Bless Me, Father

Storyline

"Bless Me Father" is a 21-episode British sitcom that ran from 1978 to 1981. A gentle and impish look at Catholic life in post-war suburban Britain, the series follows the adventures and misadventures of the practical-minded veteran Irish priest Fr. Father Duddleswell (Arthur Lowe) as he tries to break in his inexperienced and idealistic young curate Father Boyd (Daniel Abineri). The priests' lives at St. Jude's Parish in London are hilariously complicated by an unflappable and tart housekeeper (Gabrielle Daye), a stern and imperious Mother Superior (Sheila Keith), and a flippant worldling neighbor, Billy Buzzle (David Ryall). Plots revolve around crises that make Catholic parish life both charming and frustrating, e.g., fund-raising and parish bazaars, the seal of confession, complications over funerals, etc.