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| Canon Jerome Lloyd OSJV |
In March of 2008, Fr Jerome was commissioned by the Metropolitan Bishop of the Old Roman Catholic Church in Europe, to found a Parish and Community Chaplaincy in Sussex based in Brighton & Hove. Prior to his appointment, Father was resident at the Mother House of the Oratory of St John Vianney in Cosgrove, Northamptonshire (the Oratory is a Congregation of secular Clergy dedicated to emulating the spirituality and vocation of St John Vianney, the Patron Saint of Parish Priests).
Father Jerome read Divinity at the United Theological College, Aberystwyth (of the Aberystwyth & Lampeter Schools of Theology) and for four years received a traditionalist pre-conciliar seminarial formation on the Continent. He has a comprehensive knowledge of Latin and his main academic interests are in Ecclesiology, Liturgy and Canon Law. Father can speak Welsh, French and Italian and is currently learning Spanish. A founder member of the Oratory of St John Vianney, Fr Jerome is dedicated to applying the spirituality and pastoral zeal of the saintly Cure to his ministry as a pastoral priest.
In addition to his pastoral responsibilities as Missionary Priest to St Cuthman's, Fr Jerome is also Vicar General and Chancellor of the ORCCE (since 2006) and as such is a Canon of the Metropolitan Bishop's Chapter. Additionally Father acts as Rector of Formation for seminarians, oversees the ongoing formation of priests and is the Provost General of the Oratory of St John Vianney, an ecumenical and international fraternity of Sacred Ministers.
Prior to founding St Cuthman's, Fr Jerome had full-time curial duties for the OCCE and assisted at the Oratory of Our Lady of Hope in Northampton and was an assistant chaplain at the ecumenical Community of the King of Love, Whaley Hall in Derbyshire.
Fr Jerome is known in Brighton & Hove for his community chaplaincy work visiting nursing and retirement homes, the city's hospices (The Martlets and the Sussex Beacon) and "Ex Ecclesia" our community outreach ministry to those who, for a variety of reasons, feel alienated by the mainstream Churches. Father believes that it is possible for people living alternative lifestyles to reconcile them with the Christian faith and he organises a variety of discussion groups and speakers to address issues such as homosexuality, transgenderism, monogamy, cohabitation before marriage and divorce.
Father is one of a handful of priests in the world who broadcast the traditional Mass in Latin, live, via the internet and is the only priest to do so in Europe. Since broadcasting began in August of 2008, 22'497 viewers have tuned into the Mass and since archiving of broadcasts began, 2'245 people have watched the episodes of Mass since March of 2010, [Stats as at 26/05/10].
Fr Jerome also has a background in leisure and hospitality gained as a restauranteur and licensee. As a former small business owner and member of the Federation of Small Businesses, Father's knowledge also extends to Human Resource management, Health & Safety, retail and marketing as well as Food Hygiene. Father's experience also includes being a former Trade Union Representative (Public & Commercial Services Union) and a Staff Sports & Leisure Association Rep' (HASSRA) in the Civil Service (Department for Work & Pensions); where Father worked originally as an Employment Advisor, then in Marketing and Business liaison and finally as a consultant in IT Project Management and support. All of this experience has perfectly placed Father to act as an industrial chaplain to a number of small and large businesses in the city.
Fr Jerome is well known in Brighton & Hove for his commitment to fundraising for local charities. Most famously walking a tightrope (for the Sussex Beacon HIV/AIDS Hospice) and occasionally dressing up and singing as an old lady ("Dame Margot") performing in fundraising concerts! Performances include appearances for the Mayor of Brighton & Hove's Charity Gala and with celebrities Dame Vera Lynn (St Dunstan's for blind war veterans) and Dame Felicity Lott (For Radios in Hospitals).
An experienced musician (piano/pipe organ) and vocalist, Fr Jerome has consulted on liturgical music for choirs and music groups of various traditions/churches. He was organist of Llanbadarn Fawr and Holy Trinity Churches as well as Director of Music for the United Theological College in Aberystwyth and conducted the annual Passiontide Oratorio performances of the town and University choirs. He is a Patron of a local choir in Brighton and often leads and organises workshops ranging from choral singing through to karaoke! In the spirit of ecumenism, Father also plays for and directs the Choir of Dorset Gardens Methodist Church.
Fr Jerome's personal interests include languages, traveling, reading (favourite author Ellis Peters) classical music, theatre and performance, art and culture, anthropology, history and writing. Father admits to liking Sci-fi though he is not a "Trekky"! He is also appreciated by his Priest colleagues, friends and family alike as a keen chef whose famous "Spaghetti Carbonara" is a signature dish learnt from a formation sponsor family in Rome, the recipe of which is a highly guarded secret!
Fr Jerome is currently Chair of Churches Together in Central Brighton & Kemptown.
Fr Jerome is currently Chair of Churches Together in Central Brighton & Kemptown.