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Where to see Pope Benedict in London
During Pope Benedict's visit, there will be two occasions to see him as he travel in the Popemobile through the streets of central London. The first is on the early evening of Friday 17 September when he travels from Lambeth Palace to Westminster Hall via Lambeth Bridge and Millbank. The second is on the early evening of Saturday 18 September
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Claire Bergin |
Walking for Right To Life
There are some unforgettable moments. When I practised as a midwife in a remote area of Zambia, I would regularly accompany the mobile ante-natal and Under-Five clinic to even more remote villages. Often this would mean setting up in a classroom or even inside the church where villages had no school. Read More ...
Sr Janet Fearns |
Catholic woman honoured for work in Korea
A Catholic lay missionary who spent 50 years providing social services in South Korea, will be honored by a secular welfare foundation in October. The Paradise Welfare Foundation announced today that it will confer its Social Welfare Award on Susannah Mary Younger, 74, on 19 October. Read More ...
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Catholic Voices to debate with Protest the Pope
A group of Catholics formed to put the Church's case during Pope Benedict's visit will later this week oppose the 'Protest the Pope' coalition at a debate organised by the Central London Humanist Group and the British Humanist Association.
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Scotland to welcome Pope with spectacular parade
Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien today launched the St Ninian's Day Parade - a 'grand Scottish spectacle' to welcome Pope Benedict XVI to this country next month while also raising money for good causes at home and abroad. At the launch, the Cardinal was joined by the Minister for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop MSP. Read More ...
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Scottish poll shows opposition to Papal visit evaporating
Opposition to next month’s Papal Visit to Scotland seems to be dramatically smaller than predicted, according to a new poll out today. The survey suggests that a few as 2% of Scots say they’re “strongly opposed” to the visit with over fifteen times as many people saying they’re in favour of it. Read More ...
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Blessed Cyprian Tansi pilgrimage
As Catholics prepare to mark the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman next month, the last English-based priest to be beatified was celebrated in the annual Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi pilgrimage at Mt St Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire on Saturday. Read More ...
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Reflection on male priesthood
As Catholic Women's Ordination launches its bus campaign, the Dean of Studies at Allen Hall Seminary, Fr Stephen Wang, offers a reflection on the male priesthood: Popes, Priesthood, and Patriarchy. Read More ...
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Brother Lewis Berry speaks on Birmingham Three reports
In the wake of a number of press and blog reports concerning the movements of three members of the Birmingham Oratory, Brother Lewis Berry has issued the following statement today: 'I would like to dissociate myself completely from recent reporting which has made criticisms of the exercise of legitimate authority, and made uncharitable and even defamatory statements Read More ...
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ICN on holiday
Independent Catholic News is on holiday now. While we are still updating the Saint of the Day and Listings, the next full news service will be on 30 August. There are still a few seats left for the inaugural Independent Catholic News lecture at Heythrop College, which will be given by award-winning broadcast journalist and campaigner Mark Dowd,
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Glasgow: Archbishop Conti issues pastoral letter on Pope's visit
Archbishop Conti has published a pastoral letter ahead of the Papal Visit. The letter to be distributed over the weekend of August 7-8 encourages a full and enthusiastic welcome for the Holy Father, defining the visit as "an historic occasion ... a moment of grace". The Archbishop talks of the "immense privilege" for the Archdiocese of Glasgow to host the successor of St Peter. Read More ...
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Scottish Cardinal defends al-Megrahi decision
In an article in today's "Scotland on Sunday" newspaper, Cardinal Keith O'Brien has defended the decision by the Scottish Government to release on compassionate grounds Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi. The full text of this article appears below. Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Father Terry Tastard - 8 August 2010
Faith. The very word has a kind of religious sound to it. Something which belongs to the world of devotion and not to the world of hard facts. But actually, faith is something shared by many people both inside and outside the Church. Without faith, life as we know it would be almost impossible. Read More ...
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Cardinal Keith O’Brien celebrates Silver Jubilee as a bishop
Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien, the UK’s most senior Churchman, celebrates the 25th anniversary of his ordination as a bishop this week. The Cardinal became Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh on 5 August 1985. Reflecting back on his 1985 Episcopal Ordination - which took place at Edinburgh’s St Mary’s Cathedral, Read More ...
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Glasgow receives symbol of peace from Tuscany
A 200 year old olive tree has arrived in Glasgow from Tuscany - a gift of the people and council of Castelnuovo in the Garfagnana area. The tree, which is already heavy with olives, will be planted in the Cathedral memorial garden later in the year. Read More ...
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John Henry Newman: Teaching teachers
The beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman will be one of the focal points of Pope Benedict XVI’s forthcoming visit to the United Kingdom. Newman was deeply committed to education, to the provision of spiritual and pastoral care as well as academic excellence. His interest in this field should come as no surprise to us, argues Newman scholar, Roderick Strange, as we learn more about the man whose thought and writings were inseparable from his person. Read More ...
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Papal Visit shop opens for business
Whether you are looking for mugs or t-shirts; rosaries or candles, official merchandise for the Papal Visit to the UK can now be found online on the site for the Papal Visit. The papal product lines include religious souvenirs (crucifixes, rosaries and holy cards); the official programme, clothing (baseball caps, t-shirts, jackets and sweatshirts), souvenirs (candles, memorabilia, Read More ...
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West Country parishioners fund ethical stem cell research
A professor at the University of Bristol has received a grant of £25,000 from Catholic parishioners to help his work into 'ethical stem cell research'. Professor Neil Scolding from the University of Bristol Institute of Clinical Neurosciences is conducting a study into the use of adult stem cells in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Read More ...
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Irish bishop urges safety on roads
Bishop Liam McDaid, Bishop of Clogher, appealed to all road users, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians in Ireland, to take special care of themselves and their loved ones over the Bank Holiday weekend. Bishop MacDaid said: "...in the wake of the most serious Irish road accident on record in Donegal on 12 July last, I ask that we exercise particular vigilance
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Sunday Reflection with Father Terry Tastard - 2 August 2010
The Texan millionaire had been very specific about his funeral service. He had asked that he be buried at the wheel in his favourite pink Cadillac convertible, wearing his Stetson hat and a cigar in his mouth. They did just that. An enormous hole was dug and a crane lowered the convertible into the hole with the Texan at the wheel just as he had stipulated. One of the grave diggers leaned on his shovel and looked down at the car and its deceased owner. He whistled in amazement. ‘Man’ he said, ‘I call that living.’ Read More ...
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Celebrating the Feast of St Ignatius
Jesuit parishes through Britain will be celebrating the Feast of the founder of the Society of Jesus this weekend. St Ignatius Loyola - with his early Companions - founded the Order, with the blessing of Pope Paul III, in 1540. Read More ...
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JCFL - an oasis of peace in the heart of London
The next JCFL prayer vigil takes place on Thursday, 5 August at 7.30pm. The theme for August is: Here I am, Lord. The evening of prayer and friendship for Christians of all traditions takes place in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street 114 Mount Street, London, W1K 3AH (nearest tubes - Bond Street, Green Park) Read More ...
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Archbishop leads Padley Martyrs pilgrimage
Archbishop Vincent Nichols lead this year's Padley Pilgrimage in Derbyshire last Sunday. The annual pilgrimage to Padley Manor House celebrates the lives and deaths of Nicholas Garlick and Robert Ludlam - known as the Padley Martyrs - who died for their faith more than 400 years ago. Read More ...
Gerry Molumby |
Stamp of approval for Cardinal Newman and Papal visit
Two postage stamps depicting photographs of Cardinal Newman, one never published before, and a stamp label showing Pope Benedict XVI, are included in a miniature sheet to be issued by the Isle of Man Post Office on Wednesday 11 August, the 120th Anniversary of the death of Cardinal Newman. Read More ...
Peter Jennings |
Safeguarding Commission issues new report
The second Annual Report of the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission, (NCSC) was released today. It explains the continuing work of the Commission and the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS). These were both established in July 2008 to replace the Catholic Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (COPCA) following the Cumberlege Report carried out for the Bishops Conference and Conference of Religious. Read More ...
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London: film screening, debate on celibacy
Film director, John Deery, is staging a debate on the issue of celibacy in the Catholic Church, at a West End cinema, two days before Pope Benedict's visit to the UK on 14 September. The motion for the debate will be: 'Celibacy should no longer be a compulsory requirement for the Roman Catholic priesthood'. Read More ...
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Deacon Jack Sullivan to proclaim Gospel at Newman Beatification Mass
Deacon Jack Sullivan, from the Archdiocese of Boston Massachusetts, is to proclaim the Gospel at the Cardinal Newman's Beaitifcation Mass to be celebrated by Pope Benedict, at Cofton Park Birmingham, on Sunday 19 September. Rev Sullivan was miraculously cured from a serious spinal disorder on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, 15 August 2001.
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Peter Jennings |
Bishop from Kazakhstan to attend Latin Mass Society conference
The Latin Mass Society has announced that Bishop Athanasius Schneider ORC, Auxiliary Bishop of Karaganga in Kazakhstan, will be attending the forthcoming priests’ training conference to be held at Downside Abbey from Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 August. Bishop Schneider will celebrate a Solemn Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form in the Abbey Church at Downside
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Scottish Bishop urges parishes to spread costs of Papal Mass
In a letter sent to all Priests of the Diocese of Paisley today, 26 July, Bishop Philip Tartaglia has described the Pope Benedict XVI’s Mass in Bellahouston Park in September as “a once-in-a-generation Mass with the Holy Father on Scottish soil.” He has also urged parishes to show innovation and imagination when it comes to raising funds to cover the considerable costs of the event so that
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Exhibition: The Crown and the Papal Tiara
The historic links between the Holy See and the British monarchy from early days to the present time will be explored in a new exhibition opening at Westminster Cathedral on 2 August. The Crown and the Tiara is being mounted in St George's Chapel. It consists of a series of panels with text and pictures. Read More ...
Jo Siedlecka |
Jubilee Campaign urges: 'end Britain’s dodgy deals'
The Export Credits Guarantee Department is a little-known part of the UK Government that uses public money to back exports to the developing world. The faith-based Jubilee Campaign has dubbed it 'the Department for Dodgy Deals', because all too often, it underwrites deals like arms sales, coal power plants and oil pipelines. Read More ...
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Birmingham: image of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St Chad's
An image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was displayed during a special Day for Life service led by Archbishop Bernard Longley, at the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad in Birmingham on Sunday afternoon. Archbishop Bernard presided at Benediction and led the Rosary prayers. Read More ...
Peter Jennings |
Premier starts proceedings against government over rejected advert
Premier Christian media has issued legal proceedings against the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt, after their national station, Premier Christian Radio, was refused permission to broadcast an advert calling on Christians to report any experience of Christian marginalisation in the workplace. Read More ...
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Texan cowboys rope in English congregations
A group of rodeo cowboys from Texas are coming to England next month to give a very special performances in some of our oldest cathedrals. They will be joined by accountants, American federal judges, artists, computer experts, couture fashion and jewelry designers, oil and gas geologists, Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 25th July 2010
It’s an odd picture of God if we think of him as someone who has to be persuaded, rather like the wheedling tactics of Abraham in our first reading (Genesis 18.20-22). This picture of God as open to bargaining seems rather odd to us. Surely, we think, God saw through Abraham? Well, yes. That is part of the meaning of the passage. It is laced with humour. We are meant to understand that all the time Abraham was trying his salami tactics, God saw through him.
