A short post from Rome as the Eternal City prepares to welcome its newest Beatus!

The streets of Rome are alive with faith this evening, as young people from all over the world, but especially from Poland, Italy and Spain, gather to celebrate the heroic witness of Pope John Paul II. As I walked to the hotel this tonight, which happens to be just round the corner from the Vatican, nearly all the streets surrounding St Peter's were full of teenagers and youth groups - most of whom seemed happy to be camping outside in the open! Tomorrow, Pope Benedict XVI will beatify his predecessor, confirming John Paul as a beatus, worthy of veneration by the faithful.

It was nice to share the flight with many other Catholics this morning, including Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Dom Cuthbert Brogan OSB - both of whom I managed to speak with as we left the aeroplane about the exciting weekend ahead. I was also able to speak with Archbishop Nichols, for the first time, about my desire to create a Guild of Catholic Bloggers. He seemed genuinely interested in the idea - and even asked me to keep him informed about what might come of the proposed Guild.

I prayed to Pope John Paul II before setting off on my journey this morning, asking that he might intercede for me so that I wouldn't suffer from the horrendous ear-ache that I usually have whilst flying. It worked! I had no problems at all during the flight to Rome - and my ear only popped once on the way down. The last few times that I've travelled by aeroplane my ears have caused me immense problems, and I am usually left deaf for at least a week!

So, in thanksgiving for JP II's intercession, and wanting to pray for all the readers of my blog, I decided to head straight to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore after arriving in Rome's Termini Station. It was a wonderful experience, and I speant a good hour in there. It was packed and there was quite a tussle to get to pray before the relic of the manger underneath the high altar! But, the milling pilgrims brought with them a deep sense of faith and the oldest Church dedicated to Our Lady was full of searching hearts!

Afterwards, I went to the Cathedral of St John Lateran, the world's mother church. It was amazing, and I took many photos - sadly, I seem to have lost most of them, as my phone (and its camera) packed up on me a few hours ago! It was really good to see Pope Leo XIII's tomb, though. He is buried there, and happens to be one of my favourite popes. It was also nice to see the Papal Throne - on which the Archbishop of Westminster's throne is based.

I also managed to visit many other places of interest, including the Colosseum, the Piazza Navona, and the Castel Sant' Angelo. But, of course, the highlight for me was visiting St Peter's Square! Unfortunately, as it was being prepared for tomorrow's beatification, it wasn't possible to enter the Basilica itself, but the Piazza was packed and full of expectant Poles and Romans and buzzing with life and joy! I took some wonderful photos around the Square - so am quite depressed to have lost them!

I also visited the Vatican's Exhibition on the life and work of Pope John Paul II, which is being housed in at the Braccio di Carlo Magno, just to the left of St Peter's Basilica, and which has been commissioned especially by Pope Benedict XVI. The queue was so long for this reflection on John Paul's life that I missed a meeting that I had arranged with a friend, who was expecting me in the Square at 5pm. I joined the queue for the exhibition at about 4pm, and didn't get in till well after 5:30pm! Not only that, it was impossible to turn round, even if I'd wanted to - such was the crush behind me!

The exhibition itself was very moving. In fact, yet again, I managed to take some photos from inside, and was looking forward to sharing them with you... But, it seems that this is not to be. Amongst the many exhibits were John Paul's vestments and cassocks - including his birettas. His episcopal ring was also on display, as were many intimate letters, school reports and original photographs. There were also many video displays at the exhibition, including footage of the assassination attempt that was made against his life in 1981. One of the most powerful images on display was the video of Pope John Paul's last week. After having witnessed his love of acting and his abilities as an orator, it was extremely painful to watch the images of him struggling to speak during his last Easter. Many people were in tears watching this video, which was being played just behind the special devices that had helped Pope John Paul II move during his final years. I left the exhibition fully aware of the seeming fact that God often strips us bear, especially if we truly wish to follow Christ. Our last cross often includes losing our most beloved gifts and abilities.

Afterwards, I went over to the Roman Oratory, to pray at the tomb of St Philip Neri... Which was a pure joy for me!

I now have about 2 minutes left on the hotel's WiFi, so better log-off... But, I will be keeping you all in my prayers tomorrow, as I venerate the earthly remains of Blessed John Paul II.

Getting ready for Pope John Paul II's Beatification and the Vatican's Bloggers' Meeting in Rome... A few notes and thoughts

Just after publishing this post I will be preparing to leave for Rome and the Vatican's Bloggers' Meeting. It's quite an exciting time for me, mainly for the reason that I will (please God) see the Eternal City for the first time. Of course, it is also an honour to be able to participate in the Vatican's first ever engagement with Catholic bloggers. I'm also looking forward to the Beatification of Pope John Paul II, to reporting on all the exciting events in Rome, and to meeting other bloggers from around the world. I also look forward to meeting many British Catholic bloggers at the planning meeting for the proposed Guild of Catholic bloggers on 7 May, after my return from Rome.

Over the past few weeks, and especially during Holy Week, I have been thinking quite a lot about my responsibilities and duties as someone who blogs as a Catholic. My main concern is that blogging - or engaging with others on the rather impersonal media found on the internet - can lead to a tragic betrayal of one's Christian vocation. During Holy Week, my main concern was that I lack love and compassion when I blog. It's easier for me to judge or condemn than to be humble and look at the massive plank in my own eye when I am staring at a computer monitor.

St Paul famously said that all our work will have been in vain if its beginning and ending is not grounded in love. We might be great prophets, or wonderful evangelists, but without love all our actions will be accounted as nothing, and less than nothing (cf 1 Cor 13). This piece of Scripture is important - for it seems to set some ground rules concerning salvation. So, wanting and needing to work out my own salvation, I must, as one who claims to love Christ, pay heed to such warnings. I must love, and my love must be real. I must love God, as one who honours His Commandments and His truth; I must love my neighbour as one whom I want to attract to God, not drive away from Him; and I must love myself, as a real person, not a character or someone so addicted to my own words that I have no time for God's Word.

It is well known that blogging tends to amplify feelings and attitudes, and provides what many would consider to be an artificial way of engaging with others. It's much easier to condemn a man, even a bishop or one who should know better, when we don't have to look him in the eye. It can also, conversely, be easier to talk about loving others whilst tapping on a keyboard at home than if we had to deal with the same people in real life. So, for me, blogging must always be kept in perspective. It is not the real world, but it does contain very worldly temptations. Anything that feeds my pride or ego cannot be good - and, sometimes, the sense of satisfaction when posting criticisms on my blog or when "going for the kill" (joining in that journalistic mentality that sees men merely as stories, not persons loved by God) does lead to an over-abundance of pride and self-will. Blogging can be dangerous, even if it's something I feel presently called to do.

So, I really think that bloggers - those of us who travel through uncharted waters and who face demons who are more than ready to see Christians fight amongst themselves in public - really need to be spiritually healthy. For that to happen, we need the support of others, especially those who know what it's like to blog. No Christian is an island, we cannot be followers of Christ without being deeply united to all his other followers. We need other (flesh and blood) human beings, to share our pilgrimages with. We need the Church, and should never think ourselves above that need. We also need the mutual support of others, especially those who tread similar paths to our own. This, more than any other, is the reason behind wanting to set up a guild (or group) for Catholic bloggers.

Blogging in the name of the Church or as Catholics - all with our own opinions and ways of approaching the faith - can, of course, be immensely beneficial to those of us who blog, to the Christian community and to the world at large. It can lead to the salvation of souls and to a valid contribution to the mission of the Church. I have also often heard from people who are amazed at what they can learn from reading Christian blogs. Catholic blogs can be instruments of the Holy Spirit, too - who uses them to call the Church to renewal and reform. At the present time, some very brave men and women use their blogs to call some of our bishops and leaders to account, especially when their actions seem to undermine or weaken the Church's tradition, truth or unity. But, in order to be effective, bloggers must be like Christ in all things - shouting and being rude are usually things which run contrary to the way Our Lord would have us behave. Being patient, kind and always willing to be abused by the powerful are signs of Christ's presence in us. He always humbles the proud and raises up those who are lowly.

