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Anger as DIY home abortions lead to two deaths Email leak reveals scale of NHS concerns over the ‘escalating risk’ of new policy Nick Benson process and the second where a The Care Quality Commission (CQC) woman presented with sepsis and has been urged to begin an immediate died very quickly in the A&E dept.’ inspection of all abortion providers “The truth is, DIY home abortions following the disclosure that two are dangerous, even fatal, for women,” women have died after taking abortion said Alithea Williams of The Society pills sent through the post to them for the Protection of Unborn Children under the Government’s ‘DIY’ home (SPUC). “Neither the Government nor John Hume, abortion policy brought in during the the abortion industry care about Covid-19 lockdown. women’s health and wellbeing. It’s The deaths came to light in the time to tell the truth about this deadly Court of Appeal during a case brought home abortion policy.” by Christian Concern, which was chal- Catholic Universe columnist Caro- 1937-2020: lenging the legality of Health Secretary line Farrow said the leaked email de- Matt Hancock’s approval of ‘the home livered a devastating blow to the abor- of a pregnant woman’ as a place where tionists’ claims that at-home abortions Tributes paid to abortions can take place. were safe. “We are always being in- Christian Concern presented evi- formed how rare maternal deaths dence from a leaked email sent by a from abortion are,” she said. senior chief midwife at NHS England “Time and time again we are told a giant of the and NHS Improvement to staff on that if abortion is legal, then it is per- the ‘escalating risks’ of the ‘pills in fectly safe, and the last attributed the post’ service. death from abortion in the UK was in It said: ‘In [our region] we are aware 2012. Yet suddenly, in the space of peace process that there have been two maternal two months, two women die from deaths linked to this issue also. One abortion, and an up-tick in numbers SEE PAGE 4 case where a woman was found at seeking emergency medical help.” home the morning after starting the Continued on page 2 This week’s Companion Well-known dieting How surgery helped myths you may have Jenni Murray in her heard before battle with obesity

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Anger as home abortions lead Catholics have ‘duty’ to be to two deaths Continued from page 1 Caroline added that it was equally vaccinated, say bishops worrying that there had been “an up- tick in numbers of women requiring Catholics have a ‘prima facie duty’ to the distress many Catholics experience emergency treatment as a result of be vaccinated, both for the sake of when faced with a choice of not vac- abortion.” their own health and the health of cinating their child or seeming to be SPUC’s Alithea Williams said the others, the Catholic bishops of England complicit in abortion. developments demanded an instant and Wales have said. However, the bishops reiterate response from pro-lifers. “We are mo- In a recently released paper, titled Church teaching that ‘the paramount bilising our supporters up and down The Catholic Position on Vaccination, importance of the health of a child the country to ask their MP as a mat- the lead Catholic bishops for health- and other vulnerable persons could ter of extreme urgency to contact the care and life issues provide clarity permit parents to use a vaccine which Department of Health and Social Care and assurances on the moral issues was in the past developed using these to instigate CQC inspections of all surrounding vaccination. In it they diploid cell lines’. abortion providers sending deadly encourage Catholics to commit to The paper echoes the Holy See’s abortion drugs to women through the protecting the most vulnerable in so- Pontifical Academy for Life in 2017 post.” ciety. which stated ‘all clinically recom- Ms Williams added: “Two woman Bishop Paul Mason, lead Bishop for mended vaccinations can be used are dead, a baby was aborted alive Healthcare, and Bishop John Sher- with a clear conscience and that the and then killed and women are taking rington, lead Bishop for Life Issues, use of such vaccines does not signify abortion pills whose unborn babies stress the Catholic Church’s support co-operation with voluntary abortion’. are well past the 10-week limit for for vaccination to protect the most Bishop Sherrington has urged the chemical abortions. vulnerable of our society – especially Government to promote the future “This madness has got to stop now. those affected by immunodeficiency, production of vaccines using material There is ample evidence that abortions pregnant women and their unborn coverage necessary for the safety of hope that the ethical sourcing of a from non-human cells or ethically pills are far from safe and simple, children. others. This is especially important vaccine for Covid-19 is possible. sourced human cells. even in normal circumstances. During ‘The Church strongly supports vac- with Covid-19. The bishops make it clear that the The Department of Health and So- the pandemic these pills are proving cination and regards Catholics as hav- ‘Avoidance of vaccination carries Church distinguishes between the un- cial Care said that ‘in cases where it to be even more dangerous and even ing a prima facie duty to be vaccinated, dangerous consequences for the most ethical sourcing of vaccines in the can be proven that they are equally fatal.” not only for the sake of their own vulnerable in society,’ they add. present day and the use of historical effective and as safe as the original In 2016 CQC inspections of Mare health but also out of solidarity with As research and trials continue in cell-lines which were derived from vaccine, manufacturers have intro- Stopes International clinics in England others, especially the most vulnerable,’ the global search for an effective vac- aborted foetuses in the 1970s. They duced alternatives to the human revealed over 2,600 breaches of health the bishops explain in the document. cination to prevent Covid-19, the paper reiterate the Church’s moral position diploid cells. Please be assured that and safety. Some MSI clinics were ‘We believe that there is a moral also addresses the development of in opposing the production of vaccines new human foetal tissue will not be temporarily closed as a result. obligation to guarantee the vaccination future vaccines and expresses the using such tissue and acknowledge used to make these vaccines.’ SPUC is calling on thousands of its supporters to contact their MP. Phone consultations exposed as sham: see pg 7 Medic admits fear over virus second wave Catholic Comment by Caroline Farrow: see pg 12 Nick Benson “Sooner or later, these issues have and as deadly as the first wave,” he bility and at this stage is pure specu- It will be very difficult to achieve the to be seriously addressed,” Dr Kearney said. lation. We cannot afford to be com- correct balance between tackling the told The Catholic Universe. “We want “There is a possibility that a new placent,” he added. Three priests Covid-19 pandemic and safeguarding to avoid a situation developing where increase in the number of positive Dr Kearney warned that if levels of mourned the economy and healthcare, the pres- nobody becomes ill or dies because cases may not be as serious as that so infection and numbers with serious Three elderly Cork-based priests from ident of the Catholic Medical Associ- of Covid but large numbers die from far experienced.” complications related to Covid-19 and the Society of African Missions (SMA) ation (UK) has said. lack of attention for other life-threat- Dr Kearney explained that for virus- death rates continue to rise as the Irish Province have died from Covid- Dr Dermot Kearney added that so- ening conditions. It will be very diffi- es to survive they depend on the con- winter period approaches, “it could 19. The three were among 19 who ciety must not be complacent of a cult to achieve a correct balance.” tinuing survival of their hosts and if put tremendous strain on the health tested positive for Covid-19 out of 46 second wave of Covid-19. Dr Kearney said that the question the host dies, the virus dies. services in the UK and elsewhere”. priests and brothers at SMA House in He said that it is currently proving of a second wave of infection must “It is possible that the continued “This would be compounded by a Blackrock Road, Cork. extremely difficult to formulate and be considered. However, he added survival of this Covid virus may depend continuing reduction or rationing of “We have no idea how they got introduce acceptable action plans to that it may be too early to make “dras- on it becoming less virulent for us. It healthcare provision for other non- Covid-19,” SMA Provincial Leader Fr deal with the ongoing pandemic, and tic plans” for dealing with it, “especially may need to adapt and evolve to en- Covid conditions and by the presence Malachy Flanagan said. “As we live in accepted that concentrating solely on as the first wave is still with us”. sure its continuing survival. This could of other expected seasonal infections,” a community, it’s very likely that once eradicateing the infection by strict He also said the nature of any sec- lead to a persistent level of infection he added. one person got it, it spread easily.” social and healthcare measures had ond wave was still in doubt. “A key within communities but with lower “It is extremely unlikely that any A total of 11 SMA priests have died “serious adverse consequences” on question that does not seem to have levels of risk to human life, resulting, effective vaccine will be available to since January in Cork, Longford and the economy, as well as a reduction been widely considered is whether or for many, in less serious illness equiv- help tackle Covid. Our best hope is Galway but there no new positive in medical care provision for other not a second wave or a continuing alent to a ‘common cold’,” he said. that the virus will naturally become Covid-19 cases among the priests. non-Covid-19 related illnesses. first wave will prove to be as virulent “This, however, is only one possi- less virulent and less deadly over time.” The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 03 News

