Priest warns of 'forces of wickedness' in Portishead

A former Portishead priest says there is evil in the town akin to that which Sam and Frodo battled in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. The Reverend Clive Laws, who resigned from his job as assistant parish priest in April and left the town in July, is urging members of his former flock to pray in an attempt to oust "spiritual forces of wickedness".

He sent the message to his ex-parishioners in the August edition of the Portishead parish magazine. The magazine, produced by members of St Nicholas and St Peter's churches, has a subscription of around 700 and is read by thousands of people across the town.

In his message he refers to the Tolkien classic, Return of the King – part of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy – where characters Sam and Frodo are on their way to Mount Doom to destroy the ring and break the power of Mordor, a place of evil next to the Mountain of Shadows. He likens the story to activities in Portishead and urges members of the church to continue doing their good work to push away evil forces.


Photo from here.

In his message he says: "There is an immense battle going on in Tolkien's world and it is taking place at different levels. I believe that there is an immense battle going on here in Portishead, indeed all through the Gordano Valley. I believe that there are spiritual forces of wickedness that are fighting against the coming of Christ's Kingdom in this place.

"They are intent on breaking and destroying all that is good and lovely and true."
Rev Laws, a 58-year-old father of three, also urges his parishioners to pray for the 'overthrowing of darkness.'

In his message he adds: "Keep on praying – please keep on praying."