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FEBRUARY 24 2012 THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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Nuncio says Pope is resolute on abuse

BY ED WEST AND MICHAEL KELLY

THE NEW Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland has described Benedict XVI’s response to the clerical abuse crisis as “relentless” and “resolute” at a Mass in Dublin.

Archbishop Charles Brown said during a Mass formally welcoming him as the Pope’s representative that Benedict XVI understood “that these recent years have been difficult for Catholic believers in Ireland”.

He said the Pope was “scandalised and dismayed as he learned about the tragedy of abuse perpetrated by some members of the clergy and of religious congregations.” He said he felt deeply the wounds of those who had been harmed and who so often had not been listened to.”

Archbishop Brown, a former official in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said: “I can tell you from my personal experience that he [Pope Benedict] has always had – and he continues to have – a great love for the people of Ireland and a high regard for the Catholic Church in Ireland, with its history of missionary richness and tenacious faith.”

Referring to the Pope’s previous role as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbishop Brown said that, “from the beginning, Pope Benedict was resolute and determined to put into place changes which would give the Church the ability to deal more effectively with those who abuse trust, as well as to provide the necessary assistance to those who had been victimised.

“Pope Benedict has been relentless and consistent on this front, and I assure you that he will continue to be,” he said.

Earlier the new nuncio had presented his credentials to Ireland’s president.

Presenting his letters of credence to President Michael D Higgins in a ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the Irish head of state, Archbishop Brown said that the Pope had asked him to convey his personal esteem to the president as well as his “best wishes and sincere af

Ireland’s new nuncio presents his credentials to the president of Ireland, Michael D Higgins

PA photo fection” for the Irish people.

He also promised to do everything in his power to “solidify and strengthen” as well as “confirm and deepen” the relationship between the Holy See and Ireland.

The message from the nuncio came after a period of tension in the relationship between the two states, culminating in the government’s decision to close its Irish embassy to the Holy See.

Reading a prepared statement the nuncio said: “It is an honour, indeed a source of joy, for me to bring you heartfelt greetings from his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

“The Holy Father has asked me to convey in a particular way his esteem for you as president of this great nation as well as his best wishes and sincere affection for all the people of Ireland.

“His Holiness assures you, and all the Irish people, of remembrance in his prayers.

“I am very pleased to present to you the letters of credence by which Pope Benedict XVI accredits me as Apostolic Nuncio in Ireland and to deliver the letter of recall of my predecessor, Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, who is now serving the Holy See in another nation.

“At this very significant moment in my mission here in Ireland, I wish to assure you that it is Pope Benedict’s fervent desire that I, as his representative, will do everything in my power to solidify and strengthen the relations between the Holy See and Ireland.

“These diplomatic relations have enjoyed fruitful and uninterrupted stability since 1929 and they testify to the enduring relationship between the people of this nation and the successor of the Apostle Peter, stretching back some 1,500 years.

“In requesting your kind support and that of the government of Ireland in the discharge of my mission I pledge my wholehearted efforts to confirm and deepen this mutually beneficial and historic relationship,” the nuncio concluded. Editorial Comment: Page 13

VATICAN officials reminded British ministers of the importance of religious freedom and the need to defend marriage and the family, according to a communiqué released last week.

The communiqué, issued jointly by the Holy See and the British Government, focused on development, disarmament and climate change. It called for international efforts to help end the conflicts in Somalia and Syria.

The statement followed a high-level delegation hailed by Archbishop Vincent

Vatican reminds ministers to protect marriage BY STAFF REPORTER

Nichols of Westminster as a “high point” in relations between Britain and the Holy See.

The delegation, which included Baroness Warsi, marked the 30th anniversary of the restoration of full diplomatic relations between the two states.

The party included Jeremy Hunt, Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport, and Alan Duncan, Minister for International Development.

The delegation was accompanied by Archbishop Nichols. Cardinal Keith O’Brien, however, had not been invited. A spokesman for the Scottish Church called it an “unfortunate oversight” and said that Scotland’s interests had not been fully represented.

According to the communiqué issued last week, the Holy See “emphasised the need to ensure that institutions connected with the Catholic Church can act in accordance with their own principles and convictions and stressed the necessity of safeguarding the family based on marriage, religious freedom and freedom of conscience”.

On development, the communiqué said that “much progress” had been made over the last 10 years in improving global health.

“However,” the communiqué said, “there are still significant gaps and challenges in the long and complex path towards ensuring integral human development for everybody.

