George Weigel speaks at London conference

George Weigel

American author George Weigel - best known for his biography of John Paul II - joined joined Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth in London recently at a conference to mark the Year of Faith. Weigel's latest book is 'Evangelical Catholicism', calling for a vigorous renewal of commitment to mission, centred on each Catholic having a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as taught by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

The conference was organised by the Faith Movement, one of Britain's 'home-grown' New Movements. For over 40 years, it has run a successful annual Summer Session which draws large numbers of young people.

At the Day of Faith conference, held at St Patrick's, Soho, Square, George Weigel said: "Benedict XVI emphasised repeatedly that 'friendship with Jesus Christ' must be at the heart of the Christian life. It is fostered by prayer, and it must be at the core of all that a Catholic does. The Church is not a club with rules, or an institution that will simply exist in a particular place because it has a traditional presence there. The Church is centred on Christ, the Saviour of the world. The New Evangelisation begins with this deep understanding."

Weigel's message followed a talk by Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth in which he called for renewal based on prayer, especially prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.He also stressed the need to emphasise the sacrament of penance as a key part of any renewal programme.

The Day of Faith included Mass in St Patrick's, with Mgr Keith Newton of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham as the chief celebrant, and priests of the Faith Movement from across Britain concelebrating.