A Catholic priest has slammed parking authorities as callous after he was slapped with a parking fine while on an emergency mission to visit a sick patient.

Parish priest Father Paul Fox of Our Lady of Ransom, in Rayleigh, went to Southend Hospital to deliver sacraments to another parishioner who was unwell at the time.

Father Fox left a note on his car’s windshield to explain to parking officials who he was and he was on an emergency mission.

When he returned to his car, parking officers had handed him a £40 fine. He appealed against the penalty but to no avail.

Father Fox told BBC Radio Essex: “I went on a call-out to Southend Hospital. I put my car in the bay there and I put a note on the window saying I was a Catholic priest on emergency call and when I came back there was a fine.

“I challenged the fine, and appealed against it. About a week later I got a letter saying my appeal was rejected.

“I feel quite angry in a way because you’re trying to do God’s work and bring God’s mercy and love and compassion to people.

“And someone out there decides to fine you and doesn’t even listen when you try to put your case to them.

“It’s the first time this has happened to me. I was going to see a parishioner who was quite unwell at the time and giving sacraments and so on and talk to him and talk to the family.

“When I came back to the car there as a yellow band around on my wipers with a fine on it.

“I think it’s just wrong. It just shows how callous and cold some people can be, especially parking authorities who just don’t seem to care that this is a Catholic priest trying to do a work of mercy.”

Father Fox went on to say he had no time to put money in the meter. At the time, he was not aware hospitals supply special stickers to religious leaders delivering special services.

He said: “I already have stickers made for me and I was hoping the parking inspectors would turn a blind eye but they didn’t.

“I would suggest to all priests of whatever faith, if you’re going to the hospital just be alert and be careful. Parking attendants are responsible to their authorities and I understand that. But they can be a little callous and cold when it comes to fines and so on.”

The Echo contacted Southend Hospital for a comment however they were not available to provide one.

However, they told BBC Radio Essex they were keen to resolve the matter with Father Fox.