“Too many people are still hungry, too many people do not have access to education and to decent work, too many women die in childbirth.

“In view of these challenges we recognise a shared obligation to achieve a fair international financial and trade framework. And we will strive for a better future for all humanity, taking into particular account care for the poorest people in the world,” the communiqué said.

The statement said that Britain and the Holy See also shared a commitment to push for “conflict prevention, disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation” at the UN.

Countries caught up in the Arab Spring must undertake “real reforms”, the communiqué said. It stressed the role Christians could play and the importance of interreligious dialogue.

The communiqué called for a “coherent strategy” on

Somalia and “an immediate end to violence in Syria”.

The statement also said that officials talked about “developing Britain’s collaboration with the Vatican Museums”.

In 2010 the Vatican Museums loaned four Raphael tapestries to the V&A Museum in London.

The loan, which coincided with the papal visit, for the first time brought together the 494-year-old tapestries, woven in Brussels, with the cartoons Raphael had drawn as the basis for them. Vatican Notebook: Page 4

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Catholics urged to house needy Olympic athletes

BY SIMON CALDWELL

CATHOLICS who live in cities hosting events for the 2012 Olympic Games have been urged to show hospitality to athletes who cannot afford to stay in hotels.

They are being encouraged to register with the Athlete Family Homestay Programme and to open their homes for eight days or more to Olympic and Paralympic competitors and their families from poor nations.

James Parker, the Catholic Church’s executive coordinator for the 2012 London Olympic Games, said the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales saw the initiative as an act of solidarity.

“It is estimated that approximately a third of all official Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches will be from a Catholic background,” Mr Parker said.

“With this in mind, the Catholic community, alongside other Christians and those of other faiths and no faiths, wishes to offer a tangible way of ‘welcoming the stranger’ to our shores by offering free board and lodging for limited periods during the games,” he said.

The homestay programme is being organised by More Than Gold, the Churches’ umbrella charity that serves the games.

Mr Parker said that the charity, of which the Catholic Church is a member, is focusing in particular on athletes’ family members and friends

A Brazilian gymnast prays at a qualification event PA

“who come from the developing world who could never afford to stay in Britain”.

“We believe that they, as much as anyone, have the right to see first-hand their loved ones display the fruit of what has often been years of ongoing commitment,” he said. “Anyone linked to the 2012 Games’ athletes and officials qualifies to apply, irrespective of their financial situation, so we want the wider Olympic family to know that Britain welcomes them with open arms.”

Mr Parker said that the presence of relatives “can dramatically affect an athlete’s performance on the day” and “the whole world wants to encourage the best performance from each competitor”. Catholics who sign up to the programme will be expected to collect and welcome up to two guests from a hospitality centre, then provide them with bed and breakfast for eight days or more during the July 27 to August 12 Olympics or the August 29 to September 9 Paralympics.

They will be asked to be “caring and helpful hosts”, dropping off guests at a transportation hub each day.

Most hosts will be sought in London, where most of the events will take place and where hotel prices will be most expensive. But they will also be required in Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and Cardiff.

According to the More Than Gold website at previous Olympic Games Christians have provided more than half of all the homes needed to host athletes’ family members.

Catholic Voices-style group set up in Ireland

BY ED WEST

AN IRISH equivalent of the lay group Catholic Voices has been established.

Catholic Comment, like its British equivalent, has been formed to prepare a team of lay people to speak about the Catholic faith in the media. It is currently looking for potential speakers. Those selected will be offered media training and briefings on topical issues as they prepare for television and radio appearances.

Its directors include independent senator Rónán Mullen, former management consultant Catríona Curran, theology student Maura Garrihy and barrister Lorcán Price.

Petra Conroy, the project coordinator, said: “Despite the challenges and crises of recent years, the Catholic faith matters to very many people in Ireland. There are thousands of people with a sincere commitment to the mission and teachings of the Church. Yet the media often has a hard job finding people who can speak confidently.”

Miss Conroy said that the group had received unofficial support already. “We are not an official body,” she said. “But we aim to support the Church’s own communications efforts by offering a team of wellinformed lay people. The Eucharistic Congress will be a time of heightened interest in Catholicism and we will assist journalists looking for people of faith who are ready and able to speak.”

NEWSBULLETIN Bishop Hollis tells faithful: I see my cancer as a gift THE BISHOP of Portsmouth has said in a pastoral letter to his diocese that his cancer has been “a moment of grace” and that throughout his illness “the loving face of Christ has been there for strength and comfort”.

with so many who suffer and the Lord has enabled me to witness, even in suffering, to His loving and gentle care. I believe that in my sickness I have been able to touch many – or so I have been told.”

