In Memory of Father Peter Donnovan

Name: Peter Donnovan, Father Age: 45 Occupation: Catholic Priest Hair: Black, short, greying Eyes: Blue Height: 5'11 Weight: 165 lbs Identifying Marks: 7 inch scar running down his ribs on the left side. DoB: 20th of April, 1959 PoB: Donegal, Donegal County, Ireland (Eire) Residence: The Vatican Interests: Theology, philosophy, music (classical, folk, musical and opera)  Irish culture, boxing, swimming, languages, photography. Family: Father: Patrick Donnovan (Brewery-worker, deceased). Mother: Shannon Donnovan (Secretary). Brothers: Seanan Donnovan (Author, age 50). Nephew: Patrick Donnovan (Telecom Project manager) Marital Status: Single. Languages: English, Gaelic, Latin, Italian, Greek and some Spanish Seat: 15, D

Background: Peter Donnovan was born in Donegal,Ireland, on the 20th of April 1959. His father, Patrick Donnovan, was a brewery-worker and had spent every day since he was 16, except from Sundays and holidays, working. His mother, a secretary, worked until her first child Seanan was born. Peter grew up in a Catholic household, having a happy childhood where the Church was something quite urgent. When Patrick was 10, his brother won a prize for one of his essays, and the family moved to Dublin so that Seanan could develop his skills at a good school. While Seanan reacted well to Dublin, Peter was too absorbed in Donegal to care much for Dublin. He found it too modern, too harsh, and spent his days dreaming of his childhood home.

Peter boxed from an early age, his father a firm believer that a lad should be able to defend himself. He stopped when he was 15, after a dream of angels. He saw it as a sign from God, and from that his ideas of joining the Priesthood emerged. He quit boxing, despite loving it, focusing his time on reading instead. As soon as he had finished school, he joined the Priesthood, spending the next 7 years studying Theology as well as dealing with languages. He thrived in it, loving the long hours studying and the discussions. After finishing, he asked to be sent to Londonderry, convinced that he could help. In his eyes, they were right, and respect would make it all better. In other words, Father Peter was naïve.

He walked the streets, convinced that he was safe because of his clothes. Until two weeks later he was attacked by Protestants, beaten and got a 7 inch cut over his ribs. He survived, and spent two weeks recovering in the hospital. But his idea of how it was supposed to be was shattered, and he had no idea about his purpose. When he was released he gave up his job, going to Dublin and spent the next month drinking, not caring about the world around him. That was, until he half-drunk walked the wrong way and entered one of the bad neighbourhoods of Dublin.

He saw the whores, both male and female, the beggars and the poor. Those damned, who he hadn't seen before. He had always imagined Mass with people of his own class, hard-working respectable Irishmen, or rich Irishmen…but never the poor, the beaten, the damned. He saw then that this was what he should do. He should help those who considered themselves damned, those who society had forgotten. He returned to the Priesthood, asking to be placed in Dublin, where he had seen it. For two years he worked with prostitutes and beggars, finding the work rewarding because he could really help people. Not just spiritually, but also with help to change their lives. He had contacts and was sometimes able to get shelter and jobs for people. And sometimes he let them sleep in the Church, especially during winter.

After two years, another Priest took over and Peter went to the Vatican, where he previously had spent four years. He stayed there for three years, learning the more special aspects of the religion, before going to London. He lived there for 14 years, working in the same Church and doing his best to help the people he considered his family. His brother mocked him from his villa in Seattle, USA, but Peter didn't care.

In early 2005 he moved to the Vatican again, to educate himself further. He was travelling to Seattle for his nephew's wedding, having visited a friend in Japan, when he went missing.

Player's Contact: Adam