I honestly believe that a Guild of Catholic Bloggers would help those of us who blog grow closer to each other in love. We would be able to meet face to face, in the real world, and get to know one another as Christians should. We could care for each others' needs, physical and spiritual, and pray together in unity and peace. It might be possible to use Guild meetings to seek reconciliation and forgiveness - for, in the heat of online arguments, it can be too easy to fall out or say things that are designed to hurt. A Guild of Catholic Bloggers could also arrange for spiritual retreats and conferences, or workshops designed to get the most out of blogging. It could also facilitate talks by experienced and holy bloggers, who would be able to guide those who wish to turn their blogs into tools of the new evangelisation or aids to holiness.

Blogging can really enthuse the Church with new life, it can challenge authority in a good way, it can provide a voice for real prophets, and it is also a way in which Christians can help each other grow in holiness. Of course, the opposite is sometimes true - a blogger who has become too reliant on the self and entered into a delusional space, can be a danger to the Church and a stumbling block to those who seek Christ. For that reason, I honestly believe that a blogger who feels that he or she is above the Church or is able to survive alone has really lost his or her way. Like a soul that has entered into the world of the ego and been led away by the sin of pride, a blogger who isolates him or herself or who seems Pharisaical in their treatment of Christ's Bride and the Church's ministers is in danger of falling away from grace.

I have become acutely aware of the dangers of blogging since I began writing as A Reluctant Sinner, and for that reason feel a need to experience help from others, especially those who understand the blogger's "vocation". As much as I enjoy writing and finding stories, sharing my opinions or making virtual friends, I would much rather meet with people in the flesh. I also wish I could sometimes attend Masses specifically geared towards those who blog as Catholics - if only to pray with them, to worship God with them, and to listen to a homily that might speak to me as a Catholic blogger. It is for all these reasons that I think a Guild of Catholic Bloggers is necessary. It is also for this reason that I think the Holy Spirit is prompting our pastors and leaders to engage with the sometimes frightening world of the blogosphere!

The Royal Wedding guest list includes three Cardinals, a few Catholic archbishops and two high-ranking priests

Many congratulations to Canon Christopher Tuckwell, Westminster Cathedral's Administrator, who has been invited to attend the wedding of Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton. He will be joining representatives from other faiths and local churches, most of whom have been selected to represent their communities.

It seems, from the guest list, that most of the clergymen who have been invited to attend the Royal Wedding are Catholic prelates. There will also be individual representatives from other Christian communions and faith communities, including the Judaism, the Muslim faith, and various Oriental religions. Ministers from the Orthodox Churches, the Methodist Church, and the Presbyterian Church will also be present at the Abbey tomorrow. In fact, the last time Westminster Abbey played host to so many clergymen from different Christian traditions was when Pope Benedict XVI attended an ecumenical service there last year.

Of course, the majority of the clergy at the wedding will be Anglican, many of whom will be serving as ministers during the ceremony itself. The Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev Dr John Hall, will officiate at the service, and will be joined in the Sacrarium by the members of the Abbey's Chapter, its Minor Canons and religious sisters. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Dr Rowan Williams, will administer the vows, whilst the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Dr Richard Chartres will preach - apparently for no more than seven minutes!

The Catholic clergymen who have been invited to attend Prince William and Catherine Middleton's wedding include the Emeritus Archbishop of Westminster, HE Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, who is personally acquainted with the Queen and Prince Philip. The other two cardinals on the guest list are Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh, and Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh. The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, will represent the Catholic Church in England and Wales, whilst His Excellency Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Court of St James, will represent the Pope. Two Catholic priests have also been awarded the honour of being invited to the wedding, the first being Canon Christopher Tuckwell (already mentioned) and the second being Mgr Philip Kerr, who is the Convener of Churches Together in Scotland.

It really is wonderful that Catholicism will be so well represented at tomorrow's Royal Wedding, and that people of faith have been given such a prominent position amongst the guest list. Whatever secularists think, belief in the Divine is alive and well here in the UK!

Below is the full list of invited representatives from the Church and other Faiths, as it appears on the Official Royal Wedding website: -

The Most Reverend Gregorious, Archbishop of the Greek Archdiocese of Thysteira and Great Britain
The Archbishop of Canterbury and Mrs. Rowan Williams
Rabbi Anthony Bayfield
Mr. Anil Bhanot
The Archbishop of Armagh, Cardinal Archbishop Sean Brady
Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, The Most Reverend David Chillingworth
The Right Reverend John Christie, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Mr. Malcolm Deboo President, Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe
The Rt. Reverend Doctor Norman Hamilton
The Archbishop of Armagh, The Most Reverend Alan Edwin Harper
Monsignor Philip Kerr, The Convener, Action of Churches Together in Scotland
Commissioner Elizabeth Matear, Salvation Army
The Archbishop of Wales, The Most Reverend Doctor Barry Morgan
The Reverend Gareth Morgan Jones, President of the Free Church Council of Wales
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-Connor
The Archbishop of Westminster, The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols
Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh
Rabbi Alan Plancey
Imam Mohammad Raza
The Chief Rabbi (Lord Sacks)
The Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala, Acting Head Monk, The London Buddhist Vihara
Maulana Syed Raza Shabbarm, Muhammadi Trust
Mr. Natubhai Shah, President, the Jain Academy
Dr Indarjit Singh, Director, Network Sikh Organisations (UK)
Canon Christopher Tuckwell
The Reverend Martin Turner
The Archbishop of York and Mrs. John Sentamu

Prince William and the two Catherines - Dominican sisters to offer special prayers for the Royal Couple on their wedding day

As I'm sure many of you know, 29 April is the day when the Catholic Church traditionally celebrates the feast of St Catherine of Siena - one of our greatest saints, a Doctor of the Church, and a patroness of Europe. Aptly, this is also the date chosen for this year's Royal Wedding between Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Although St Catherine of Siena's feast will not be celebrated liturgically by most Catholics this year, as 29 April falls during the Easter Octave, some Dominican sisters have promised ask for the Saint's intercession on behalf of the Royal Couple on that day.

In a press release issued by the Catholic Communications Network, it was also revealed that Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor will be attending the Royal Wedding. He is a personal friend of the Queen's and his titular church in Rome, the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, houses the tomb of St Catherine of Siena - most of her body lies buried beneath the high altar.

Referring to the Royal Wedding, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said: "It is beautiful that they are being married on the feast of St. Catherine of Siena. St. Catherine was a Dominican Tertiary and a bold and wonderful saint. She is buried under the altar of the Dominican Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome which is close to where she died." After mentioning her importance to the Church and to Europe, the Cardinal went on to offer two quotes from St Catherine's writings: "‘Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire’ and, talking to God, she said, ‘You make the heart big – not stingy – so big it has room in its loving charity for everyone.’"

A modern-day Dominican Sister of the English Congregation of Saint Catherine of Siena based in Cambridge, Sr Ann Catherine Swailes OP, also commented on the Royal Event and St Catherine's Day, saying: "St Catherine of Siena is so important to us as a religious community. I hope that many people will join us in praying for the happy couple and we will be calling on St Catherine in heaven for her prayers. We will be praying for all married couples that in their beautiful vocation, in their love for each other, they will have hearts that are big, hearts that are full of love and compassion for all."

