22 October 2015, The Tablet

The teacher who inspired me

by Keith Fernett

12-PAGE SUPPLEMENT

 
My father was employed in the prison service and we moved around the country a lot, writes Keith Fernett. In 1964, when I arrived at Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton, it was my eleventh move. I was a shy, introverted 12-year-old, quite isolated through so much upheaval.My new RE teacher was Fr Hull, a Salesian priest who had recently returned from the missions in India. His approach to the world revolved around human dignity and the consideration of others, and he put this across in such a considered manner it became imprinted on my brain. He was a thoughtful and strong-minded person, who at the same time was open to a debate and a challenge in an enquiring sense. He made me think.I would describe him as a translation box for what being a Catholic could mean. He used his experiences
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