Bishop Crispian Hollins wrote: “My illness has been a gift to me – I really believe that with all my heart. It has brought me into solidarity

The bishop wrote that since his diagnosis he had been trying to come to terms with his illness. “I have been graced enough to see God’s hand in it all,” he said.

Catholics pray for stabbed vicar A FORMER parish priest in Thornbury, Gloucestershire, has led prayers for the town’s Anglican vicar who was stabbed to death last week.

Fr Alex McAllister, now the British provincial of the Salvatorian Order, described the Rev John Suddards as “a man of intelligence and sensitivity” and a “successful and able pastor”.

In a homily at the Church of Christ the King Fr McAllister said: “At this stage we do not know precisely what happened to John that morning but our heart goes out to him and to those close to him.

“We do what John would have wanted us to do which is to pray for the repose of his soul, asking God to welcome his servant into his Kingdom.”

Mr Suddards, a former barrister who became a vicar in 2006, was appointed to Thornbury only last year.

LMS names six new patrons COMPOSER James MacMillan and former Daily Telegraph editor Charles Moore are among six new patrons named by the Latin Mass Society.

Other patrons include Prince Rupert Loewenstein, Lord Gill, the second most senior judge in Scotland, composer Colin Mawby and Sir Adrian FitzGerald, former chairman of governors at Cardinal Vaughan school, west London.

School bans condom dress A CATHOLIC school in Leamington, Warwickshire, has stopped a pupil from displaying a dress made out of condoms at a school art show.

Jim Ferguson, head teacher at Trinity School, said the design was “not in keeping with our ethos”.

A pupil had made the dress after being asked to illustrate the theme of “contagion” for her GCSE art project.

Paisley priest is given rare honour MGR CHARLES BURNS of the Diocese of Paisley is to become the first ever Scottish priest to be invested as a canon of St Peter’s Basilica.

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Gove rejects call to ban Catholic booklet from schools

BY MADELEINE TEAHAN

THE EDUCATION Secretary Michael Gove has defended the right of Catholic schools to promote Church teaching on homosexuality following a complaint from Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Following Mr Barber’s complaint that the distribution of “homophobic material” in some classrooms undermined equality laws, Mr Gove said: “The education provisions of the Equality Act which prohibit discrimination against individuals based on their protected characteristics (including their sexual orientation) do not extend to the content of the curriculum. Any materials used in sex and relationship education lessons,

therefore, will not be subject to the discrimination provisions of the act.”

Mr Barber described Mr Gove’s reaction as “alarming” and said that the distribution of “homophobic material” undermines a school’s legal duty to challenge all forms of prejudice.

He told the Observer: “Having written to the Education Secretary to express our worry about the distribution of homophobic literature in faith schools, his lack of concern is very alarming.”

Mr Barber wrote to the Education Secretary in December expressing objections to the distribution of a booklet on sexuality throughout Catholic schools in Lancashire.

The booklet was provided by

Jason Evert, a Catholic apologist who toured schools throughout the Lancashire diocese in 2010, to promote chastity in accordance with Church teaching.

The booklet, entitled Pure Manhood: How to become the man God wants you to be, states that “the homosexual act is disordered, much like contraceptive sex between heterosexuals”.

It adds: “Both acts are directed against God’s natural purpose for sex – babies and bonding.”

Neil Addison, a Catholic barrister who specialises in religion and equality law, echoed Mr Gove’s response, saying that legislation concerning sexual orientation was not applicable to the school curriculum and dismissing the TUC’s objection as “bunkum”.

“The Equality Act says that nothing in the relevant part of the Act ‘applies to anything done in connection with the content of the curriculum’ so the allegation of a breach of the Equality Act is bunkum,” he said. “Also, what has this got to do with the TUC? Since when did it become the role of the TUC to act as censor for what is taught in schools?

“The TUC and gay rights campaigners should remember that freedom of speech is a twoway process. It means defending the rights of others to express views they may disagree with.”

British pro-life activist Robert Colquhoun accompanied Mr Evert to some of the Catholic schools and said that the TUC had focused too narrowly on a small section of the leaflet. He said: “I visited some schools in Preston with Jason Evert when he toured the country here. His ministry is outstanding in promoting chastity among young people.