Caritas plays key role saving Scotland hate law could see trafficked girl Caritas Bakhita House has helped to secure jail sentences for two traf- Bible banned, bishops warn fickers operating in London. The team at Bakhita House, which Scotland’s Catholic bishops have raised protected, as the right to exercise free- is managed by Caritas Westminster, act- concerns that possessing the Bible dom, especially in moral and religious ed as the main point of contact for could become an offence under pro- matters, is ‘an inalienable requirement the victim in her communications posed new hate crime legislation. of the dignity of the human person’ with the Metropolitan Police and The Church is the latest organisation and ‘a right that must be recognised helped ensure two men were convicted to raise its concerns about contro- and protected by civil authority’. and sentenced for trafficking. versial reforms in the Scottish Gov- “The courts have noted that the Bakhita House also provided prac- ernment’s new Hate Crime Bill. freedom to shock, offend and disturb, tical support to the victim and or- The Bishops’ Conference points out as well as the contentious and un- ganised for her safe return to her that Section five of the legislation cre- welcome are protected by the right home country,. ates an offence of possessing inflam- to freedom of expression, and the The victim arrived in the UK from matory material, and they fear the bishops have declared that freedom Romania in April 2019 on the under- “low threshold” of what this entails of expression must be robust enough standing that she would be working “could render material such as the to protect the freedom to disagree.” in a factory. Instead, she was trafficked Bible … as being considered inflam- Mr Horan concluded: “The bishops and forced into prostitution. matory under the new provision”. decry so-called ‘cancel culture’ in their She only escaped by acquiring a The new Hate Crime and Public submission, expressing deep concern mobile phone and contacting her Order (Scotland) Bill will also create at the ‘hunting down of those who family to tell them what had hap- an offence of “stirring up hatred” Government’s proposed reforms of nitions and a potentially low threshold disagree with prominent orthodoxies pened. Her family made contact with against a protected group. gender recognition – that a person’s for committing an offence, which with the intention to expunge the Romanian police who alerted their But the bishops warned “how hatred sex and gender are “not fluid and could lead to vexatious claims. non-compliant from public discourse’. counterparts in the UK, who rescued is defined is not clear which leaves it changeable”. “A new offence of possessing in- “They say that ‘no single section of the young woman. open to wide interpretation” – adding They said “without an appropriate flammatory material could even ren- society has dominion over acceptable She was seven months pregnant this “could lead to vexatious claims freedom of expression provision” such der material such as the Bible and and unacceptable speech or expres- when she arrived at the house. having to be dealt with by police”. views, “which are widely held, would the Catechism of the Catholic Church sion. Caritas also helped the young lady They also stressed that “criminalis- not be protected”. as inflammatory. The Law Society of Scotland has adjust to her situation, providing Eng- ing conduct is a serious step that Anthony Horan, director of the In addition, “the Catholic Church’s said it has “significant reservations lish lessons and other support. should not be taken lightly”. Catholic parliamentary office, said: understanding of the human person, regarding a number of the Bill’s pro- Thankfully, a trip home for the vic- They argued rights to freedom of “While acknowledging that stirring including the belief that sex and gen- visions and the lack of clarity”, while tim was organised in time for her expression “must be robust enough up hatred is morally wrong and sup- der are not fluid and changeable, the Scottish Police Federation, which baby to be born in her homeland, to protect the freedom to disagree”. porting moves to discourage such be- could fall foul of the new law. represents rank and police officers, where they both now reside and are The bishops highlighted their belief haviour, the bishops have concerns He added: “The Church believes claimed the Bill “appears to paralyse said to be doing well. – published in response to the Scottish about the lack of clarity around defi- that fundamental freedoms must be freedom of speech in Scotland”. Church issues united call for UK to ditch nuclear arsenal Nick Benson ‘Pope Francis reiterated that the be measured not only in the lives de- The Catholic bishops of England, threat of mutual destruction, the mas- stroyed through their use, but also Wales and Scotland have issued fresh sive loss of innocent lives and the an- the suffering of the poorest and most calls for the abolition of nuclear nihilation of any future for our com- vulnerable people, who could have weapons as the world marks the 75th mon home, is completely incompati- benefited were such vast sums of pub- anniversary of the dropping of the ble with our efforts to build peace,’ lic money invested in the Common atomic bombs on Japan on 6th and the bishops said. Good of society instead,’ the bishops 9th August, 1945. During his visit, the Holy Father said. The bishops reiterated their stance said: “If we really want to build a more The Scottish and English and Welsh on nuclear weapons, urging Catholics just and secure society, we must let bishops’ conferences have in the past to ‘reflect prayerfully upon the UK’s the weapons fall from our hands.” called on the UK government to for- own possession of nuclear weapons’. The bishops recalled how the pontiff sake its own nuclear weapons. The bishops recall Pope Francis’ also reminded people that ‘it is unjust Concluding their statement, the historic visit to Japan last year, when to continue squandering precious re- bishops added: ‘We therefore recom- he declared that “the use of atomic sources on manufacturing, maintain- mit ourselves to the abolition of these energy for purposes of war is immoral, ing and upgrading ever more destruc- weapons and to the Holy Father’s call just as the possession of atomic tive technology’. to pray each day “for the conversion weapons is immoral”. ‘The cost of nuclear weapons should of hearts and for the triumph of a culture of life, reconciliation and fra- ternity. A fraternity that can recognise and respect diversity in the quest for a common destiny”.’ The statement was signed by the Bishop of Galloway, William Nolan, on behalf of the Commission for Jus- tice and Peace of the Bishops’ Con- ference of Scotland; the Bishop of Clifton, Declan Lang, Chairman of the International Affairs Department of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales; and the Auxil- iary Bishop of Birmingham, William Kenney. Left, HMS Vigilant at HM Naval Base Clyde, Faslane, the Vanguard- class submarine carries the UK's Trident nuclear deterrent. Photo: James Glossop /The Times 04 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com News Like us on facebook - search Catholic Universe Newspaper ‘A titan, a giant ... without him we would not have had peace’ Tributes paid to John Hume from both sides of Irish Sea and the North’s political divide Michael Winterbottom was a “great hero and a true peace- Tributes to John Hume, the former maker”. SDLP leader who died this week, have Tony Blair, the former Prime Min- poured in from politicians and Church ister who was in Number 10 when John Hume pictured in leaders both past and present and the 1998 Good Friday Agreement was 2014 with US from both sides of the Irish Sea. signed, described him as a “political President Bill Clinton All have united in their respect for titan; a visionary who refused to be- and his wife, Pat his “extraordinary” legacy as a key ar- lieve the future had to be the same as chitect of the Northern Ireland peace the past.” process which paved the way to the He praised Mr Hume’s “epic” con- wrong path and worked steadfastly community, at no small cost to him- the paper by former Secretary of State Good Friday agreement. tribution to the peace process, adding: to promote democratic politics.” self. for Northern Ireland, Lord Murphy of Mr Hume, who was awarded the “In any place, in any party, anywhere, Former Prime Minister John Major “While he strode the world stage, Torfaen, (Paul Murphy): “Make no Nobel Peace Prize for the decisive he would have stood tall. It was good paid tribute to John Hume, describing he remained firmly rooted in his city. mistake about it,” he told The Catholic part he played in ending the Troubles, fortune that he was born on the island the Nobel laureate as “one of the most It was the specific circumstances that Universe, “without John Hume there died at a care home in Derry in the of Ireland.” fervent warriors for peace who had prevailed here in his native city that would be no peace in Northern early hours of Monday morning. He Arlene Foster, leader of the DUP, earned himself an honoured place in helped develop his vision for the fu- Ireland. was 83. The former Foyle MP had de- described John Hume to the Universe Irish history.” ture. “He, above all, was the architect of mentia and had been ill for some as a “giant in Irish nationalism who The Bishop of Derry, Donal McKe- “His first-hand experience of injus- the process. He sacrificed his life and time. left his unique mark in the House of own described him as “one of the tice and violence… emboldened him his health for this goal. Prime Minister Boris Johnson de- Commons, Brussels and Washington. greatest peacemakers and champions to persevere in building bridges and “He was a man of deep Catholic scribed him as a “political giant”, while “In our darkest days”, she added, of social justice of our time…who friendships.” faith who was hugely tolerant of Irish premier Micheál Martin said he “He recognised that violence was the dedicated his life to the welfare of his A moving tribute was also given to others.” Universe columnist and former Labour MP John Battle, who knew John Hume well, pays his own tribute

Sorting through family papers this setting up the first Credit Union in of peace alive”, refusing to accept land”. He spent his life talking, lis- summer, my father-in-law’s family in Northern Ireland to displace loan there was no workable alternative, tening, reassuring, questioning, ex- Derry came across a hand-written sharks and started the Derry Housing furrowing a lonely path in the face plaining and persuading. Meeting letter to their Uncle Eddie from John Association in the Bogside in 1965 of opposition and taking real per- up with him in the House of Com- Hume. despite opposition from the Unionist sonal risks to bring about a peace- mons he always came across as a Written in 2001, it congratulated Council. He set up the Campaign for able settlement in Northern Ireland. thoughtful man, reflecting before him on his 80th birthday and thanked Social Justice, rooted in the princi- Despite direct threats to his life, speaking, crafting his words delib- him for his role in establishing the ples of Catholic social teaching of re- vandalism to his home and torch- erately but treating all those he Credit Union with John, creating a spect for the dignity of the person, ing of his car he never had a police spoke with full respect, people and model others could emulate. human rights and the need for soli- bodyguard or carried a gun (though presidents alike. He once com- In these times when around the darity. all Northern Ireland politicians mented that “political leadership is globe politicians are held in low es- By 1968 he had moved from local could). He simply insisted on an al- like being a teacher... it’s about teem, the death of John Hume is a school teacher to civil rights leader. ternative to bombs and bullets. He changing the language of others. I timely reminder of the potential of He led demonstrations against un- patiently negotiated a compromise say it and I say it until I hear the good, dedicated and hard-working employment poverty and discrimina- statement with Conservative man in the pub saying my words politicians who are committed to jus- tion, always rigorously insisting on Northern Ireland Secretary Peter back to me”. He became known in tice and peace. John was a man with a peaceful means. Derry marches of Brooke stating “that Britain has no political circles for introducing vision of the possibilities of peace in 1968 were banned, violence erupted selfish strategic or economic inter- ‘Humespeak’, a vocabulary which Northern Ireland. and in 1969 the Army moved in. John est in Northern Ireland”. became the language of the peace As time passes, the three decades of dundant after World War Two and Hume turned to national politics and He engineered an IRA ceasefire in process, rooted in reconciliatory the Troubles which cost over 3,500 never worked again. His mother, An- was elected to Stormont in 1969. He 1994 after clandestine meetings words never wavering from com- (mostly Catholic) lives are nearly a nie, was the family bread winner as a helped establish the new Social Dem- with Gerry Adams for which Ian promise and commitment to peace. forgotten world away from today’s shirt-making outworker. They lived ocratic and Labour Party which was Paisley called him a “messenger He cited his father echoing a realities. The fact that our own chil- in modest circumstances in the then pledged to the ‘eventual reunification boy for the IRA” while nationalists practical search for solutions to dren and grandchildren can go over mixed (Protestant - Catholic) Glen of Ireland through the consent of the called him a sellout, derided as a everyday human problems: “you to Northern Ireland and enjoy family neighbourhood. It was an marred by majority of the people in the North naive man in the middle. can’t eat a flag, he said. visits without fear or restrictions is poverty, unemployment, bad housing and South’. It rejected violence. But it was his insistant commit- John Hume was not a crude na- largely due to the lifetime peacemak- and discrimination against Catholics, Six weeks after Bloody Sunday the ment to bringing people and com- tionalist. He was a peacemaker in ing efforts of John Hume. not least by the Unionist dominated Stormont Parliament was dissolved. munities together, rooted in courte- the mould of Martin Luther King John was not a high-profile party Derry Council. John Hume was then an architect of ous yet tough outreaching and Gandhi. politician yet he emerged as one of John was the eldest of seven chil- power sharing and served briefly as dialogue, that characterised his ap- Northern Ireland today still has the most important political leaders dren. He went to St Columb’s Minister of Commerce. But the power proach . In the later words of Pope walls between communities. It yet of the 20th century. He was the politi- Catholic Grammar School and then sharing agreement collapsed, under- Francis he was prepared “to cross has to have a fully accepted and cian who crafted the Northern Ire- tried his vocation to the priesthood at mined by Unionist strikes and North- the street” for peace. He has an un- workable ‘truth and reconciliation’ land Peace Process signed in 1998 for St Patrick’s College Maynooth. He left ern Ireland from then on was ruled shaken opposition to violence process to heal the wounds of the which, jointly with Unionist leader with a degree in French, returning to directly from London. whether of the IRA, UDA, British past. There is political work to do. David Trimble, he received the Novel Derry in 1959 to take up a job as a In 1971 John Hume was elected to Army or police, and had an But in laying John Hume to rest, Peace Prize. school teacher. He married Pat, a fel- the first European Parliament and in unswerving commitment to peace- may he now rest in true peace in John Hume was born in Derry – low teacher, in 1960 and they had two 1983 was elected to Westminster as making built on a vision of society eternity in the community of saints known as the divided ‘stroke /city’) sons and three daughters. MP for Foyle until 2005, when he re- with human rights and democracy and remain here a role model for – on 18th January 1937. His father, But John didn’t stay in the class- tired. at the core. present and future politicians. Sam, a ship repairer, was made re- room. He worked to tackle poverty, For years John Hume “kept hope His belief was in an “agreed Ire- John Hume, rest in peace. The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 05 News

