In a deprived corner of the UK, Christian meditation is a frequently used tool to counter the ravages of drink, drugs and homelessness, thanks to a former roadie for punk band The Damned

“How, you?” a voice called as I was opening the door to the John Paul Centre in the centre of Middlesbrough. “Aye, you.” Nodding, a heavily bearded figure crossed the road towards me. He wore a duffel coat and fake fur racoon hat against the unseasonable summer chill – and at least half a bottle of morning sherry. “Are you in charge of the food?”
“The food?” I asked.

The man waved a hand at the imposing building rising above us. The town’s former Irish Centre, the John Paul extends a warm welcome to the homeless, refugees, recovering addicts and daily Massgoers with the help of the diocese of Middlesbrough and the Vincentian homelessness charity Depaul UK. “They said there’s a baldy fella in there what gives out food,” he went on. “Some sort of monk. Always going on about Jesus and Buddha. Got tattoos.”

“Oh,” I said. “You mean Terry.”

It could only be Terry Doyle. Development worker, former punk, and now oblate of the World Communion for Christian Meditation – who else on Teesside would be both tonsured and tattooed? We met Terry on the stairs. He was just about to start his weekly meditation session, but made a quick detour down to the foodbank.