Priest found dead in car park

Father Joseph Williams, 42, is believed to have been dead in his car since Friday December 27 when he went out shopping.

Bishop of Northampton, the Right Reverend Peter Doyle, wrote on the Diocese of Northampton website that Father Joseph had died.

He said: “It is with much sadness that I write to let you know that Father Joseph Williams died suddenly while out shopping on Friday... Please pray for the repose of Joe’s soul, for his family and for his parish. May he rest in peace.”

A post-mortem is yet to be arranged but it is believed Father Joseph died of natural causes.

Bedfordshire Police were called to the car park on Monday.

Father Joseph was ordained priest on in July 2000.

He was Parish Priest of St Martin de Porres in Luton from 2008-2011, and Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes in Milton Keynes.

Prior to that he served as an assistant priest in Burnham and Kettering, before moving to Biggleswade as Parish Administrator in 2006.