Armagh anger Historic Eid event at Croke Park as archbishop Nick Benson Left, socially Our hearts must be “open to embrace”, distanced targetted by the Archbishop of Dublin has told the worshippers in local Muslim community during his- Croke Park, toric Eid celebrations at the city’s Dublin, and New IRA poster below, the iconic Croke Park stadium. The New IRA has been condemned On Friday 31st July, 200 worshippers leaders of the Churches and after it launched a hate campaign wearing face masks and surrounded targetting the Primate of All-Ireland, by empty terraces rolled out their faiths of Ireland the Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon prayer mats on the grass normally Martin. used to host major Gaelic football The offensive posters were put up matches in what Archbishop Diarmuid outside St Eugene’s Cathedral in Der- Martin welcomed as a “propitious ry, only a short distance from where moment for the Muslim community the terrorist group murdered jour- in Ireland”. nalist Lyra McKee last year. The stadium was made available Muslim community to the Ireland of The hate campaign comes only by the GAA to facilitate social dis- today and of tomorrow,” he said. months after Archbishop Martin en- tancing on a special religious day for Expressing his honour at being in- couraged young Catholics to join the Muslims. Leaders of Catholic, Protes- vited to the celebrations, Archbishop Police Service of Northern Ireland. tant and Jewish faiths in the city at- Martin said he shares “the joy of Mus- Writing in a parish newsletter that tended, as well as a senior represen- lim families who enrich Ireland and ‘I encourage the very best of our tative of the Irish Government. Irish culture through their hard work young people to seriously consider Speaking to the Muslim community and creativity”. a career in the police.’ gathered in the stadium, Archbishop “I think of the manner in which the ‘Help to shape the future of policing Martin said that the venue has a “spe- younger generations of Muslims in here and serve your community with cial place in the history of Ireland”. Ireland can today proudly profess generosity, concern, respect and “It is a place associated with signif- their faith and shape the place of courage.’ icant, joyful but also very tragic mo- Islam in Irish culture. I am not sure Colum Eastwood, leader of the ments of our history. It is a place today whether your children wish to be SDLP and MP for Foyle, condemned where distinguished visitors come,” called Irish Muslims or Muslim Irish: the posters, saying they “achieve said Archbishop Martin, as he recalled the truth is that they are fully both nothing”. the Queen and Pope Francis’ visits and proudly so. We all need and we “The people of Derry have consis- there. all welcome their contribution.” tently endorsed parties who support But last Friday’s celebrations marked The archbishop stressed that “places Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, from the accepting society following his request involvement with the PSNI,” he told a “new chapter in the history of Croke of worship must be places where in- Irish Muslim Peace and Integration to use Croke Park. The Sunday Life. Pa rk”. tolerance is shunned and respect is Council, delivered part of his speech He added: “This is a country that is “We are there to hold the PSNI to “Today our celebration is a gesture learned”. at Croke Park in Irish and paid tribute proud of its diversity and embraces account because we need a police of recognising publicly the place of “Our hearts must be hearts that are to Ireland’s tradition of welcome and those who become part of the socie- service to serve the community. the Muslim community as an integral open to embrace and not reject. Our inclusivity – “cead mile failte”. ty. Posters like these achieve nothing part of the family of the Irish and to hands must be hands that support The religious leader said Ireland “Which place is most iconic and and I am glad that they have been recognise the contribution of your and help and not push aside. had demonstrated it is an open and symbolic? Of course it is Croke Park.” removed.” Sinn Fein hit Victims champion by hoax bomb A suspicious object left outside a Sinn Fein office in Belfast has been declared voices regret over a hoax. West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said the object was left at the front gates unfinished work of Connolly House on the Anderson- stown Road on the evening of Monday The Northern Ireland Victims Com- deal with the legacy generally. 27th July. missioner has confirmed that her term Ms Thompson commented: “The He criticised those responsible. will end on 31st August. passing of the Victims Payment A Police Service of Northern Ireland Judith Thompson issued a statement Scheme through legislation was a hard spokesman said officers received a on late last week following speculation fought battle and one that still has to report of a suspect device at around that she had not been reappointed clear the final hurdle of implementa- 10.15pm. A public safety operation for another term in the role. tion for those who so desperately need was launched, and Army bomb experts Ms Thompson, who has served as it. examined the device before declaring Commissioner for Victims and Sur- “Legacy legislation is due to be laid it to be a hoax. vivors for five years, said it had been in Westminster, but we need to be Inspector Robert Jeffers said: “Thank a privilege through a number of “sig- sure that what is passed has the full you to the local community and any- nificant achievements”, but conceded support of Victims and Survivors and one who was impacted last night as that “much still has to be done”. is not a Westminster solution to a we dealt with the incident. Northern Ireland problem.” ‘The Victims “I would appeal to anyone with in- She added: “It has been a special Payment Scheme formation about this incident to call honour to have worked with the men legislation was a us on 101.” and women of the Victims and Sur- hard fought Mr Maskey said: “This office pro- vivors Forum, all of whom have battle’ said Ms vides an invaluable service to our brought their experience to the table, Thompson community on a daily basis and has put aside natural fears and opened done sterling work during the Covid- A campaign remains ongoing for themselves to constructive, respectful 19 pandemic to support the most vul- payments to be made to those severely debate that is based on building a nerable in our community. injured in Northern Ireland’s troubled better future for the whole of society. “We will not be deterred by those past. “I would also like to thank the com- attacking a community asset. Although the legislation was passed mission team, who collectively make “Sinn Fein will continue to work to at Westminster, the scheme has yet up the most dedicated body of people deliver for constituents and to build to open as planned due to political it has been my pleasure to work with.” a just, equal and united Ireland.” rows over who should pay for it and The day-to-day work of the com- The property was previously dam- who should be eligible for payments. mission will continue as usual and aged in an arson attack in August There has also been a lack of polit- staff can be contacted through the 2018. ical agreement over mechanisms to usual channels. 06 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Comment

The Universe – Comment – Do we need a national day of We’re still here for you every week! mourning after the pandemic?

Meghan Tinsley

Last month several hundred people gathered in London’s Hyde Park to protest at new rules making the wear- At the end of July, the charity Marie ing of face coverings mandatory in Curie UK launched a campaign for a shops and supermarkets. The protest national day to “reflect, grieve and echoed many others occurring around remember” the thousands of people the world in reaction to the prospect of who have died during the Covid-19 ‘mask mandates’. pandemic. By and large, the protestors believe The charity pointed out the incon- that being forced to wear a covering gruity between the scale of bereave- sacrifices individual liberty to some ment since March 23 and the vague, collectivist notion of the ‘com- absence of familiar mourning rituals. mon’ or ‘greater’ good. Indeed, the absence of public It’s a simple argument – if our mourning during the pandemic is choices are interfered with, we are less striking – particularly in Britain, free. But our choices are interfered where the closest equivalent to a pa- with constantly in daily life, and so triotic national day is Remembrance much so that usually we hardly notice Day. it, or care about the consequences. While Remembrance Day lacks Most choices that are ‘forced’ upon the celebratory parades and fire- us – by society, the law and culture – works of national days in other have a clear benefit to us, so we are countries, it carries the same effect: quite happy with the impositions. mourning the dead binds people to- The benefits – or not – of wearing a gether through shared memories, face covering during a pandemic have rituals and values. been the subject of much debate. Mourning, in short, creates a It’s probable they offer little added sense of solidarity, and even shared protection to us from incoming parti- identity, amid a shared loss. That cles, but likely they do protect others solidarity is neither arbitrary nor from outgoing particles from us. apolitical. So the benefit and moral impor- Remembrance Day, for example, tance of wearing a face covering is gives prominent roles to royals and philanthropic rather than selfish. politicians and invokes courage, And that’s where the problem lies. heroism and sacrifice. Britain at large. Grappling with diffi- touted the declining daily death toll Britain since 23rd March. These are Take a look around you and you’ll see Since mourning serves so many cult memories enables us to critique as a “massive success” but the UK’s linked by the survivors’ inability to that the majority of those wearing face important purposes for individuals leaders, policies and even identities. death toll remains the fourth highest “properly say goodbye to loved ones, coverings are older people. and nations alike, this raises the But whether a national day of in the world. The Office for National comfort or even hug each other” be- This is a cultural and primitive question of what happens in its ab- mourning would achieve this very Statistics has revealed that England cause of lockdown rules. thing, especially here in the West. sence. The alternative to mourning much depends on how it is framed. had the highest excess mortality rate The lockdown is framed as a Wearing a face covering is a public is melancholia: the denial that a loss The UK government has stopped in Europe during the first six months shared experience of sacrifice that statement of weakness, especially with is real, the inability to make sense of holding daily press briefings on of 2020. reveals national character. one’s peers, and that matters when it or learn from it and, ultimately, Covid-19. Over the summer, the Within this context, acknowledg- Focusing on individual deaths, you’re young. The health and safety of the inability to move on. rainbows in front windows have be- ing the scale of death would betray however, also limits what mourning our older citizens clearly matters less. Like mourning, melancholia may gun to fade and weekly claps for the the idea of Britain as resilient, sover- can achieve. But those who’ve travelled more of apply to individuals and groups NHS have ended. eign and a world leader in public An alternative to this approach life’s journey, and have experienced far alike. At the national level, without The public discussion of Covid-19 health. It would throw into question would acknowledge, and grieve, the more, know that every day is precious, formally acknowledging loss, Gov- has shifted away from the death toll the Government’s claim to legitima- Government’s failure to control the and other people are precious too. ernments may find it easier to sup- and towards the politics of the lock- cy. Many people would feel that pandemic and Britain’s dispropor- For us, wearing a face covering in press difficult memories – such as of down. We talk about the reopening Britain had lost its sense of self. tionately high coronavirus death toll. public is a very inconsequential sacri- state racism, empire or genocide. of pubs and restaurants, wearing The high stakes of mourning and By extension, it would mourn the fice to make when our other dignities In each case, there is a fear that masks and the logistics of taking melancholia provide some insight myth of British exceptionalism – and are already rapidly fading away. acknowledging the horror of the holidays. into what pandemic bereavement of a particular idea of Britain itself. Across the world, and the UK, we’re past will threaten the identity of the These stories are far removed might look like in the future. It is highly unlikely that such an already seeing worrying Covid spikes. nation in the present. from the jarring images of military The Marie Curie initiative is likely approach would receive the en- Many of these have been linked di- Officially recognising Britain’s convoys transporting bodies in to gain the Government’s endorse- dorsement of Johnson’s government. rectly to the selfishness of people de- colonial atrocities, for example, Bergamo, or of mass graves in New ment, in large part because it ap- Until this narrative takes hold, termined to put their own enjoyment would undermine the myth that York, that circulated in the early peals to solidarity and national char- however, any state-sanctioned na- and lives ahead of the safety of others. Britain is fundamentally more liber- months of the pandemic. acter. Its slogan, #UniteInMemory, tional day of mourning will bear a Wearing a face covering is not a big al and tolerant than its European If we understand the absence of makes it clear that the charity’s goal closer resemblance to melancholia. ask – if you can’t do it for your own neighbours. mourning as melancholia, then this is to shore up solidarity rather than • Meghan Tinsley is Presidential sake, please do it for the sake of others. The same is true of the Covid-19 gives us insight into why death is so challenge the government’s han- Fellow in Ethnicity and Inequalities crisis: the way we remember absent from representations of the dling of the pandemic. at the University of Manchester. Joseph Kelly Britain’s experience of the pandemic pandemic in Britain. Within the initiative’s remit is This article first appeared at: will shape the way we understand Prime Minister Boris Johnson every death that has occurred in https://theconversation.com www.thecatholicuniverse.com Catholic journalism at its best!

Universe Media Group Limited, News and feature items: Advertising Subscription rates: Editor: Joseph Kelly 2nd Floor, Oakland House, All enquiries: (Annual) £80 UK; €90 Ireland/Europe. Email: joseph.kelly@ 76 Talbot Road, Email: pool@ Email: catherine.kelly@ Tel: 0161 820 5722 To subscribe, please use the order form thecatholicuniverse.com Manchester M16 0PQ thecatholicuniverse.com thecatholicuniverse.com in this issue or call us on 0161 820 5722 The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 07 News

