† Please pray for the repose of the soul of Deacon John Tuggey who was ordained Deacon in 2009 and who died on 3rd February 2010 May he rest in peace

Bishops John, Patrick and Paul meet the Holy Father

At the Vatican on Monday, 1st February 2010

Photo: L'Osservatore Romano

Photo: L'Osservatore Romano

Please click on each of the photos above to view a larger version

 

Holy Father looks forward to his visit to Britain

Photo: L'Osservatore Romano

In his address to the bishops of England and Wales, gathered in Rome for their ad limina visit, the Holy Father said

'Even amid the pressures of a secular age, there are many signs of living faith and devotion among the Catholics of England and Wales. I am thinking for example of the enthusiasm generated by the visit of the relics of St Thérèse, the interest aroused by the prospect of Cardinal Newman’s beatification and the eagerness of young people to take part in pilgrimages and World Youth Days.

On the occasion of my forthcoming Apostolic Visit to Great Britain, I shall be able to witness that faith for myself and as Successor of Peter, to strengthen and confirm it.

During the months of preparation that lie ahead, be sure to encourage the Catholics of England and Wales in their devotion and assure them that the Pope constantly remembers them in his prayers and holds them in his heart.'

The audience took place on Monday, 1st February 2010, in the Sala del Concistoro of the Apostolic Palace.

Photo: L'Osservatore Romano

Read the full text of the Holy Father's Address (.pdf)

Earlier in the day, Bishop John, the Administrator of our diocese, together with Bishops Patrick and Paul, were received in private audience by the Holy Father.

 
Photo: Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk

Please click on the photo above for a slideshow of the bishops on
their ad limina visit

Our bishops at the English College in Rome ...

Bishops Patrick, John and Paul with Monsignor Nicholas Hudson,
Rector of the English College

During the ad limina vist, our bishops are enjoying the hospitality of the Venerable English College in Rome. The ad limina visit started on Monday, 25th January and will continue until Thursday, 4th February 2010.

The bishops of England and Wales, in the spirit of pilgrimage 'to the threshold of the apostles', offered Mass in the crypt of Saint Peter's Basilica on Monday morning, 25th, at an altar near the apostle's remains.

Meetings with the Holy Father and with various Roman Congregations continue. The Holy Father will also receive all the bishops as a group before they return to England and Wales. 

Monsignor Hudson shows the bishops an aspect of the recent
restoration of the College Church

Southwark in Rome - our bishops with Monsignor Hudson and two of our students for the priesthood, David Howell and Matthew O'Gorman 

... and at the Pontifical Beda College

On Wednesday, 27th, Bishops John, Patrick and Paul, along with Bishop of the Forces Richard Moth concelebrated, with the bishops of England and Wales and the inhouse formation staff of the Pontifical Beda College, a sung Mass for the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham presided and preached to a congregation which consisted principally of the FMDM sisters and the seminarians from the Beda College, which is located across the street from the basilica. The basilica, one of the four major basilicas in Rome, was still splendidly decorated with flowers from papal vespers, the culminating event for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, that were sung on Saturday.


Bishops of England and Wales offering Mass
in the Basilica of St Paul Outside The Walls

Following the Mass, the four archbishops, 29 bishops, and special guest, Abbot Edmund Power of St Paul’s, dined at the Beda College as guests of the Rector, Mgr Roderick Strange. Bishops John, Patrick, Paul and Richard were seated with the Southwark seminarians Alan Burgess (Cathedral parish and St Joseph’s, New Malden) and Leonard Tatt (Christ Church, Eltham). Alan is in his second year of a four-year study programme, Leonard in his first. Both Mgr Strange and Archbishop Vincent Nichols spoke after dinner about priestly formation provided by the college to the international group (17 nationalities) of seminarians currently studying at the Beda College. 

 

Ad limina apostolorum

Our bishops, together with the bishops from all the dioceses in England and Wales, have travelled to Rome for their 'ad limina' visit to the Vatican.

The 'ad limina apostolorum' (to the threshold of the apostles) takes place every five years and is a pilgrimage to the tombs of the apostles - Saint Peter, buried beneath the high altar of St Peter's Basilica, and Saint Paul, beneath the high altar of the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls.