CNN briefly introduces St Catherine, thus: "St Catherine of Siena was born in 1347, the 24th of 25 children of a wool dyer in northern Italy. She became a lay member of the Dominican Order in the Roman Catholic Church when she was 16 and so is a very special saint to Dominicans today. St. Catherine was one of the most brilliant theological minds of her day and persuaded the Pope to go back to Rome from Avignon, in 1377. She died in 1380 at the age of 33 having received the stigmata in 1375. Her body was found incorrupt in 1430."

To read more about this story, please seethe CNN press release on the Bishops' Conference's website. If you would like to know more about the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, please visit its official website.

[Image: St Catherine of Siena's tomb beneath the High Altar at Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome - the titular church of HE Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor; this image had been released into the public domain by its author, Hreid; source: Wikimedia Commons]

Some images from around Westminster, as the City prepares to witness the Royal Wedding...

After popping into Westminster Cathedral this afternoon, I made my way down Victoria Street to the Abbey. Having heard that the place was abuzz with preparations for Friday's wedding between HRH Prince William Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton, I wanted to see for myself how things were developing.

It was quite a shock to see that a few people were already camping on the pavement just opposite Westminster Abbey. These poor people will be living in their tents, right next to a busy Victoria Street, for the next three days! From what someone told me at the Cathedral, the public toilets nearby will be kept open throughout that time - they normally shut around 6pm. It also appears that many people will be camping in St James's Park over the next couple of days!

I couldn't believe how many foreign journalists were about, all broadcasting live at 5pm (when I was there). It seemed a bit like Babel!

Of course, the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales have produced this following prayer for the Royal Wedding. It might be appropriate for us Catholics to use this prayer during the next few days.

Heavenly Father,
we ask your blessing
upon his Royal Highness, Prince William and Catherine
as they pledge their love for each other in marriage.
May your love unite them through their lives.
Grant them the strength to serve you, our country and the Commonwealth
with integrity and faithfulness.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen

I don't want to seem to be too much of a kill-joy, but do think it important to point out that co-habitation is something that should be reserved for those who are married. Needless to say, many Christians have been taken aback by the fact that the future Supreme Governor of the Church of England has appeared to be "living in sin" for the past few years. This sad situation reflects badly on Anglicanism's ability to call its members to holiness. It also seems to point to a decline in the Royal Family's desire to be moral standard-bearers for the rest of us.

I'm sure it must be quite depressing for Queen Elizabeth II to witness such changes in attitudes to morality, especially amongst her own kith and kin. We must remember that the Queen is both devoted to Christ and sees the monarchy as an instrument of the Christian faith.

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Easter Cake

I managed to take a photo of this Easter-cake whilst I was at Westminster Cathedral this afternoon. As you can see, half of it had already been consumed by the time I got my camera out!

Most shops seemed to have sold out of Easter-cakes a few days before the great feast itself, so I ended up cake-less on Easter Sunday. It was such a joy, then, to come across this beautiful cake at the Cathedral... And it tasted delicious, too!

Holy Week and Easter posts on the Queering the Church blog - do such things mock what we hold sacred?

Seeing that Easter is a season of immense joy and the triumph of Christ's love for us, I have seriously wondered whether not it is appropriate to post this following item - for it might dampen our celebration of the holy Resurrection. After some thought and prayer, though, I decided it was better to highlight this issue than to collude with those who seem to think that mocking Christ is something that will have no consequences for their souls. St Paul warns that "God is not mocked" (cf Gal 6:7), so I feel we have a duty to speak openly when others try and turn the most wonderful Good News of Life into what appears to be a mockery or even a celebration of sin.

One of the catechists from a leading Westminster parish told me during Holy Week that she has attended the (pro-"LGBT") Soho Masses, "in order to support the mission to homosexuals". Knowing that this woman is devoted to the things of God and was honestly seeking to help these men live chaste lives, I asked her what she made of these pro-homosexual events. She told me that at first she believed that the Archbishop of Westminster wouldn't allow a Diocesan organisation to promote the "gay agenda", but that some of what went on at the Masses had challenged this view. She told me that she'd also met a few of those who ran the Soho Masses, including Terence Weldon (whose in charge of extraordinary ministries there). So I directed her to the posts on Weldon's blog, called Queering the Church. To say that she was horrified when she learnt about this blog would be an understatement. In fact, this poor soul told me she would never again attend the pro-gay Masses, and felt very let down by the Vicar General (in whose parish the Soho Masses are held, and who fully supports these events).

Well, over the weekend, I decided to see whether or not Terence Weldon had posted anything about Holy Week and Easter. Surely, I thought, I've been too harsh on these men who are trying, in their way, to work out their own salvation? So, I visited his blog, rather innocently, expecting maybe a few images of the Crucified Christ and a note about the joys of Easter. What I came across on Queering the Church, though, were what I consider to be some of the most blasphemous things I have ever seen in my entire life. During the holiest of Christian weeks, the man in charge of readers and extraordinary ministers at the Soho Masses, and who has a link to his blog on the Soho Masses website, seemed to be celebrating the "Queer Christ"!

The Queering the Church post for Easter Sunday had a very homoerotic image of "Christ" by an artist called Douglas Blanchard. This painting seemed to depict Our Lord as a muscle-boy (or "gym-bunny"?), surrounded by other muscle-men who look like members of the Village People (are they meant to represent the disciples?). Terry Weldon explained this image by posting something from The Queer Bible Commentary by Thomas Bonhache. This book quotes a "queer theologian", called Robert Goss, who said: “On Easter, God made Jesus queer in his solidarity with us. In other words, Jesus came out of the closet and became the ‘queer Christ”.

On Good Friday (in a post called "The Temple Veil Was Torn in Two"), Terence Weldon wrote that "...those who have acquired power in the Church have steadily sought to re-establish precisely the same kind of authoritarian, rule-book religion that the passion destroyed." In a manner that would embarrass even an obsessed devotee of Luther, he went on to castigate the Catholic Church for having "...a dual caste system: the familiar priestly caste with its layers of clerical and episcopal rank, and a sexual caste system that places (celibate) prelates at the apex of purity, followed by lay virgins, then fertile married couples, and sexual transgressors way down below." According to Terence Weldon, "we" have "to challenge the Church to set aside these artificial constructs, and re-establish the kind of Church that Christ left behind – not the one that he resisted." Apparently, Weldon seems convinced that the "early Christians followed Jesus in their inclusivity [whatever that means], welcome to all", whereas the Catholic Church is run by so-called "rule-book" oppressors who want to stop people from having fun. If this is what he really thinks, then why doesn't he become a Protestant?

Weldon goes to to say that, "For queer Christians, it is common to see in the passion and death of Jesus a mirror our own persecution by civil and religious authorities." Christ's Passion, then, seems to be predominantly read in the context of some kind of liberation theology for Terence Weldon. In fact, he also mentioned in the Easter Sunday post (quoting a blog called Jesus in Love), "that The [sic] mystery of resurrection replaced the law of cause and effect with a new reality: the law of love. Jesus lives in our hearts now. Just as he promised, he freed people from every form of bondage. Captives are released from every prison. LGBT people are liberated from every closet of shame." It seems that the Resurrection is not only (or predominantly) about freeing men from sin and death according to this vision, but is really about the promotion gay politics!

