Author: Anthony J F Mantova S.F.O.

  • Convicted Love

    Convicted Love

    Twice in 2012 and once in 2013 I was falsely arrested, questioned, sent court and ended up in Altcourse Prison in Liverpool. The charges were stalking and harassment. So hello, how could I be talking about convicted love?

    Now, I am given a restraining order saying that, I cannot mention the so called victim, her boyfriend or their families or else I could be arrested and sent to prison. This restraining order extends to my family, my friends and any third person acting for or against me. And yet her friend in the Daily Post North Wales got the story published in every tabloid rag in the UK. Sometimes twice or more times. And even on BBC Wales.

    This might sound bit strong and some will say far-fetched, but seeing as the victim has friends in North Wales Police Force, it was not surprising that many I have met said they were victims of North Wales Farce. Ooops. Force. Actually prison was not too bad. The judges, magistrates, police and prison officers and politicians pays for the food, water work, education and health care. In fact each service pays for itself; from tax of cause.

    However, what I really mean by not too bad is, I met several gorgeous young men, aged between 18 and 30, all who seemed found me attractive. I think they need glasses, or was it a put up. An attempt to get me in trouble or to get my hopes up just to have them dashed.

    One chap was with his mates in the showers after football practice. As I walked past, he dropped the soap. So I said “Ooops, don’t drop the soap in the showers, Matty”. At which he smiled ran out of the showers, bent over and stretched his cheeks to show his sweet ass hole. And in front of everyone he said “I’m yours. Fill me.” Basically declaring his feelings. If we hadn’t of been in prison with everyone watching, I might have.

    When I was leaving the prison at the end of my first sentence, an 18 year old cute guy said to me, “If you come back, I’ll get you in bed!” That was a definite sexual threat/promise. Another time, a lad wanted to see what films were on that night but had no TV guided. So I told him could look at mine. As he pushed my wheelchair back to the pad, that’s the name many give their cell, he said “And what else will we do to each other whilst we are there?” He was 19 and hot as hell but again I had to hold back.

    In fact, there has always been a dispute over the right age of consent. Once I was told the age of consent is 16 but then again I told that by a 16 year old. Anyways by law, anyone 18 and above is an adult. And technically, an adult should be with other adults. Not 16 and 17 year olds. Oddly by the same law, anyone in prison aged from 18 to 21 is called a young offender. Which is the term used to describe someone below 18 outside of prison. So are they adults or not?

    So how can I call it love when nothing happened? Well, for many, it was not for lack of trying. Though I could have said yes, to any and all offers. Was a quick fling worth the hassle? I was in prison only for about two months at any one time.

    And yet if I had been able to meet any or all, under different circumstances, it very well could have led to love. Yes, I am still single. And there have been the odd times, when I have given and received the odd suck. Maybe, it seems I am neither fuck-able or worth a fuck. Maybe, I can only get love if it is convicted love?

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  • Being a Gay Franciscan

    Being a Gay Franciscan

    What do I mean by Gay Franciscan? Well I am a Franciscan Brother, who is and was born gay, or to quote Lady Gaga, ‘baby I was born that way!’ Yet I am not a Priest or Brother of the First order, or unless I have had a sex change become a member of the Second order, the Poor Clare’s or Poor Ladies.

    No I am a Secular Franciscan, a Tertiary, a member of the Third order of St Francis of Assisi who is our seraphic founding father, yet he himself was a deacon. Our patrons Saints, along with Francis and Clare are:

    GLORIOUS PAST

    Since Francis’ time the Order Franciscan Secular (OFS) has many members. Through nearly eight centuries it has continued to prosper, bringing untold blessings to the Church and society. It has been fruitful in much personal holiness, and many Secular Franciscans have been beatified and canonised in recognition of their outstanding holiness.

    They came from all walks of life: St Elizabeth [queen of Hungary] and St Louis [king of France] are patrons of the OFS; nine popes have been Secular Franciscans; household names like Columbus, Thomas More, Copernicus, Bernadette,, Dante, and the less well known like John Bradburne and Margaret of Cortona were all members.

    SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER (OFS)

    Saint Francis of Assisi left us “a Dream to dream and a Journey to challenge everyone”. All Franciscans are inspired by him to follow Christ. The Secular Franciscan Order belongs to this family. In their secular state, members permanently commit themselves to live the Gospel as Francis did, following his Rule approved by the Pope. The OFS is open to the laity and diocesan clergy.

    There are more than 850 Secular Franciscans in Great Britain. Gathering in fraternities, they strive to grow in the love of God and in peace with each other. In this way, they aspire to be faithful Disciples of Christ. (Taken from website www.ofsgb.org.uk/)

    Now ok, I hear you thinking what has any of this to do with us or our sexuality? Well the fact that I, Br Anthony James Francis Mantova S.F.O. is and always have been gay, and peace and the rainbow flag. St Francis wrote a beautiful prayer that is now also a much loved hymn entitled ‘(Lord) Make me an instrument/a channel of your peace!’

    Which is a fitting hymn for all of humanity, but St Francis is also the patron Saint of Humanity and humanitarian aid, efforts and conflicts, of nature, animals, life people and plants to name a few, St Clare Communications and Multimedia and Television.

    The rainbow flag or peace flag, as well as being associated with the LGBT community worldwide, it is also there for Greenpeace, NATO and the United Nations and anyone who wants world peace and in the past I have seen PEACE flags with the St Francis logo, so I believe this is why our community has adopted the flag as its own.

    Yet peace belongs to all of us, and so fitting that I am both gay and Franciscan, many in the church not just the Franciscan family are gay, yes priest, brothers, sisters, yet they have chosen to hide away and devote their love to god rather than each other.

    Now this by no great hardship and slowly the church is accepting that we are a part of humanity, the same humanity, Our Lord Jesus was born into. The feast of Saints Anne and Joachim, the parents of Our Blessed mother Mary is held each year on the 26th July, these are in fact his holy grandparents, and should be praised.

    When I was younger, back in Liver for almost 30 years I was in the parish of St Sebastian Fairfield, and attended the Roman Catholic Primary school, attached to it. During my time I met many Franciscans of the various orders, and today the Order of Friars Minor Conventual can be found running St Anthony of Padua’s RC Church in Queens Drive, and nearby at the OFM Cap in Pantasaph, where the famous singing fundraising priest Fr Francis Maple OFM Cap can be found.

    The Cap is short for Capuchin, and they are so called because of there long hoods, that reminds people of the Capuchin monkeys. It was on of these priests/Brothers who invented the frothy hooded coffee, that we enjoy today know simply as cappuccino. So why and how are the Franciscans important to any of us?

    Well if it wasn’t for St Francis we wouldn’t have the order, and without the order, we wouldn’t have some of the gadgets and gizmos we have today. It was St Anthony of Padua with St Bonaventura, who established THE FIRST University in Bologna, Italy in the 1300s.

    So I am proud to be a Franciscan, and yes also gay; neither affects the other negatively, in fact they are helpful to each other, in understanding who we are. While there are many things to do and consider before becoming a true Franciscan, but if you love people, life, nature, animals, devote a little time to Payer and want peace both here and now and in the future, then are you not already living a form of Franciscan life.

    Lord make me a channel of your peace in this world and in the next.

    Amen


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