Pro-lifers have criticised the At-home abortion relaxation of rules around abortions phone consultations highlighted as sham Video footage has revealed the British abortion pills which could then be mouth. What I have to do is attach Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) il- surreptitiously put in a woman’s food what you tell me to a legal reason. legally posting abortion pills to a woman or drink. “It sounds like emotionally it’s not who said she wanted to terminate her The investigation also exposes that the right time. It sounds, maybe pregnancy because she didn’t “want a tourist from another country, who mentally, like you’re not ready.” to look pregnant on holiday”. does not have recourse to NHS funding Saskia agrees, says the timing isn’t The woman, who was not even for healthcare, could get an abortion perfect and the BPAS call handler pregnant, was sent the dangerous using the ‘DIY’ abortion service and says: “That’s absolutely fine.” abortion pills after calling the telemed- have it fully paid by the taxpayer on The abortion pills were received by icine service as part of a ‘mystery the NHS. Saskia shortly after. shopper’ undercover investigation, In the case of the woman who “didn’t Andrea Williams, chief executive of commissioned by Christian Concern. want to look pregnant on holiday”, Christian Concern, said: “This is what worth less than a bikini selfie. In their wide open to abuse and women’s lives Abortion remains illegal in England the mystery shopper, called ‘Saskia’, the abortion industry wants. Abortion world, the unborn child is inconven- endangered. and Wales unless specific grounds are was asked by a BPAS call handler and pills on demand, no questions asked. ient and irrelevant. The physical and “The service needs to be stopped met, not for any reason. midwife why she is seeking an abor- So it is sadly not a surprise that they emotional care of the woman also ap- immediately and a thorough investi- In light of the government’s extraor- tion. Saskia replies: “I’d be more than are prepared to give out abortion pills pears to be something they don’t care gation needs to occur around the le- dinary double U-turn, which allowed happy to have children in the future for a bikini body. about. gality and practices of the two major entirely at-home abortions to take and stuff like that, but just not at this “The life of the unborn child is Abortion pills through the post is abortion providers in the UK.” place during UK lockdown, Christian point in time because I’ve literally Concern commissioned a public just booked a holiday. health consultant, Kevin Duffy, to “Lockdown’s just been emotionally carry out the research exercise. draining, and we were just so looking To date, 20 volunteers have taken forward to this holiday and I just want part in the ‘mystery client’ exercise, to really focus on this holiday and to see if BPAS and Marie Stopes UK just have a good time and not worry are abiding by the law and properly about looking pregnant on the beach caring for women. In every case, pills and all that. It’s just so bad the timing were sent to the volunteers, despite right now.” the use of false names, dates of birth The BPAS call handler asks when and gestational dates. the holiday is and says: “You probably The investigation shows that these wouldn’t look pregnant?” home abortion schemes can be mis- Saskia replies: “Yeah…I just don’t used to procure illegal and dangerous want to really deal with any aspect of abortions. Coercive partners, family the pregnancy just now at this point members and groomers could obtain in time. And I was just, it’s not just pills through these schemes to cover looking pregnant. It’s probably just up abuse. whatever, morning sickness and any- This investigation has revealed that thing. the service can be manipulated by a The call handler then says: “It third party to obtain abortion pills sounds to me that the individual rea- for an underage sexual abuse victim sons you’re giving come down to you without any scrutiny. just not being emotionally ready for Furthermore, the pills can also be a pregnancy right now. obtained by a third party to obtain “I don’t want to put words in your Lawyers say new rules are ‘life threatening’ Recent changes to abortion rules have against the purpose of the Act, which “serious and life-changing conse- was to prevent ‘backstreet’ abortions. quences” for women, the Court of Michael Phillips, representing Chris- Appeal has heard. tian Concern, told three senior judges The Government’s decision to alter that the change in rules “is one of the policy is “one of the most significant most significant amendments in the amendments” in the last five decades last 50 years of abortion law” and has of abortion law, according to lawyers “serious and life-changing conse- for Christian Concern. quences for the women involved” as The faith group is pursuing legal well as for medical professionals and action against the Department for staff working at abortion clinics. Health and Social Care (DHSC) over Mr Phillips said the policy of the its change to regulations, allowing 1967 Act was “to ensure that abortions women to have medical abortions at are carried out in a regulated envi- home after a phone consultation. ronment, as a means of ensuring that Christian Concern lost a High Court all abortions are carried out with prop- bid to bring a legal challenge over the er skill and in hygienic conditions”. Government’s decision, but has taken The barrister said discretion in ap- the case to the Court of Appeal. proving places for abortion “must be The group argues that the Govern- exercised consistently with the pur- ment’s decision went beyond the pow- pose of the Act”. He called amend- ers available under the 1967 Abortion ments to abortion rules are “self-evi- Act and claims that allowing women dentially a backwards step and frus- to have terminations at home goes trates the Act’s purpose”. 08 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Comment Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress

Brazil is burning For all its quirks, House of John Lords plays invaluable role Battle

While reports of the escalating coronavirus crisis dominate news from Brazil, last week the satellite monitoring body reported spot- ting over 7,000 forest fires raging Leon across Amazonia. In the last decade 24,000 square Spence miles of rainforest have been re- duced to burnt stubble and waste- It’s astonishing to think that in the land. In the first six months of this space of a few short months in 2019 year deforestation has increased a political party was created from by 25 per cent compared with last nothing, campaigned in a national year’s figure as prospecting farm- election, comfortably topped the ers and cattle ranchers clear land polls and disappeared into nothing- for pasture and illegal loggers and ness once more. miners drive indigenous and re- But that is exactly what did hap- settled people from their suppos- pen with The Brexit Party. edly protected territories. A charismatic politician in the Last month the head of the shape of Nigel Farage collided with Brazilian monitoring agency, Inpe, perfect, fortuitous timing – and no was sacked for releasing up to date small part of tone deafness on the data revealing the continuing de- part of the Westminster bubble – to forestation. President Bolsonaro create an unprecedented moment in has weaken 195 environmental British politics. protection laws to actively promote As it happened, topping the poll mining, gas and oil exploration in the 2019 European elections and cattle ranching in Amazonia. meant a seismic change in our polit- Nor is it only a Brazilian project. ical culture, it also – and we have to Multi-national interests( including thanks heavens for this – didn’t British based ones) are lined up to mean that The Brexit Party gained a cash in at the expense of mortal great deal of power. chance to question our certainty. Lords does a remarkable job. judges, and I’m sure most are certain damage to the environment and Imagine the scenario if The Brexit And isn’t that the point of The The problem in having an elected that it is a system that has served us poor who live in Amazonia. Party had come romping home to Establishment? Not to stop democ- upper chamber, whether it is direct well. The Amazon is the vital carbon the top of the poll in a General Elec- racy but to act as a check or balance? elections or a sort of regional list Over in the United States last week sink that holds back global warm- tion and all of the very real power To say ‘why not think again?’ system as some espouse, is that it’s President Donald Trump tweeted ing. Moreover, the rainforest, that would bring. Do we think for Of course, The Establishment be- members inevitably are always look- that this November’s General Elec- which spans 2.7 million miles, is one second that they would have came front and centre of the news ing to the next election. tion should be delayed ‘until people the most richly biodiverse place had the capacity to lead responsibly? agenda once more this week with If you are considering what your can properly, securely and safely on earth, the known home to For all that Mr Farage and his fol- the announcement of the dissolu- job is likely to be in four years’ time, vote’. 40,000 plant species, 1,300 bird lowers managed to achieve in tion honours from the last Parlia- then your propensity to give impar- As it happens, and unlike in the species and 3,000 species of fish, changing the narrative of our na- ment, including the elevation of 36 tial advice – based on your expertise UK, the President has absolutely no 450 mammals and 2.5 million tional politics, and they should be new peers into the House of Lords. – may well start to be questioned. say in when elections should be species of insect. rightly proud of that, we also must As you might expect, social media Would you rather have someone held. The US system is explicitly out- Firefighters struggle to save the acknowledge that they were some- lost its collective mind as the likes of imparting their expertise or at- lined in the constitution and re- forest and its inhabitants and de- thing of a ragtag mess of characters. former Brexit Party MEP Claire Fox, tempting to triangulate the most sponsibility for its administration spite drastic Government reduc- So what would have happened if the Prime Minister’s brother Jo, and, politic answer? lies with both Houses of Congress tions in their numbers some now Nigel had become Prime Minister somewhat strangely, Sir Ian Botham The current House of Lords stands and individual states, who set their work without pay, meeting resist- and 350 of his disciples Members of were all announced as receiving at nearly 850 peers, that’s 200 more rules on issues such as postal bal- ance from loggers, ranchers and Parliament? Of course, they would peerages. than MPs sitting in the House of lots. miners who prefer the forest to have been there on their merit and The commentariat shouted loudly Commons but among that number Although itself directly elected, burn down. would have had every expectation about cronyism as former Labour includes many men and women members of the US Senate, America’s Pope Francis issued his report that their agenda, whatever it was, MPs such as Ian Austin, John Wood- who also happen to be world- upper house where senators are on the Amazonia Synod Querida would have been enacted. cock and Sir Frank Field, having left renowned experts in their field. elected in six years terms and are Amazonia last October as a practi- That, of course, is something of a the party in large part due to anti- Whether it is scientist Lord Win- not so reliant on the patronage of cal follow up to his encyclical dangerous position for us all to be semitism, were awarded honours ston, economist Baron King of Loth- the President, were quick to con- Laudato Si, which stressed that in. after each had urged voters last bury or social entrepreneur, and demn Trump’s call. care for the poor and for the earth The truth is, however, that as re- December not to make Jeremy founder of The Big Issue, Baron Bird, The beauty of living in an ad- cannot be separated. The destruc- mote as a Brexit Party General Corbyn Prime Minister. these are all people who have made vanced western democracy such as tion of the rainforest is not a natu- Election victory was, if a party of While it’s true that accusations of massive contributions to the sectors ours or our cousins over the Atlantic ral accident. It is not inevitable. It that nature ever does come to power cronyism sound somewhat hollow in which they have worked and who isn’t that we get to vote on absolutely is not beyond human control. It is they would be faced with the com- when you consider Ken Clarke and all have a huge contribution to make everything – you might argue that the result of human political and bined might of The Establishment. Philip Hammond had both been ef- in legislation especially relevant to the direct democracy of referenda economic decisions. Too often You might well argue, and you fectively expelled from the Conser- their areas of expertise. have been the least successful part events are regarded and presented would be right, that the rise of The vative Party by the Prime Minister Who would you rather have mak- of our constitutional arrangements – as ‘beyond human control’ as if Brexit Party and, indeed, the Conser- after rebelling on Brexit, and indeed ing a contribution to the law-making but rather that our system allows for economics and politics operated vative’s 80-seat majority last Decem- even Jo Johnson had resigned as a process? The experts or party loyal- change but provides an adequate according to their own preset iron ber was an antidote to establishment minister in his brother’s administra- ists? brake, too. laws. The destruction of our envi- delaying of Brexit. tion, and subsequently stepped Of course, there should be, and is, Looking at the 36 names of the list ronment is the consequence of The combined powers of civil down as an MP, clearly Boris’ oppo- a role for both – we shouldn’t be to become new peers I think some human decisions and actions. service, judges, House of Lords and nents feel that it is a charge that will quick to get rid of one category be- are warranted while others are What the Covid-19 crisis should the Fourth Estate all played a part in stick. cause we don’t like this particular strange, to say the least. But in many teach us is that we need to pay ensuring that the British people But there is a wider issue. Surely, it round of nominations. respects the names don’t matter, it’s more urgent attention to what we were certain that leaving the Euro- can be argued, in an advance west- Many of us don’t like to think that the collective wisdom that is far know we can control together. pean Union was something that ern democracy it is an anomaly to our legislature is appointed but more important. But that requires political pres- they genuinely wanted. have any part of the legislature ap- rather, that we have chosen them. In sure, will and action. Caring for And I for one am grateful that they pointed rather than elected? reality, even in Britain, the area of the earth and the poor means ‘tak- did. On an issue as monumental as And I’m here today to say what ut- common law has for hundreds of Leon is a writer, political ing back control.’ Brexit it was right that we had the ter rubbish, and that the House of years been shaped by appointed commentator and charity trustee The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 09 News Learn care home lessons before the second wave hits, warns MP Care homes were “thrown to the wolves” and some were “ravaged” by the coro- navirus, a Catholic MP has said. Meg Hillier, Labour Co-operative Lord Forsyth MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch and chairwoman of the cross-party Public Accounts Committee (PAC), urged the Government to ensure a Rigid UC fails strong plan was in place to protect lives in the event of a second wave. millions says “The failure to provide adequate PPE or testing to staff and volunteers who risked their lives through the first peers’ report peak of the crisis is a sad, low moment The Universal Credit system is ‘fail- in our national response,” she said. ing millions’, a parliamentary report “Our care homes were effectively has said. thrown to the wolves, and the virus The controversial welfare reform has ravaged some of them.” needs radical change if it is to help She added: “The deaths of people the most vulnerable, a study by the in care homes devastated many, many Lords Economic Affairs Committee families. They and we don’t have time concluded, adding that the design of for promises and slogans, or exercises the UC welfare system is responsible in blame. for ‘soaring rent arrears and the use “We weren’t prepared for the first of food banks’. wave. The Government must use the The committee, led by Lord narrow window we have now to plan Forsyth of Drumlean, stated: ‘Cuts to for a second wave. Lives depend upon social security over the last decade is getting our response right.” causing widespread poverty and Ms Hilliers comments came as a hardship. Universal Credit needs ur- Commons report claimed that advis- Calls for huge growth in free gent investment to catch up and ing hospitals to discharge thousands provide claimants with adequate in- of patients into care homes without come. The temporary increase in the knowing if they had coronavirus was standard allowance in response to a ‘reckless’ and ‘appalling’ policy. school meal programme Covid-19 shows that the previous Around 25,000 patients were dis- level of awards was too low. The in- charged to free up beds in example crease should be made permanent.’ A further 1.5 million children should of free school meals in England to Credit with children under four. of the Government’s ‘slow, inconsistent In a scathing assessment of how be brought into the free school meals every child where a parent is receiving The vouchers can be spent on vi- and at times negligent’ approach to UC is working, the committee added: programme, while poorer youngsters Universal Credit, adding: ‘Children tamins, fruit, vegetables and milk, social care, the PAC said. ‘The Government is using Universal should also be fed during the school who are hungry at school struggle and would mean an extra 290,000 It added that it was ‘concerned’ that Credit to recover debt, mostly £6 bil- holidays, a Government-ordered re- to concentrate, perform poorly, and pregnant women and under-fours the Department of Health and Social lion of historic tax credit debt. view has said. have worse attendance.’ At present, would benefit, the study said. Care had continued with the policy ‘Deductions of up to 30 per cent of The National Food Strategy, led by only children from households earn- Mr Dimbleby said the chief exec- the standard allowance can be taken Leon restaurant founder Henry Dim- ing less than £7,400 before benefits utives of Waitrose and the Co-Op Meg Hillier has from claimants. This has left many bleby, said urgent Government action are eligible. Expanding the pro- have agreed to supplement vouchers urged Government households with less money than is needed in the face of the Covid-19 gramme could reach an additional with extra free fruit and vegetables. to prepare fully for they are entitled to. pandemic, and described the coun- 1.5 million seven to 16-year-olds at He welcomed the Government’s a second wave of ‘Tax credit debt should be written try’s diet as a ‘slow-motion disaster’. a cost of £670 million a year. recently-released obesity strategy Covid-19 off as it is unlikely to be repaid. It warned that poorer children risk The report also calls for an expan- but said some firms need to look at ‘even once it was clear there was an Lord Forsyth said the cross-party being ‘left behind’, adding: ‘One of sion of the holiday activity and food their actions when it comes to cre- emerging problem’. Hospitals in Eng- committee agreed with aim of UC, the miserable legacies of Covid-19 programme to all areas in England, ating foods that appeal to children. land were asked on 17th March to but its implementation needed is likely to be a dramatic increase in reaching an extra 1.1 million children The report also criticised ‘mis- discharge patients, but patients did change.“In its current form it fails to unemployment and poverty, and at a cost of £200 million a year. leading packaging’ and accuses the not require a coronavirus test prior provide a dependable safety net. therefore hunger. And it urges an increase in the food industry of ‘clothing itself, and to discharge until 15th April. The mechanics of UCdo not reflect ‘The effects of hunger on young value of Healthy Start vouchers to its products in false virtue’, with some And it was nut until the end of April the reality of people’s lives. It is rigid, bodies (and minds) are serious and £4.25 per week and expansion of the fruit snacks “clothed in a veneer of when the Government said all care inflexible and harming a range of exacerbate social inequalities.’ scheme to pregnant women and goodness but not better for you than home residents and staff, regardless claimant groups, including women, The study proposes an expansion households in receipt of Universal a Mars bar.” of symptoms, would be able to access disabled people and the vulnerable.” tests. This is despite Public Health England (PHE) telling the committee it was aware of asymptomatic trans- mission in March. Private renters left desperate by lack of social homes In evidence on 22nd June, PHE’s Professor Paul Johnstone said: “What A ‘chronic’ lack of social housing is ter, said: “Families are going hungry they’ve been sold down the river with- was becoming clear in March was leaving families with few options to and taking on risky debt to pay private out a paddle.” that there was an asymptomatic phase, escape the insecurity of private renting rent, and yet even these sacrifices David Renard, Local Government which means that people can transfer as the economic lockdown continues aren’t enough to avoid homelessness. Association housing spokesman, com- the virus without ever having symp- to ease, according to a new report. “These parents need a way out of mented: “Councils have serious con- toms, or a significant pre-symptomatic A survey of over 1,000 private renters living hand to mouth, but so far, the cerns about the risk of homelessness phase, where the virus could be shared.” in England found that almost one in Government has offered them no al- many private renters face as a result The DHSC told the committee in five were more concerned their family ternative to private renting. This must of the coronavirus crisis. the same session it believes the clearest will become homeless as a result of change if we are ever going to build “We are clear that building 100,000 correlations between social care out- the Covid-19 crisis. ing struggling families with few options this country back better. social homes a year must form a cen- breaks related to staff rather than the Shelter said its study suggested that to escape private renting insecurity. “The Government needs to prioritise tral part of the national recovery. discharge of hospital patients. parents living in privately rented Around one in seven respondents building safe homes that everyone “The Government should also bring The PAC said nobody would expect homes are almost twice as likely to said they had cut back on food in re- can afford. Cuts to stamp duty are forward its pledge to end ‘no fault the Government to get everything be worried about homelessness than cent months to help pay their rent, not a solution when you’re struggling evictions’ and commit to maintaining right in its initial response, but that it parents living in secure social homes. and one in five had taken on debt, to keep a roof over your head, and local housing allowance rates at the ‘urgently needs to reflect, acknowledge The housing charity said there was such as an overdraft or payday loan. terrified of becoming homeless. lowest third of market rents, so that its mistakes, and learn from them’. a chronic lack of social housing, leav- Polly Neate, chief executive of Shel- “Many renting families will feel like tenants have greater security.” 10 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Bishopric of the Forces Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress Chance meeting opened the door to a wonderful 25-year tour with the Army

