When I received this book to review my first thought was that it would be a standard history of the clergy in the Diocese of Salford from 1850 -1902 which in effect it is, telling the story of the clergy who were ordained for, or arrived to minister in, the Diocese from its formation in 1850 to the death of the third Bishop of Salford, John Bilsborrow in March 1903. Many of these priests were immigrants or refugees from Ireland and Continental Europe often labouring in great poverty and battling against prejudice and injustice to provide not just religious services, but also schools, orphanages, hospitals etc. However the meticulous research into the 609 priests mentioned in the book has thrown up some fascinating stories, take these for example.. Father Gaetano Fracassi the Rector of St Alban in Ancoats who in June 1940 allowed local Blackshirts to hold meetings in the Parish Hall, he was arrested and eventually was put on the ill fated Arandora Star along with other Italian internees which was sailing to Canada, it was torpedoed by German U boats resulting in the loss of over 800 lives including Father Fracassi who was last seen on the deck giving benediction to fellow passengers. Father Nicholas McCarthy from Irleand was first in Bolon but left under a cloud when he publicly refused to march in a procession to celebrate, Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and was moved to St James in Pendleton, when it came time to bless The Manchester Martyrs memorial in Moston, the Bishop refused, Father McCarthy had no such qualms and did the deed, he too was embroiled in religious politics between the English Catholics and the Irish Catholics in his diocese. Father Joseph Rettori who for a time in the mid 1890s was Chaplain to the Rescue Home in Patricroft, possibly St Joseph's orphanage where he is credited with painting fine murals in the chapel yet very little is known of his life. Other priests who are included in this fine book are the one who set up the Iron Church in Trafford Park, the priest who tended to the Manchester Martyrs on the gallows, tales of both outstanding work in their community and others who shall we say, fell by the wayside... The authors Lawrence R Gregory and David Lannon are to be congratulated on this magnificent book which has taken almost 20 years to put together, not only is it recommended for the serious scholar and historian but makes a fabulous read for anybody interested in their local parish priests and I can't praise it highly enough. The book is available to purchase from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C1J1WQ94?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_A2WB6ZF5VMXCJTGSGDCF