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New website: Protect the Pope.com
A permanent deacon from the Diocese of Lancaster, has launched a website this week, called: 'Protect the Pope' - in response to groups such as 'Protest the Pope' which have been gaining publicity since the announcement of Pope Benedict's visit to the UK. Read More ...
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Edinburgh: Archbishop of Galilee to speak at Cathedral
There is a chance to see Catholic Melchite Archbishop Elias Chacour of Galilee, in Edinburgh next month, when he speaks on 'The Promise of the Promised Land' at St Mary’s RC Cathedral on 20 August at 7.30pm. The lecture is part of the city's ecumenical Festival of Spirituality and Peace which runs from 7-30 August. Read More ...
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Bishop Drainey leads North Yorks trek
Bishop Terry Drainey, of Middlesbrough, led 120 walkers on a seven mile trek from Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire to Whitby for evening Mass last Sunday.He admitted he was no walker like his predecessor John Crowley, who led a diocesan pilgrimage nearly 100 miles from Hull to Middlesbrough the summer before retiring in 2007. Read More ...
Mike Morrissey |
New priest for Birmingham Diocese
St Thomas of Canterbury Church in Walsall, Birmingham Diocese, was packed for the Ordination of Deacon Michael Puljic to the Sacred Priesthood by Archbishop Bernard Longley. Members of Father Puljic’s family came from as far afield as Croatia and Canada to witness the event at the Coalpool Lane Church. Read More ...
Jozef Lopuszynski |
Concerns raised over new effort to legalise euthanasia
A leading anti-euthanasia group has said that a disabled man's efforts to legalise euthanasia undermines everyone's security. No Less Human, a group within SPUC Pro-Life representing disabled people, was responding to the legal challenge launched today by Tony Nicklinson, who is seeking voluntary euthanasia by lethal dose. Read More ...
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Find jobs, accommodation, retreats, and more, with ICN Classified Ads
Looking for a job, a place to live or just want to get a way for a break? Independent Catholic News now has free classified sections, advertising jobs, accommodation, (both commercial and private), holidays, pilgrimages, retreats, business and other services. This section is updated daily. Read More ...
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Grandparents pilgrimage to Walsingham
Grandmothers and grandfathers from all over the United Kingdom will converge on the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham next weekend for the ninth annual National Grandparents’ Pilgrimage. The event on Saturday, 24 July, will be "a family day of faith and fun – and an opportunity to celebrate grandparents everywhere, right back to St Joachim and St Anne, the grandparents of Jesus." Read More ...
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Day for Life grants announced
Thanks to the generosity of parishioners up and down the country, the Church has been able to distribute more than £500,000 in grants over the last two years. The annual Day for Life is dedicated to celebrating the dignity of life from conception to natural death and the annual collection taken up in parishes on the last Sunday in July each year is used to give grants to life-related activities supported by the Church. Read More ...
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Birmingham: Lord Patten visits site of Papal Mass
Lord Patten of Barnes, the Prime Minister's personal representative for the State Visit of Pope Benedict XVI visited Birmingham to view preparations for the Papal Mass and Beatification of Cardinal Newman at Cofton Park on Sunday 19 September. Lord Patten the last Governor of Hong Kong, was accompanied by Councillor Alan Rudge, Read More ...
Peter Jennings |
Irish Bishop comments on Holy See update on 'Norms on serious crimes'
Bishop John McAreavey, Bishop of Dromore and co-chair of the Bishops' Council for Communications has welcomed the publication by the Holy See of the new Normae de Gravioribus Delictis (Norms concerning the most serious crimes). He points out out that although the references to child abuse and women's ordination are in the same document, this 'does not imply in any context that all these issues are equivalent'. Read More ...
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Historic Welsh celebrations at Westminster Cathedral
As part of events to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of St John Roberts, a multi-faith service was held at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, attended by church leaders of all denominations. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams addressed the congregation in both English and Welsh. This was the first time the Welsh language was used in an official capacity within the walls of Westminster Cathedral.
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Hannah-Jane Davies |
Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 18 July 2010
Hospitality is one of the great gifts of humankind. To be able to welcome others into our homes, to share in conviviality - these things speak volumes about what it means to be human. In the ancient world, hospitality was especially important. Your family and your clan owed you nurture and protection. Beyond that, you were at the mercy of others, and to venture beyond your social network meant a great deal of trust - and vulnerability. Read More ...
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Belfast: prayers for peace, as riots continue
As the streets of Ardoyne in north Belfast erupted into a fourth night of riots yesterday, a priest whose parish is in the heart of the battleground, lead hundreds in a peaceful assembly appealing, and praying, for an end to the violence. Read More ...
Jo Siedlecka |
Newman's golden nugget
The Oxford Oratory recently organised a week of fund raising events with an American theme, culminating in a dinner on Friday at Harris Manchester College,Oxford,which is twinned with Harvard University and the Catholic Boston College. £10,000 was the weeks'' target towards the building fund, for a chapel dedicated to Cardinal Newman and a library to exhibit his work. Read More ...
Amanda C Dickie |
International Ecumenical congress in Lancashire
The Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary are holding their seventeenth international congress from 19-22 July at Garstang, near Preston in Lancashire, on the theme of 'The Mission and Place of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus - Icon of the Church, sign of certain hope and comfort to the People of God.'
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Amanda C Dickie |
Portsmouth: new statue to be unveiled at Cathedral
Representatives of some 50,000 Catholics from across the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth – covering Hampshire, the IoW, Channel Isles and parts of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Dorset – will assemble at St John’s Catholic Cathedral in Portsmouth on 22 July to witness the unveiling of Philip Jackson’s sculpture of St John the Evangelist in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and Archbishop Vincent Nicholls. Read More ...
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LONDON: accommodation needed
Mature Catholic female in her 40's looking for a friendly flatshare or housesitting. I have a full-time job in education. Can look after animals and plants. I am a non smoker, clean and responsible. I would prefer accommodation in North London. Thank you for reading.
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CAFOD moves to new green building
CAFOD’s new head office is being officially opened by Archbishop Vincent Nichols tomorrow. The aid agency moved premises on 10 May after 28 years in Stockwell to a purpose-built new building next to St George’s Cathedral in Southwark. The building, named Romero House in an ongoing tribute to the memory of Archbishop Oscar Romero, Read More ...
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Weekend of celebrations in Arundel & Brighton
The weekend of 9-11 July saw three important events in the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton: The celebration of the Silver Jubilee of Mgr Tony Barry at St Wilfrid’s Catholic Secondary School, Crawley, the ordination at St Joseph’s, Epsom of Peter Andrews as a Priest, and the institution at the Friary, Crawley of seven men preparing for the Permanent Diaconate as readers and acolytes. Read More ...
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Cardinal advises Christian men to 'swim against tide'
Harvesters, a nationwide Catholic network which welcomes men from all Christian denominations, gathered 150 men from 9 - 11 July at Woldingham Park School in Surrey, for a sunshine-filled weekend. Speakers included Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and David Matthews, with Fr Jack Finnegan, a Salesian priest and professor of spirituality and psychology at the Milltown Institute, Dublin as the principal retreat giver. Read More ...
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Heart of St Camillus comes to Ireland
The Order of Ministers of the Sick (Camillians) have begun celebrating the 400th anniversary of the death of their founder, St Camillus (1614 - 2014). Among many special events planned this year is the public exposition and the pilgrimage of the Heart of Saint Camillus, normally kept in the General House in Rome, to the provinces where the Order is present. Read More ...
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Solar churches 'could light up Britain'
Britain's churches and other religious buildings could raise £34 million a year by installing solar panels, according to new figures from the British Gas Green Streets programme, which were unveiled on Monday. British Gas' research shows that solar panels on Britain's religious buildings could generate over £29 million a year through Feed-In Tariffs, a scheme which pays households and organisations for generating 'green' electricity. Read More ...
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Church of England votes in favour of women bishops
The Church of England has ruled that women should be able to become bishops, but there will be further discussions in the dioceses, and another Synod vote in a year's time before they can be ordained. Traditionalist Anglicans who opposed the move had sought exemptions from serving under women bishops Read More ...
Claire Bergin |
Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 11 July 2010
When God wanted to reveal himself to the world, he began by calling a particular people to be those who would be the first to receive his revelation. This Chosen People, the Jews, were led from slavery and given the Law, the Torah, as a standard to live by. This underlies our first reading from Deuteronomy, in which Moses reminds the people that the Law should be in their hearts and on their lips (30.14). Read More ...
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Day for Life
Not one of us can predict how we are going to die or in what state we are going to die. More than 350,000 leaflets presenting the Church’s teaching on death are being sent to every parish in England and Wales this week in preparation for Day for Life – the Day dedicated to raising awareness about the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition.
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First Welsh language service at Westminster Cathedral
As part of the events to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of St John Roberts, a multi-faith service will be held at Westminster Cathedral on 17 July, attended by the Heads of all Churches. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams will address the congregation in both English and Welsh. Read More ...
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Papal Visit: 'a mission to restore the gift of faith'
Plans for Pope Benedict's forthcoming visit were outlined at a press conference at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office yesterday, given by Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Lord Patten of Barnes, the Prime Minister's Special Representative for the Papal Visit.
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Jo Siedlecka |
Three new priests ordained for Glasgow
On a day of joy for the Church in Glasgow, three men were ordained to the Priesthood for service in the Archdiocese. In response to the Lord's call, Revv John Sweeney, Martin Kane and Ross Campbell each gave their ready response 'Here I am'. Read More ...
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UK government to keep ban on Catholics becoming king 
The UK coalition government has dropped plans to reform the monarchy which might have allowed a Catholic to become king or queen. Proposals to reform succession to the throne, permitting Catholics and women to have equal rights, were raised by Gordon Brown last year. Read More ...
staff writer - 1 opinion posted |
London parish joins pilgrimage to ancient chapel in Essex
Some time ago the parish of St Mellitus in Tollington Park decided to join the annual pilgrimage to this little chapel built by St.Cedd in 654 on the site of a Roman fortress. St Cedd came down from Lindisfarne and formed his first community here on the Essex coast. He was born only a few years before St Mellitus died. Read More ...
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Catholic Voices release new film
The Catholic Voices bureau has just released a new film explaining their work. Launched in February 2010, the bureau is a group of Catholics from many walks of life, who have come together to offer their services to the media as spokespersons, able to articulate and discuss the Church’s positions on major contentious issues. Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 4 July 3010
The gospel today (Luke 10.1-9) is full of details which tell us much about how Jesus saw his ministry. The same details are important for us and the church today. Note first of all that he sends his disciples out in pairs. All of us need support, companionship, encouragement. Moreover, two minds conferring and consulting can usually see more clearly and decide more effectively than one. Read More ...
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Ireland celebrates St Oliver Plunkett
Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and Bishop Donal McKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor will lead the 2010 Festival Day of St Oliver Plunkett in Drogheda, Co Louth this Sunday 4 July. This year the procession and the celebration of Mass will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the beatification of St Oliver Plunkett.