Kapooka, New South Wales. On my I also had the privilege of attend- return, promotion brought with it ing Remembrance Days in Delhi and new responsibilities which arose as Dhaka, Pakistan, and retain very a consequence of the unification of fond memories of the warmth of the RAChD and which paved the hospitality and friendship extended way for posts and roles previously by my hosts. unavailable to Catholic chaplains. In Israel, as guests of the Israeli On my return I enrolled at Royal Defence Forces, our out-of-confer- Military Academy Sandhurst as a ence travelling enabled us to visit newly commissioned chaplain. On Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem and that day I never dreamt that 17 years the Golan Heights. While in Dublin, I later I would return as a Catholic attended the commemoration of a priest to become the Academy’s sen- new Sword of Sacrifice placed in ior chaplain and administrator of Glasnevin Cemetery and did so in the Royal Memorial Chapel. Simi- British Army uniform alongside my larly, after a subsequent promotion former seminary colleague, Mgr to CF1 (Colonel), the Chaplain Gen- Eoin Thynne, Head Chaplain to the Fr Ian Evans QHC eral appointed me as Corps Colonel Defence Forces of Ireland. Corps Colonel, Royal Army of the Royal Army Chaplains’ Depart- But by far the greatest honour I re- Chaplains’ Department ment. This post, running in tandem ceived during my service as an Army with being Assistant Chaplain Gen- chaplain was to have been ap- During 35 years of priesthood I have eral at Army Headquarters, involved pointed by HM the Queen as the never failed to be surprised at the Fr Evans QHC and CSjt supporting and preserving the tradi- Queen’s Honorary Chaplain. number of times when a chance en- Glenrory Low RIFLES in tions and the heritage of the RAChD, And then, as suddenly as it had counter or an unexpected turn of Lourdes for the the RAChD Association and the Mu- begun, my service as a military annual International events opens up possibilities of ad- seum of Army Chaplaincy. chaplain came to an end. No matter Military Pilgrimage venture and challenge. Sitting alongside the other Army how much you prepare for that final It was exactly such an event in Corps Colonels during our monthly day, it is still a wrench. I emptied my 1992 that propelled me from parish understood what I stood for, or were Ireland, including two priests who forum in Army HQ meant that for desk and made my way to the HQ ministry in the archdiocese of far removed from their Catholic are currently serving as chaplains. the first time the chaplaincy depart- Reception Room where I handed in Dublin into a wonderful 25 years of family upbringing, they respected The first introductory years were ment had an opportunity to be rep- my ID and HQ access cards. Unfor- military chaplaincy in the Royal what I did and in those moments spent in Germany where I cut my resented as well as to hear first-hand tunately I had forgotten a book in Army Chaplains’ Department. while away from family and parents, teeth in military chaplaincy among at Corps level, the key issues affect- my office but as I was now a civilian, The chance encounter one Friday when a serviceman or woman can the many thousands of servicemen ing our personnel throughout the I had to be escorted there and back evening with the late Mgr Joe Mallon feel vulnerable, the acceptance of a and women and their families. Life Army. It is interesting to note that in by a member of the security team! VG, principal Catholic Chaplain to promise of inclusion in my morning in Germany was good. There were 2011 there were three Catholic CF1 While all of these experiences and the Army, started a sequence of or evening prayers or the remem- infinite opportunities for travel. In chaplains (Colonels) out of six; Mgr opportunities contributed to 25 events which resulted in a wonder- brance in my daily Mass of a sick those days the summers appeared Francis Barber (PRCC), Fr Anthony years of wonderful ministry, it was ful vocational career. mum, dad or grandparent, was al- longer than today and so the social Paris and myself. the people that I was privileged to Ministering to the Catholic and ways appreciated. life of personnel at regimental, The role of Corps Colonel has share my life with who made this wider Christian community within The experience of being im- parish or in the community was im- opened up a host of exciting over- ministry such a rewarding one. The the Army at home, overseas and on mersed into military life was not as portant in that it cemented together seas experiences. I had the opportu- faith, service and loyalty to Church operations introduced me to some traumatic as I had expected it to be. a community dislocated from its nity to return to Sarajevo in 2015 on and nation by so many was inspira- of the nicest, most courageous, After all, I was simply moving side- home roots. the 20th anniversary of the Sebrenica tional and humbling. The Catholic courteously loyal and supportive ways into another structured, organ- Successive postings in the UK, massacre, and undertook an community in the Armed Forces people I have ever met, many of ised and disciplined organisation. Northern Ireland and a return to engagement project with the punches well above its weight and in whom have become lifelong friends. Although coming from the Republic Germany brought many new chal- Bangladesh Army which aimed to so doing is admired by many. I will While some are faithful members of of Ireland was novel, I was by no lenges and opportunities. In 2003 I support its desire to create a chap- always be thankful for the fun and the Church, the vast majority would means anything exceptional. There had four wonderful months working laincy service to cater for the spiri- friendship that so characterised my not exactly be ‘chewing the altar is a significant number of personnel with the Australian Army in their tual and pastoral needs of their serv- ministry to the Army, for which I will rails’. But while they might not have across all the services who hail from Army Recruit Training Centre in ice personnel. be eternally grateful. A chaplain’s life ... Left, Fr Evans with British and international military attaches at the Remembrance Service in Delhi, India,

Right, Confirmation day for Army Training Regiment Winchester recruits Simon Fr Evans QHC & fellow Camilleri (now Major in Main Building, Fr Evans pictured with fellow Clonliffe College London) and Glenrory Low (now CSjt with 2 Catholic CF1 Chaplains, Mgr Seminarian, Mgr RIFLES). I was privileged to celebrate Barber and Fr Paris QHC Thynne HCF Simon’s nuptial Mass a few years ago. The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 11 News

