TO which Catholic priest did controversial ex-Tottenham star "Gazza" recently send three kisses? And what connection does this exchange have with a gathering that drew Commons Speaker Bernard Weatherill, exLabour Prime Minister Harold Wilson, Tory Chairman Chris Patten, Cardinal Basil Hume, and General Eva Burrows of the Salvation Army to Westminster Cathedral earlier this week?
The answer lies in a small book entitled See you in Heaven (St Paul's Publications, £24.99) by Fr Michael Seed, Cardinal Hume's ecumenical adviser and the object of Mr Gascoigne's attentions. The footballer had like other distinguished contributors, including Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the Princess Royal, and Prime Minister John Major been replying to a letter from Fr Seed requesting their
views on what life in heaven would be like and, it seems, appended the kisses to his missive in person.
Speaker Weatherill and Mr Patten were rather more restrained at the book's launch on Wednesday the occasion of the cathedral gathering when they read their contributions aloud. occasion.
Fr Seed wrote the book "to help people cope with suffering".