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Rare drawing of lost cathedral discovered
A rare drawing of one of the great lost churches of Britain has been discovered. The picture of the Old St Paul's Cathedral, made less than a decade before it was destroyed in the Great Fire, goes on auction today at Sotheby's. The picture, by Bohemian artist Wenceslaus Hollar, is one of only two known to have survived, showing the medieval cathedral, Read More ...
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Catholic fund gives over £900,000 to London projects
The St John Southworth Fund has awarded 96 grants to the value of £905,000 in 2009-2010 to help those in need in London boroughs including the homeless, migrants and refugees, children, youth education, disability support, pastoral support for the elderly, and other projects in the Diocese of Westminster. Read More ...
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Church land - 'a model for environmental change'
On Saturday, 18 September, the Christian environmental and nature conservation charity, A Rocha UK, will hold a conference on the importance of church land management, as part of its Eco-Congregation England & Wales green-church award scheme. It will give practical examples of projects and open up opportunities to see what conservation potential church land may hold. Read More ...
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Survey finds one in nine historic places of worship at risk
Around one in nine listed places of worship in England could be at risk because they are in a poor or very bad condition, according to a survey released this week. English Heritage surveyed 2,215 buildings and found that 11% were in a poor or very bad state. Those in rural areas were, overall, more likely to be run-down, but in certain urban areas Read More ...
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Prayers for the players
Rev John Boyers, chaplain to Manchester United FC and Director of inter-denominational sports chaplaincy body, SCORE, tells Thinking Faith about how he became involved in football chaplaincy. What does the role of chaplain to one of the world’s biggest football clubs involve, and how does it embody a model of Christian service? Read More ...
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London: Archbishop Romero Lecture
The beautiful church of St Martin in the Fields in Central London is often called “the church with the open door” because it welcomes people from all walks of life. It believes that people who are homeless, refugees, struggling and feeling on the edge are at the centre of God’s love and the centre of the church. It was a fitting venue then for a memorial talk ‘Remembering Romero’ Read More ...
Ellen Teague |
Westminster: Archbishop Vincent Nichols ordains four Deacons
Four Westminster seminarians: Graham Stokes, Andrew Gallagher, Andrew Connick and Paulo Bagini were ordained Deacons by Archbishop Vincent Nichols at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 26 June. Archbishop Vincent said: “These men have taken an important step towards the priesthood and in doing so have entered firmly into a long tradition of priestly service in the Church.” Read More ...
Patrick Daly |
Ireland: Church rebutts 'homophobic Pope' claims
The Irish Catholic Communications Office has issued the following clarification concerning references to Pope Benedict XVI in today's Irish Examiner interview with Mr Eamon Gilmore TD, Leader of the Labour Party. In the interview, the paper's political correspondent Shaun Connolly writes that Eamon Gilmore urges: "... Pope Benedict XVI to 'temper' statements
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'UK welfare cuts could be disasterous for low income families'
Academics and poverty campaigners are warning the UK coalition government that its planned cuts in welfare spending may have disastrous effects on the poorest people in the UK. The British Medical Journal last week highlighted the false logic of ring-fencing the health budget whilst singling out the welfare budget for massive spending cuts, Read More ...
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Ann Widdecombe favoured as next British ambassador to Vatican
The UK's Coalition Government is likely to appoint former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, as the next British ambassador to the Vatican, according to a report in the Sunday Telegraph. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, and William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, are understood to have endorsed the nomination, which will be sent to the Vatican for final approval before an announcement is made later in the summer. Read More ...
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Westminster Cathedral celebrates centenary
Today, 28 June, Westminster Cathedral celebrates the 100th anniversary of its consecration. The Catholic Cathedral Church of Westminster, which is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, was designed in the Early Christian Byzantine style by the Victorian architect John Francis Bentley. Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 27 June 2010
There are all kinds of expressions that we use to indicate a fundamental and irrevocable choice. We say of people that they burned their bridges (or their boats). They nailed their colours to the mast, or crossed the Rubicon. These and other expressions tell us that there are times in life when there will be no going back. There are times when life will ask of us a resolute commitment, even if it combines both courage and fear. Read More ...
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Protest over new report claiming foetus does not feel pain
Campaigners are protesting over a new report out today from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) which concludes that a foetus does not feel pain before 24 weeks. The RCOG's report on Foetal Awareness also asserts that the foetus is in a state of induced sleep and is unconscious while in the chemical environment of the womb. Read More ...
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Bishops launch ‘Practical Guide to Spiritual Care of Dying Person’
‘A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Care of the Dying Person’ was launched at the Faith in Health conference in Liverpool today. It aims to assist front-line staff in identifying spiritual need in their patients, and to feel confident in their ability to provide it. Commissioned by the Bishops’ Conference Healthcare Reference Group, the guide was written by Dr Catherine Gleeson, Dr David Jones, Fr Paul Mason and Rev Dr James Hanvey SJ. Read More ...
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Beatification of Cardinal Newman at Cofton Park
Cardinal John Henry Newman was buried in the small secluded graveyard at the Oratory House Rednal on Tuesday 19 August 1890 following his Funeral Mass at the Oratory Church in Edgbaston. He died in his room at the Oratory House just over a week earlier, on Monday 11 August, aged 89. Read More ...
Peter Jennings |
Pope Benedict to celebrate Mass in Birmingham, not Coventry
The Vatican has announced that plans for Pope Benedict to celebrate Mass at Coventry Airport have been cancelled. Instead, the Church has asked Birmingham City Council to prepare Cofton Park, near Longbridge, for the Beatification Mass of Cardinal John Henry Newman, who is buried nearby. Read More ...
Dan Bergin |
Scottish Euthanasia Bill provokes massive opposition
Today the Catholic Church in Scotland will help deliver to the doors of the Scottish Parliament the first batch of campaigning cards opposing Margo MacDonald’s euthanasia bill. Representing thousands of voters across Scotland – voters who are opposed to the introduction of assisted suicide and euthanasia through the End of Life Assistance Bill – Read More ...
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European Laity Forum to meet in Birmingham
The European Forum of National Laity Committees, known as the European Laity Forum (ELF) will gather at St Chad's Cathedral Birmingham from 6-11 July, for its biennial Study Assembly. The theme of the Assembly is 'Human Dignity in a changing Europe – a Christian response'. Keynote speakers will be: Bishop William Kenney CP (Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham and spokesman on European Affairs Read More ...
Barry Hudd |
Newman in Ealing
A pub on St Mary’s Road in Ealing, west London, and the state visit of Pope Benedict XVI this September may seem like they have little in common but in fact they do: Cardinal John Henry Newman. I first became aware that John Henry Newman had any connection with the borough thanks to one of those informative little histories you sometimes get on pub walls. Read More ...
Peter Allott |
Booking now: Living Theology summer courses
Living Theology 2010 courses take place from 9-12 July at Allen Hall, Chelsea and 26-31 July at Mount St Marys College, Spinkhill, Derbyshire. For more than forty years Jesuits and their associates have supported a residential summer school of Christian Faith in the Catholic tradition. In recent years, in addition to the annual residential summer school, Read More ...
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Theologian to give 2010 Archbishop Romero lecture
A Scottish priest and theologian working in Central America is currently visiting Britain to give the 2010 Romero Lecture. Fr Tommy Greenan will speak at the Lauriston Centre in Edinburgh, St Aloysius Church in Glasgow, Liverpool Hope University, the Cathedral Hall in Leeds and at St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square, London. Read More ...
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Latin Mass training conference for priests
The Latin Mass Society of England and Wales (LMS) is organising a residential training conference for priests wishing to learn the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Traditional Latin Mass) at Downside Abbey in Somerset from Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 August. The course will feature Traditional liturgies in Downside’s chapel together with a Gregorian Chant schola and polyphonic choir. Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 20 June 2010
Jesus asks his disciples Who do the crowds say I am? (Luke 9.18). After the feeding of the five thousand his name must have been on everybody’s lips. His preaching and teaching were making an impact. It is a hinge moment. Jesus prays deeply as he seeks to know the Father’s will. Soon, he will take the inner group of disciples up the mount of transfiguration for a time of more intense prayer.
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Birmingham: centre encourages hard-to-reach Dads
From staying and playing to mixing fruit smoothies, the role of Dad should be celebrated daily. That's the Fathers' Day message from Anthony Road Children's Centre in Birmingham. "Fathers' Day is very important but we need to look beyond the cards and presents on this one day," said Aggie Kent,
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Irish Bishops welcome Bloody Sunday Inquiry report
On the third day of the Summer General Meeting of the Irish Episcopal Conference in Maynooth, yesterday, the Bishops of Ireland prayed for those who lost their lives and were injured in Derry on Bloody Sunday, 30 January 1972, and in a joint statement said: "We welcome the findings of The Report of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry Read More ...
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RECRUITING NOW - JOB VACANCIES AT THE IRISH CHAPLAINCY
Would you like to join the dedicated, hardworking and innovative team at the Irish Chaplaincy in Britain (ICB), an established faith based charity that cares for Irish emigrants in the UK? Are you motivated by the chance to make a positive difference to one of the most vulnerable ethnic groups in UK society today? Read More ...
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Bishops launch official Papal Visit booklet and logo
Archbishop Vincent Nichols today launched "The Pope in the UK" booklet which will go out to parishes across England, Wales and Scotland. The booklet aims to answer some simple questions about the visit itself, the call of faith and its unfolding in daily life and the role of the Catholic Church. It is made up of ten questions, ranging from why the Pope is meeting the Queen to the contribution of the Catholic Church to British society Read More ...
1 opinion posted |
Archbishop Nichols welcomes international Alpha conference delegates
Archbishop Nichols welcomed around thirty visiting archbishops, bishops and their representatives from across the world at a Mass and reception in Westminster recently. The Episcopal representatives were from Europe, Middle East and Africa and included three archbishops and ten bishops from India, Sri Lanka, France, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and the Caribbean. Read More ...
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Mayor of London speaks out against attempt to ban town hall prayers
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has said that any attempt to remove prayers from the beginning of council meetings would be misguided. In response to an NSS (National Secular Society) campaign to remove council prayers, the Mayor said: "Whatever they [councillors] may think about the existence or non existence of God...they should focus briefly in a moment of prayer, Read More ...
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Redemptorist editor: 'Time to broaden narrow focus on clerical abuse'
The editor of religious magazine, Reality, has called publicly for a recognition that sexual abuse is “widespread in society” and that men and women in the Church are “no more likely than others to abuse”. In the June editorial of the Redemptorist magazine, Reality, Fr Gerry Moloney, CSsR, says “a sense of balance and perspective” is needed in relation to the Church and child protection. Read More ...
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Hampshire: Bishop lays foundation stone for eco-friendly church
Bishop Crispian Hollis, Bishop of Portsmouth, laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the art new church for the parish of Sacred Heart and St Peter the Apostle at Waterlooville on in Hampshire on Friday, June 11. The £3.2m design, by Christchurch-based architect Columba Cook, will feature an impressive tear-shaped sanctuary window and energy-efficient features like rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic cells to generate electricity. Read More ...