A Mediterranean Sea View Your opinions: Letters to the Editor Photo: Aaron Chown/PA Wire We want to hear your views on the big Catholic issues. Write to: Joseph Kelly, Editor, The Universe, Universe Media Group Ltd, 2nd Floor, Oakland House, 76 Talbot Road, Manchester M16 0PQ E-mail: [email protected]. Please keep letters concise; we reserve the right to edit. An educational wanted to ensure safety for pupils left-leaning persuasions when it and teachers and put forward rele- comes to public services is a nu- column vant objections. anced difference.” The Leon Spence column (Universe, Given that all school buildings are In fact, the difference between July 31st) was full of inaccuracies different, a blanket opening could many Tories, especially those in and misinformation and I take real not be achieved. power, and those who oppose their issue with his unfounded attack on Leon please do not seek to per- public services policies, is huge. In schools and teachers. petuate the out-dated myth that it the time of the virus the Govern- The Government closed all was all the fault of the unions. ment has had to draw back from its schools from March 20th but they Kath Holtom inclination to diminish these serv- remained open for the children of Hadfield, Glossop ices. But this does not mean their basic inclination has changed. The A triptych of Banksy paintings which reference the European migrant key workers and vulnerable chil- crisis have sold for £2.2 million in a charity auction. dren with teachers working on a Leon needs to live T ory Party is led by a group of neo- Proceeds from the sale will be used to help build a new acute stroke rota system. Teachers were told to liberals who basically believe that unit and purchase children’s rehabilitation equipment for Bethlehem work from home with headteachers in the real world Governments should only provide Arab Society for Rehabilitation. and senior leaders providing desig- Leon Spence has arrived at the an army, a police force and a legal The paintings, titled Mediterranean Sea View 2017, were originally nated tasks to be completed and re- bottom of the barrel – and yes, he’s system. Boris Johnson’s first cabinet estimated to sell for between £800,000 and £1.2 million in the quiring teachers to give guidance, still digging! included 14 alumnae of the Institute Sotheby’s sale. advice and topics for home school- I refer, of course, to last week’s of Economic Affairs, the most right- The works depict romantic seascapes and added abandoned ing in the primary sector. Universe diatribe, in which he at- wing and neo-liberal ‘think’-tank. lifejackets and buoys in reference to the deaths of migrants travelling I am at a total loss to understand tacked teachers for having the Only one has so far left after being to the European Union. his condemnation of the secondary temerity of asking whether it was sacked for not wishing to be dic- The oil paintings were originally created for Banksy’s Walled Off sector. He seems to be full of praise safe to stuff 31 people in a small tated to by Mr Cummings. If Leon Hotel in Bethlehem, where they have hung since its opening in 2017. of “independent schools providing room for seven hours as a virus really believe in the general benevo- The hotel, which overlooks the West Bank wall dividing Bethlehem, full timetables on things like Zoom”! rages outside, and then demanded lence of such people, he needs to bills itself as having ‘the worst view of any hotel in the world’ and is Where are his specific examples? If that they continue teaching via think again. filled with original Banksy artwork. his children were given worksheets Zoom. Michael McLoughlin The reclusive artist’s latest stunt saw him graffiti the inside of a and an occasional phone call then I I feel I have to raise a couple of Wallington London Underground train carriage with messages about the spread of ask, with his political and faith in- points. First, as it is now acknowl- coronavirus. fluences, what did he do about it? eedged by everyone that England The secondary school attended has come out of lockdown and Schools must reopen by my grandson provided absolutely eased back on restrictions too for children’s sake wonderful programmes across all quickly – as evidenced by the daily My daughter has missed four MP hits out after year groups and all subjects that cases refusing to fall from its 6-700 months of schooling this year be- were innovative, exciting, challeng- mark, and why the northern cities cause of the pandemic. Yet all the ing and stimulating. They had dead- are being forced to re-adopt restric- evidence points to school age chil- lines to meet for submitting work tions – does he now put his hands dren being among those least at risk hacking attempt and were given valuable feedback up and retract last week’s remarks, from coronavirus. with tasks being continually as- in which he basically said we should However, children’s charities have A British Catholic MP has spoken journalist I’d been in touch with and sessed. Different teaching tech- have relaxed restrictions even fur- seen a vast rise in the numbers out about “hacking attempts” against had sent what looked like a press niques were used with a good bal- ther by adding schools into the mix making contact with them during him coming from inside Iran and release from me claiming that I was ance of research, detailed written of places where people could inter- the lockdown, which strongly sug- Russia. announcing various different tasks, physical exercise, experi- mingle and share Covid-19 around? gests that children’s mental health is Tom Tugendhat, who chairs the changes of policy on behalf of the ments and specific projects. They And does he want to re-consider suffering as a result of not being in Foreign Affairs Committee, also ex- Government.” had to submit photographs of any his criticism of all teachers for not school. plained how there had been “at- Concerned, he reached out to a models or designs that they had adopting Zoom lessons, after a re- Meanwhile, the public and inde- tempted troublemaking” using an contact at Google HQ and asked created. If work was missed parents cent survey found that 30 per cent pendent school sector has contin- email address pretending to be him them to look into what was hap- were informed and conversations of schoolchildren had limited or no ued to provide a far higher standard based in mainland China. pening. were held with students. access to online/digital devices of pupil engagement and education Mr Tugendhat, who serves as Tory Mr Tugendhat continued: “And Students and parents could con- suitable for learning/teaching than the state sector. MP for Tonbridge and Malling in what was quite surprising was where tact teachers on the VLE, by email throughout the lockdown? While many thousands of people Kent, recently spoke about the cyber the account was registered and or text. Lessons were provided di- It may be common in nice middle have just got on with things over issues to Times Radio. where it all happened, if you like, rectly on line and programmes such class Spence-land to have lots of lockdown and many have served Speaking to presenter Matt Chor- and it was pretty clear it was coming as Century Learning and Assign- digital devices laying around but in the public above and beyond the ley, Mr Tugendhat said: “So the first from mainland China.” ments supplemented the school’s many households, one laptop is all call of duty, it is nothing short of as- I knew about this I got an email He described the activity as “at- own Home Learning Resources. that can be expected. How can a tonishing that absentee teachers from somebody I’d done an interview tempted troublemaking” and the Motivational videos encouraged school organise lessons for entire across the land are to be granted with months, maybe even a year or fake announcements were “designed learning, staying safe and boosted classes when they cannot guarantee pay rises of between 2.75 and 5.5 so before, for a newspaper in East to put the cat amongst the pigeons”. morale. They provided opportuni- all children could access them? per cent. Asia. Mr Tugendhat also asked Google ties for collective worship and all Or are we adopting the policy of Anne Phillips “They asked me to confirm some to investigate other suspicious emails supported by good humour. leaving a third of our children be- Ascot details that they were a bit suspicious sent from an account that looked As Chair of Governors in a differ- hind, no doubt to benefit the dar- of. very similar to his own. ent state school I know that all our ling little Spences in the future? Covid-19 is not “Given I hadn’t spoken to them He said: “They did so extremely local schools are very well prepared Eric Ashton for a long time, I was pretty surprised quickly I have to say, they did the for full opening in September hav- Stalybridge the only killer and it turned out that somebody first email, they had the address, ing dealt with over 300 guidance I read in this weekend’s newspaper had pretty much copied my email they’d taken down the account with- documents from D of E and the LA Cabinet are enemies that the annual excess death figures address and got in touch with a in about four hours of me raising and applying them to specific for England for the first months of the concern, which is pretty quick school circumstances. of public services the pandemic were the highest in as anybody who has had to deal A political commentator builds In his piece last week Leon Spence Europe. Mine and I’m sure many with anything online will know. his commentary on true facts and does his usual trick of criticising the other peoples’ first reaction to this “And since then I’ve found various evidence. It was the fears of parents, NHS and education by quoting ex- was to ask how much of this has attempts to break into the account which the Government used to its treme and rare occurrences and been caused not by Covid-19 but by – hacking attempts, I’ve been told – advantage in the early days to get then excusing himself by saying he the closing down of hospitals for from Ethiopia and from Iran and them on board with the lockdown, is not really criticising all those critical treatment of other ailments, from Russia.” that prevented schools opening on good people. and late diagnosis of fatal condi- Mr Tugendhat’s comments come 1st June. The scientific evidence Be that as it may, I do have a tions, brought about by the hysteria as China has been accused of hack- from Sage warned ministers they much more profound disagreement to which the population has been ing Vatican computers, as well as were taking risks with easing the with his statement, “It seems to me driven? those in the Diocese of Hong Kong lockdown further with reopening the fundamental difference be- Toby Stevens and other Catholic organisations. schools. Yes, the teachers’ unions tween Conservatives and those of Lytham St Annes 12 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Comment Like us on facebook - search Catholic Universe Newspaper

