Catholic priest wins reprieve - chapel will not be converted into Muslim prayer room

A Catholic priest has won a reprieve for a Catholic hospital chapel after he successfully fought a proposal to convert it into a Muslim prayer room.

Hundreds of people signed a petition against the plan, one of several options up for consideration at North Manchester General Hospital.

Father Ged Murphy, of St Patrick's and St Malachy's parish in Collyhurst, started a petition against the plan to move one of the hospital's two Muslim prayer rooms into the chaplaincy space. The plan was for Catholics then to share another space with the existing Protestant chapel.

The Roman Catholic Chapel of St Raphael, which is well used during the week, will now stay as it is.

Father Murphy told the Manchester Evening News: "I am delighted that it is not being closed. What was pleasing was that members of the Muslim community signed our petition.

"A member of the Catholic chaplaincy had been instrumental in getting Muslim prayer rooms established at the hospital.

"I hope that a space can be found at the hospital which is more suitable to the needs of the Muslim community."

Rev John Hall, chaplaincy co-ordinator at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "As a trust we recognise how important the provision of dedicated faith and prayer rooms are at our hospitals for our staff, patients, carers and visitors of all faiths.

"As such - despite some media reports and comments and concerns posted on social media - we can confirm the trust has no plans to close any facilities, including the Catholic Chapel here, and we will not be changing or converting this important and well-used chapel into any other prayer room.

"We provide a number of chapels and dedicated faith and prayer rooms across our trust, including at the North Manchester General Hospital.

"As part of our efforts to improve our faith and spiritual care services across our hospitals, we are currently looking at how we can improve the access, availability and standard of our facilities for those of all faiths and for all that wish to use them for prayer and reflection.

"We continue to listen and engage with all parties of all faiths to ensure we are meeting the needs of everyone who wishes to use our chaplaincy and spiritual care services and facilities.

"More information about our spiritual care and faith services are available on our website at www.pat.nhs.uk. I would welcome any comments and feedback on how we can improve access to our faith facilities across our hospitals."