Another Good Friday offering on Queering the Church, entitled "The Queer Passion, in Art: The Crucifixion", had yet another image of a homoerotic "Christ" (who looks more like a 'rent-boy' being arrested for importuning) by Douglas Blanchard. Terence Weldon's reflection for Good Friday included this passage, which seems full of what I'd term "Catholic self-hatred":

While the persecution of sexual and other minorities is real, we must remember that a major part of the success of this persecution comes from the way in which we too are forced to carry our own crosses, by internalizing the homophobia as self-hatred and guilt. This is taken to extremes in the Catholic Church and the argument that homoerotic attraction is a cross that we must carry (a claim that Bart [who is apparently a "gay priest"] countered in his post early this week), but it is not our orientation or gender identity that is the cross we bear. There is no sin in love, or in being true to our identity. The cross we carry is built from the prejudice and hatred directed against us. We must not add to the weight of that cross, our own self-loathing. (emphasis mine)

So, it would seem that at least one vocal member of the Soho Masses Pastoral Council believes that it is the Church that's wrong, as opposed to the pro-homosexual agenda of our times. Apparently, all those saintly Christian men and women who have accepted the fact that their same sex attraction is disordered, and carry this cross by living chaste lives (with all the joys and struggles that involves), are merely "self-loathers" according to Weldon. But, surely, he is the one who loathes himself for being Catholic? Aren't people who try and exchange the truth for a lie, believing they can over-ride God's law, and who claim to be Catholic yet hate the Church, just suffering from internalised anti-Catholicism?

The same posting talks a lot about being "victimised" and belonging to a "minority", but Weldon isn't talking about the prejudice that exists against the Catholic Church in Britain, or about the fact that our morality is now something held only by a minority. Neither is he talking about the global persecution of Christians, many of whom weren't allowed to celebrate Easter in places like China, or who have been killed for their love of Christ in places like Pakistan. No, he's talking about homosexuals and how they are somehow being victimised by what one can only assume he sees as a cruel or nasty Church.

In another Holy Week posting on Queering the Church, called "The Queer Passion, in Art: 'They Killed a Faggot'", Terence Weldon seems to liken the tragic murder of a couple of homosexuals and a drag queen to Christ's Passion. No-where in his post does he appear to equate the murder of countless Christians around the world every year to the Cross of Our Lord. As heinous as the (very rare) killing of homosexuals is (for being different, that is - as opposed to the more common murder of homosexuals by their partners or 'rent-boys'), I feel that equating their deaths with the Crucifixion, especially whilst ignoring Christians who have died for their faith in Christ, is very misguided. Yes, Christ's death is mystically united to all our deaths, and to human suffering in all its guises, as well as to our sins - but, those who die for his sake, in his name, in his love, do so as real sharers in his Passion, Cross and, more especially, his Resurrection. As a Jesuit priest preached recently during Mass in Farm Street, "we cannot unite our sufferings to Christ's unless we are in a state of grace".

In relation to the above, the California Catholic Daily reported yesterday that "homosexual activists in California have used the Easter season to mock Catholicism", which apparently they do every year. The article contains descriptions of the "Hunky Jesus Contest", held in San Francisco’s Dolores Park by the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence". I felt that I could not repeat some of the disgusting things that happen at this annual event, as, needless to say, the whole thing revolved around sexual promiscuity - which is something homosexuals seem to be in denial about concerning their life-style. The California Catholic Daily also mentioned that "various homosexual organizations participated in the 'Palm Sunday Big Bulge Vigil'" in San Diego last week. It seems that this blasphemy was intended to mock both Palm Sunday and the Easter Vigil. Although I am sure Terence Weldon did not intend to mock the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord, one wonders whether he is able to see how many ordinary Catholics would be offended by his words and by images such as those painted by Douglas Blanchard?

It would be good to see blogs such as Queering the Church condemn these heinous acts by the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" against Christ and his most beloved Bride, the Church. But the question I would really like to ask those behind groups such as the Soho Masses or "queer theology", or Terence Weldon himself, is: which do you love the most, the Church or the gay agenda? For, surely, "a house divided against itself will fall" (cf. Lk 11:17). Or, as Our Lord said in another place, "one cannot serve two masters" (cf. Mt 6:24).

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Some words of wisdom from Archbishop Fulton J Sheen.

Love is not tolerance

"Christian love bears evil, but it does not tolerate it. It does penance for the sins of others, but it is not broad-minded about sin.

The cry for tolerance never induces it to quench its hatred of the evil philosophies that have entered into contest with the Truth. It forgives the sinner, and it hates the sin; it is unmerciful to the error in his mind.The sinner it will always take back into the bosom of the Mystical Body;
but his lie will never be taken into the treasury of His Wisdom.

Real love involves real hatred: whoever has lost the power of moral indignation and the urge to drive the buyers and sellers from the temples has also lost a living, fervent love of Truth.

Charity, then, is not a mild philosophy of 'live and let live'; it is not a species of sloppy sentiment. Charity is the infusion of the Spirit of God, which makes us love the beautiful and hate the morally ugly."

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From the Exsultet

Huius ígitur sanctificátio noctis fugat scélera, culpas lavat:
et reddit innocéntiam lapsis
et mæstis lætítiam.
Fugat ódia, concórdiam parat
et curvat impéria.

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Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!

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NB - all references at "queer" are directly taken from the Queering the Church blog. I would never use such language. In fact, it would seem to me to be the language of those who hate homosexuals, or those who hate themselves.

[Image: "Jesus Rises" from the “The Passion of Christ: A Gay Vision” set of 24 paintings by Douglas Blanchard; source: Jesus in Love Blog (also found on Queering the Church, see above)]

Wishing my readers all the joys, graces and blessings of Easter - Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!

Easter

Most glorious Lord of Lyfe! that, on this day,
Didst make Thy triumph over death and sin;
And, having harrowd hell, didst bring away
Captivity thence captive, us to win:
This joyous day, deare Lord, with joy begin;
And grant that we, for whom thou diddest dye,
Being with Thy deare blood clene washt from sin,
May live for ever in felicity!

And that Thy love we weighing worthily,
May likewise love Thee for the same againe;
And for Thy sake, that all lyke deare didst buy,
With love may one another entertayne!
So let us love, deare Love, lyke as we ought,
--Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.

by Edmund Spenser (1552 - 1599)

[Image: The Resurrection of Christ by Meister von Hohenfurth, dated c. 1350; Czech National Gallery, Prague; this image is in the public domain; source: Wikimedia Commons]

Holy Saturday - "I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God."

The Church remains silent, shocked, puzzled as she stands with Mary outside the tomb. Christ, the World's Redeemer, the perfect Sacrifice, the Spotless Lamb who was slain, has entered into the Underworld, to free the dead from their sins.

The sacraments, which make the Lord present, are not celebrated today - except Extreme Unction and Confession. No candles are lit and sacramentals such as holy water are absent from our lives. We continue to mourn our Beloved, whilst looking with holy desire for the victory of Love and the glory of the Resurrection...

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Below is an ancient homily for Holy Saturday, which is to be found in today's Office of Readings. It brings to mind the "the sweet exchange, the incomprehensible work of God, the unexpected blessings, that the sinfulness of many should be hidden in one righteous person, while the righteousness of One should justify many sinners!" (cf. The Epistle to Diognetus).

The image is Fra Angelico's representation of Christ's Harrowing of Hell and the salvation of Adam and the peoples of the Old Testament.

An Ancient Homily on the Lord's Descent into the Underworld

Something strange is happening – there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.

He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all.” Christ answered him: “And with your spirit.” He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

Prayer: -

Lord, by the suffering of Christ your Son you have saved us all from the death we inherited from sinful Adam. By the law of nature we have borne the likeness of his manhood. May the sanctifying power of grace help us to put on the likeness of our Lord in heaven, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

[Image: Christ's Descent into Hell and the Salvation of Adam, a fresco painted on the wall of the Dominican Priory of San Marco, Florence, by Fra Angelico (Guido di Pietro); dated c. 1437 - 1446; Museo di San Marco, Florence; this image is in the public domain; source: Wikimedia Commons]

Good Friday - "...for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man hath done no evil" (Luke 23:41)

I remember hearing Archbishop Fulton J Sheen reciting this powerful poem whilst watching one of his talks on YouTube. I think it's very appropriate for this sacred day.

