Catholic Women's League celebrate at York Minster
The Dean of York Minster welcomed the Catholic Women's League to 'their spiritual home' at York Minster recently for a special Jubilee Celebration. He said that, although the Church of England were custodians of the cathedral, the event was another step in the direction of ecumenism and he was delighted to see so many CWL members present. He wished us a happy and successful National Council in Bridlington. York Minster, the largest Gothic Cathedral in northern Europe where prayer has been offered for nearly 1,000 years, made the Catholic Women's League very welcome. We were honoured that the Dean and Chapter of York Minster had given their permission for the Catholic Women's League to have Mass celebrated in the Minster as part of our Jubilee Year of Prayer. CWL Members from all over England and Wales joined our national president, Anne Fox, and guests for Mass celebrated by Rt Rev Francis Walmsley, Bishop to Her Majesty's Forces and Ecclesiastical adviser to the Catholic Women's League. Guests included the mayor of York and members of the Union of Catholic Mothers who represented their organisations in England and Wales. From Roman times to the present day, the site on which York Minster stands has been at the very centre of England's religious and political life. For the second time in our history, the Catholic Women's League has been accorded the honour and privilege to attend Mass in this magnificent building where our patron saint, Margaret Clitherow, once worshipped.