Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols has told Catholics to offer up their suffering during the pandemic. In a message for Epiphany this week, the cardinal reflected on the significance of the gifts that the Magi brought the infant Jesus, seeing in them symbols of what we can bring to God. Gold, he said, represents our innermost selves that we only dare to unwrap “in the embrace of love”, while frankincense is our recognition of God’s work in us through the Holy Spirit. Myrrh is our suffering. “The gift of myrrh reminds us that we can make a gift of our woundedness, of our suffering,” he said.
The leader of the Irish Church, Archbishop Eamon Martin, said in his new year message that the memory he will cherish of 2020 is how the power of love and care was able to overcome isolation, loneliness, suffering, despair and negativity. “I will treasure a ‘2020 vision’ of goodness, kindness, generosity and courage shown by neighbours, volunteers, doctors, nurses, chaplains and other carers; by teachers, shop workers, clergy and so many others who devoted themselves to keeping our essential services going,” the archbishop said.
The Covid pandemic has forced Knock Shrine in Co Mayo to postpone the final repayment on its €20-million (£18m) programme of restoration and renewal. The rector of the shrine, Fr Richard Gibbons, told The Tablet: “We had just €1.5m to raise to have the whole lot cleared” but “Covid brought all those plans crashing down”. In August, Knock’s National Novena, one of the highest profile events in the Irish Church’s annual calendar, was cancelled for the first time since 1977 over concerns about pilgrim safety and health. Fr Gibbons said he hoped the roll- out of the Covid vaccine by the middle of 2021 would enable the shrine to salvage something of 2021 financially.
The tightening of Covid-19 restrictions in response to the surge in infections in Ireland prompted the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin to warn of a “hidden silent pandemic” of domestic abuse, which he said becomes more prevalent when restrictions are stepped up. In a homily broadcast on KCLR 96FM, Bishop Denis Nulty, who is President of Accord, the Irish Catholic marriage and relationship support agency, said relationships were being challenged by “a unique set of new and unfamiliar stressors” such as loss of income and restrictions on movement. Noting that domestic abuse takes many forms, he urged victims to seek help. “No one needs to live in fear. I repeat – don’t suffer in silence. Seek help and stop the abuse now, whether it be emotional, psychological, physical or coercive control,” the bishop said. The Women’s Aid 24-hour National Freephone Helpline offers confidential information, support and understanding to women in the Republic of Ireland on: 1800 341 900.
A Catholic church in Leicester says it has experienced a “crime wave” after a series of incidents of vandalism. The 200-year-old Dominican-run Holy Cross church is located in the city centre and has historically been the centre of Catholicism in Leicester. On 29 December a vandal twice smashed windows in the Lady Chapel and then verbally abused a member of staff who went outside to investigate. The incidents were logged by the police as criminal damage and also as a hate crime, since the offender used the term “parasitic Christians”. Fr Luke Doherty, bursar at the priory, said the damage is estimated to total about £2,000, and was the latest in a series of acts of criminal damage at the church.
Christian peace organisations including Pax Christi are due to run online briefings for Christian leaders on the new UN nuclear test ban treaty that was ratified last year. Rebecca Johnson, one of the architects of the treaty, was scheduled to address one briefing on Thursday and another next Tuesday. The treaty bans nuclear weapons under international law. Speakers will also discuss the practical steps Christians can take to support the treaty. Register for Tuesday’s briefing here.
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