It is also a demonstration that our bishops are in communion with the Bishop of Rome and so expresses the unity of our Church.

During their visit, the bishops will have the opportunity to discuss the state of their dioceses with the Holy Father and with some of the Vatican's dicasteries (departments of the Roman Curia).

We pray for our bishops. May the 'ad limina' be an occasion of grace for them all and may they receive encouragement as they  continue to serve our Church.

(posted 25-01-10) 
 

Haiti - the focus of our prayers ...

Reuters

The sad news of the devastating earthquake in Haiti has filled hearts throughout the world with compassion and concern. This predominantly Catholic country is among the poorest in the western world and is in deep need of our prayers - for those who have died, for the bereaved, the injured, the homeless, for those without food, water, shelter or health care  ... 

The Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot, is reported to be among the estimated 50,000 people who have lost their lives in this disaster. His cathedral lies in ruins.

 
American Red Cross/AP

May the Holy Spirit bring them consolation and healing and inspire all who are affected by this tragedy to have the courage to rebuild their lives.

Reuters

If you wish to contribute to help alleviate their suffering, please visit the CAFOD site. CAFOD is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee.

CAFOD (Catholic Fund for Overseas Development)

Read the article by Sister Janet Fearns FMDM in the Times Online
(Sister Janet is a member of the FMDM Community at Archbishop's House)
 

Migrants' dignity is given by God

Bishop Patrick has marked the 96th World Day of Migrants and Refugees on Sunday, 17th January 2010, by insisting that
 
'A human being's worth is defined and determined by their God given dignity, not by the papers they do or do not carry.'

The bishop, who is responsible for the Office of Migration and Refugee Policy of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, echoes the focus of the Holy Father's message for the day - the plight of underage migrants and refugees.

Bishop Patrick said: ‘the care for migrant families especially women with children in detention was both a pastoral and policy challenge’.

He said that raising the plight of families in detention especially women with children by disseminating information on their human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as providing pastoral support was one way of trying to ensure their protection.

‘At the heart of Catholic Social Teaching is the principle that every human being is created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ and is therefore invaluable and worthy of respect as a member of the human family. This fundamental principle shapes our ministry with migrants – forced or unforced, documented or undocumented. A migrant’s legal status is quite separate from his or her human dignity. A human being's worth is defined and determined by their God given dignity not by the papers they do or do not carry.'

He added that every effort should be made to end child detention while their families await decisions on their claim for sanctuary in the UK.

Read the text of the Holy Father's message (.pdf)

Read Bishop Patrick's Address to the National Justice and Peace Conference - Juiy 2009 (.pdf available)

Press release from the Catholic Church in England and Wales web site

Archbishop Kevin was the principal celebrant at the Christmas Midnight Mass offered at St George's Cathedral.

In his homily, the Archbishop spoke of the birth of Jesus as enhancing our humanity and bringing the gift of new life which flows through the liturgy and the sacraments - a new life available to us as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour.

He said, 'The grace of God is received in faith; if we live in it, we will be raised up to live a new life. It will be different - it should loosen the hold of obsessions and addictions, and create a new situation, a new way of being. The gift has been given: it is for us to receive.'

He ended his homily with the words, 'May you, your families and friends, all be richly blessed this Christmas Season and may the New Year be a time of grace for you all.'

Full text of Archbishop Kevin's homily at Midnight Mass

 

Bishops offer Christmas Day Masses in prisons

On Christmas Day our bishops offered Mass in prisons within our diocese. Bishop John at HMP Swaleside, Bishop Patrick at HMP Belmarsh and Bishop Paul at HMP Wandsworth.

We pray for those in prison and for all who are away from their families and friends.

 

A Christmas message from Bishop John

The Nativity - Federico Barocci - 1597 - Museo del Prado, Madrid
 

For so many people today Christmas is a frantically busy time, often involving a lot of travel. In the midst of all this, I hope and pray that the mystery of God’s love made manifest in the Incarnation will touch our hearts again. May we respond with love for those around us.

I wish you and those who are dear to you every blessing and happiness this Christmas and throughout 2010.