When Jesus Came to Birmingham

When Jesus came to Golgotha, they hanged Him on a tree,
They drove great nails through hands and feet, and made a Calvary;
They crowned Him with a crown of thorns, red were His wounds and deep,
For those were crude and cruel days, and human flesh was cheap.

When Jesus came to Birmingham, they simply passed Him by.
They would not hurt a hair of Him, they only let Him die;
For men had grown more tender, and they would not give Him pain,
They only just passed down the street, and left Him in the rain.

Still Jesus cried, 'Forgive them, for they know not what they do, '
And still it rained the winter rain that drenched Him through and through;
The crowds went home and left the streets without a soul to see,
And Jesus crouched against a wall, and cried for Calvary.

G. A. Studdert-Kennedy

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A wonderful thing happened to me yesterday as I was buying Easter Eggs in Sainsbury's. The woman behind the till asked me, with genuine interest, what Easter was all about. I tried to explain to her, as best I could. She then asked me what happens in churches on Good Friday, so I told to her that we commemorate Christ's suffering and death, and how his death both redeems mankind and reveals God's infinite mercy and abounding love. I also told her that Christians pray for the whole world in a special way today.

She seemed very interested, so I pointed towards Westminster Cathedral and invited her to there tomorrow at 3:00pm. She said she might go along, and then carried on with the job at hand.

This little anecdote just goes to show, though, that there are many people out there who really do want to know more about, or want to reconnect with, the Christian faith. Many hunger and thirst for what we have... Let us try and be as generous as possible in sharing our Good News, for freely we received and freely we should give.

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Some prayers and meditations

A Prayer to the Wound in the Shoulder:-

It is related in the annals of Clairvaux that St. Bernard asked Our Lord which was His greatest unrecorded suffering and that Our Lord answered, “I had on my shoulder while I bore My cross on the Way of Sorrows a grievous wound which was more painful than the others which is not recorded by men. Honour this wound with devotion, and I will grant thee whatsoever thou dost ask through its virtue and merit, and in return to all who venerate this wound I will remit to them all their venial sins and will no longer remember their mortal sins.

O most loving Jesus, meek lamb of God, I a miserable sinner, salute and worship the most sacred wound of Thy shoulder. Alone thou didst bear Thy heavy cross which so tore Thy flesh and laid bare Thy bones as to inflict on Thee an anguish greater than any other wound on Thy Blessed Body. I adore Thee, O Jesus, Most Sorrowful, I praise and glorify Thee and give Thee thanks for this most secret painful wound, beseeching Thee by the merit and pain of Thy heavy cross to be merciful to me a sinner and to forgive me my mortal and venial sins and to lead me on towards heaven along the Way of the Cross. Amen

A Prayer for Good Friday: -

O Jesus, Who by reason of Thy burning love for us
hast willed to be crucified
and to shed Thy Most Precious Blood
for the redemption and salvation of our souls,
look down upon us here gathered together
in remembrance of Thy most sorrowful Passion and Death,
fully trusting in Thy mercy;
cleanse us from sin by Thy grace,
sanctify our toil,
give unto us and unto all those who are dear to us our
daily bread,
sweeten our sufferings,
bless our families,
and to the nations so sorely afflicted,
grant Thy peace,
which is the only true peace,
so that by obeying Thy commandments
we may come at last to the glory of heaven.
Amen.

A Prayer in honour of the Five Wounds of Christ:-

My crucified Jesus!
I adore the wounds in your sacred head
with sorrow deep and true.
May every thought of mine today
be an act of love for you.
I adore the wounds in your sacred hands
with sorrow deep and true.
May every work of my hands today
be an act of love for you.
I adore the wounds in your sacred feet
with sorrow deep and true.
May every step I take today
be an act of love for you.
I adore the wound in your sacred heart
with sorrow deep and true.
May every beat of my heart today
be an act of love for you. Amen.

Lord, have mercy

Christ, have mercy

Lord, have mercy

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us

[Images: Top: Christ on the Cross by Matthias Grünewald, dated 1523 - 1524, Staatliche Kunsthalle, Karlsruhe; this image is in the public domain; source: Wikimedia. Bottom: Pietà by Luis de Morales (1509 - 1586), Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid; this image is in the public domain; source: Wikimedia]

The Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Brompton Oratory - How Divine Providence leaves nothing to chance

Many would agree that the liturgical standards at the London Oratory are amongst the highest in Christendom. But, in concentrating on the liturgy, we often forget that the sermons preached at the Oratory are also very impressive. In fact, Fr Patrick Doyle's homily at this evening's Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Brompton Oratory was one of the best examples of Catholic preaching I have heard. It concentrated on the wonderful and Providential symbolism that surround the dates associated with Our Lord's Incarnation and Crucifixion. It also reflected on the three gifts which Christ left humanity on this evening: the Mass, the Priesthood and the Blessed Sacrament.

Fr Doyle began this evening's sermon by reminding us that 25 December was the date of Our Lord's birth - even if modern doubters think otherwise. Nothing is left to chance in the history of our salvation, and God would have willed that Jesus (meaning "God saves") be named on the first day of the year - eight days after the Nativity. The Holy Name was to be revealed to the world at a significant time - the beginning of the secular calendar. Of course, knowing that Our Lord was born on 25 December we can trace back the date of the Annunciation, when he was conceived, to 25 March (nine months earlier). This is the day that Jesus Christ "came down from Heaven" (cf . The Nicene Creed), and the day that the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear the Saviour of the world.

We all know that the Annunciation is kept on 25 March, but it might have escaped our notice that according to the Roman Martyrology it is also the feast of St Dismas - also known as the "Good Thief". Dismas, whilst hanging on the Cross next to Our Lord, was canonised by Jesus himself - who said to him, "Today, you will be with me in Paradise". According to the ancient tradition of the Church (East and West) the Crucifixion (the first Good Friday) happened on 25 March - which is why St Dismas is commemorated on this date. We see then, that Our Lord descended from Heaven on the same date as he secured Heaven for all - beginning with the thief who was to die next to him.

Our Lord died on the third month of the third year of his third decade - the number three, of course, being significant because it reminds us of the Trinity. Fr Patrick Doyle went on to teach us that the number three is linked to the Passion narrative in several ways. Of course, we know that Our Lady was present at the Annunciation, Nativity and Passion of her Son; but three other names were made present again at the Passion, reminding us of three persons who were linked to the Annunciation and Nativity.

The first name that has links to both narratives is Joseph - the first being Joseph the Carpenter, Jesus' adoptive father, whilst the second was Joseph of Arimathea, who laid Jesus' body in the tomb. Both would have bound Our Lord in linen cloths - the first as a father looking after his baby son, and the second as a father-figure laying his friend to rest. The other name that is recalled at the Passion is John. The only Disciple to have stayed at the foot of the Cross, with Our Lady, was John, the "Beloved Disciple". His presence reminds us of John the Baptist, whose conception was revealed to Mary by the Archangel Gabriel during the Annunciation. This brings us to the last person whom Fr Doyle told us was recalled during Our Lord's Passion. The name Gabriel means "Strength of God", which suggests that he was the angel that came down from Heaven, appearing to Christ and "strengthening him" in the Garden of Gethsemane (cf. Luke 22:43).

Three is also significant as a number, for it reminds us of the three gifts that Our Lord left us during the Last Supper - which we recall today, Maundy Thursday. The first gift that Jesus gave us is the Mass, in which his perfect Sacrifice is made present. Of course, on the day following the Last Supper, Our Lord became the bloody victim of the Cross. That awesome Sacrifice is made real and present on our altars every time we celebrate the Holy Mass. So, Jesus instituted the Mass on this day, underwent the Sacrifice of Calvary the following day, and granted that this great moment of salvation should be present for all time in the Eucharist.