IN BRIEF Homeless drop DIY abortions leaving mum welcomed but figures still high The number of people living in to pay ultimate price, too emergency accommodation in Ire- land dropped for the fifth consecu- tive month – to 8,699 in June. The Department of Housing said CATHOLIC it represents a drop of 177 people COMMENT accessing emergency accommoda- tion in May, when 6,046 adults and 2,653 children were listed as living Caroline in emergency accommodation. These deaths are a direct result of Housing Minister Darragh Farrow O’Brien said while the fall was wel- home abortions ... it is simply not come “the number of people and possible to replace the clinical- families in homelessness is simply I’ve been reminded once again this too high”. week as to why, despite having enor- based consultation with a phone He said: “We need to accelerate mous sympathies with the radical ‘‘call. The telemedicine service leaves the numbers of people exiting feminists who have been putting up homelessness and to reduce the such a good front in the culture war pregnant women highly vulnerable time that people spend in emer- regarding transgender rights, I can and must be withdrawn urgently... gency accommodation. never count myself among their “Improved delivery of social and number. affordable housing will be key but I’ve also been reminded as to why we will also be focusing on increas- we need to cancel our subscription ing the levels of supports to house- to the BBC, because it was revealed holds with complex needs.” this week that since lockdown began, two women have died after taking Families hold key to the abortion pill at home and yet both our state broadcaster and femi- finding a home nists have remained silent about this Catholic prison charity Pact has utter outrage because it doesn’t fit 200 mg mifepristone and 800 mcg misoprostol, the typical called for greater support for pris- their agenda. oners’ family relationships, saying regimen for early medical abortion. The only reason that this has Photo: VAlaSiurua families often provide the “best come to light is because the Chris- chance” of a person finding a home tian Legal Centre, an organisation upon their release. which is utterly despised by the total silence on the matter. The oversight over the private abortion vealed in my survey, or the incidents The call comes as it was revealed Establishment on account of its at- women who have died or suffered clinics, because it was believed that in the NHS email leak, would have that hundreds of people have been tempts to use the law to confront significant injury and trauma as a they were a mere ‘complication’ happened under the pre-lockdown released from prisons during the and challenge liberal shibboleths, result of taking abortion pills which which could have occurred in any abortion process. Covid-19 pandemic without a decided to mount a High Court ap- perhaps they had contra-indications setting. The fact that women were “These cases are a direct result of known address to go to. Of 6,961 of- peal to challenge the Government’s against, are seen as nothing more being prescribed pills clearly unsuit- the move to home abortion and par- fenders freed between 1st May and decision to use the pandemic to than collateral damage to be ignored able for them by those tasked with ticularly the removal of the clinic 8th June this year, 947 (14 per cent) bring in the most sweeping changes or swept under the carpet. their medical care, seems to be an ir- visit and routine assessments. It is were identified as homeless on to the Abortion Act since it was in- Given that we are always being relevant detail. The cases have, simply not possible to replace the their first night out of custody. troduced in 1967. told that abortion is a women’s issue however, been referred to the Royal critical clinical-based consultation A total of 209 of those offenders A leaked email from the Depart- on which men have no right to College of Gynaecologists and with a phone call. The telemedicine were identified as sleeping rough - ment of Health revealed that since opine, then where are the female Obstetricians for review; that would service leaves pregnant women 20 of them young offenders. the new regulations allowing for voices speaking up for their sisters be reassuring if it wasn’t for the fact highly vulnerable and must be with- Pact’s Andy Keen-Downs said ‘DIY’ abortions at home came in, who met untimely and wholly un- that this is the organisation which drawn urgently.” more help was needed to ensure all two women have died as a result of necessary and painful deaths? heavily lobbied for the introduction Pro-lifers are often accused of ex-prisoners had emergency ac- taking the abortion pill at home. To put these figures into perspec- of these new DIY abortions in the only caring about the baby yet noth- commodation to go to. “It is still far One woman died ‘very quickly’ of tive, we are always being informed first place! ing could be further from the truth. too common for prisoners to be re- sepsis after attending her local acci- how rare maternal deaths from As the email was dated 21st May While we may vehemently disagree leased with a £46 discharge grant dent and emergency department af- abortion are. Time and time again we don’t know how many other with their decision, nobody wants and nowhere to live,” he said. ter taking these pills and another we are told that if abortion is legal, women may have died or suffered these women to suffer or die and its “The best chance of someone was found dead in her home the then it is perfectly safe, and the last significant injury since, but many likely their decision to abort has finding a home on release from morning after starting the medical attributed death from abortion in women have come forward to the been a knee-jerk one, no doubt prison is with or through their own abortion process. the UK was in 2012, when an Irish press, to share the serious problems aided and abetted by a world in family. That means supporting pris- Furthermore, the email stated that woman died following a botched they experienced after taking the pill which digital technology allows us to oners’ family relationships, and the there have been other further conse- abortion attempt at a Marie Stopes at home. One woman said that she have instant gratification at the click families themselves – is just as im- quences, such as a baby aborted clinic in London. ‘went through hell’ and thought she of a finger without so much of a sec- portant as ensuring that there is alive and medical pills being deliv- Yet suddenly, in the space of two was going to die, the pain was so ond thought, until the reality of the enough housing available for single ered to the home of a woman who months, two women die from abor- bad, while another said that the credit card bill kicks in. homeless people.” was 22 weeks pregnant, which is tion and there’s an up-tick in num- physical process was ‘horrible’ and a It is not only the tragedy of the well over the legal limit for these bers of women requiring emergency ‘lot worse than (she) expected”. dead infant being passed into the More bite to Scots’ home abortion pills. Apart from the treatment as a result of abortion, Despite this evidence and a whole sewage system or pre-term infants maternal deaths there are three on- and yet the silence is deafening. lot more, including an independent being prematurely born and left to pandemic package going police investigations linked to When abortion was legalised, it undercover investigation by the die which concerns us, but that vul- The Scottish Government’s fund to these incidents, and other cases was supposedly on the grounds that Christian Legal Centre, which re- nerable pregnant women are being help feed the homeless and others have seen women attending emer- no woman would ever have to die vealed that the independent abor- systematically abused and exploited affected by the coronavirus pan- gency departments throughout needlessly, isolated and in agony fol- tion providers were not carrying out by a society which believes that it is demic has topped £110 million. lockdown for medical issues such as lowing a botched abortion again. Yet even the most basic checks before preferable for a woman with an un- A £70 million Food Fund ruptured ectopic pregnancies, major 50 years later, it seems that we are sending out these pills, Lady Justice planned pregnancy to give in to de- launched at the start of lockdown haemorrhage and the delivery of happy to subject women to risk be- King, who was in charge of the High spair and end the life of her unborn has been boosted by a further £40 infants up to 30 weeks gestation. cause it is more expedient and prof- Court Appeal, refused to accept any child alone and unsupported in the million. Social enterprise Social That women are being so reck- itable to the private abortion submissions, saying that she would confines of her bathroom, rather Bite was awarded £48,500 for its lessly endangered and put at serious providers to whom the National give her reasons later. than to be helped and empowered Covid-19 response, with its funding risk ought to be a matter of grave na- Health Service has contracted out One only has to hope and pray to rise to the challenge and choose since April now totalling £700,000. tional concern both for the media this dirty business. that no more women die or are in- life. It enabled it to deliver 500,000 food and feminists, but unfortunately The leaked DoH email also re- jured in the meantime. The inde- Caroline Farrow is a Catholic packs and meals to people in need they are so wedded to the idea of vealed that none of these serious in- pendent investigator Kevin Duffy, journalist and UK campaign in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glas- abortion as being necessary for fe- cidents were reported to the Care said this of these worrying develop- director and media commentator gow since April. male flourishing, that there has been Quality Commission which has ments: “none of the scenarios re- for Citizens Go The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 13 News

Migrants on an RNLI Pax Christi marks 75th anniversary of the atomic bomb attacks on Japan vessel after being rescued PAX CHRISTI Use this landmark

Theresa Alesandro date to demand end Deal failure One reason that I feel so at home in Pax Christi is because of our long- standing campaign against nuclear risks stoking weapons. My journey to working for to nuclear weapons peace began when I picked up John migrant crisis Hersey’s book, ‘Hiroshima’, in the when international law prohibits school library as a teenager. It was a nuclear weapons. For example, we A failure by the UK to reach a new deeply distressing and disturbing have worked with interfaith partners agreement with France on how to read. That we human beings deliber- to explore the policy and practice of deal with migrant crossings could ately design nuclear weapons to de- financial institutions in this country lead to numbers reaching “crisis” stroy huge numbers of people – and regarding investment in the produc- levels, an ex-Border Force chief everything on the earth around tion of nuclear weapons. So far, such has warned. them – is a hard lesson to learn. I be- practice has been viewed as ‘in line It comes after a record number lieve in eliminating these weapons with Government policy.’ However, of crossings to Britain in a single from our common home. It is a great in the near future we expect that any day last week, and follows a Gov- encouragement to me to know that I veneer of legitimacy will be dissolved. ernment minister branding the am one of millions of people around Nuclear weapons will become inter- number of incidents “unaccept- the world who feel the same. nationally controversial in the same ably high”. In November last year, Pope Fran- way that cluster bombs, landmines Tony Smith, the former head of cis visited Japan. He said: “In a world and biological weapons are. They UK Border Force said the UK and where millions of children and fami- will rightly be regarded as contrary France need to agree a treaty with lies live in inhumane conditions, the to humanitarian values and norms; a joint patrol whereby migrants money that is squandered and the as brutal, immoral, catastrophically picked up in the Channel can be fortunes made through the manu- irresponsible and sinfully wasteful returned to France to have asylum facture, upgrading, maintenance both of public money and the earth’s claims considered there. and sale of ever more destructive resources. He told the PA news agency: weapons are an affront crying out to We have invited the Catholic Bish- “We need to try as best we can to Heaven.” ops Conference of England & Wales replicate the juxtaposed controls During the visit, one of the survivors to update their 2016 statement on for legitimate applicants in the of the bombings, Koji Hoskawa, nuclear weapons – it predates the same way as for illegitimate appli- shared this testimony with Pope nuclear ban treaty and is out-of-step cants. Francis: “I think everyone should re- with papal teaching. In fact, Pope “If they want to come to the UK alise that the atomic bombs were Francis has said that the Catechism they need to make their case on dropped, not on Hiroshima and Na- of the Catholic Church needs updat- the French side, and if they are gasaki, but on all humanity.” ing to include the truth that ‘the use found in the waterways or even This year, on 6th and 9th August, of nuclear weapons is immoral…Not make it as far as Dover we say ‘I’m only their use, but also possessing sorry but you go back there and people across the world are recalling Origami peace cranes on display in the Chapel the atomic bombings of 75 years them.’ that’s where you will be inter- of Unity in Coventry Cathedral. The ‘curtain’ of Between 6th and 9th August, Pax viewed and processed, on the ago. We want to honour the memory 1,000 cranes were a gift to Pax Christi from Christi members are meeting online French side’.” of the tens of thousands who died school children in Hiroshima and the dignity and perseverance of at 8am to pray together for peace. Last month Home Secretary those who survived the atrocities clear Weapons. With you we look for- courage. We call on our Government Some of us are fasting too. We are Priti Patel sought to level blame at and have dedicated their lives to ward to a world without nuclear to sign the Treaty for the Prohibition witnessing for an end to nuclear her French counterparts, telling peace. At Pax Christi, we believe that weapons where, as the Psalmist says, of Nuclear Weapons and be part of a weapons in careful, outdoor events, the Commons Home Affairs Com- to truly honour them, and to safe- ‘Justice and peace have embraced’.” future built on just international re- often gathering with like-minded mittee of the “unacceptable” num- guard all humanity and our planet, Pax Christi groups have also sent lationships and the common good friends and peace partners. bers of people making the perilous we must act to abolish nuclear messages of greeting and solidarity. of all humanity.” Can you take action? I invite you journey in small boats. weapons. The Treaty for the Prohibition of Our Government has so far dis- to engage with your bank or pension Immigration compliance minis- These weapons of mass destruc- Nuclear Weapons, built on 75 years missed calls to sign the Nobel Prize- provider about investment in nuclear ter Chris Philp called on France to tion may seem far removed from the of work by people of peace, gives us winning Treaty. Ratification by 50 weapons. Information to help you is be stronger on intercepting vessels inequalities and injustices in our so- a real chance to make the abolition countries is needed for it to pass here: https://moneyoutofnukes.word- at sea and directing the return of ciety which have been uncovered by of nuclear weapons a reality. This is into international law. The number press.com/. Open a dialogue with boats trying to get to the UK. At the current pandemic. However, not the first time Archbishop McMa- of countries who have already your local council asking them to least 202 migrants managed to their possession by a few countries hon has referred to the nuclear ban shown ‘creative, moral courage’ endorse the nuclear weapons ban cross to Britain on Thursday, 30th ties up enormous sums of money treaty. Late last year he said: “Here is stands at 40 at the time of writing treaty as part of the ICAN Cities Ap- July in a surge of 20 boats, a single- that could be spent on healthcare an opportunity for the leaders of nu- and is expected to reach the thresh- peal. Make sure your MP knows how day record. and meeting the UN’s Sustainable clear weapons-possessing countries old soon. you feel. Provide a bidding prayer Development Goals. The language of such as the United Kingdom to Our campaign work now high- about this issue at Mass or other End of free TV is a deterrence is one of domination and demonstrate creative, moral lights how the UK must respond liturgies you participate in – there ‘sad day’ for elderly other-ing. It is not the language of are liturgy resources on Pax Christi’s Pope Francis pictured website. Raise the topic for discus- The end of the free TV licence for the gospel. The possession of nuclear over-75s has been called a “sad weapons supports an inequitable, at Hiroshima in 2017 sion in school or sacrament-prepa- ration groups. Pax Christi can help day for our older population”. unstable balance of power which The BBC will now means-test does not have people at its centre. with education materials and ses- sion delivery – just contact us. the entitlement, having previously Pax Christi’s national president, delayed its introduction because Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, We echo the prayer of Pope Fran- cis in Hiroshima: Come, Lord, for it of the pandemic. sent a message this week to Pax Over-75s must receive pension Christi International’s contacts in is late, and where destruction has abounded, may hope also abound credit to receive the free TV li- Japan. He said: “We echo Pope Fran- cence, which costs £157.50. cis’ words in Hiroshima last year: today that we can write and achieve a different future. Come, Lord, Caroline Abrahams, charity di- ‘The use of atomic energy for pur- rector of Age UK, said: “This is a poses of war is immoral, just as the Prince of Peace! Make us instru- ments and reflections of your peace! sad day for our older population, possessing of nuclear weapons is many of whom are feeling badly immoral.’ Be assured that we are You can find us at paxchristi.org.uk. let down by both the Government calling on our Government to sign and the BBC over the demise of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nu- Theresa Alessandro is the director of Pax Christi England & Wales. these free licences.” 14 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Rome/World Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress

