Westminster priests plan Butlins away days

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor is taking the priests of Westminster diocese for a stay at Butlins in Bognor Regis this November. Around 400 clergy and religious will be reflecting on the spiritual and pastoral renewal of the diocese, in light of the Pope's Apostolic Letter - Novo Millennio Ineunte - during the two-day visit, a spokesman from Archbishops House explained. He said it was the first occasion the Cardinal had taken time away with the priests since centralising the diocese a year ago. "It is an opportunity for many priests to meet each other, perhaps for the first time," he said. "There will guest speakers and the chance to relax, away from the pressures of the parish." Bognor was chosen as the nearest place that could accommodate such large numbers at a reasonable price, he explained. Most of the holiday camp's facilities including karaoke singing at the Irish-themed bar, will be available. But in November the outdoor sports facilities will be a bit chilly. One priest told ICN he was looking forward to the break - although he said he felt a little envious of colleagues from one diocese in America who recently were taken by their bishop for a two-day stay at a luxury hotel in Las Vegas. "Somehow this is not quite the same" he said. The Butlins chain, famous for its Redcoat entertainers, was founded in the 1930s in Skegness and promotes itself with the slogan "Come to Life, Come to Butlins".