Canon Christopher Tuckwell of Westminster Cathedral has died aged 74. Canon Tuckwell, a much-loved priest of the Archdiocese, died at the Royal Trinity Hospice in Clapham, where he had been receiving end-of-life care. He retired from his role as cathedral administrator on 13 June. A statement from Westminster Cathedral recalled “his infectious sense of humour, his dedication and his pastoral presence”.
The Bishop of Cork and Ross has said that Ireland’s newly appointed Taoiseach is assuming office at “a time of immense challenge” for the country, and urged Micheál Martin to work for “a fairer society for all”. Bishop Fintan Gavin, of Mr Martin’s home diocese, issued his statement following the formation of the new three- party coalition government over the weekend and the appointment of the Fianna Fáil leader as Taoiseach until December 2022. The leadership will then revert to the leader of Fine Gael, Leo Varadkar.
Mgr Gerald Ewing has been appointed rector of St John’s Seminary in Wonersh with immediate effect. A priest in the Archdiocese of Southwark, he has served as vice-rector since 2017 and as acting rector since Easter this year.
Headteachers of every Catholic school in Wales have co-signed a letter to the first minister asking him to rethink his government’s proposed changes to religious education, which include plans to change traditional RE to religion, values and ethics. The heads, representing more than 80 schools, said the move towards a “homogeneous education system” would compromise the ethos of Catholic education in Wales.
St Columba’s College, a Catholic boys’ school in St Albans, Hertfordshire, is to admit girls for the first time from September 2021. Initially girls will be able to join the lower sixth and lower prep, followed by a phased transition across all year groups.
Londoners are more religious and socially conservative than the rest of Britain, according to faith think tank Theos. Polling by Savanta ComRes found that 62 per cent of Londoners are religious, compared to 53 per cent of people across the rest of Britain, and are more likely to hold socially conservative views on issues such as gay marriage or euthanasia.
Bishops from the Holy Land Coordination group called on the UK government to help prevent Israel’s annexation of the West Bank, which was due to start this week, warning that it would bring “more conflict, suffering and division”. Their intervention follows a joint statement of opposition from the Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
The Catholic Union and Catholic charities that work with homeless people have called for urgent action to prevent vulnerable people from being forced back onto the streets when emergency housing support comes to an end. In a letter to Dame Louise Casey, who is leading a taskforce on rough sleeping, the groups warn that people with no recourse to public funds – such as some refugees – are at particular risk.
Justice and Peace Scotland has supported a call by the Scottish government for the Home Office to investigate the treatment of asylum seekers in Glasgow after a Sudanese man stabbed six people at a city centre hotel before being shot dead by police. The Park Inn was one of six hotels in Glasgow where an estimated 380 asylum seekers were moved from their individual accommodation by the private housing provider Mears at the start of the lockdown.
The Irish government will not exempt churches from a 50-person cap on indoor gatherings, despite lobbying from some bishops. A document sent by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin to his parishes late last week revealed that the chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, and public health authorities were “strongly against” making any exception for churches.
Caritas Westminster has launched a money advice service to support people facing economic uncertainty. Training webinars have already reached 80 parish staff and volunteers.
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