A MUCH loved priest has announced his pending retirement after serving in Thurrock for more than a decade.

Canon Brian O'Shea has told his parishioners at St Thomas of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church in Grays that he will be leaving later this year.

Father Brian announced his decision by saying: "I need to share with you and to greatly thank you for all your tremendous support and friendship, all of which has deeply sustained me over almost 12 years as your parish priest and brother pilgrim. It has been an absolute privilege.

"This month I reach my seventy-fifth birthday, the age when a parish priest has to, by Church law, submit his resignation to the Diocesan Bishop. I have been a priest for 46 years.

"Although I know that the Bishop, in his constant kindness to me, would be happy for me to continue as parish priest, I really feel that given my age and some health issues (naturally at 75!) that it would be right, for the good of the parish also, to retire from the heavy responsibilities as parish priest. The Bishop will appoint a new parish priest in the summer. I would expect to leave here in August.

"Meanwhile, it's a busy time ahead, with Lent, Eastertide, First Communions and Confirmation ahead. After August, the prayer and work of our parish will, I'm sure continue to flourish.

"Words cannot express my sadness at having to come to this decision. The best and only thanks.

"I would sincerely wish from you, my dearest friends, is that you welcome and support my successor.

"I know you will. You have been my family, so I wanted you to know the situation.

"Happily, Father Paul, our supply priest and Mill Hill Missioner has very kindly assured me that he is willing to continue to assist in our parish, in his same dedicated way.

"He is a tremendous support and friend and I thank him so much. Life goes on! I thank Karen and Tina in the presbytery for their continuing dedicated work, and especially during the forthcoming transitional period. I know the Parish Advisory Council will always be a wise and necessary part of our parish's growth, and will work hard towards our Church Restoration.

"Meanwhile, may our partnership of priests and people, of love and God's enterprise flourish in this part of His vineyard."

Another long-serving Thurrock priest in the East of the borough will also be retiring shortly.

Rev John Guest has been leader of St Margaret's in Stanford-le-Hope for more than 20 years and was a curate and team vicar in various locations before he arrived in 1993 and became the Rector in 2003.