Preacher to Papal household to open London Alpha conference

Father Raniero Cantalamessa Raniero, preacher to the Papal Household, will open the International Alpha Conference in London on Monday 27 June at 9.30am. The conference, offering priests and lay people training to run Alpha courses in their parishes, takes place at Holy Trinity Brompton. There will be around 700 delegates from many denominations attending from around the world. Nicky Gumbel, pioneer of the Alpha course, said: "We have had a long standing admiration and love for Fr Raniero. I first heard him speak at a conference in Brighton in 1991. His books have had a profound effect on my life. I love the combination of stunning scholarship and beautiful spirituality. We are very grateful that Fr Raniero accepted our invitation to open the International Alpha Conference." Fr Raniero was appointed Preacher to the Papal Household by Pope John Paul II.