Our Lord instituted the Priesthood on this day, too, without which he could not be made present on our altars. Jesus is the High Priest of the New Covenant - and all priests share in this one ministry of his. As unworthy as priests so often are, it is only through their generosity in following God's call that Jesus is able to exercise his Priesthood amongst us.

Our Lord also gave us the Blessed Sacrament on this evening - through which he is present with us in all the tabernacles throughout the world. It is in this way, too, that he comes to us as food to eat - powerfully uniting us to him and filling us with his presence. He who bowed down to wash his Disciples' feet, now stoops down to feed us with his Body and Blood.

Fr Doyle ended this evening's homily by asking us to be aware of the great mystery which is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. He also asked us to pray for more priests. Finally, he invited us to spend time with Our Lord at the Altar of Repose, to watch with him in Gethsemane - where we will surely be joined by the Archangel Gabriel.

I hope that you managed to spend time with Our Lord this evening, and that the Archangel Gabriel will strengthen you in all your trials and as you continue to carry your daily crosses.

[Image: The Altar of Repose at the Brompton Oratroy - in the distance (St Wilfred's Chapel). This image was discreetly taken from underneath the Choir gallery. The Lady Chapel - the first to be stripped after the High Altar - is to the immediate right]

Tenebrae for Maundy Thursday at the London Oratory

I attended the Service of Tenebrae for Maundy Thursday at the Brompton Oratory this evening, staying for Matins only. Unfortunately, due to the constraints of time, I had to leave just as the Office of Lauds was beginning. Tenebrae, meaning "shadows" or "darkness" is celebrated in the Latin Church on the evening before or the morning of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Since the liturgical "reforms" that followed the Second Vatican Council, this special service has sadly become all but extinct in most places.

Tenebrae is an immensely moving service, which involves the gradual extinguishing of the lighted candles within a church or chapel. After each psalm, the nine that compose Matins and the five of Lauds, 14 of the 15 candles on a triangular "hearse" are individually put out. The six altar candles are also extinguished as the Benedictus is sung. All the remaining lights in the church are then switched off or put out. The final lighted candle on the hearse is then hidden behind the altar - which results in total darkness.

As the church mourns the light, the strepitus (Latin for "great noise") is made by slamming antiphonals against music stands, banging breviaries against seats, or by stamping one's feet on the floor. This noise, coupled with the gloom, creates quite a powerful representation of the earthquake that followed Christ's death on the Cross. Following this strepitus, the hidden candle is returned to the top of the hearse, signifying Our Lord's Resurrection - the light which darkness could not overcome (cf. John 1:4).

The Oratory Fathers sang the Offices of Matins and Lauds, whist the world-famous Choir sang Victoria's Responsories, Handel's Benedictus, and Anerio's Christus factus est. The whole service followed the ancient customs of the Church, as set out in the pre-Conciliar Breviary. In all, this evening's Tenebrae for Maundy Thursday lasted nearly two hours - hence my having to leave after Matins.

Knowing that I would not be able to stay for the whole service, I decided to sit in the Chapel of the Seven Dolours, which looks towards the Choir gallery. The church was lighted only by the liturgical candles in the sanctuary and the many votive candles that always seem to fill every available space in the Oratory. As the priests chanted in the distance and the absence of light became more palpable, a sense of the mystical, of the shadows of death and eternity, was ever-present. As I looked over to the Lady Chapel, I seemed to be transported across the centuries: first to Fr Faber's day, then to 16th century Rome, and the time of St Philip Neri himself. As the shadows fought with glimmers of light, finally enveloping the cherubs and pillars in musty darkness, and as the Choir burst into beauty, the Divine presence - that ageless Love - was palpably moving amongst our hearts.

Here was faith undefiled, God coming amongst His people to impart Grace like dew-drops on the souls of those who had come to meditate on Christ's mystery, his suffering and death. Here was the sweet-smelling aroma of truth. Here was love. Heaven comfortably fitting into the present moment, and lifting up the soul.

If you haven't yet had the privilege of experiencing Tenebrae, then I can definitely recommend that you try and taste this treasure of the Church's tradition either during this, or some future, Holy Week. It is a service that paradoxically calms the soul, whist also calling it into the shadows and the dark places which Our Lord knows so well.

[Image: Tenebrae at the Brompton Oratory in 2008; source: the New Liturgical Movement blog]

George Stack has been appointed the next Archbishop of Cardiff

The Rt Rev George Stack, an auxiliary bishop of Westminster, has been appointed the new Archbishop of Cardiff. This is good news for those who had raised concerns about the possibility that the current Bishop of Menevia, the Rt Rev Tom Burms sm, might have become the next Archbishop of Cardiff. Some reliable sources revealed earlier this year that Tom Burns was the chosen candidate for Cardiff, but nothing came of it. Maybe the Congregation for Bishops listened to the concerns regarding Tom Burns' suitability? Having said that, many would agree that Bishop Stack has been in line for promotion for some time, now.

I have a lot of time for Archbishop-elect Stack and have seen him hard at work in the Diocese of Westminster. He is still energetic and has a lot to offer the Church. It's about time he was given his own diocese, and his episcopal experience means that he is rightly qualified to lead a metropolitan archdiocese. Of course, George Stack does not speak Welsh, which might be problematic for him and the Church in Wales. Having said that, as long as the next Bishop of Wrexham is a Welsh-speaker, and George Stack is willing to learn the basics of the language, it shouldn't prove to be too much of a difficulty.

The BBC reports that Bishop Stack is "humbled and honoured at the trust Pope Benedict XVI" placed in him by appointing him as the seventh Archbishop of Cardiff. George Stack went on to say:

"Although I am sad to be leaving the archdiocese of Westminster, in which I have served as priest for 29 years and auxiliary bishop for 10 years, I look forward to serving the people and clergy of the church in Cardiff with love and faithfulness in the years that lie ahead."

According to the BBC, the Archbishop-elect also said he was aware of the "long and noble" history of Christianity in Wales and "the special gifts" the Celtic people bring to the universal Church. Having recently written to the Papal Nuncio about these matters, I am glad that the next Archbishop of Cardiff is aware of this real and important issue for the Catholic Church in Wales.

A few months ago, I wrote to the Congregation of Bishops to nominate Bishop Stack as a possible candidate for the Archdiocese of Cardiff, so am especially glad to see that Pope Benedict XVI chose him for this role.

Llongyfarchiadau Esgob Stack!

Links:

For Bishop Stack's biography, please see the Catholic Bishops' Conference's website

[Image: Bishop George Stack; source: Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales]

The 'Blogging' Bishop Michael Campbell welcomes the Vatcian's BlogMeet

I am ashamed to say that I hadn't come across The Bishop's Blog until I read about it this evening on Fr Ray Blake's Blog (although I think a friend had mentioned it in passing). The Bishop's Blog is written by the Bishop of Lancaster, the Rt Rev Michael Campbell OSA.

Bishop Campbell also happens to be a well known author in his own right. His most recent publication is called You will be My Witnesses, and is published by St Paul's. In fact, I was at the launch for this book a few weeks ago, where I met the jovial and highly intelligent Bishop Michael. As you can see from the above photo, the Papal Nuncio was at the same event.

It really is good news that one of our English and Welsh bishops is prepared to engage with the new media in such a positive way! In fact, whilst reading Bishop Michael's blog, which is on the Diocese of Lancaster's website, I came across a news item headed "The 'Blogging' Bishop Campbell welcomes Vatican Blogfest". This article is available in full on a pdf which can be downloaded from the Diocese of Lancaster's site.

Here is part of the article, in which Bishop Michael Campbell praises the use of new means of communication, incuding blogging, as tools for the "new evangelisation":

As a keen blogger himself Bishop Michael Campbell welcomed the news that theVatican is organising a meeting for Catholic bloggers in Rome on 2 May. Though unable to attend himself due to prior commitments he believes that it’s important for the Church to use the new media for evangelisation and apologetics.

