No, not my own father, but me! The High Church high jinks has raised a wee stushie in the parish over another matter. (See Wait Till I Tell You in the Parish Mag) It was made clear to me when I arrived in Dumbarton that naebody here wid be callin' me "father"! For a parish that didn't even have a candle on the altar 12 years ago, I expected nothing less!

However, with the High Church bit, and the local press referring to me lately as "Father Kenny", the issue has arisen again. Not that I'm bothered what people call me! Kenny will do fine thanks! However, an explanation as to how I ended up with the moniker of "Father Kenny"....!

In my curacy, a high church parish, the congregation took great delight in calling a new priest "Father", although there I was known as "Father Macaulay". My first Incumbency was also high church, but in a very poor area, along with the fact that the local Roman Catholic clergy were known as Fr John and Fr Gerry, I soon became known as Fr Kenny, both within the community and within the congregation! The term stuck in my next parish, and returning to the Cathedral in Glasgow, I was referred to as Fr Kenny. All Cathedral staff tended to be endowed with the title by most folk in the congregation of the time!

Then to Shettleston and Kings Park, where, although it was not used frequently, it was accepted as what most folk knew me as, and I was often called Father Kenny. I was called a lot of other things too!

Now Dumbarton......

Really, I don't care! "frkenny" is a nice and easy prefix for an email address!

However, it has always been my view that you have to earn the right to be called "Father" in any parish. If you are a true spiritual "father" to your flock, then the title is earned rather than just accepted and bestowed freely! I want people always to feel comfortable with what they call me, so here is a list: (choose your own)

Revd Macaulay, Mr Macaulay, Kenny, Kenneth, Fr Kenny, Fr Macaulay, Rector, Revd Kenny or Hey You!

Take your pick!