“Jason’s work has helped many young people understand and appreciate the great gift of sexuality. All his writings are scientifically, medically and theologically thorough and I am appalled that the TUC has criticised his work.”

He added: “Jason’s work also receives a wonderful response from young people who are big fans of his work. To suggest he is homophobic is just absurd.”

The TUC’s website dedicates a section to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. The section identifies schools and colleges as remaining areas where prejudice is “endemic”.

It states: “The Equality Act 2010 ... has achieved full legal equality for LGBT people with all other groups, with a few exceptions on which campaigning will continue.

“The public sector equality duty introduced by the Equality Act, the TUC believes, offers a powerful lever to assist public bodies to challenge continued prejudice and hostility in areas where it remains endemic such as in schools and colleges, and in sports like football.

“The TUC is working with unions and allies such as Schools Out to challenge this unacceptable state of affairs.”

Mr Gove’s response followed an official address from a Cabinet colleague claming that Britain was under threat from “militant secularists”. Cabinet minister Baroness Warsi, said that Britain had “got to the stage where aggressive secularism is being imposed by stealth, leaving us with the ironic situation where, to stave off intolerance against minorities, we end up being intolerant towards religion itself”.

She said that the most worrying part of “this militant secularisation” is that in “its core and in its instincts it is deeply intolerant”.

Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has also expressed fears about the marginalisation of Christianity. Interview: Page 6

Students to defy motion restricting pro-life talks

BY MADELEINE TEAHAN

STUDENTS at University College London have said they will defy a student union motion which forces student groups to invite pro-abortion speakers to pro-life talks.

Earlier this month the student union endorsed a motion which officially affiliated the union with Abortion Rights and said that societies, such as the Catholic Society, must invite pro-abortion speakers to future prolife discussions.

But Catholics, Jews and Sikhs will defy the motion, arguing that it is illegal for the union to dictate who students should and should not invite to their discussions.

In a letter to the university union’s board of trustees, cosigned by a cross-section of students, they said: “The union has no right or power to dictate which speakers are invited by student organisations, or to impose conditions on the inviting of speakers with certain views on abortion.

“Any attempt to do so would contravene s43 of the Education (No 2) Act 1986 and the European Convention of Human Rights Articles 9, 10 and 11.

“The union has no right or authority to categorise speakers as ‘pro-life’ or ‘prochoice’ or ‘anti-choice’ as is required by the terms of the resolution.

“These are subjective terms and the speakers themselves may well disagree with the categorisation. Since the union cannot categorise speakers it is therefore impossible for it to implement the resolution.”

The letter says that any attempt by the union and the university to enforce the motion would undoubtedly result in a legal challenge.

The letter was copied to the union chairman and the university authorities.

The students have so far received no response from the union but the university has given assurances to students that it will not be involved with the motion at all and will allow any society to invite pro-life speakers to events that they are hosting.

Neil Addison, a barrister specialising in religious freedom, had earlier described the union’s motion as “illegal” and “Stalinist”.

Archbishop Kelly of Liverpool celebrates 50 years as a priest

ARCHBISHOP Patrick Kelly of Liverpool marked the golden jubilee of his priesthood last weekend.

On Saturday he celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Carmel Monastery in the city and was afterwards given a cake baked by the Sisters.

In his homily he recalled his delight at seeing the snow-capped peak of Mount Hermon, the site of Jesus’s Transfiguration, on a visit to the Holy Land last month.

On the Sunday he celebrated a civic Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. He was presented with a crozier designed by German artist Raphael Seitz.

The Mass was attended by leaders from the Baptist, Methodist and United Reform churches. Tributes were read out from Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and Pope Benedict XVI, who wrote of Archbishop Kelly’s hope, faith and strong spirit of service, adding: “It is good for us to know of your piety and humility and the respect in which you are held.”

Catholic festival of the arts is launched

BY MIGUEL CULLEN

LENTFEST 2012, one of the Catholic Church’s biggest ever arts festivals, launched this week in Glasgow.

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, celebrated Scottish painter Peter Howson and Catholic composer James MacMillan all attended the launch, where a personal message from the Pope was delivered.

The festival has grown in size since its inception five years ago. The project was conceived by Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow.

Mr MacMillan, who lives in Glasgow, said: “It’s good to see the Church reconnecting with the arts, and strengthening the link between culture and religion. My piece, Missa Dunelmi, will receive its first Scottish airing at the festival.”