The piece then goes on to quote Bishop Michael, who has this to say about blogging in general and the Vatican's BlogMeet in particular:

‘The new media represent a revolution in communication as significant as the invention of the printing press. It has taken journalism and public discourse out of the hands of powerful media groups and put it in the hands of millions of ordinary people throughout the world.

Just as the Church was at the forefront of other revolutions in communication, such as the copying and dissemination of manuscripts, printing presses, radio and television, the Church is embarking on the development of the new media through the creativity and investment of time and money by thousands of Catholic bloggers and web designers.

The meeting in Rome on the 2nd of May organised by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications is a recognition by the Holy See of the importance of this fast-changing medium for the future of the Church’s engagement with modern culture. May Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, bless this endeavour.’

Not that long ago it would have been impossible to think that an English bishop could have lent such powerful support to the work of Catholic bloggers! Yes, there has been fear and mistrust of bloggers by the hierarchy, and some bloggers have been too quick to judge those bishops who might not be as enthusiastic as some of us for the "reforms of the Reform". But, there is definitely something in the air - an opening of doors and ears; a realisation that many bloggers are being guided by the Holy Spirit, and that all we want is the best for the Church we love and salvation for the World we live in.

Please do make the time to visit Bishop Michael's blog, and to keep him in your prayers as he leads parts of the Church in exploring the new media as authentic tools of evangelisation.

It might even be an idea to ask Bishop Michael if he would like to be the president of any Guild of Catholic Bloggers that might be formed over the coming months?

Links:

For more on the book launch at St Paul's Bookshop, please see the St Paul's Blog

As well as Bishop Michael's blog, you many also be interested to read Lancaster Cathedral's blog (though it doesn't appear to have been updated since last year).

Fr Tim Finigan has also just posted on Bishop Michael's blog and his support for bloggers.

[Image: Bishop Michael Campbell and Archbishop Antonio Mennini (Apostolic Nuncio) at the book launch for You will be My Witnesses; Source: St Paul's Blog]

A Mass of thanksgiving for the Beatification of John Paul II to be celebrated by Archbishop Nichols on Friday 13 May

The Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, is planning to celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving for the Beatification of Pope John Paul II. The Mass will be held in Westminster Cathedral on Friday 13 May at 5:30pm. The day coincides with the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, to whom John Paul II was especially devoted - even crediting the saving of his life (after being shot in an attempted assassination) to her intercession. It is expected that many bishops, priests and religious, as well as lay faithful, will want to be present at this special service.

According to The Tidings, the Vatican announced on 11 April that Catholics throughout the world will have a year in which to celebrate a Mass in thanksgiving for John Paul's beatification. As the public devotion to a beatus is limited to his or her country, diocese or religious order, thanksgiving Masses for a beatification are limited to those places / communities. Acknowledging the "the exceptional character of the beatification of the Venerable John Paul II, recognized by the entire Catholic Church spread throughout the world," the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments issued a decree permitting Masses of thanksgiving for the beatification in all Catholic dioceses throughout the world. This permission ends 12 months after the beatification, which will be 1 May 2012.

Local ordinaries or provincial superiors are free to choose when and where they would like to celebrate the thanksgiving Mass. A special thanksgiving Mass in the Diocese of Rome will be celebrated on 2 May, the day after John Paul II's beatification. I hope to be present at this Mass, which will be celebrated in St Peter's Square by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State. Of course, I will remember this blog's readership and the proposed Guild of Catholic Bloggers in my prayers at that Eucharist.

According the decree issued by Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, Pope John Paul's feast day, 22 October, will be inserted automatically into the annual calendars in the Diocese of Rome and in all the dioceses of his native Poland. This day is of special significance to the devotees of Pope John Paul, as it was on 22 October 1978 that he was Inaugurated as the 264th Bishop of Rome.

The text of the opening prayer for the Mass in honour of Blessed John Paul will be: "O God, who are rich in mercy and who willed that the Blessed John Paul II should preside as pope over your universal church, grant, we pray, that instructed by his teaching, we may open our hearts to the saving grace of Christ, the sole redeemer of mankind. Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen"

Links:

For more information on the events surrounding the Beatification of John Paul II (Karol Józef Wojtyła), please see Catholic Herald, Catholic Culture and The Tidings.

[Image: From left, The then US President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, former President George H. W. Bush, former President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card pay their respects to Pope John Paul II as he lies in state in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, 2005; As a work of a US federal government official produced during the course of his / her duties, this image is in the public domain; Source: Wikipedia]

Bloggers' Meeting at the Vatican - somehow, I've been invited to attend!

Words cannot describe the utter amazement, joy and shock that I felt this morning when my name appeared on the list of those chosen to attend the Vatican's first meeting with the world's Catholic bloggers! Yes, I'd sent in my details, but never actually thought I'd be invited to the BlogMeet itself! Whilst it seems that the Pontifical Council for Social Communication made some pre-choices "to ensure a diversified presence", everyone else (including me) was chosen at random (name-in-a-hat style). Having never won a lucky-dip in my life, I am very grateful that the first time anything like this has happened to me involves the two things that are closest to my heart: Catholicism and blogging!

I'd like to thank all those who have sent me good wishes today, and also want to assure you all of my prayers as I visit Rome for the first time. I'm hoping to attend an early morning Mass at St Peter's on the 2 May, and will offer my Communion for those who read this blog. It is a great honour for me to have met some very wonderful people on here (and other Catholic blogs), and I do pray for all my visitors every day - friend and foe alike.

I would also like to thank the person who answered the phone at my bank earlier, who agreed to extend my overdraft - otherwise, I'd have had to send my apologies to the BlogMeet organisers! As I haven't travelled long-distances for a number of years, and because I suffer from panic-attacks and anxiety, a close friend has very kindly offered to accompany me to the Eternal City. Such acts of generosity prove to me that humanity really can conform itself to Christ's image, through God's grace and simple (yet profound) acts of the will.

It strikes me as providential that God has allowed me the privilege of attending the Vatican Blog Meet, as later on that week (7 May) will see the planning meeting for the Guild of Catholic Bloggers (for which I am partly responsible)! I'm really looking forward to meeting other bloggers at the Hinsley Room (Westminster Cathedral) on that Saturday (7 May), and to be able to recount to them the events in Rome. Of course, I am also very excited to be going to Rome itself, and to have this opportunity to meet with other bloggers (a lot of whom are well-established and highly respected journalists in their own right).

Currently, it seems that some work of the Holy Spirit is afoot, and we bloggers are being called to fulfil an important role in the Church. We are often the first people that questioning souls will stumble upon, so our witness to God's love and His truth can be a powerful act of co-operation in Christ's salvific mission. A good Catholic blog, like a good Catholic priest or layman, will be a pointer to the "splendour of truth" and the hungry love of God. We bloggers can provide more than just news or ecclesiastical gossip - we have daily opportunities to engage with others who strive "for the things that are above" and the sanctification of mankind.

Of course, we are very human, too, and blogging has its own terrible temptations - pride and anger being top of the list for me. We can also, like a hermit without spiritual direction, become loners, or ranting outsiders - at risk of becoming ever more polarised from the Church we love. In that sense, and aware that this is one of the primary goals of the Vatican meeting, it is good for us to enter into dialogue with those who lead us in Christ. They need committed missionaries on the blogosphere, just as we need nourishment and support from our shepherds!

So, I promise to keep you posted on events as they happen in Rome, and on the celebrations surrounding John Paul II's beatification - I will be arriving in St Peter's Square just in time for it!

Oremus pro invicem!

