” “The songs of the "king"

“What a wonderful vocation is ours, my dear brother priests!”, wrote the Pope in his traditional letter for Maundy Thursday. In view of this liturgical feast, which places the figure of the priest, servant of the Church, at the centre, we gathered some testimonies of priests. Let’s begin with an English priest who has been nicknamed Elvis Presley and, thanks to the songs of the “king” of rock, has collected thousands of pounds for charitable causes. He’s Father Conor Stainton-Pollard and he’s having considerable success in Great Britain. The “Sun”, the highest circulation tabloid in the UK, has published his photo, and a very popular breakfast-time TV show, “Big Breakfast”, broadcast on Channel 4 in Britain, has invited him to the studio as a guest. Dressed in white and guitar in hand, Father Conor has much the same features and much the same build as Presley. Born thirty years ago in Lisburn (Northern Ireland), Father Conor moved to England in 1997, when he was ordained priest in the diocese of Liverpool. He’s now studying full-time for a doctorate in philosophy. He began at a very early age to imitate Presley, when he was still at school, among his friends. “I did it as a joke – he explains – but Elvis has always fascinated me, his music, his personality, his sadness. I think people used him a great deal and that he felt that he could no longer be wholly himself”. Do you feel you resemble Presley? “Only in part. I share his craving to sing, his desire to make people smile. It’s that which leads me to interpret him on the stage. Being happy is very important, but the Christian joy is different from that of the world. It’s a joy that has no need for material goods. Elvis Presley, like many people in our time, was profoundly lonely and unhappy. I’m not, thanks to my faith in God and thanks to the Christian community”. In short, an Elvis Presley abandoned by God… “No, an Elvis Presley in search of God, as we may grasp from some of his famous lyrics, ‘I just can’t help believing’ for example. When he died he was reading a book about the Holy Shroud. He had a need for faith and he sought it”. How much time do you spend with Elvis each day? “Several hours. I sing his songs, listen to his discs. When I preach, I often refer to his lyrics and the faithful appreciate that; they understand better what I’m trying to say”. Have you never thought of becoming a pop singer yourself? “I’ve always wanted to become a priest. I’ve had doubts about my vocation, like everyone else, but the desire of becoming a priest began early, in my childhood. My mum said that as a child, when I was asked what I would like to do as a grown-up, instead of saying I would like to become a fireman or a policeman, I replied that I wanted to become a fireman-priest or a policeman-priest. I’m happy to be a priest. That doesn’t stop me from cultivating my passion for Presley on the stage, even though every time I have to go on the stage I am seized by panic”. How many concerts do you do each year? “Three or four and they always have great success, attracting hundreds of people. Every time I hear that someone needs money, I place myself at their disposal. We organize a concert and the lyrics of the ‘king’ work … miracles”.