Almost 800 people have signed a petition asking the Scottish bishops’ conference to reconsider its decision to adopt the English Standard Version: Catholic Edition of the Bible for use at Mass because of its gender-exclusive language. The petition by the Scottish Laity Network urges the bishops to consider approving The Revised New Jerusalem Bible instead.
The Diocese of Westminster has responded to concerns that the proposed academisation of six schools in Hackney will unsettle families and the communities they serve. In a statement, the diocese said: “Growing pressures from funding cuts, falling rolls and demographic shifts, all exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, require a full, considered and strategic response in the interests of the well-being of our schools. Beginning the conversation now gives our school communities an opportunity to take the time to deliberate on the issues before them, and helps us establish together a clear way forward once the pandemic emergency subsides.”
The Bishop for Social Justice, Richard Moth, has expressed his distress and opposition to news that people with learning disabilities have been given “Do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (DNACPR) orders during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. “In a time when we are being given so much hope by the efficient roll- out of the vaccination programme, it is shocking to hear that people with learning disabilities are being made the victims of such discrimination,” he said.
The Bishop of Shrewsbury, Mark Davies, has called on Catholics to refocus on the Eucharist, including by physically going to Mass, and to put it at the heart of efforts to rebuild after the pandemic.
In a pastoral letter this week, he said: “I hope we will continue to make generous efforts in 2021 to keep church doors open wherever this is possible; and ensuring we give of our best in everything connected with the Mass and the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the heart of every one of our communities.”
Trócaire has warned that up to one-third of its annual donations are at risk because Covid-19 restrictions have severely curtailed the distribution of its Lenten boxes. In a statement, the Irish bishops’ overseas development agency said that due to school closures and the suspension of public Masses, this will be the first Lent in almost 50 years when many homes will be without a Tro´caire box. Chief executive Caoimhe de Barra said: “Lent is the engine that keeps our programmes going throughout the year. The public in Ireland always rally behind our campaign.” Trócaire is urging supporters to either pick up a box from their local church, if it is safe to do so, or make their annual donation online.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols celebrates a special live-streamed Mass for Covid-19 victims on Tuesday, 2 March 2021, at 5.30 pm in Westminster Cathedral. Bishops across England and Wales will also celebrate Masses in their own dioceses. The Mass is part of an initiative of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, which will see a series of Masses celebrated during Lent for victims of Covid-19.
Cardinal Nichols and Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees, have added their voices to those of Christian campaigners for migrants, calling on the Home Office to stop using disused military barracks as accommodation for asylum seekers. They wrote to the Home Secretary Priti Patel last week to stress that utilising such facilities, even as a temporary measure, is “entirely inappropriate”.
Ampleforth College is still unable to take new pupils and is awaiting the results of a new Ofsted inspection this month, its head teacher revealed in an interview with The Times last week. Robin Dyer (pictured) said that the restrictions placed on the school by the Department for Education presented a “difficult scenario” for the school, which has no assets except fee income and support from parents.
Loading ...
