Lord Mayor of Westminster Robert Rigby, a Catholic, and his chaplain, Fr Christopher Colven, addressed hundreds of guests ranging from MPs, councillors, leading figures in charities, the private sector and local amenity societies at the annual service to celebrate public service at Westminster Abbey. Rigby, who has selected the Cardinal Hume Centre as one of his two chosen charities, said, “Civic duty is a privilege, knowing we are representing the rich diverse communities, and having the chance, every day, to help our residents, is one my fellow councillors and I feel is an honour.”Father Colven, also Catholic chaplain to the Houses of Parliament, spoke of the Benedictine origins of the Abbey and went on to sound a warning about the growing secularisation of Europe and the risk of marginalising religious voices.
The deaths of four more migrants in the Channel last week prompted the Jesuit Refugee Service UK to say it is “deeply saddened”. JRS said, “As we wait for details of those who lost their lives to emerge, we remember that each one had friends and family who are now mourning, had hopes and dreams and fears.” At the latest monthly prayer vigil at the Home Office in London last Monday, prayers were said for those who have died trying to reach the UK, victims of current wars, those in detention and who are homeless and for the UK to be a more welcoming nation. The vigil was organised by London Catholic Worker, Westminster Justice and Peace and the London Churches Refugee Fund.
Pax Christi England and Wales has produced a new Gaza prayer card which says, “News of the ongoing devastation and brutality in Gaza can overwhelm us; where do we even begin in our prayers?” The new prayer card aims to help. It says, “Teach us to stand firm in hope and to grow together in peace.” It uses the Palestinian concept of “sumud” as an inspiration to help pray for the Holy Land. For the people of Palestine, sumud, or steadfastness, is an expression of nonviolent resistance to oppression.
The JPIT, which includes the Baptist Union of GB, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church, working together for peace and justice, has given thanks for a growing shift towards renewable and low-carbon energy sources after it emerged that Europe’s electricity grid is decarbonising. New data by Eurelectric, which represents Europe’s electricity industry, has shown that 74 per cent of electricity produced in the EU in the first half of 2024 came from renewable and low-carbon energy sources – a significant increase on the 68 per cent share in 2023.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols joined Nicholas Breakspear School at a Mass in St Albans Cathedral on 4 July, celebrating the school’s 60th anniversary. In his homily, he encouraged the students and staff to continue to uphold the school’s motto Per Tuas Semitas by living in the ways of Christ as a guiding principle for life. He also honoured the founders, educators, and students who have contributed to the school’s rich history and emphasised the importance of learning from their six house saints. Headmaster Declan Linnane spoke of the school’s enduring legacy.
Archbishop Mark O’Toole, Archbishop of Cardiff and Bishop of Menevia, has thanked politicians and staff of the Senedd, past and present, for their service to the people of Wales over the past 25 years. “All have dedicated themselves to serving the Welsh Parliament,” he said, “this service to the Senedd, and through its democratic processes to the Welsh people, is deeply appreciated and valued by all of us.” The Welsh Parliament is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people. Thursday 11 July 2024 marked 25 years of devolution.
The Church of England General Synod has called for the new government to reform the social welfare system. Last week, it voted to urge Bishops, particularly those in the House of Lords, to strongly encourage the government to end to the two-child benefit limit, which “disadvantages families and forces large numbers of children into the use of food banks or to otherwise go hungry”. Under the current policy, benefit payments for most families are limited to two children for those born after 6 April 2017. A survey of 560 affected families by the Child Poverty Action Group found that most families said the policy had affected their ability to pay for food, and many also reported struggling to cover gas or electricity bills. The Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, said, “The testimonies in this report remind us that the two-child limit continues to affect too many children in this country. Abolishing this unfair policy is essential if we are to turn the tide on poverty and ensure that every child is supported to flourish in all areas of life.”
The Association of Catholic Priests has “unambiguously” condemned a priest’s refusal of the Eucharist to a politician at a funeral Mass. In a statement, the ACP said it is not the role of a priest to judge the conscience of another person. “The priest does not own the Eucharist.” The ACP noted that Pope Francis had said he had never refused the Eucharist to anyone. The statement refers to Fr Gabriel Burke’s refusal to give Communion to Colm Burke, minister at the Department of Health, who was attending the funeral in Co Cork of a friend. The Fine Gael politician is to write to the Bishop of Cloyne for clarification.
The Mayor of Galway visited the Poor Clare convent in Galway city to commemorate a landmark event that took place on 10th July 1649. Peter Keane viewed the original deed of the land grant 375 years ago to Mother Mary Bonaventure Browne to locate the community on the “Island adjoining the Bridge of Illaunaltenagh” in 1649. The current Abbess, Sr Colette, said the original deed is “a testament to the faith and commitment of our forebears and a reminder of our enduring relationship with the people of Galway”. The Poor Clares in Galway are linked to Englishwoman Venerable Mary Ward’s Poor Clare foundation for Englishwomen in 1607 in Gravelines.
Social Justice Ireland has urged the government to invest in renewable and clean energy and remove fossil fuel subsidies in order to put the common good at the heart of public policy. Launching the think-tank’s policy paper, ‘Delivering a Just Transition for Ireland’, Michelle Murphy, Research and Policy Analyst said, “Transition is not just about reducing emissions. It is also about transforming our society and our economy and investing in resilient communities.” She added that it was also about finding and implementing alternative and better ways of managing and organising economic activity, delivering quality services and a robust social infrastructure that can support people across the life cycle.
The Presentation Sisters have marked the bicentenary of their arrival in 1824 in the Co Laois parish of Portlaoise. The anniversary has seen their long-derelict convent and surrounding grounds in the town finally handed over for social housing and public parkland. In April, the Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien, turned the sod for 52 new homes at the site of the former Presentation convent and school. The Sisters’ offer of the land was stalled for 25 years. “We’re only getting there now but maybe it was never a better time,” Sr Frances Crowe said.
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