Barry Hudd |
Westminster: Mass marks close of Year of Priests
The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster celebrated Mass for the close of the Year for Priests and the Feast of the Sacred Heart at Westminster Cathedral on Friday. Reflecting on the events of the past year, Archbishop Nichols said: 'Rarely has such public attention been given to our failings Read More ...
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Portsmouth: celebrating 130 marriages
About 130 couples are gathering in Basingstoke today, 12 June for a celebration of marriage. The couples, from all over Portsmouth Diocese, are all celebrating the 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th or above wedding anniversaries in 2010. One couple are marking their 70th Wedding Anniversary. Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 13 June 2010
We take part in a lifetime struggle to find a balance between law and grace. Without law our lives would be shapeless. Unless there were regulations there would be utter selfishness. But if we live by the law alone then we become lifeless, unimaginative, hidebound. For a fulfilled life we also need God’s gift of grace. Grace inspires us to live generously and creatively and above all lovingly. I think of it as being like the strings on a musical instrument like a violin.
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New Catholic archive at Roehampton University
Roehampton University has recently acquired the Queen’s Archive as part of its Archives and Special Collections, which represents a valuable new resource for the Digby Stuart Research Centre for Catholic Studies. This collection of paper and audio records was generated in the course of a project to investigate authority and governance in the Roman Catholic Church. Read More ...
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Archbishop Peter Smith installed as Archbishop of Southwark
The Most Reverend Peter Smith, formerly Archbishop of Cardiff, has been installed today as the Archbishop of Southwark at a special Mass at St George's Cathedral, Southwark. The Installation marks a return home for Archbishop Peter, who was born in Battersea and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese in1972. Read More ...
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Scotland's Irish community remembered in special Mass
A Mass will be celebrated this weekend in memory of those who died as a result of the Great Hunger, those who fled their native land, and for those of Irish descent who live in Scotland today. The Mass will be celebrated at 3pm on Sunday, 13 June, at Carfin Grotto in Lanarkshire. Read More ...
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Survey shows UK parents spend just 49 minutes a day with their children
A survey of 3,000 parents and 1,000 children has revealed that parents spend on average 49 minutes with their children each day. 68% of parents identified that money was one of the reasons for this. Dr Rosemary Keenan, Chief Executive of the Catholic Children's Society (Westminster), said: "This is an alarmingly short period of time for children to spend with their parents. Read More ...
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Cardinal: 'divided Church is a sin, scandal against Christ'
The Vatican's official on ecumenism called for a "renewed Pentecost" and the "fire and storm of the Holy Spirit" in a passionate homily on Sunday about Christian unity. Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, spoke at the "Two Cathedrals service" in Liverpool on the feast of Pentecost. Read More ...
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Lord Patten to oversee Pope Benedict's UK visit
Prime Minister David Cameron appointed the Catholic, Conservative peer, Lord Patten of Barnes, as his 'personal representative' for the visit of Pope Benedict to England and Scotland between 16 and 19 September. The Holy Father's itinerary will include a reception with the Queen at Holyrood House in Edinburgh and open air Masses in Glasgow, Birmingham and London. Read More ...
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Midsummer tea party to save England's ancient churches
Midsummer Tea Party, a novel fundraising weekend of tea and cake hosted by the Churches Conservation Trust, the national charity protecting historic churches at risk, takes place over 18 – 20 June. More than 100 of England’s most spectacular and nationally significant historic churches, including those left deserted by the plague, Read More ...
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Centres fight long-term addictions with abstinence and prayer
A radical new approach for rehabilitating people with long term drug and alcohol addictions was unveiled at a church in Birmingham on Saturday. Hosting their first annual 'Equipping Churches' conference, Betel of Britain, who have five UK facilities and more than 230 people in residence, unveiled some outstanding, life transforming outcomes Read More ...
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First National Divine Mercy Pilgrimage to Walsingham
‘Tell the Whole World’ about My Mercy’ was the theme of the first National Pilgrimage of Divine Mercy to the Roman Catholic Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham on Saturday, 5 June. Around 1500 pilgrims took part. The day began with songs of praise and the Enthronement of the Divine Mercy Image. Read More ...
Antonia Moffat |
Message of sympathy from Bishop of Lancaster
The following letter is being read publicly at the Weekend Masses in all Parishes of the West Cumbria Deanery of Our Lady and St Benedict (and the Parish of Our Lady & St James, Millom) affecting by the shootings on Wednesday which claimed twelve lives and injured many more. . Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Father Terry Tastard - 6 June 2010
The feast of Corpus Christi combines two elements: thanksgiving for the Eucharist itself, and also for the real presence of Christ among us made possible through the Eucharist. I suppose to outsiders the care and attention that Catholics give to the Mass must sometimes seem extraordinary. But it doing so we are being completely faithful to Jesus himself.
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Statement by Cardinal Seán Brady on Gaza crisis
Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland has issued the following statement concerning the loss of life and human suffering in Gaza: "On a visit to Gaza two years ago I saw first hand the need for humanitarian aid because of the Israeli blockade imposed there three years ago this month. Read More ...
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Worth elects new Abbot
Father Kevin Taggart, has been elected Abbot of Worth Abbey following the Abbatial Election held on 2nd June. He takes over from Father Christopher Jamison who has been Abbot since July 2002. Founded in 1933 Worth Abbey has a community of 24 monks. It is one of thirteen monasteries belonging to the English Benedictine Congregation Read More ...
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Liverpool celebrates the gift of children
This coming Sunday, 6 June 2010, people from parishes across the Archdiocese of Liverpool will gather with their families and fellow parishioners at 3pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool, for the annual children's Mass with the theme: 'Celebrate the Child'.
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Edinburgh 2010 opens with prayer, praise and reflection
Christian songs and hymns from around the globe mingled with the native skirl of bagpipes at welcoming ceremonies for Edinburgh 2010, a five-day ecumenical conference marking the 100th anniversary of the World Missionary Conference of 1910. By the start of the conference, 297 registered delegates from 60 nations were joined by more than 100 additional visitors and staff on the Pollock Halls campus of Edinburgh University. Read More ...
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Bishops offer message of hope after Cumbrian tragedy
Catholic and Anglican Bishops have spoken to Premier Christian Radio to offer a message of hope and support for those affected by the tragic shootings in Cumbria, which left 12 people dead and many injured. "One would be very wary giving out answers. We're standing here before what they call the mystery of evil.
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Bishop of Lancaster expresses shock at shootings in West Cumbria
I share in the profound sense of shock and loss that so many are feeling at today’s news of the deaths and injuries in West Cumbria. My prayers, and the prayers of the Catholic community of the Diocese of Lancaster, are with the families and friends of the victims. I especially pray for the souls of the departed Read More ...
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Irish Chaplaincy searching for talented Finance Trustee
Are you a retired accountant or do you have financial skills that you would be willing to volunteer? The Irish Chaplaincy in Britain is a Catholic charity based in Camden North London, that works with vulnerable Irish emigrants. We are seeking a new trustee to join our strong existing board of nine members. Read More ...
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Archbishops compare Newman, St Philip Neri
The Archbishops of Westminster and Birmingham used the occasion of their homilies on the Feast of St Philip Neri, last Wednesday, to compare the characteristics of St Philip and Cardinal Newman. Preaching at the London Oratory, Archbishop Vincent Nichols said: "St Philip is known as a saint of great joy. Yet this was not a superficial joy." Read More ...
Peter Jennings |
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor to oversee Armagh Visitation
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor was today appointed by the Holy See to oversee the Visitation of the Archdiocese of Armagh. Learning of his appointment, the Cardinal said: "I look forward to working with a fellow Cardinal and Archbishops from the United States and Canada in this task, as well as in co-operation with the Irish Episcopal Conference."
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Spirit in the West End
London's three West End churches: Corpus Christi in Covent Garden, the French Church in Leicester Square and Warwick Street are once again gearing up for the Spirit in the City Festival - a celebration that brings faith directly into the heart of the capital. More than 30,000 people are expected to attend the the event which begin this Thursday afternoon, 3 June, Read More ...
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London: Providence Row marks 150 years of helping homeless people
Providence Row, a homeless charity based in East London, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. To mark the 150 years of service, a Thanksgiving Mass will be held at Westminster Cathedral on 16 June at 5.30pm. The Mass will celebrated by Archbishop Vincent Nichols and attended by His Grace the Duke of Norfolk. Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Father Terry Tastard - 30 May 2010
I know the leader of a company with offices in a dozen different countries. They work together very effectively. I once asked him how they managed to co-ordinate their work so effectively. "It’s easy" he said. "Every week we have a teleconference. We can see and speak to each other. Because everybody knows what everybody else is thinking we come to a common mind and put into action what we have decided."
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Children pack Westminster Cathedral for Good Shepherd Mass
1,260 schoolchildren from Catholic schools from all over the diocese joined Celebrant Bishop John Arnold in Westminster Cathedral for the annual Catholic Children's Society Good Shepherd Mass on Tuesday. The special Mass is the Catholic Children's Society’s (Westminster) annual thank you to staff, pupils and parents who Read More ...
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Reflection on vocation of Nightingales
Recently we have celebrated Vocations Sunday. Much was spoken about of the vocation to the priesthood and the religious life. When I trained as a nurse nursing was seen as a vocation. We worked long hours, did things which no one should need to have to do and we were paid little. And we loved it; it was real calling, a true vocation. Read More ...
Jo Jacques |
Reflection: Reform, Morality and the Coalition
As the Queen opens the new Parliament, Joe Egerton urges us to reflect on what Edith Stein, twentieth century philosopher, martyr and canonised saint, had to say about the morality of government, and recognise that the Members of the House of Commons are elected to be above all the guardians of virtue in public life.
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'Remembering Romero' - 2010 Archbishop Romero Lecture
Fr Thomas Greenan is travelling home to Britain from Central America to give the 2010 Romero Lecture in June and July. He will speak at the Lauriston Centre in Edinburgh, St Aloysius Church in Glasgow, Liverpool Hope University, the Cathedral Hall in Leeds and at St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square, London. Read More ...
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Manchester: church group demands action for carers
Church Action on Poverty's Manchester ChangeMakers project held a successful public hearing last Thursday. Attended by over 120 people, it gave carers in the city a chance to raise their voices and make their voices heard by people in power.
The Carers' Hearing was held at the Friends' Meeting House
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CAFOD calls for aid commitment in Queen's speech
In the lead-up to the Queen's speech, CAFOD is calling on new Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell to follow through on a manifesto promise to introduce new legislation committing the UK Government to spend 0.7 per cent of national income as aid by 2013. Read More ...
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Last chance to enter Best Young Preacher competition
Premier Christian Radio and the College of Preachers have launched the first annual competition to find the best up and coming preachers from across the UK. 'Young Preacher of the Year' aims to help and encourage the next generation of Christian preachers, with the closing date for entries at the end of May. Read More ...
