Friday 16th April 2021 • £2.40 • €2.70 Subscribers only pay £1.94 www.thecatholicuniverse.com UK leaves poorest to balance the budget Faith leaders united in attacking plans to slash foreign aid at time world is still reeling from Covid-19 pandemic Nick Benson They stress that “we must not walk Cardinal Vincent Nichols and the Arch- by on the other side”. bishop of Canterbury have joined Chancellor Rishi Sunak has de- forces to condemn cuts to the UK’s scribed the cut as a ‘temporary’ meas- Aid budget, saying that the move will ure to cope with the deficit caused by do “real damage” to Yemen, Syria, the Covid-19 pandemic, and that the South Sudan and other countries in 0.7 per cent target would return when crisis. finances allowed. The decision has also been attacked However, some MPs fear that the by Catholic aid agencies, who pointed reduction could be permanent. out that in the USA, President Biden “Saying the Government will only has asked Congress to increase aid do this ‘when the fiscal situation al- spending, saying it was crucial the lows’ is deeply worrying, suggesting Pope adds condolences as he world’s wealthiest nations acted to that it will act in contravention of its help the poorest as they struggled to legally binding target,” the Church come to terms with the impact of leaders said. Covid-19. “This promise, repeatedly made salutes Duke’s public service The UK government has said it even during the pandemic, has been would not meet the 0.7 per cent target broken and must be put right.” Nick Benson “commitment to the education and In a Requiem Mass, celebrated in the coming financial year and The 0.7 per cent baseline for Britain’s Pope Francis has offered the Queen advancement of future generations.” last weekend in Westminster spending will be cut to 0.5 per cent of aid budget is enshrined in law by the his “heartfelt condolences” for the The pope’s message was one of Cathedral for the repose of the soul loss of her husband last Friday, as thousands sent paying tribute to of Prince Philip, the cardinal national income – a move that would International Development (Official he praised the Duke of Edinburgh the Duke from politicians, faith described the duke as the “faithful Development Assistance Target) Act save the UK about £4bn a year. for his devotion to his marriage, leaders and other civic dignitaries. rock” of the Royal Family. But Cardinal Nichols and Archbish- of 2015. family and public service. Cardinal Vincent Nichols said the “Every family in grief needs op Justin Welby hit out at the decision Cardinal Nichols and Archbishop In a telegram sent by the nation would “miss Prince Philip’s comfort and support, and none in a joint article carried by The Evening Welby pointed out that one of the Vatican’s Secretary of State, presence and character, so full of more so than a grieving wife, our Standard, saying that “balancing the most important lessons Covid-19 has Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy life and vigour. He has been an Queen. May our prayers contribute books during a pandemic on the backs taught society is that “we depend on Father paid tribute to Prince example of steadfast loyalty and to her comfort and support,” he of the world’s poorest is not accept- each other around the world”. Philip’s “distinguished record” of duty cheerfully given. May he rest said. able”. Continued on page 3 public service and his in peace.” Full tribute: See page 2 This week’s Companion £2.40 €2.70 Olive oil: Amazing Easy ways to uses from skin care make your rental to around the home flat feel like home Sibling rivalry - The Moon & The Forest Positive ways to help An enchanting release siblings get along from guitar pioneer Miloš 02 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com News Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress Duke’s deep faith underpinned his life and its values, says Sentamu Michael Winterbottom The sad news of the death of Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh last Fri- day prompted a flurry of tributes from at home and further afield. Many expressed respect for the way in which the Prince dedicated his life to the service of the nation, his support for the Queen and especially the sac- rifice of the naval career that he loved. There was also respect and admi- The Queen with ration for the way he rose above a Prince Philip in 2011 childhood scarred by turbulence and family tragedies and spent largely in “There was this unbelievable depth exile; and for his overcoming the hos- of his rootedness, because (Philip) tility and suspicion of an establish- was so rooted in Christ, he didn’t have ment that