Bishops urge hope amid political crises

The Bishops of England and Wales used their Christmas messages this year to contrast the darkness of political turmoil with the light of the Incarnation, calling for Christians to show unity and solidarity with the poor.

With Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal hanging in the balance, facing opposition both in Europe and at home, and as the government admitted it was escalating plans for a no-deal outcome, Cardinal Vincent Nichols meditated on the Virgin Mary, “Our Lady in Blue”, whose heart he said was filled with a desire for loyalty and harmony, and whose blue robe is recalled in the flags of both the European Union and the United Nations.

“The symbolic meanings of the colour blue are interesting: harmony, loyalty and wisdom,” he wrote. “Advent and Christmas put before our eyes a Lady in Blue, a woman who carries those meanings with rather more integrity.”

He hoped that Mary’s maternal prayer would raise people above their conflicts and move them to give priority to places of poverty and despair: “It is from that lowliest point of view that the mighty will find fresh wisdom and the powerful come to see that service of the people is their first duty.”

The Bishop of East Anglia, Alan Hopes, drew a comparison between the darkening winter nights and the darkness of political instability. “As we journey through Advent, the nights draw in and the days grow darker,” he wrote. “It may seem to us, too, that the world is darkened and clouded by uncertainty and dissension. Deep divisions seem to shadow our society … with no clear path visible where those who have disagreed might learn to walk forward together.” By contrast, he said, our television and our computer screens are full of bright but garish and deceptive lights: the lights of celebrity culture, and of consumerism, that lead us into blind alleys and cul-de-sacs: “The love that Jesus proclaims cannot be defeated, and will in the end be the only answer to the questions troubling our uncertain world.”

The Archbishop of Liverpool, Malcolm McMahon, said that Christian solidarity with the poor shines a light that stands in contrast to political and social darkness: “So many are daily supporting those who most need our help. In recent weeks donations to local foodbanks have increased as people give help to those most in need at this time of year.”

Bishop Nicholas Hudson, an auxiliary in Westminster, recalled Europe’s Christian roots in a reflection on a visit to Ypres cemetery with bishops from other EU member nations this year. While Westminster auxiliary Bishop John Sherrington prayed for those who “will come to pray at Midnight Mass carrying fear in their hearts for their faith, their families and the year ahead”. Bishop Paul McAleenan, who visited Iraq this year, said: “Among the devastation of the towns of northern Iraq hope is returning.”