A Salford priest found an original way to promote the Pope’s special year of prayer and bring a breath of fresh air back into the sacrament of Confession

I am constantly describing Pope Francis as “an inspiring figure” and then afterwards asking myself: What exactly has he inspired me to do?

If you ask Fr Frankie Mulgrew that question, he has a solid answer. He responded to the Pope’s Year of Mercy by creating the “Mercy Bus”. This was an actual bus, which was driven around the Salford Diocese all through Lent earlier this year offering blessings and Confession wherever it stopped.

Fr Frankie got the idea from the Mercy Ships – hospital ships that sail the oceans to the poor areas around the world offering healthcare and simple operations.

“The Pope said we need to walk with the people,” Fr Frankie explained. “Even when they are walking away.”