News briefing Britain and Ireland

A Mass in Westminster Cathedral has honoured the courage of Polish pilots and air crew during the Second World War.

At the event organised by the Polish Airmen’s Association UK Cllr Robert Rigby, Westminster City Council’s deputy Lord Mayor, laid a wreath at the Polish Air Force Memorial at the Cathedral’s Chapel of St George and the English Martyrs. He said: “Polish pilots have earned their place in military history and we owe them a vote of thanks for their contribution at the Battle of Britain and other engagements. They truly were among ‘the few’ who helped defend our skies in 1940.”

The Archbishop of Liverpool John Sherrington has opened a new safe house for survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking run by the Medaille Trust. Archbishop Sherrington said at the opening that the safe house would provide people with “dignity and a sense of true sanctuary and peace, so that they can recover and live the lives that they were meant to live”. It will offer support for up to 18 male survivors at a time in Liverpool, including safe and secure accommodation, dedicated caseworkers and assistance with access to healthcare and legal support. “We believe that the journey to meaningful recovery starts with people feeling safe, supported and having their dignity respected,” said the chief executive officer of the Medaille Trust, Dani Wardman.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced that the former Conservative Justice Secretary, Sir Robert Buckland, will lead an independent review into state failings prior to the murder of Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West (1997-2021). St Bonaventure’s school in East Ham has launched the Sir David Amess Children’s Parliament UK National Mace Tour. While an 11-year-old pupil at St Bonaventure’s, Amess founded a “Revolutionary Party” whose aim was to “abolish homework”.  The launch saw the elections of seven newly elected “child MPs” from partner primary schools who will take part in a debate in the House of Commons Chamber in October 2026.

Pupils from the Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Blackpool have raised more than £4,000 for Cafod by taking part in a sponsored muddy obstacle course which included crawling, climbing, balancing and teamwork challenges.

Bishop Paul Hendricks, lead bishop for artificial intelligence, has said AI raised “very important ethical and philosophical questions”. Speaking on Radio Maria, he said: “AI also has implications for how we think about ourselves and what it means to be human. As Catholics, we have inherited a great tradition of theological and philosophical reflection, which helps us understand some of the more fundamental issues that are at stake in relation to AI.” He added that AI was a “tool”, observing, “Whether it is good or bad depends on how it is used.”

The Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges expressed support for the principles outlined in proposals for a National Curriculum on Religious Education but said they were concerned over suggestions RE should be removed at sixth-form level from schools. “Religious Education plays a vital role in the holistic formation of young people and contributes meaningfully to their moral, spiritual and intellectual development throughout their school journey,” the association said in a statement.

Cardiff based choir Côr Caerdydd (picture above supplied by Gwyn Thomas) is scheduled to perform at the Vatican on 18 April with a repertoire of songs, mostly by composers from Wales. Following performances at the Carwyn James Festival in Rovigo, Italy and a service at the Basilica San Antonio in Padua in November 2024, the choir, under the leadership of Gwawr Owen, has been invited to sing during Mass at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.  Pieces are by Sir Karl Jenkins, Paul Mealor and Robat Arwyn and also include a new commission of Agnus Dei by Geraint Owen. The performance will also feature classical pieces from Schubert’s Mass in G and  from Vivaldi’s Gloria. Gwawr said:  “When we received the invitation, it was incredibly important to us to bring the ‘Land of Song’ to the Vatican.  To have our very own contemporary Welsh composers approved for such a prestigious service is a proud moment for the choir and for Wales.”

A new documentary is screened on BBC Scotland this week which features former Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus singing a new hymn for Pope Leo. Written by Rev John Bell of the Iona Community to mark the 60th anniversary of Sciaf, “Because” is inspired by Laduato Si. The documentary tells how the process of recording the hymn in Scotland and then travelling to Rome where she performed at Castel Gandolfo helped her to reconnect with her childhood faith. She called the experience “truly one of the greatest honours of my life”. Michelle McManus Sings For The Pope, BBC Scotland, Friday 3 April, 2100, and Sunday 5 April, 1000.

“Too many people live in fear of what the future holds in store” the leaders of the Catholic and Anglican Churches in Ireland have said. In their joint Easter message, Archbishop Eamon Martin and Archbishop John McDowell said, “Hope is hard to find in the rubble of a bombed hospital or school, or in the tears of those whose loved ones have been killed through acts of violence”. Lamenting that “the world we live in is overshadowed by conflict in so many places” their message was “Peace be with you” as an expression of hope for an end to pain and for a time of reconciliation and healing.

Former European Commissioner and Vice-President of the European Parliament, Mairéad McGuinness, has been appointed as the European Union’s new Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief. The Irish politician will focus on promoting freedom of religion or belief in countries outside the European Union.  In 2020, Politico quoted a European People’s Party official who described Ms McGuinness as “more conservative than she seems to be. Her conservatism stems from her strong Catholic faith, her defence of family values and attachment to traditional Christian democratic values”.  

St Mary’s Cathedral in Dublin is to close after Easter as a two-year refurbishment programme gets underway. Formerly known as the Pro-Cathedral, St Mary’s status was upgraded last year by Pope Leo. The cost of the renovation project will be €25m (£21.5m). It will include upgraded worship spaces and ancillary spaces including a sacristy, offices, and choir practice facilities for the Palestrina Choirs. The conservation and refurbishment project is led by FKP Architects, the company which oversaw the rebuilding of St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford after it was destroyed by fire in 2009.

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