He is known as the "priest to the stars", or simply the "It priest", famed for his string of well-connected friends and the high-profile people he has converted to Catholicism.
But after nearly 24 years, Father Michael Seed is being forced to abandon the social 'razzmatazz' of London – and the star-studded fundraisers he organises – for a role in a more remote outpost of the Catholic church.
His move from Westminster Cathedral has caused "dismay" in some quarters, but his detractors say the 51-year-old Franciscan's brand of "champagne Catholicism" is at odds with the teachings of his austere religious order, the Franciscan Friars of Atonement.
He has not yet been given a new posting, although possibilities are said to include sending him to Kenya to establish a mission, or to rural Canada to become an assistant priest.
Speaking to The Mail on Sunday last night, Fr Seed confirmed that his time ministering to the rich and famous was coming to an end.
He insisted he was "quite happy", at the prospect of the imminent move, but admitted it was not a decision of his own making.
"The cardinal is leaving and there are lots of changes," he said. "Perhaps had they not happened I would have stayed here forever and been taken out in my coffin.
"But it's easy to lose track of the origins of one's religious life and it's the right time for me to take time for quietness and prayerfulness. It's the right time to hang up the social life here.
"I'm leaving in July and taking a sabbatical in September, possibly until the following September."
The affable priest has spent a lot of his time working with the homeless of Central London – but it is his connections with the upper echelons of society for which he has become known.
Cherie Blair has praised his ability to turn "the great into the good" while he regularly celebrated Mass in private for the Blairs at Downing Street.
He has helped convert politicians Ann Widdecombe, John Gummer and the late Alan Clark as well as the Duchess of Kent – the first contemporary Royal to become a Catholic.
Meanwhile, his regular Night Under The Stars fundraising events at the Royal Albert Hall led to friendships with Rory Bremner, Mohammed Al Fayed and Princess Michael of Kent, and helped him become a regular figure on London's society party circuit.
But there are some for whom Fr Seed's approach to Catholicism is an uncomfortable fit with his vow of poverty and the fact that the small American order to which he belongs is devoted to working with the most underprivileged members of society.
One said: "He may be good at schmoozing and raising money but he doesn't half let you know about it. He's important and self-important."
And a former colleague compared him to the Labour Party's controversial former chief fund-raiser, saying: "He's the Catholic Church's Lord Levy."
But Fr Seed's friends are concerned about his departure, and it is understood that some fellow priests have gone so far as to urge him to resign from his obscure branch of the Franciscans.
But however personally disappointed he may be, Fr Seed has agreed to follow instructions.
Catholic peer Lord Alton said: "I hope that any decision taken about his future will ensure that his wonderful gifts are used in the most productive way.
"Fr Michael is hugely respected at Westminster where he has quietly undertaken very considerable pastoral work."
Catherine Pepinster, editor of Catholic newspaper The Tablet, added: "Many Catholics are dismayed by the departure of Fr Seed.
"He has been a fixture of Catholic life in London for many years and has done much to raise the church's profile."
Fr Seed, who was ordained at the age of 28, has been attached to Westminster Cathedral – the primary Catholic cathedral in England and Wales – since 1985 and has been secretary of the archdiocese's ecumenical commission, which builds relationships with other Christian denominations, since 1988.
In 2004, Pope John Paul II awarded him a cross of honour for his work.
Last year he wrote a harrowing memoir, Nobody's Child, describing the abused and impoverished childhood he endured in Bolton, which ultimately led him to seek solace in religion.
He later said he regretted the decision to publish the biography, explaining that he hated all the "razzmatazz" of its launch at the House of Commons and the inevitable trail of interviews he undertook to publicise its publication.
It seems unlikely that he will have to worry about such fripperies in the months to come.
Speaking last night, The Friars for Atonement's Minister General, Father James Puglisi, made it clear: "We are lesser friars – friars minor – and the full service of the Gospel is our first objective."
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