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ICN birthday celebration
The virtuoso Lithuanian violinist and composer, Asta Paulauskaite, played at a small party in Dolphin Square, Westminster, on Friday evening, to celebrate the tenth birthday of Independent Catholic News. Among the guests was Fr Terry Tastard, who writes a regular Sunday reflection for the site, Cindy Kent from Premier Radio,
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Jo Siedlecka |
CCS volunteer sets sail with Dunkirk Little Ships
Catholic Children’s Society (Westminster) volunteer Liz Tough is away from the office this week – because she is taking part in a re-enactment of Operation Dynamo, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the evacuation of 338,000 British and Allied troops from Dunkirk in 1940. Read More ...
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What kind of society will Pope Benedict visit here in September?
Now the elections are over, what kind of society will Pope Benedict visit here in September? Are our election choices for the Common Good? There will be an opportunity to discuss some of the key points in the Catholic Bishops' Statement, with Francis Davis, Director of Las Casa Institute, Blackfriars, Oxford, and new Faith Advisor to the Minister of State
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Cardinal Kasper in Liverpool: 'Ecumenism requires courageous risks'
More than two thousand Christians from throughout Merseyside and region gathered at Liverpool's two Cathedrals on the Feast of Pentecost in a visible celebration of their unity. They were joined on their ecumenical journey between the two Cathedrals along Hope Street by Cardinal Walter Kasper, who had travelled from Rome for the occasion. Read More ...
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Liverpool: Cardinal Kasper brings message of hope to young people
Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity celebrated Mass yesterday, the Feast of Pentecost, at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool. During the Mass he also conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation reminding those to be confirmed of the Christian message of hope against hopelessness, Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Father Terry Tastard - 23 May 2010
We use the words spirit, spiritual, Spirit so easily and frequently. But what could they mean? What is this thing that we call the spirit? The German theologian Karl Rahner once set out to trace where we can find evidence of the spirit. His answer: it is all around us. But some of his examples might surprise you. One of them, believe it or not, is boredom.
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Changes for Linacre Centre
The Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethcs has announce the appointment of Professor David Jones, currently Professor of Bioethics at St Mary's University College, Twickenham, as its new Director. The Centre which moved recently to Oxford, is developing close co-operation in academic research with Blackfriars Hall. As a consequence of this move the Centre is changing its name to The Anscombe Bioethics Centre. Read More ...
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Bishops voice concern over television ads for abortion services
The Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales have joined the protest against plans to advertise abortion services on television. A spokesperson for the CBCEW said: "We believe that services which offer or refer for abortion - whether commercial or not-for-profit organisations - should not be allowed to advertise on broadcast media. Read More ...
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Pedalling Padre joins Help for Heroes Bike Ride
A Jesuit priest who served in the Royal Green Jackets (now The Rifles) before entering the Society of Jesus will be joining the Help for Heroes Battlefield Bike Ride at the end of this month as its cycling chaplain. Father Roger Dawson SJ is currently Assistant Catholic Chaplain to the University of Oxford and was an Army Officer for nine years. Read More ...
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Pro-life group condemns TV abortion ads
The planned screening of an advertisement for abortions on British television has been condemned by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). Marie Stopes International announced today that Channel 4 will be broadcasting its advertisement for abortions from 24 May onwards. Read More ...
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Papal Nuncio taken ill
The Pope's ambassador to Britain, Archbishop Faustino Sainz Muñoz, suffered a mild stroke yesterday. Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster said today: “I am very sorry to inform you that the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency the Most Reverend Faustino Sainz Muñoz, has suffered a stroke and is at present receiving medical care in hospital. Read More ...
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Cardinal Kasper to visit Liverpool
Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, is to visit Liverpool this coming weekend. On Sunday, 23 May, he will celebrate the Solemn Mass in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King at 11am, after which he will bless with a Prayer of Dedication the two glass steles Read More ...
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Statement by Cardinal Seán Brady on resignation of Bishop Walsh
In response to the announcement today that Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop William Walsh as Bishop of Killaloe and the announcement of the appointment of Reverend Kieran O'Reilly, SMA, as Bishop of Killaloe, the following statement was issued by Cardinal Seán Brady, President of the Irish Bishops' Conference: Read More ...
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Bishop William Walsh has resigned
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Most Reverend William Walsh, and has appointed Reverend Kieran O'Reilly, SMA, as Bishop of Killaloe. This announcement was made today in Rome at 12am local time (11am Irish/UK time). Read More ...
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Novena to mark end of Year for Priests
A Novena, has been written by the Diocese of Westminster Vocations Team in thanksgiving for the 'Year for Priests'. Entitled 'Come Holy Spirit' the Novena is to the Holy Spirit and will be prayed from Ascension, 13 May until Pentecost, 23 May.
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Sunday Reflection with Father Terry Tastard - 16 May 2010
Some countries have wonderful citizenship ceremonies when their new citizens are sworn in. I have always been impressed by pictures I have seen of these ceremonies in the USA. One of the remarkable features is the cross-section of people who become new Americans: some young, some old, people from many races and backgrounds.
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Forces Bishop to lead new Mental Health project
The Bishop of the Forces, Bishop Richard Moth is to become the lead Bishop for the new mental health project of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Initiated by Day for Life funding, the Conference has recently appointed a Mental Health Worker
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Bishops' of England & Wales statement on new government
Archbishop Peter Smith, Vice-President of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales issued the following statement this morning: "On behalf of the Catholic Community of England and Wales I would like to pledge an assurance of our prayers for the Prime Minister and the new coalition government as they begin their work in the service of the common good of our society. Read More ...
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Thoughts on Coalition Government – and playing dice with the devil
Catholic peer, David Alton, offered his first thoughts on the new British Coalition government this evening. He writes: Although I have sat for the past 13 years as an Independent Crossbencher, I was once Liberal Chief Whip in the Commons and, in February 1974, as a 23-year-old, contested my first General Election. It was the last contest which led to a hung Parliament.
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Newman Cause rebutts Times 'attack' on miraculous healing
In an article in The Sunday Times on 9 May, writer John Cornwall voiced some doubts over Cardinal Newman's miraculous healing of Deacon Jack Sullivan. In his new book 'Newman’s Unquiet Grave', due out next week, Cornwell will be expanding these arguments. Jack Valero, Press Officer for the Beatification of Cardinal Newman, issued the following statement Read More ...
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Call to Chilcot Inquiry to look at all costs of Iraq War
A network of individuals and groups, including Pax Christi, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Justice not Vengeance, Movement for the Abolition of War and Coventry Deanery Justice & Peace Group has written to Sir John Chilcot, urging that the Iraq Inquiry investigate the financial costs to the UK of the Iraq War as an essential aspect of the fulfillment of the Inquiry's remit. Read More ...
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Union defends vital work of hospital chaplains
The National Health Service chaplaincy service should not be seen as ‘a soft target’ as the financial climate becomes tighter, Unite, the largest union in the UK, said today. Unite, which embraces the College of Health Care Chaplains (CHCC) representing 1,200 NHS chaplains, is worried that cash-strapped NHS managers are already eyeing up the chaplaincy service for further cutbacks. Read More ...
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Prayers and collection to support Pope's UK visit
Later this month there will be prayers and a special collection in all parishes throughout England, Wales and Scotland to support Pope Benedict's visit to the UK. Prayer cards for the visit are being distributed to all parishioners at Mass on Pentecost Sunday (23 May). Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 9 May 2010
Most of the time we would like more peace. Yet we live in a world of tension. Even the closest of families sometimes have to deal with eruptions of anger. The most loving spouses can be at loggerheads. Friends and neighbours can fall out. On a larger scale we know of conflict and war in the world. In the Church itself we find disagreements which can be painful at times, and the media love to portray us as divided between conservative and liberal. Does this mean that we are on the wrong track? Read More ...
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Hanging in the Balance: The End of Tribal Britain?
Yesterday’s General Election returned a result not seen in the United Kingdom for some years: that of a ‘hung Parliament’. So what happens now? Writing on Thinking Faith, Anthony Carroll SJ suggests that this outcome reflects some big changes in our society over recent decades and at the same time points to a need for a reframing of our economic and political mindsets. Read More ...
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Churches begin Days of Prayer in reparation, atonement for sex abuse
The Bishops of England and Wales have urged Catholics to keep the Fridays of May as times for Special Prayer in reparation and atonement for the crimes of sex abuse in the Catholic Church. “We invite Catholics in England and Wales to make the four Fridays in May 2010 special days of prayer. Even when we are lost for words, we can place ourselves in silent prayer. Read More ...
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Archbishop Sentamu protests over locked-out voters
The Anglican Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu has issued a protest over the number of people prevented from voting due to lack of facilities at polling stations in last night's General Election. Dr Sentamu said in a statement: "It's scandalous that hundreds of people were prevented from exercising their right to vote Read More ...
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Christians blog on the election
Fr Steven Wang, writes in Bridges and Tangents today: "You can see the wildly different ways in which the election of a lifetime is being presented: from the Sun’s Obamaesque picture of David Cameron, ‘OUR ONLY HOPE’, to the Mirror’s ‘PRIME MINISTER? REALLY?’ splashed across a grim-looking photo of the same man. Read More ...
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Two Irish bishops retire
Pope Benedict accepted the resignations of Bishop Joseph Duffy, bishop of Clogher and Bishop Francis Lagan, an auxiliary of the diocese of Derry. Msgr Liam MacDaid will succeed Bishop Duffy. Cardinal Seán Brady said in a statement: "I would like to acknowledge the contribution that Bishop Duffy and Bishop Lagan Read More ...
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Hans Küng warns against 'condemning the Church wholesale'
Two weeks after his 'open letter to Bishops' which was critical of the way the Church has dealt with clerical sex abuse cases - theologian Hans Küng has warned against "condemning the church and its priests wholesale". "It would be a bad generalisation to place the whole clergy and Catholic Church under suspicion," Küng said Read More ...
Claire Bergin |
Prayers for Election Day
Be close to us during this time of discernment, Lord God of steadfast truth. Grant us patience in listening, wisdom in speaking, and courage to seek the common good. Read More ...
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New Catholic family history resource
The Catholic Children's Society (Westminster) working with the Catholic Archives Society has just published a leaflet to provide guidance for archivists involved with family history research. Family history research can sometimes involve highly sensitive issues relating to confidentiality. Where relatives were formerly in the care of poor law guardians or voluntary agencies Read More ...
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Labour and the Common Good
Former Labour MP John Battle is the final Party representative to offer Thinking Faith readers an opportunity to see how his Party's policies reflect the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. As UK voters prepare to cast their ballots in the General Election, he argues that Labour's commitment to alleviating child and family poverty and to redistributing income in favour of the poorest best represents the preferential option for the poor.
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Text: Fr Stephen Wang at World Communications Day Mass
In the Spring of 1581, Edmund Campion had been in England as a Jesuit missionary for just over a year. Fifteen years earlier he had preached before Queen Elizabeth in Oxford, and now he was in Lancashire on the run from government spies. Between illicit sermons and undercover Masses, Campion was writing a Latin treatise called Decem Rationes, Ten Reasons, Read More ...
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Archbishop Nichols on 'Why Media Matters'
This is a pivotal moment in the life of our countries, as we stand on the verge of the General Election. So you will not be surprised if this is the focus on my brief talk this evening. We have been much occupied in the last four weeks or so with the campaign. In it the media has played a major part with its continuous report and instant analysis. Read More ...
