Our Lady, Help of Christians R C Church

Good church if you’re rich, not so good if you’re not. Monsignor Rothon is like a fly to dog excrement to people in the community he knows have money and it is obvious how he behaves after the service in this regard. If you’re not from the Cator Estate he won’t give you the time of day. All he sees are £ signs.

I really enjoyed this evening's low mass. Monsignor Rothon sits in the Sacred heart chapel before mass and can be approached to hear confessions. The mass was just how I like it no singing and no long pauses and a short homily. Very polite person taking the collection too all over within 45 minutes.

My mother, in her seventies, attended this church for over 40 years until last weekend.Having recently been hospitalised, she decided to sit at the back of the church in a single chair within the hallway to listen to the service in case she needed to leave early owing to discomfort and her desire not to disturb others if required to do so.Shortly into Mass, a lady brought her crying baby out towards the back where my mother was seated and stood deliberately in order to rock her baby in an attempt to quieten her or him. My mother and the lady made quiet pleasantries as the lady continued to rock her baby and my mother continued to sit.Shortly afterwards, the monsignor, Nicholas Rothon, entered into the rear of the church where both my mother and the lady with the baby were and placed a chair in front of the lady, saying: ‘Here’s a chair because the lady wouldn’t give you hers,’ referring to my mother.Astonished, my mother stood up and left, having been embarrassed at being accused of not offering the lady her seat, despite the monsignor not knowing my mother’s circumstances, or being privy to the fact that the lady chose to stand in order to calm her baby. In fact, the lady refused to sit on the chair brought, signalling that she was standing for a reason.As a twice weekly church-going Catholic, my mother was deeply upset by the monsignor’s baseless assumption, as well as lack of empathy as to why my mother would have been required to sit.Upon calling the Monsignor shortly afterwards to explain the situation on behalf of my mother, the Monsignor literally told me that he considered my mother to be ‘inconsiderate and rude’ and also stated that ‘it would be best for her never to return to the church again’. These are the exact words used. I was expecting the Monsignor to have some understanding and display at least an ounce of Christian behaviour; instead he acted worse than I could have ever imagined.This Monsignor is one of the worst examples of clergymen I have ever encountered, nor ever wish to again. He and this church should hang their heads in shame.Absolutely disgusting.

I love this church though local it has the feel of a city church. The Monsignor says a nice mass and writes a great little newsletter with a weekly prayer, a quote and a recipe! I look forward to it every Sunday.

Great surroundings

Apalled with the experience I had with the priest. I called to make an enquiry and he wasn't friendly or welcoming at all. Very saddened by the manners as well as the way I was spoken to as if I was in some way annoying him. Not the simpathy you thought you'd get from a priest (regardless if he can help with your enquiry or not). We are a young family who were looking to join a catholic parrish in the area but for sure it won't be this one.

Best church ever, for families with small children anyway :) but lets keep it a secret

Beautiful Christmas morning service thank you to all involved. This was our first Christmas here with our daughter son in law and brand new granddaughter..... She was as good as gold.

A very pleasing church and a first class parish priest.

You couldn't wish for a more beautiful church or a more wonderful Monsignor. The most gentle, non judgemental man who welcomes all x Having now known Nicholas Rothon for nearly 20 years, married in the church and had two children baptised there I can highly recommend a warm and loving community, service and experience. We moved away and he welcomes us with open arms and always makes time to talk x Very lucky to have been part of the Blackheath Catholic church