The Chaplain in Tenerife South, Father Keith Gordon, sadly passed away this afternoon. Bishop David Hamid, Diocese in Europe, said he was grateful to all who were with Fr Keith at the end, and that he was surrounded at the last by his family, parishioners and brother priests who ministered to him. The bishop continued that Fr Keith “faced his cancer with bravery and always with an optimistic good humour. He fought a good fight. We shall all miss him dearly. May God open to him the gates of paradise and grant him peace.”   ... Read more...

Update 4 June 2012: This service is being axed immediately due to cuts, the Dirección General de la Policía has announced in instructions to all regional police chiefs.  The Interior Ministry had originally intended to withdraw all interpretation services in comisarias, but this was found to be in breach of criminal justice legislation which recognizes the right of those detained to assistance in their own language. What has finally been decided, however, is the withdrawal of translation services in the “presentation of denuncias and other procedures”. The change of heart is clearly shown by the two emails sent out, the second  of which says the cuts are due to budgetary restrictions.   ... Read more...