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Conservatives and the Common Good
Continuing Thinking Faith’s series of Party political articles ahead of this week’s UK General Election, President of Hornsey and Wood Green Conservatives, David Grant argues that to choose the Common Good is to vote for the Conservatives. In looking at the concept of the Common Good, he claims that the Conservative promotion of a ‘Big Society’ best embodies Read More ...
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Cardinal Pell commends new English translation of Missal
Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, commended the new English translation of the Roman Missal now formally approved by the Holy See that is to replace the present English Missal at the start of the new Church Year that will begin on the First Sunday of Advent, 27 November 2011. Read More ...
Peter Jennings in Rome |
ICN tenth birthday
Independent Catholic News is ten today! Many thanks to everyone who has helped on this project and given us so much encouragement and support. When ICN was launched on 4 May 2000, we only produced two updates a week. Now news is posted up every day - with links to Facebook and Twitter. Read More ...
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Migrants welcomed at Westminster Cathedral
More than 2,000 Catholic migrants living and working in London attended a special Mass for Migrants at Westminster Cathedral on Monday. Shortly before the start of the Mass many migrant communities and parishes took part in a procession into Westminster Cathedral. Entering the Cathedral, dressed in national costumes and carrying colourful banners, Read More ...
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Liberal Democrats and the Common Good
In the final days before the 2010 UK General Election, Thinking Faith invites representatives of the Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Labour Parties to demonstrate how their Party recognises the values of Catholic Social Teaching, in particular the concept of the Common Good. Read More ...
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Nones prayers heard again in ruins of Augustinian Priory
Nones prayers services were held in a number of sites related to the historic Merton Priory on Sunday - including Holyrood Abbey the Church of St Laurence Upton, and St Peter de Merton in Bedford. Representatives of several different denominations took part in the afternoon prayer service in the foundations of the Chapter House of Merton Priory, Read More ...
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Labels are for jars, not young people, say Young Christian Workers
Members of Young Christian Workers (YCW) from around England and Wales gathered at Westminster Cathedral on Sunday, 1 May, the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, their patron saint, to celebrate young people’s contribution to the Church and society. At a colourful rally on the steps of Westminster Cathedral, out-going National President Danny Curtin Read More ...
Ellen Teague |
Ireland: Lough Derg offers gift of hope for 2010
Yesterday, 1 May, saw the start of the 'One Day Retreats' at the Lough Derg pilgrimage site in Co Donegal. Lough Derg offers an exciting and varied programme of events for its 2010 season. As in previous years one day retreats are complemented by Three Day Pilgrimages, Quiet Days, Day for Families along with Confirmation and School Retreats and the 'Life's Journey' Series Read More ...
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Westminster: thousands attend Polish Requiem Mass
For a few hours on Thursday, the Piazza in front of Westminster Cathedral was crowded with Polish people who came to attend a Requiem Mass for the late President of Poland and all who died in the plane crash in Smolensk. As the Cathedral filled to capacity, crowds outside watched the service on a large screen. Read More ...
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Anselme Noumbiwa deported
Cameroonian Christian Anselme Noumbiwa has been deported from the UK back to his native country. Before leaving he thanked those who had given him support. More than 40 churches – particularly in the Tees valley where he lived - were praying for Anselme. He attended the Catholic parish of the Sacred Heart in Middlesbrough, Read More ...
Ellen Teague |
UK party leaders to take part in 'fourth debate'
In what is being billed as 'the fourth debate', the UK party leaders will address a 'peoples' assembly' of 2,500 representatives from faith and community groups on Monday afternoon to argue that theirs would be the best Government for civil society. Read More ...
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New Archbishop for Southwark
Pope Benedict XVI has today announced that Archbishop Peter Smith, of the Archdiocese of Cardiff, has been appointed as the next Archbishop of Southwark, succeeding Archbishop Kevin McDonald who resigned in December 2009 due to poor health. Bishop John Hine, the Diocesan Administrator said: “I am delighted that the Holy Father has appointed Archbishop
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Nones at Merton Priory
The 13th Nones prayer service will be held at the ruins of Merton Priory, near Colliers Wood in South London on Sunday, 2 May, at 3pm. Merton Priory was a major Augustinian house from 1117 - 1538 AD. The setting of two royal coronations - that of Eleanor of Provence in 1236, and Henry VI in 1437 - the nave of the church was longer than Westminster Abbey. Read More ...
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Paddy Power sponsors confessional box
Irish betting tycoon Paddy Power has bought a confessional box for a Catholic church in Suffolk. Parish Priest Father Michael Griffin of Our Lady and St Etheldreda's, explained that the church had been trying to raise a total of £65,000 for renovations including a new font and altar. Read More ...
Dan Bergin |
Finding a voice in the public square: the search for a modern miracle
In a new book, Irish Jesuit Gerry O'Hanlon looks at the difficulties currently facing the Church in Ireland. He suggests that the Church must find a new language through which it can engage honestly and positively in the public square. In an exclusive extract on Thinking Faith, he stresses the need to form the community of believers envisaged by the Second Vatican Council,
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Elvis Presley's Bible on show at CRE
Bibles owned by famous people, including rock and roll legend Elvis Presley, notorious East End gangster Reggie Kray, William Tyndale and John Bunyan will be on display in this year's Christian Resources Exhibition, which takes place from May 11-14 at Sandown Park Exhibition Centre, Surrey. Read More ...
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Letter: Dr John Wijngaards appeals for systemic reform in the Church
The Pope's letter to the people of Ireland, while decrying the sins of individual priests, bishops and even secular society, completely fails to address the systemic failings of the Church itself, including the Vatican. The 'tsunami' of child abuse cases in a dozen western countries clearly shows there is a need of structural reforms Read More ...
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Sr Gemma Simmonds CJ reflects on sheep and shepherds
Sister Gemma Simmonds gave the following reflections on Good Shepherd Sunday, from Our Lady and the English Martyrs Catholic church in Cambridge, on BBC Radio 4 Sunday Worship at 8.10. The prophet Ezekiel pulls no punches when he denounces the shepherds of Israel. Speaking in God's name he contrasts the theory of how the religious and political leaders were meant to 'shepherd the flock' and the harsh reality of their practice. Read More ...
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Mass for Migrants at Westminster Cathedral
More than 2,000 Catholic migrants living and working in London are expected to attend a special Mass for Migrants, which will be celebrated at Westminster Cathedral on Monday, 3 May, the Feast of St Joseph the Worker) at 10am. Nigerian and Vietnamese Catholics will play a central role in this year's celebration.
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Marathon run for Oxford Oratory
Regina Lally, a parishioner at the Oxford Oratory, ran the London Marathon yesterday, to raise funds towards their five million Reaffirmation and Renewal appeal. The church of St Aloysious is being restored to its Victorian splendour and a new chapel is to be built which will be the first dedicated to Cardinal Newman.
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Amanda C Dickie |
Climate change vigil
Christian Ecology Link and Operation Noah, will be holding an ecumenical service at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London, on Saturday, 15 May at 11pm as part of a weekend of events to urge the newly-formed government to act decisively and urgently on climate change. Read More ...
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Catholic agency alarmed at increase of violence against children
A recent survey of accident and emergency units in England and Wales by researchers at Cardiff University brings welcome news that overall levels of serious violence are falling. It is, however, of serious concern that there is a rise in the number of children under 10 years old who are victims of violence. Read More ...
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New document urges dialogue with people of other faiths
A new teaching document on interfaith dialogue was launched in Westminster on Friday by the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. 'Meeting God in Friend and Stranger: fostering mutual respect and understanding between the religions' reminds all Catholics that they are called by their Baptism to engage in dialogue with others, and specifically with people of other religions. Read More ...
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Joke e-mail about Pope backfires on Foreign Office
The Foreign Office issued an apology to Pope Benedict today, (Sunday) after an internal memo was published in a national newspaper, in which officials joked that the Holy Father could open an abortion clinic, bless a gay marriage, launch a range of condoms, sing a duet with the Queen and launch hotlines for abuse victims, and to honour abuse whistleblowers. Read More ...
Jo Siedlecka |
Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 25 April 2010
Every so often you read some account of Christianity by an author who claims that the Church got everything wrong. The story will go something like this: Jesus was a good man who preached a simple message of God’s love. But somehow the Church grew into a great big institution and it lost sight of the real message of Jesus.
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Jesuit runners get on their marks
Despite volcanic ash clouds, bad weather, and training injuries, 29 runners will still be taking part in the London Marathon this Sunday to help raise money for Jesuit works in Britain and overseas. Their target is £57,000 for projects as diverse as AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe, community projects in Guyana and support for children in South Africa. Read More ...
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UK election candidates on Pope's visit
During last night's debate on Sky television, between the three party leaders, compere Michael Jeans asked them whether they supported Pope Benedict's visit to Britain later this year. The text of their responses follow below. Read More ...
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Fr Michael Seed unwell
Franciscan Father Michael Seed, former Ecumenical Advisor to Cardinal Hume and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, is recovering from a minor heart attack. Fr Michael, 52, became ill while giving a Lenten retreat in Florida and was rushed to hospital. He has returned to the UK now but has been ordered to have a complete rest. Read More ...
Claire Bergin |
General Election briefings
As the UK general election approaches, many Catholic organisations have drawn up reflections and briefings for people to consider, before they cast their vote. Links to a few of these are listed below: Read More ...
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Catholic Bishops of England and Wales statement on child abuse
Child abuse in the Catholic Church has been such a focus of public attention recently, that we, the Bishops of England and Wales, wish to address this issue directly and unambiguously. Catholics are members of a single universal body. These terrible crimes, and the inadequate response by some church leaders, grieve us all.
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Ireland: Bishop Jim Moriarty resigns
Irish Bishop Jim Moriarty has resigned today. In a statement he said: "The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has today formally accepted my resignation as Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin, which I offered on 23rd December, in the wake of the Murphy Report. "The decision to offer my resignation was the most difficult decision of my ministry. Read More ...
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Scottish Catholic Bishops issue election message
Scotland's Catholic Bishops have released the text of a pre-election statement which will be made available to all of Scotland's 500 Catholic parishes. The statement, titled 'Make your faith count!" urges Catholic voters to "think carefully before you cast your vote" and ask "Which candidate will best respect and protect your religious freedom and your freedom of conscience?" Read More ...
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Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral for Polish air crash victims
A Requiem Mass for Lech Kaczynski, the late President of Poland, and all those who died in the plane crash in Smolensk on 11 April will be take place at Westminster Cathedral at 7pm on Thursday 29 April. The Principal Celebrant will be the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. A number of Polish religious and community leaders will attend Read More ...
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Apostleship of the Sea seeks Port Chaplain: Tilbury based, Thames area
95% of British imports and exports travel by sea. Seafarers come predominantly from poor countries, working away from home on contracts of nine or even 12 months. They are an invisible workforce, a forgotten element in the globalisation debate suffering in the global recession. The task of AOS chaplains is to be alongside seafarers, Read More ...
