Name; John Hadley
Place of birth; Hitchin, Hertforshire
Date of birth (if you are happy telling us!); 17th March 1947
Where do you live and work at the moment? Narborough,where I am parish priest; but I also work in Birmingham, teaching at Oscott College, and in Nottingham, where I do some work for the Diocese
What made you want to become a priest? A host of different reasons in the time leading up to my Ordination. Principally, I think it was something that I felt I had to do for my own salvation, and hopefully for the benefit of many other people too.
What is the most rewarding thing about being a priest? Being able to talk to people and help them to understand that God calls all of us to blessedness; being with people in times of joy and sorrow, and helping them to find God in their lives.
What is the most difficult thing about being a priest? The sheer amount of work there is to be done – and the realization that I am never going to be able to say that I have finished, or succeeded in what I am trying to do.
If you were God for a day, what would you use your power to do? Stop people quarrelling and fighting, and get them all to work together! Isn’t it wonderful that we aren’t God, and don’t have the responsibility that comes with power!
Which living person do you most admire, and why? No particular person – but in my time I have met many people who have quietly looked after their relatives, in very demanding circumstances, for many years with scarcely any complaint. Their efforts are heroic, and I believe they are living saints.
What is your most treasured possession? I find this difficult to answer. What would I least wish to do without – my ability to talk to people and listen to what they say, to appreciate their kindnesses and get upset when they are angry or troubled. It’s not a possession, but far more important than anything that I ‘own’. As with many people, I have a great fear of ‘losing my marbles’. and of becoming blind.
Who would you have play you in the film of your life? Heaven forbid!
What is your favourite smell? I have a very poor sense of smell. Depending on circumstances, different smells might have an importance – cooking, for instance, or spring flowers. For me, sights and sounds are much more important. My favourite place (outside family, friends, and work places) is probably the Eden Project. My favourite sounds – depending on circumstances again – would be Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms, and many others including Francis Poulenc (‘part monk, part guttersnipe’); but above all, Rachmaninov.
What is your favourite word? Ask those who listen to me!
Which four people would you invite to your dream dinner party? Immanuel Kant was noted for his charm as host, and always ensured that his guests left the table in laughter, believing that laughter helped digestion. I might leave it to him to invite the other three . In other circumstances (not for a meal), I’d like Kant to invite Ludwig Wittgenstein and Karl Popper, provided that there was no poker in the room (and preferably no coal fire either).
If you could go back in time, where (and to when) would you go? I don’t think I could do without the comforts of the modern age!
How do you relax? A good long walk.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? I’ll leave that one to others.
Where would you most like to be right now? Since the Test Match starts today, I’d like to be there.