Link:

For a full list of the 150 bloggers who have been invited to Rome for the BlogMeet, please see the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

[Image: The Vatican across the River Tiber; attributed to Sébastien Bertrand and published under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic Licence; Source: Wikimedia]

Happy Birthday, Holy Father! The Pope receives two gifts from the Queen: a telegram and a new ambassador

Pope Benedict XVI will be celebrating his 84th birthday today - having been born on 16 April 1927, in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria. Joseph Ratzinger's birth coincided with Holy Saturday, and he was baptised on the same day. The Pope has today become the seventh oldest pontiff in history, just behind his predecessor, John Paul II (who died aged 84 years and 10 months). Currently, the oldest pope to have led the Catholic Church is Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903, aged 93 years.

According to the Catholic News Agency, Queen Elizabeth II sent two gifts to Pope Benedict XVI yesterday, in time for his birthday. The first was a personal telegram containing Her Majesty's best wishes for the the Pope's birthday. The second "gift" was a new British ambassador to the Holy See, Mr Nigel Baker (see below).

The British Embassy to the Holy See has published the contents of the Queen's telegram to Pope Benedict. It reads: "On the occasion of your eighty fourth birthday, I have much pleasure in sending my warmest felicitations and prayers to Your Holiness, recalling with great fondness the memorable visit of Your Holiness to the United Kingdom. Elizabeth R."

According to a press release on yesterday's Foreign and Commonwealth Office website, Mr Nigel Marcus Baker OBE MVO has been officially named as Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Holy See. Mr Baker, who is referred to as "a career member of HM Diplomatic Service", will succeed Mr Francis Campbell, who is now in the process of being transferred to another diplomatic mission. The new Ambassador will take up his appointment during August 2011.

The FCO press release, announcing Mr Baker's appointment, says that "he joined the FCO in 1989, since when his career has taken him principally to Central Europe and Latin America, most recently as HM Ambassador to Bolivia. Mr Baker also worked in the Private Office of HRH The Prince of Wales from 2003 to 2006. Between 1996 and 1998 he lived and worked in Italy on an academic sabbatical."

The Telegraph also reports that the 44-year-old Baker worked briefly at Conservative Party headquarters in the late 1980s. It seems that one of his colleagues from that time is the prime minster, David Cameron. Although Nigel Baker isn’t a Catholic, his Slovakian-born wife, Alexandra (Sasha), is. It is also understood that the couple have one son (who, presumably, is also Catholic).

The new Ambassador to the Holy See issued a statement yesterday, in which he said: "I am delighted and honoured to be taking up this posting. The last few years have seen the development of a strong and fruitful global partnership between the United Kingdom and the Holy See. The historic visit of Pope Benedict XVI in September 2010 reinforced that relationship and opened new avenues for bilateral and multilateral collaboration."

Independent Catholic News reports that the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales is inviting all Catholics and people of good-will to send an e-birthday card to Pope Benedict. The card can be found on the Papal Visit Facebook page, and can be sent to the Pope's email address: benedict.xvi@vatican.va

I would like to join with the millions of other Catholics who will be offering thanksgiving to God today for Pope Benedict XVI's contribution to the Church throughout the past 84 years. I would also like to offer the Holy Father my own best wishes and assurances of prayers for his birthday. Ad multos annos...!

[Image: Mr Nigel Baker, the new British Ambassador to the Holy See; source FCO website]

Brent Council refuses to budge, after effectively stopping Willesden's Good Friday ecumenical procession from going ahead

The Harrow Observer reported yesterday that Brent Council has refused permission to close local roads in Willesden for the ecumenical Good Friday procession. The New Testament Church of God, St Andrew's Church of England, St Mary Magdalen RC Church and Willesden Green Baptist Church will now be unable to use the roads for their Good Friday walk of witness. Brent Council refused permission to close roads because it says it was not given enough notice, therefore the march will have to use the local pavements instead.

The London Evening Standard reports that Father Hugh MacKenzie, parish priest at St Mary Magdalen's Catholic church (Willesden Green), wondered "...whether the council would have had more flexibility if this involved a homosexual rights or Islamic group." He also added that, "Our march is a long-standing tradition here - a chance for us to get together and do something public. The idea of procession and journey is important in the Christian faith".

The Harrow Observer mentions that the local MP, Sarah Teather (Lib Dem), is supporting the churches, after she was contacted by local Christians who are concerned about health and safety if they have to use narrow pavements. Sarah Teather is quoted as having said: "It is important that the Good Friday procession is allowed to take place on the roads. Brent is a multicultural area. The turnout at the annual St Patrick's Day parade shows that many people appreciate the celebrations of cultures other than their own."

A spokesman for the local authority blamed red-tape, mentioning that, "There is a strict legal procedure we have to follow which includes advertising and consultation, and this takes about five weeks." He added, "We are very sorry to say there is now not enough time for us to legally facilitate this march".

The march is due to start at 1:00pm at Convent of Jesus and Mary Infant School in Park Avenue and will finish at 2:00pm at St Andrew's Church of England in St Andrew's Road, Willesden.

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A few weeks ago, it was reported to me that the police had considered stopping this year's Good Friday Walk of Witness (now called The Crucifixion in Victoria) from Westminster Abbey and Methodist Central Hall to Westminster Cathedral. This annual procession takes place at 12:00 noon, and is usually led by the Archbishop of Westminster, the Dean of Westminster and the principal minister at Central Hall.

Because the Royal Wedding is scheduled to take place at the Abbey on the following Friday, it seemed that the police were concerned about having large numbers in the area. Last February, I heard that the Met was seriously thinking about stopping this year's Walk of Witness / Crucifixion, but it seems that common sense prevailed at last. The event is now scheduled to go ahead, and the Most Rev Vincent Nichols will give an address outside his Cathedral around 1:00pm.

[Image: A scene from last year's Crucifixion in Victoria / Walk of Witness event; attributed and credited to Marzin Mazur © Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk at Flickr Catholic Church (England and Wales), and published under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Licence; source Flickr]

YouCat has been launched in time for World Youth Day - But the Italian version is lost in translation

Vatican Radio reported on Wednesday that YouCat, a catechism specially written for young people ("Youth Catechism"), had been officially launched at the Vatican. Originally written in German, with a preface by Pope Benedict XVI, the book has already been translated into six languages. But, as the BBC reported yesterday, the Italian edition has been pulled as it seemed to suggest that the Church allows the use of contraception for married couples. One would have hoped that gaffes like this were a thing of the past, especially after the furore caused by the comments on condoms in the Pope's Light of the World.

It seems that the Italian edition of YouCat contained errors in answer to a question regarding family planning. The question asks: "may a Christian married couple regulate the number of children they have?" This, though, was mistranslated into Italian from the German original as: "may a Christian married couple use methods of birth control?" The answer, "Yes", seems to imply (for Italians) that "methods of birth control" are permissible for Catholics.

Of course, natural methods (such as chastity) are promoted by the Church, but many young people might think that "birth control" means contraceptives. Nick Squires at the Telegraph, though, reports that the Italian translation actually used the term "contraceptive methods", not "methods of birth control". Not having seen the Italian (now pulped) version, I have no idea of knowing which phrase was used. All I know is that this gaffe reflects badly on those responsible for publishing the book. Surely, an error like this should have been noticed before sending the text to the printers.

The BBC goes on to say that French editions of the book have been delayed, whilst errors regarding euthanasia have also been spotted in the Italian version. It ends its report with the words of Fr Federico Lombardi SJ, the Papal Press Officer, who said (with some humour, one assumes): "The German language is very difficult, as we have discovered on several occasions".

Vatican Radio also reports that Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, said that 700,000 copies have been distributed, adding that "[YouCat] is a gift from the Holy Father to the young participants in World Youth Day".

YouCat is a simple catechism, designed to appeal to young people. It is set forth in a question and answer format - a bit like the old Penny Catechism!

[Image: YouCat cover, as found on the New Yorker website]