A CHURCH in West Croydon will welcome a new Parish Priest next week.
The Reverend Father Michael Scanlon, who takes over following the death of Father David O'Regan, will officially be inducted as the Parish Priest of St Mary's Catholic Church, on Wellesley Road, West Croydon next Sunday, April 28.
More than 2,000 parishioners attend the Croydon church every Sunday. He said: "I hope to continue the good work of my predecessor and I hope that I will prove to be a benefit to the community."
Father Michael, who is moving from Greenwich, said he is looking forward to the challenge and recalled his time on the streets of Woolwich, sending people home during the 2011 summer riots.
He added: "I was sorry to see what happened to Croydon on that same night. It is a shame so many people got caught up in it."
Father Michael already has a date set for a conversation with young people of the parish as well with the local MP in the coming weeks.
He added: "It's early days yet – these things take time."
The service takes place at 6pm.