill and in the Capuchin houses of formation. He served as a missionary in Columbia in the 1960's and in Kenya in the 1970's to the 1990's. He built up the prefecture of Garissa on the Sudanese border, and was a member of the Kenyan Bishops' Conference. After spending some years in Brooklyn, and at St George's Cathedral, Southwark, he was at St Bede's parish from 1997 until 2001, when he retired. Since that time he has maintained close links with St Bede's.

Convent of the Handmaids  of Mary:Rev Mother Rosa Puerta - Tel: 020 8673 1247