regarded him as an un- any problem in relating to people trustworthy “foreign prince.” about their faith or people who didn’t But there was also another far deep- believe at all,” he went on. “Her er side to the Prince, and that was his Majesty is exactly the same.” deep and lasting Christian faith. The aftermath of the Duke’s death Born into the Greek Royal family Prince Philip holds up a bottle has proved, Dr Sentamu said, how as a Prince of both Greece and Den- of whiskey as he and Queen the Royal family is no “different in Elizabeth II present gifts to mark. Prince Philip was baptised into grief to anybody else”. “They are having Pope Francis during a meeting the Greek Orthodox faith and was re- at the Vatican in 2014. a small funeral, they want to be part ceived into the Church of England Photo: Maria Grazia Picciarella of the grieving for the nation, for the before his wedding on 20th November many people who died from Covid- 1947, in a private service conducted 19 and for those who have not been by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, tween the forces of religion and the able to be present when their loved Dr Geoffrey Fisher, at Lambeth Palace. forces of conservation.” one is being buried.” He maintained close links with his The former Archbishop of York Dr Prince Philip’s deep faith may have Christian roots throughout his life. In John Sentamu, who was born in Ugan- been partly a legacy of his mother, the 1960s, he helped set up St George’s da, spoke movingly of Prince Philip’s Princess Alice of Battenberg, who es- House, a religious study centre at faith in an interview with the BBC. tablished an order of nuns, sheltered Windsor, where he would join clergy, He said he and the Duke of Edin- Jews in Nazi-occupied Greece during academics, businesspeople and politi- burgh had first discussed faith when World War II and is buried below a cians to discuss the state of the world. His Royal Highness was deeply trou- Russian Orthodox Church in east He was also a regular visitor to bled about his children and their mar- Jerusalem. Mount Athos, a monastic community riages. “I suspect that it never occurred to and religious sanctuary in Greece, He recalled how they prayed to- her that her action was in any way and was a long-time patron of the gether at an official event – and joked special,” the Duke said on a 1994 trip Templeton Prize, the award dubbed that Prince Philip would have appre- to Israel, where he visited his mother’s the ‘Nobel Prize for life’s spiritual di- ciated his shortened funeral service, grave. “She was a person with deep mension’; among its winners was because “the duke could not stand religious faith, and she would have Mother Teresa. what he called ‘long church’”. considered it to be a totally human His longstanding environmentalism, “I think it was the ambassador’s action to fellow people in distress.” which saw him serve as patron of the dinner at Buckingham Palace and he His interests in religion and ecology Worldwide Fund for Nature, was con- really was feeling very, very sorry for family like any other family, and every course, the Queen and I are so strong have been passed on to the Prince of nected to his faith. He organised a some of the things that were happen- family goes through good times and in Jesus Christ’.” Wales who is a renowned environ- 1986 summit in Assisi, where repre- ing in his family – particularly his bad times. The important thing is that Dr Sentamu, long regarded as the mentalist and has said he wants to sentatives of Christianity, Islam, Ju- sons,” the retired Archbishop said. you realise that if people are married Royal family’s favourite clergyman be- be “the defender of faiths” when he daism, Buddhism and Hinduism “He said ‘What would you say to they are not just a couple, there is a cause of his force of personality and takes the throne, rather than the pledged to protect the environment. me about the trouble that was hap- third and that’s Jesus Christ, and they practical wisdom, said Prince Philip monarch’s official title as ‘Defender He said at the time that “a new and pening with all my family?’ I said should begin to go to Jesus Christ’. asked him to pray for his children, of the Anglican faith’. powerful alliance has been forged be- ‘Well, your royal highness, you are a “His reply moved me: He said ‘Of and that they did so at the dinner. Universe Comment, page 6 The Duke leaves the World sends condolences to the Queen stage, and a life well led Continued from page 1 sense of pride and inspiration to military his “joy at life, his enquiring mind and his Dr Gavin Ashenden, a former chaplain personnel,” he said.