Archbishop Conti said: “This year’s festival presents a delightful range of musical offerings, including a Gregorian chant workshop hosted at [Glasgow] University. The extraordinary exhibition of Stations of the Cross has inspired Scotland’s top artists to submit their new and original works.

“There is also a new film festival and the travelling production of the new play St John Ogilvie will bring drama to communities across the Glasgow area for the next six weeks.”

Minister gives back to councils the right to pray

BY MIGUEL CULLEN

TOWN HALLS in England have been given the right to hold prayers in their council meetings in defiance of a court ruling earlier this month.

Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles signed an order restoring the councils’ right to observe prayers. Earlier this month the High Court ruled that prayers in council meetings in Bideford, north Devon, were unlawful.

Mr Pickles fast-tracked a section of 2011’s Localism Act. The section gives a general power of competence, which enables councils to do anything an individual can do which is not illegal.

The judge ruled against the council of Bideford on February 10. Mr Justice Ouseley decided that the saying of prayers as part of the formal meeting of a council was not lawful under section 111 of the Local Government Act 1972, and that there was no statutory power permitting the practice to continue.

Mr Pickles’s move aims to overrule Mr Justice Ouseley’s judgment.

Mr Pickles said: “The High Court judgment has far wider significance than just the municipal agenda of Bideford town council.

“By effectively reversing that illiberal ruling we are striking a blow for localism over central interference, for freedom to worship over intolerant secularism, for parliamentary sovereignty over judicial activism, and for long-standing British liberties over modern-day political correctness.

“Last week’s case should be seen as a wake-up call. For too long the public sector has been used to marginalise and attack faith in public life, undermining the very foundations of the British nation. But this week, the tables have been turned.”

The practice of holding prayers at council sessions has been observed in Bideford since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The council has voted twice recently to maintain the practice.

The case against Bideford Town Council was brought by Clive Bone, an atheist excouncillor, and the National Secular Society. Mr Justice Ouseley had said that Mr Bone was “too embarrassed to leave in public” when prayers were held at council meetings.

Alan Craig, of the Christian Peoples’ Alliance, said: “While the National Secular Society celebrated their win on the minor technical point, they lost the major human rights and discrimination cases (which, apparently, they cannot appeal as they won the other) and have been exposed as proponents of a hard-faced, small-minded illiberal secular fundamentalism that acts against free choice and local democracy.”

Equality chief remark about Sharia is criticised

Ordinariate liturgy to be approved in five years

BY MIGUEL CULLEN

TREVOR PHILLIPS, the chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has attracted criticism after apparently comparing Christians who want to sidestep equality laws to Muslims insisting on Sharia law.

The comments were made during a Lancaster University debate called “Religious Identity in ‘Super-diverse’ Societies”, chaired by Charles Clarke. Attorney general Dominic Grieve was also on the debating panel.

Mr Phillips said: “To me there’s nothing different in principle with a Catholic adoption agency, or indeed a Methodist adoption agency, saying the rules in our community are different and therefore the law shouldn’t apply to us. Why not then say Sharia can be applied to different parts of the country? It doesn’t work.”

He prefaced his remarks by praising the work that the Catholic Church had done in Britain’s inner cities.

On social media site Twitter, Tory MP Nadine Dorries said: “Christianity has influenced every facet of our structure. [Phillips] has no right to say [that] we cannot use that heritage to shape the law.”

The remark came in the same week as Tory peer Baroness Warsi’s comments about “militant secularisation” and Richard Dawkins’s call for bishops to be removed from the House of Lords.

BY STAFF REPORTER

MEMBERS of the personal ordinariate will have to wait up to five years for Rome to approve their liturgical texts definitively, it has emerged.

It was originally thought that the Vatican would give the texts definitive approval within two or three years.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has already given interim approval to all the ordinariate’s liturgical texts, except for the rite of Mass. These texts include the Calendar, Divine Office, marriage rite and funeral rite.

But the CDF has now asked a commission of scholars to scrutinise the Mass text. The commission held its first meeting last month.

Canterbury Press will publish the ordinariate’s interim approved texts later this year in a book called The Customary of Our Lady of Walsingham.

As the texts are provisional, Mgr Keith Newton, the leader of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, is expected to establish their status in a pastoral letter to members of the ordinariate.

Benedict XVI announced the creation of the personal ordinariate in his apostolic constitution Anglicanorum coetibus in 2009. He said that he had set up the structure for groups of former Anglicans “to maintain the liturgical, spiritual and pastoral traditions of the Anglican Communion within the Catholic Church”.

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