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Relics of St John Vianney to visit Ireland
As part of the Year for Priests, the Bishops of Ireland have arranged for a visit of the relics of St John Vianney, Patron Saint of Parish Priests, from 25 to 29 April. Each day of this special four-day visit of the relics will have a different theme. These key themes are central to both the life and mission of St John Vianney Read More ...
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A Time for Lay People
Return to the Source - rediscovering the meaning of our baptism, is the title of a summer course lead by Michael Drumm for laypeople at the Pontifical Irish College, Rome, from 18 – 24 July 2010. A parish is a community working and praying together. Read More ...
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Catholic agency statement on Gypsies and Travellers
Since 2005, the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ) has been repeatedly calling attention to the prejudice, discrimination and disadvantage suffered by Gypsy and Traveller communities, and the lack of suitable accommodation and security of tenure on existing local authority sites.
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West Country radio stations to broadcast funeral of Polish President
BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Somerset are joining forces with Bristol community radio station BCFM 93.2 this Sunday to produce a special programme to mark the funerals of the Polish president Lech Kaczynski and his wife Maria. "The Polish community here in the West of England is more than 20,000 strong. Understandably the sense of grief is huge. Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 18 April 2010
The gospel we hear today, (John 21.1-14), is a beautifully crafted story. There is definitely an element of humour here. In the half-light of dawn, a figure stands on the beach. We know it is Jesus, but the disciples cannot yet see him clearly. He teases them a little: "Have you caught anything, friends?" Wearily, they say No. He suggests trying something different. There follows the jaw-dropping moment, Read More ...
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On scandal and scandals
Recent headlines about clerical sexual abuse in the Catholic Church have focused largely on the way in which the Church has handled claims of abuse and on the postulated link between abuse and mandatory celibacy for Catholic priests. Read More ...
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Catholic Birmingham unites with stricken Polish community
Archbishop Bernard Longley has expressed the profound sorrow and condolences of everyone in the Archdiocese of Birmingham at the devastating loss sustained by the Polish nation in the air crash at Smolensk, Russia, on Saturday. The message was read at the start of a special Mass for the Dead, last night. Read More ...
Peter Jennings |
A leap of faith
Some people propose during a candlelit dinner or stroll in the park. IT consultant Michael Diaz chose something much more exciting. He asked girlfriend Clare Gallagher to marry him seconds before they jumped out of a plane - 10,000 feet in the air over Ireland. Read More ...
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'Called to serve' – HCPT 2010 Pilgrimage to Lourdes
This year’s annual Easter pilgrimage to Lourdes of HCPT – The Pilgrimage Trust attracted groups from many UK and Irish Dioceses and from as far afield as Croatia, Romania, United States and the West Indies. The lively Trust Mass on 8 April was celebrated by Bishop John Rawsthorne of Hallam Diocese, President of the Trust, and the congregation of 4,800 included 1,600 disabled children. The bishop used signed language for the deaf throughout the service. Read More ...
Ellen Teague |
'No data links homosexuality to child abuse'
Following controversial remarks by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in which he linked homosexuality with paedophilia, the General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales has issued a statement asserting he does not know of any data showing a connection between sexual orientation and child sexual abuse. Read More ...
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CAFOD election questions
As the UK election campaign heats up - CAFOD has drawn up a list of subjects for voters to consider, and questions to ask candidates, covering issues of climate change, social justice and overseas aid. Read More ...
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Cardinal Brady discharged from hospital
Following a thorough medical assessment last night, the Irish Primate, Cardinal Seán Brady has now been discharged from Craigavon Area Hospital and returned to his home in Armagh.The doctors have advised him to rest. Read More ...
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London's Polish community mourns parish priest
A sea of flowers is growing outside the Church of St Andrew Bobola in Shepherd’s Bush, West London, in honour of parish priest Mgr Bronislaw Gostomski, who was one of the 97 victims of Saturday's plane crash which included Polish president Lech Kaczynski. Read More ...
Jo Siedlecka |
Catholic organisations question judgment of those seeking to indict Pope
Recent news reports and an article have suggested that his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI might be arrested on his forthcoming state visit to Britain at the invitation of the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and indicted at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for (unspecified) 'crimes against humanity'. The Catholic Union and Thomas More Legal Centre have issued the following statement in response. Read More ...
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Replica Shroud of Turin at Westminster Cathedral
A week-long exhibition on the Shroud of Turin has opened in St Patrick’s Chapel in Westminster Cathedral, to coincide with the display of the Shroud at Turin Cathedral in Italy. Researched and developed by British artist Pam Moon, the exhibition centres on a full-length replica of the shroud, Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 11 April 2010
The little band of disciples met in an upper room in Jerusalem. We read that the doors were locked for fear of the Jews. But they were Jews themselves, so we ought to read this as fear of public opinion, and also fear of the unknown. Jesus had died on the cross. They were trying to digest the news brought by Mary Magdalene, Read More ...
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Scotland: Cardinal O'Brien's Easter Sunday homily
It is indeed in a spirit of Easter joy that I speak to you this morning realising the various ways in which we have journeyed through this season of Lent. St Paul in his letter to the Corinthians writes: “Let us celebrate the feast, then, by getting rid of all the old yeast of evil and wickedness, having only the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth”. Read More ...
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Happy Easter!
Happy Easter! Christ has risen, Allelluia! Let us praise him. ICN is on holiday now for the next week. There will be occasional updates but the next mailing starts on 12 April. Read More ...
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Easter homily from Archbishop of York
Anglican Archbishop John Sentamu gave the following homily at York Minster this morning. "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." (Luke 24:5b) At early dawn on the first day of the week, Read More ...
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Clifton: Easter Message from Bishop Declan Lang
The recent report about the reduction in nuclear arms by Russia and the United States of America is good news. One day, what may seem an impossible dream may come true, that nations will live in peace with one another, free from the fear of nuclear destruction. Some people may think this a foolish dream but Read More ...
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Easter Sunday Reflection with Father Terry Tastard
When that stone was rolled in front of the tomb of Jesus, it must have seemed as if it was slamming shut on everything Jesus and the disciples had hoped for. It must have seemed, for example, as if it brought to a close his project of renewing the People of God. We think of the twelve disciples as representing the twelve tribes of Israel, and as the forerunners of a whole new expansion of the People of God.
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Good Friday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard
In the first few centuries of the Church, as thinkers were trying to understand the meaning of the cross, often they summed up their conclusions in one short phrase: ‘The uncrucified is the unhealed.’ They linked Christ on the cross to the healing of humankind.
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The Disciples’ Diary
As we hear the accounts of Jesus’ Passion throughout the Holy Week liturgies, we may find ourselves contemplating the other characters involved in the events described to us. Fr Bill MacCurtain SJ from Farm Street Church in London, imagines the personal journeys of two of the disciples: Simon Peter, who was desperate to stay with Jesus; and Judas, who betrayed him. Read More ...
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Cardinal Seán Brady meets survivors of abuse in Armagh
As part of an ongoing series of meetings between survivors of sexual abuse by clergy and Catholic Church representatives, Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, today held meetings with survivors of abuse and with groups representing survivors. Read More ...
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UK elections: message from Bishops
The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales this week are putting out a message encouraging all Catholics to use their vote in the forthcoming General Election and to seek parliamentary candidates who will serve the common good. Read More ...
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Text: Archbishop Nichols at Westminster Cathedral Chrism Mass
The importance of our Mass we celebrate together today is made clear in words which I shall shortly address to all the priests present in the Cathedral: 'Brothers, today we celebrate the memory of the first Eucharist at which our Lord Jesus Christ shared with His apostles and with us His call to the priestly service of His Church.' Read More ...
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Bishop calls for end to detention of children
Bishop Patrick Lynch, the Catholic Bishop for Migrants has called on politicians to commit to rebuilding public support for the provision of sanctuary to refugees in the UK, and to work to end the detention of innocent children and families for immigration purposes. Read More ...
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Text & audio: Archbishop of Canterbury preaches on Oscar Romero
Sentir con la Iglesia: 'feeling with the Church'. This was Oscar Romero's motto as a bishop – you'll see it in many photographs inscribed on the episcopal mitre he wore. It is in fact an ancient phrase, very often used to express the ideal state of mind for a loyal Catholic Christian; indeed, it's usually been translated as 'thinking with the Church'. Read More ...
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Archbishop Romero service at Westminster Abbey
The voice of Archbishop Oscar Romero echoed through Westminster Abbey last night at the start of a service to mark the 30th anniversary of his martyrdom. The recording was an excerpt from the homily he gave in the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Holy Saviour, San Salvador on the eve of his assassination. Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 28 March
We have several expressions in English to describe the point where things start to accelerate and there is no looking back. You burn your bridges, or you cross the Rubicon, for example. Palm Sunday always seems to me to recall one of those moments. Jesus enters Jerusalem to public acclaim. This, he must surely know, will trigger decisive action against him and the disciples.
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Solemn profession of Sister Camilla Oberding
More than 400 worshippers, including family members, friends from around the world and parishioners, attended the solemn profession of Sister Camilla Oberding in Kensington, west London on Wednesday. Rev Mgr Christopher Brooks, accompanied by 20 priests, presided at the Mass on the Vigil of the Annunciation Read More ...
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Archbishop Nichols on abuse crisis
'The child abuse committed within the Roman Catholic Church and its concealment is deeply shocking and totally unacceptable. I am ashamed of what happened, and understand the outrage and anger it has provoked.' Read More ...
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Birmingham celebrates Oscar Romero
Bishop William Kenney CP, Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham presided and preached at a special Mass at St Chad's Cathedral, in honour of Archbishop Oscar Romero on Wednesday, the 30th anniversary of his martyrdom. Read More ...
Peter Jennings |
Walking pilgrims set out for Holy Island
The annual Christian cross–carrying Pilgrimage to Holy Island is about to begin. During the week before Easter, dozens of pilgrims will make the 100 mile trek through Northumberland and the Scottish Borders to the ancient shrine. Read More ...
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Scripture Bulletin goes online
The Catholic Biblical Association of Great Britain has just launched a website in time for Easter. The website replaces a printed publication, Scripture Bulletin, published for the previous 40 years. The Bulletin offers articles and book reviews on scriptural topics.
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Rev Dr Jeremy Corley |
Cardinal Brady comments on resignation of Bishop Magee
Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland said in a statement this afternoon: "I wish to acknowledge the long and varied ministry of Bishop John Magee in the Church. I thank him for his contribution to the work of the Irish Bishops' Conference over the past twenty years, particularly in the area of liturgy.
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Ireland: Bishop John Magee has resigned
The Vatican has announced the resignation of Bishop John Magee Bishop of Cloyne. In response to the announcement today that the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has accepted the resignation of Bishop John Magee as Bishop of Cloyne, Archbishop Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Read More ...
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Theologian speaks on Catholic Social Teaching: 'the real Third Way'
One of the leading exponents of Catholic Social Teaching, the Anglican theologian John Milbank, who is Professor in Religion, Politics and Ethics at the University of Nottingham, gave this year’s CitizensUK lecture last night at Notre Dame University in London. The lecture was followed by the launch of a new book by Austen Ivereigh, Faithful Citizens: Read More ...