+John Hine
Diocesan Administrator

 

Wednesday, 23rd December

Emmanuel, you are our king and judge, the one whom the peoples await and their Saviour. O come and save us, Lord, our God.

Emmanuel: 'God-is-with-us'

Brief explanation

On the path to Sainthood ...

	On Saturday, 19th December 2009, Pope Benedict XVI declared two of his predecessors ‘Venerable’: Pope Pius XII, who reigned 1939 - 1958, and Pope John Paul II, who reigned 1978 -2005. This is the first step on the path to canonisation and recognises the ‘heroic virtues’ of these Popes.
Also declared 'Venerable' was an English religious sister, Sister Mary Ward (1585 - 1645). Sister Mary Ward lived at a time of great conflict for the Church in this country. She founded the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters) and the Congregation of Jesus. 2009 marks the 400th Anniversary of their foundation. Short article about Sister Mary Ward on the Catholic Church in England and Wales web site

 

† Please pray for the repose of the soul of Deacon Roger Chandler-Honnor who was ordained Deacon in 1980 and who died on 15th December 2009 May he rest in peace

 

Brazilian bishop visits London migrants

Fr Jose-Mario Ribeiro, Bishop Alessandro Ruffinoni, Bishop Patrick and
Canon James Cronin

On Saturday, 12th December 2009, Bishop Patrick welcomed Bishop Alessandro Ruffinoni, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Porto Alegre in Brazil, to London and to our diocese. Bishop Alessandro met Bishop Patrick and Canon James Cronin in Rome last month at the Congress for the Care of Migrants and Refugees.

Bishop Alessandro is the bishop responsible for Brazilian migrants on behalf of the Brazilian Conference of Bishops. He has recently visited Paris and Geneva, which, like London, have large Brazilian communities,

While in London, Bishop Alessandro celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with the Brazilian communities at St Margaret Clitherow's, Dulwich Wood Park, and Our Lady of the Rosary, Brixton. Both churches host Masses for the Brazilian community in Portuguese every Sunday, regularly offered by Fr Jose-Mario Ribeiro, pictured above.

 

A message from Bishop John Hine

The diocesan College of Consultors elected me as Diocesan Administrator following Archbishop Kevin’s resignation. Please keep me in your prayers that I may serve you and our diocese as well as possible until a new appointment is made.

I take this opportunity to thank Archbishop Kevin for the generous way he has led our diocese despite the severe health problems that have afflicted him over such a long period. His perseverance has been admirable. I am confident that our prayers and best wishes are with him as he faces further surgery in the coming year. There will be an opportunity in due course for us to express our gratitude to him.

Meanwhile, we hope to further the diocesan process initiated by Archbishop Kevin so that it is available in due course for his successor.

(posted 07-12-09)

Pope Benedict accepts the resignation
of Archbishop Kevin McDonald

At 11:00 am (GMT) on Friday, 4th December 2009, The Holy Father accepted the resignation of Archbishop Kevin McDonald of Southwark in accordance with Canon 401 §2.
 

The Archbishop submitted his resignation to the Holy Father having taken account of medical advice.

The Archbishop has had a triple heart bypass and also suffers from severe osteoarthritis. This has already necessitated surgery and the Archbishop envisages further surgery in 2010.

Archbishop Kevin said:

“I feel great sadness at having to relinquish my post as Archbishop of Southwark. Although I have had to contend with illness over the last three years, this appointment has been a great grace. It has been a privilege to lead this great Diocese and I have received a wonderful response to everything I have tried to do. I have also been very appreciative of the prayers of so many people while I have been ill. The Diocese will continue to be very much in my thoughts and prayers in the time ahead.”

A Diocesan Administrator will be appointed soon and he will be in charge of the Diocese, until a new Archbishop takes possession of the Diocese.
 

Archbishop Kevin's letter to the people of the diocese (.pdf)

Press release from the Catholic Church in England and Wales

 

Southwark Catholic Directory for 2010 is published

The 2010 edition of the Southwark Catholic Directory has been published and will be available in most parishes throughout the diocese.

The Directory gives details of the Diocesan Curia and Offices and of all parishes, religious houses and schools in the diocese.

It includes a Liturgical Calendar for the year.

 

With standard binding: £3:00;
with spiral binding: £3:50

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