Page 12 - Real Rochdale Issue 10 Summer 2021

Rev Mark Coleman
Mark Coleman is far from your conventional vicar. From connecting people from different faiths
and backgrounds, to helping asylum seekers and being arrested for his taking a stand against
climate change with the Extinction Rebellion protests, Mark bares all to Michelle Kight.
Mark grew up in Liverpool, studying law at
university before he realised a legal career
wasn’t the path he wanted to take in life. He has
been married to Councillor Wendy Cocks since
1985, and they have two sons.
After feeling the ‘call of faith’, he retrained as a
vicar, eventually ending up, in September 2014,
as Vicar of St Mary in the Baum and St Chad’s
parish churches in the centre of Rochdale.
Somewhat surprisingly, Mark tells us he’s “not
keen on organised religion.”
“I believe in a faith lived out in the real world,”
he explains. “Being generous, loving and
welcoming to all, especially any outsiders. For
me it’s about trying to be the best Christian I
can be. We can learn so much from others of
different faiths. I have been so enriched coming
to Rochdale and getting to know Muslim
brothers and sisters.
“It was a big change after living in Liverpool, but
when I began to meet people, I started to feel
very much at home.
“There is a great willingness to work together,
and I soon learned I couldn’t do much on my
own. So much can be achieved with that
Rochdale ‘can do’ spirit and pride in our place.
I have had wonderful conversations with faith
leaders, exploring all sorts of issues, many of
which we probably disagree about. It would
have been absurd to be vicar where most of the
parish are not practicing Christians without
building church-mosque partnerships.”
Speaking about his work with other faiths,
perhaps one of the most touching moments –
and true examples of solidarity between
humans – came following the horrific terror
attacks on a mosque in New Zealand in 2019
Not only did the wardens of Rochdale
Parish Church present a bouquet of flowers
to Neeli Mosque, but representatives from
many churches stood shoulder-to-shoulder in a
peaceful vigil alongside their Muslim brothers.
Mark’s voluntary work has also seen the launch
of RADAR – Rochdale Action with Destitute
Asylum Seekers and Refugees, set up in May
2019 by the now-retired reverend and “I’d been involved in environmental campaigns people who care about the planet. It was so
members of various church communities in for over 10 years as a Christian priest. Like moving to meet older and younger people, and
Rochdale. many, I have signed petitions, gone to events in being part of a community seeking a future
London and seen my MPs. In that time, carbon for all.
In the process of applying for permission to emissions have increased, and we are now in
remain, a small number of asylum seekers end the midst of a climate emergency and the sixth “We can all respond; we’re all in this together
up with no money and no housing, and survive mass extinction.” and we can all make a change. Get involved, you
by sofa surfing or end up street homeless. don’t have to get arrested,” he wryly chuckles.
Mark says: “When we saw this need we Becoming increasingly concerned about the Since his retirement, Mark has remained
realised that something had to be done. We climate crisis, Mark began to feel his actions involved with RADAR and Extinction Rebellion,
knew Rochdale’s hospitality was second to were not enough, and felt the need to do despite being diagnosed with long-term illness.
none and this was proved by the loan of a house something bigger – and more impactful.
in which we have housed three men. Lockdown “When it comes to disability, I’m never sure
has been hard for them, but we are so glad to After observing the April 2019 protests in when to talk about it, however I want people
have been able to keep them safe and warm.” London, the former Reverend decided to take to know the real me. Retirement is a time to be
part in the next demonstration, and undertook truthful. When I tell people I have Parkinson’s,
In 2019, Mark turned activist, and was arrested training with Christian Climate Action. many can relate to that as we all have our
for the first time in his life after partaking in an frailties. I’m very blessed that I can still
Extinction Rebellion protest in London, on 7 “It was a wonderful experience. The police function, but it does bring limitations.”
October, alongside two other clergy. were kind to me and I met many fantastic
13 REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2021