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Pilgrims prepare for Holy Week trek
Walkers of all ages around England are limbering up for the 120 mile Student Cross, Britain’s oldest annual pilgrimage which begins this Saturday. More than 250 people will set out from various parts of the country in ten groups. They will walk around 120 miles during the course of the week carrying a life-sized wooden cross, Read More ...
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Archbishop Nichols urges people to vote
Archbishop Vincent Nichols has joined Premier Christian Media in encouraging people to vote in the up-coming UK General Election. Premier's campaign, Promise to Vote, seeks to get Christians to sign a declaration stating their intention to vote Read More ...
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Churches focus on wider legacy of 2012 Olympics
More than 200 Christians from across the denominations gathered together with members of charities and other NGOs at Westminster Central Hall in London this past week to engage with matters of social justice in the lead up to the 2012 London Games. The meeting was hosted by More Than Gold, the churches’ 2012 umbrella charity. Read More ...
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Pope to meet Irish abuse survivors in private
Pope Benedict XVI promised to meet abuse survivors in his letter to Irish Catholics - but the meeting will be a private affair, Vatican press officer Father Federico Lombardi, said on Saturday. The meeting would be like the ones he has had with victims in the United States and in Australia, "in an atmosphere of prayer without a public announcement ahead of time." Read More ...
Claire Bergin |
Birmingham prepares for Papal visit
The Mass of Beatification of the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman, 1801-1890, will be celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI at Coventry Airport in the Archdiocese of Birmingham during the morning of Sunday 19 September, the last day of his four-day State Visit to the United Kingdom. Read More ...
Peter Jennings |
Romero commemoration in York Minster
More than 500 participants attended an ecumenical service in York Minster on Saturday, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the martyrdom of Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador. The presider was His Eminence Cardinal Keith O'Brien. The Anglican Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu preached
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Archbishop Nichols on Pope's Letter to Irish Church
Archbishop Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales has issued the following message today, in response to Pope Benedict's letter to Catholics in Ireland. I welcome the strong leadership of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI in issuing this letter. Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 21 March
There are many subtleties in the story of the woman caught in adultery, and they are important. There is also one big, clear message: the compassion of Jesus. The compassion he shows is in contrast to the harshness of the way the woman is treated. We read that they made her stand there 'in full view of everybody'. Read More ...
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Ireland: Cardinal to welcome Pope's Pastoral Letter
Cardinal Seán Brady, Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh, will celebrate Mass on Saturday, 20 March, at 10:15am, local time, in Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh. After Mass, Cardinal Brady will welcome the 'Pastoral Letter of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholics of Ireland'. This Mass will be streamed live on Read More ...
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City of London church holds Prayers for the Poor
St Mary Moorfields in the City of London is dwarfed by the cathedrals of finance - but that is the venue for a monthly prayer group which meets to ask God to achieve what might seem the impossible - to end poverty. The group are building links with partners around the world, who are praying at the same time. Read More ...
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Court stops exhumation of Divine Mercy priest
Plans to exhume the body of a Polish priest from the grounds of the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary & St Ann at Fawley Court, a former community and retreat centre in Henley-on-Thames, have been blocked by a High Court injunction. Read More ...
Claire Bergin |
Plans for successor to National Conference of Priests
Plans for a successor to the National Conference of Priests of England and Wales (NCPEW) have been announced. A working party is drawing up the new constitution on guidelines unanimously agreed by 30 priest representatives from across the 22 dioceses at their final meeting on 8-9 March. Read More ...
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Religious freedom is a basic human right, argues new report
A third of people believe religious freedoms have been restricted over the past decade. On the day that the House of Lords debates the British Humanist Association's approach to human rights and religious liberty, the public theology think tank Theos has launched a new report entitled Free to Believe? Read More ...
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Book now to attend Beatification of Cardinal Newman
Pax Travel, at the request of Father Richard Duffield, Provost of the Birmingham Oratory, is organising arrangements for accommodation and transport for those attending the Beatification of John Henry, Cardinal Newman by Pope Benedict XVI, on Sunday 19 September. The weekend will include other Papal events and celebrations to be held in Birmingham on this historic weekend. Read More ...
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Bishop calls for support for undocumented Irish in America
Bishop Seamus Hegarty writes: On this the Feast of our St Patrick, I send warm greetings to Irish people at home and abroad and to all who join in the celebration or our national feast, including the many immigrants to our own shores. The Irish Diaspora forms an integral part of St Patrick's legacy. Read More ...
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Irish Church issues note clarifying reports on Cardinal Brady
In the wake of recent reports, and calls for the resignation of Cardinal Seán Brady, the Irish Catholic media office has issued the following notes clarifying the case of Fr Brendan Smyth, * The State's first Child Abuse Guidelines came into effect in 1987 and the Church's first guidelines Child Sexual Abuse: Framework Read More ...
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Pope coming to UK: 'A state visit - but not as we know it'
The official dates of Pope Benedict's visit to the UK were finally made public today. This morning Buckingham Palace announced that the visit will take place from 16-19 September. Then at noon, the UK Government and the Catholic Bishops' Conferences of Scotland, England and Wales, represented by Scottish Cardinal Keith O'Brien, and Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Read More ...
Jo Siedlecka |
London: Dr Rowan Williams to speak at Farm Street
The Archbishop of Canterbury will deliver the Sixth John Coventry Memorial Address at Farm Street Jesuit Church this Saturday. Dr Rowan Williams will speak on 'The Fellowship of the Baptised' at the event organised by the Association of Interchurch Families (AIF).
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Seeking Catholic Women of the Year
Nominations are invited for the 2010 Catholic Women of the Year. The idea is to honour the unsung heroines' who take on responsibilities and carry out service to others in steadfast and perhaps unobtrusive ways. The nomination can simply be a letter from a friend, colleague, parish priest or even a family member Read More ...
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Taizé Brother Paulo on UK visit
Hundreds of people gathered in Hinde Street Methodist Church in London`s West End on Friday evening, to join Brother Paulo from the Taizé community for a special Lenten Prayer around the Cross in the Taizé style. The evening included a meditation by the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Woolwich. Read More ...
Philip Burke |
Note to Readers re today's Saint of the Day
Dear Readers - There's a little glitch with today's Saint of the Day - which has jumped one day ahead. Our hosting company is sorting it out, but in the meantime here's the correct one: 15 March - Saint Louise de Marillac Widow. Foundress of the Daughter of Charity. Read More ...
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New initiative reaches out to Catholics less involved in parish life
KIT, the Keeping in Touch programme, is a parish based, lay led ministry which reaches out to, welcomes and keeps in touch with all local Catholics and their families, whether or not they go to church, through home visits and small group meetings. It is proving to be an effective way both of strengthening parish communities Read More ...
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Sunday Reflection with Father Terry Tastard - 14 March 2010
Did you ever own a kaleidoscope as a child? If you did then you will know the wonder and pleasure that this simple toy can bring. You look through the lens and you find a bright multi-coloured pattern in which the elements have arranged themselves. You turn the kaleidoscope slightly, look again, and behold, there is a whole new pattern to marvel at.
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Glasgow: Archbishop Conti 'appalled at treatment of asylum seekers'
Following the tragic suicides of a Russian family in Glasgow on Sunday, Archbishop Conti has called for better treatment for those seeking asylum. In a statement of support for a march to be held in Glasgow on Saturday, March 13, the Archbishop said: "I have been appalled time and time again at the way refugees, after several years residence here, are suddenly deported. Read More ...
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Ecumenical seminar on Gypsies and Travellers
A day for church leaders, members of congregations, those with pastoral responsibility or with an interest in Gypsies and Travellers takes place in Bury St Edmunds on 26 March. Jointly organised by the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich & the Church Network for Gypsies and Travellers Read More ...
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London: Providence Row marks 150 years of volunteering
Providence Row celebrated 150 years of volunteering on Monday with an Afternoon Tea at the historic Cutlers’ Hall. Providence Row was founded in 1860 by Father Daniel Gilbert and the Sisters of Mercy and was the first non-sectarian shelter in London. Since then the East End has changed dramatically but the charity’s mission Read More ...
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West Country vets in Atlantic challenge
While most people in England have been doing their best to keep warm this winter - one parishioner from the West Country has been in an open boat rowing across the Atlantic Ocean for charity. Parishioners at Corpus Christi church in Weston-super-Mare are praying for Paul Milnthorpe,
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Catholic price comparison website launched
A price comparison website with a difference has been launched this week. All profits net of running costs made through the website will be donated to UK charities who support the dignity of human life from conception to natural death. Read More ...
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London parish holds Day for Dads
A central London parish held their first-ever 'Day for Dads' recently. Twenty-seven fathers from Holy Apostles, Pimlico, turned up for the event. This was far in excess of expectations, and went some way to nailing the myth that modern-day fathers - at least those in our parish - tend to take a back-seat role in the upbringing of their children. Read More ...
Michael Dynes |
Campaigners demand enquiry over refugee family suicide
Prayers have been said in Glasgow following the news of the tragic suicide of three asylum seekers on Sunday. Campaigners believe the three were a father, mother and son, from the former Soviet Union, who may have been refused permission to stay in this country and had also just been told Read More ...
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Divine Mercy Day at Westminster Cathedral
On Saturday, a Lenten Divine Mercy Day of Prayer was held in Westminster Cathedral with the theme: 'God’s Mercy the only remedy for the World'. The day included a Eucharistic healing service, procession of the Image of Divine Mercy and praying of the Chaplet of Mercy and Rosary before Mass. Read More ...
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Premier Christian radio launches iPhone 'prayer beads'
Premier Christian media today announced the launch of a digital set of 'Prayer Beads' in time for Easter. The wooden beads can be individually rotated or moved around the string. While the Prayer Beads App will in the iTunes Apps store for Easter, the evangelising Christian company say they have commissioned the digital prayer tool "with a future customer in mind".
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Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 7 March 2010
Recently I was watching a film about the life of Jesus with some parishioners. The temptations were done particularly cleverly. The tempter appeared to Jesus with the suggestion: ‘Turn these stones into bread.’ But that was not all the tempter said. He went on to depict all the starving people the world. Imagine, he said to Jesus, imagine what you could do to feed these if you follow my instructions.
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Ireland: RTÉ to broadcast Ursuline Sisters anniversary Mass
This Sunday, 7 March, at 11.10am, RTÉ One television will broadcast Mass from the Ursuline Convent Chapel in Thurles, Co Tipperary. The Mass will celebrate the 475th anniversary of the foundation of the Ursuline Sisters. The chief celebrant and homilist for this Mass will be Archbishop Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly.
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Asthma awareness open evening
Leading asthma specialist Dr Stephen R Durham will be speaking at a special asthma awareness evening at Nicholas Breakspear School in St Albans on 16 March, from 7-9pm. Dr Durham is Head of Section for Allergy and Clinical Immunology at Imperial College and Professor of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine Read More ...
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Lords vote to allow civil partnership ceremonies in church
The House of Lords has voted to amend the Equality Bill to 'allow, but not compel', religious organisations to host same-sex couples holding civil partnership ceremonies inside churches. Peers voted by a majority of 74 in favour of the amendment, which was not backed by the government, though it is thought unlikely that MPs would make any significant changes. Read More ...
Claire Bergin |
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