New secretary for Holy Father Illness leaves Pope Francis has appointed a new personal secretary, in a continuation of his practice of rotating those clerics closest to him. Pope Emeritus Mgr Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, an Egypt- ian-born Coptic Christian, has been in the role since April 2014, but has now stepped down, to be replaced by Fr Fabio Salerno, an Italian. extremely frail Fr Lahzi Gaid will continue to serve on the board of the Higher Committee As The Catholic Universe went to press, no reason “for particular concern” of Human Fraternity, an interreligious a close confidante of Pope Benedict over the retired pope’s health “other body promoting the principles of di- XVI has told reporters that the former than that of a 93-year-old who is over- alogue and co-operation contained pontiff is very ill and has been left coming the most acute phase of a in a document signed in 2019 by Pope looking “extremely frail” after a bad painful, but not serious, illness”, which Francis and Sheikh Ahmad el-Tayeb, bout of shingles. was later revealed to be shingles. grand imam of al-Azhar. The source of the news, Peter See- Pope Benedict had travelled to Re- Fr Lahzi Gaid previously worked wald, is known as a key advisor and gensburg, Germany, in late June to for the Vatican Secretariat of State. friend of Benedict, and has published visit his brother, Mgr Georg Ratzinger, He also served as Arabic translator four wide-ranging book-length inter- who was ill, and who died on 1st July. for the pope and usually reads a sum- views with him. Seewald reportedly told the newspaper mary of the pope’s general audience Seewald said he visited with Pope that Pope Benedict returned to the addresses in Arabic each Wednesday. Benedict at the start of August to pres- Vatican “seriously ill”. His replacement was born in Catan- ent him with a copy of the authorised The newspaper also reported that, zaro in 1979 and ordained to the biography, Benedict XVI: A Life. according to Pope Benedict’s spiritual priesthood in 2011. After earning a The retired pope lives in the Mater testament, he wants to be buried in doctorate in civil and canon law from Ecclesia monastery in the Vatican Gar- the grotto under St Peter’s Basilica in Rome’s Pontifical Lateran University, dens. Seewald said he visited the for- the chapel where St John Paul II orig- Fr Salerno entered the Vatican diplo- mer pontiff there in the company of inally was laid to rest before being matic corps. Archbishop Georg Ganswein, Pope moved upstairs to the St Sebastian He served at the nunciature in In- Benedict’s long-time personal secre- Chapel in the basilica after his beati- donesia and at the Holy See’s mission tary. fication in 2011. Retired Pope Benedict to the Council of Europe before trans- Bavarian newspaper Passauer Neue In 1981, Pope John Paul had called XVI speaks to his private ferring to the Vatican. Presse reported that Seewald found him to serve as prefect of the Con- secretary, Archbishop He will work alongside the second him “extremely frail,” and while he gregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Georg Ganswein, at of the pope’s personal secretaries, Fr remains mentally sharp, his voice is The two worked closely for the next Germany's Munich Gonzalo Aemilius, a priest from barely audible. 24 years, until St John Paul’s death in Airport before his Uruguay, whom the pope chose as a The Vatican press office that Arch- 2005. He retired from the papacy in departure to Rome after seeing his brother in June secretary in January. bishop Ganswein insisted there was 2013. God likes the sharers not Pope asks Catholics: use the selfish, pilgrims told True compassion requires “courageous Jesus he should send the crowds away virus to reflect on faith sharing,” not telling people to go fend as evening approached, so they could for themselves, Pope Francis said. go look for and buy some food for Besides the immediate considerations Originally published in German and Fr Augustin, the book includes God operates according to “the logic themselves. Instead, Jesus told them, of trying to stay healthy, to mourn with the title, Being Christians in the essays by: US Paulist Father Mark- of taking responsibility for others, the “There is no need for them to go away; the dead and protect others, the coro- Coronavirus Crisis, the book was cu- David Janus, who was struck by the logic of not washing one’s hands, the give them some food yourselves,” and navirus pandemic should be prompt- rated by Cardinal Walter Kasper and virus; the Czech theologian Father logic of not looking the other way,” he proceeded to bless the little food ing Christians to reflect on their faith, Pallottine Father George Augustin, di- Tomas Halik; Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch, he said before praying the Angelus they had, dividing it and giving it to Pope Francis wrote. rector of the Cardinal Walter Kasper who succeeded Cardinal Kasper as with pilgrims in St Peter’s Square last his disciples so they could feed the ‘The pandemic poses fundamental Institute for Ecumenism, Theology, president of the Pontifical Council for Sunday. thousands. questions about happiness in our lives and Spirituality. Promoting Christian Unity; and Arch- “Telling people to ‘fend for them- “With this gesture, Jesus demon- and about the treasure of our Christian The Italian edition, titled Commun- bishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto, selves’ should not enter into the Chris- strates his power; not in a spectacular faith,’ he wrote in the preface to a ion and Hope, was published in late Italy. tian vocabulary,” he said. way, but as a sign of charity, of God short book of initial theological re- July by the Vatican publishing house. ‘This crisis represents an alarm that His remarks were part of his reflec- the father's generosity toward his flections prompted by Covid-19 and In addition to the preface by Pope leads to a reflection on where we sink tion on the day’s Gospel reading about weary and needy children,” the pope its global impact. Francis and essays by Cardinal Kasper the deepest roots that support all of the miracle of the multiplication of said. us in a storm,’ the pope wrote. ‘It re- the loaves and fishes. Jesus is fully “immersed in the life minds us that we have forgotten and In the reading from the Gospel ac- of his people, he understands their neglected some of the important cording to Matthew, the disciples told fatigue and their limitations, but he things in life and makes us reflect on does not allow anyone to be lost, or what is truly important and necessary to lose out,” he said. and what is less important or only Pope Francis said Christians should apparently so.’ be showing the same compassion and While the initial period of lockdown tenderness that Jesus showed toward was ‘a painful time of eucharistic fast- the crowds. ing’ for many Catholics, it also showed Compassion is not “sentimentality, them that Christ is present, as he but rather the concrete manifestation promised, where two or three gather of the love that cares for the people’s in his name, the pope said. needs,” he said. It is the ability to As the pandemic continues, he said, suffer with others and “to take others’ Christians should turn more resolutely sorrows on ourselves.” to God, ‘our help and our aim’, and “Perhaps it would do us good today should listen more carefully to the to ask ourselves: Do I feel compassion cry of the poor and of the earth. when I read news about war, about Theological reflection on the pan- hunger, about the pandemic?” he demic and the experience of the past asked. “Am I capable of suffering with months, he wrote, should give rise to them, or do I look the other way?” ‘new hope and new solidarity.’ The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 15 Rome/World

Jesuit warns Festival youth urged to follow religious at risk of abuse Mary as the light of the world A major article in Italian magazine La Civilta Cattolica by a top Jesuit has urged the Church to guard “Let Mary inspire and guide young against abuse occurring within people,” Pope Francis has told par- Pilgrims pictured at the women’s religious orders where su- ticipants at the annual International Marian Shrine in 2019. perior generals can hold total power. Youth Festival at the Marian shrine Numbers of visitors have Jesuit Father Giovanni Cucci, in Medjugorje. fallen sharply since the from Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian Mary will always be “the great model Covid-19 pandemic University, said that novices and of the Church” because she is ready women religious, especially those to follow Christ with vitality and docil- assigned to a country where they ity, he said in a message to those at- don’t know the language, can be tending the festival in Bosnia-Herze- vulnerable to abuses of power and govina from 1st-6th August. conscience by superiors, and sexual He said, “her ‘yes’ means getting abuse by their formators. involved and taking a risk, without “The dynamics of women’s reli- any guarantee besides the certainty gious life are very different from of being the bearer of a promise,” and that of men. The education and her example continues to show the pastoral opportunities of those beauty in freely entrusting oneself who receive Holy Orders allow men completely to the hands of God. religious to live with greater open- “May her example captivate and ness and autonomy, even in a reli- guide you!’ he said. gious community,’ said Fr Cucci. The pope’s message was read at the But his research, backed by inter- festival’s opening event, the first time views with Cardinal Joao Braz de a papal message was sent to the event Aviz, prefect of the Congregation after it became an officially approved for Institutes of Consecrated Life church festival in 2019. That approval and Societies of Apostolic Life, had came three months after Catholic pil- revealed a myriad of abuses handed grimages to the site in Bosnia-Herze- down in some religious houses. And govina were authorized by the pope. while on a lesser scale to the abuse An estimated 40,000 to 45,000 peo- of minors perpetrated by priests, it ple attended the festival last year, in- was still an issue that should con- cluding senior Vatican representatives cern the Church. for the first time, but numbers have tia were exempt from taking the test. Young people can discover “a new to be with the Lord in prayer. Too many religious houses were been restricted this year because of Pope Francis said in his message way to live, different from the one of- The festival, he said, was an occasion ‘stuck with the old ways of doing travel issues and safety measures due that Mary is the mother watching over fered by a culture” where everything to “come and see” the Lord, to expe- things, particularly in governance.’ to the Covid-19 pandemic. her children who are journeying is temporary, nothing is definitive rience his presence and become real He warned that superior generals Bosnia-Herzegovina has opened its through life, often tired and in need, “and the only thing that matters is witnesses of Christ. can exploit the enthusiasm and borders to EU citizens and Switzerland but yearning for that light of hope enjoying the present moment.” More than 40,000 apparitions have trust of young novices, targeting on the condition that they present a that never goes out. “Do not be afraid!” he said. “Christ been claimed over 38 years at Medju- women with ‘generous hearts, but health certificate certifying they tested He said the festival was an “oppor- is alive and desires that each of you gorje, where six teenagers reported also vulnerable to manipulation.’ negative for the coronavirus not more tunity to encounter Jesus Christ,” es- live.” first seeing an apparition of Mary in Sometimes unscrupulous leaders than 48 hours before entry into the pecially in the Eucharist and in the Keep one’s gaze fixed on Christ, he 1981. Some of the visionaries say Mary decide on who gets to continue country. Citizens of neighbouring Croa- sacrament of reconciliation. told young people, and take the time still appears to them daily. their education, turning it into ‘a prize for the most loyal and compli- ant, excluding those who think dif- ferently,’ it said. An abusive leader Pandemic ‘shone light on migrants’ worth may see her position as coming with ‘exclusive privileges,’ such as who Sarah Mac Donald ple drifting from the Church is “an gets the best medical care, while The coronavirus pandemic “opened Migrants pictured indication that this parish structure others are not allowed healthcare lining up to be our eyes to the peripheries in our has reached a kind of limit in its func- because ‘we have to save money.’ processed after The same thing can happen when midst,” specifically to the contribution arriving in Italy tionality” and observed that Covid- of migrant workers in essential services 19 and electronic means “conspired it comes to clothing, holidays or such as health care, transportation, to give us a kick into the future that time off. Even just going out for a sanitation and agriculture, Cardinal might have taken 20 or 30 more years walk can be wielded as rare ‘privi- Michael Czerny has said. to play itself out under more normal leges’ that must be approved. The undersecretary of the Migrants circumstances.” ‘What sort of notion of religious and Refugees Section of the Dicastery The cardinal criticised media focus life do these cases convey?’ Fr Cucci for Promoting Integral Human De- on statistics about migrants and for asked. ‘These same institutes (with velopment noted that, “paradoxically “carping on” about “the global crisis.” known abuse) haven’t had any vo- we had to be as shocked and stuck” Refugees, he underlined, are a tiny cations in Italy for the past 50 during lockdown before “our eyes be- minority of those who move every years. Is that a coincidence?’ gan to open.” year around the world. The article also reiterated criti- On World Day Against Trafficking The rise in anti-migrant rhetoric cisms against the practice of ‘im- in Persons on 30th July, the Canadian among politicians was a concern: porting’ vocations from other prelate took part in a webinar, Over- “One of the major puzzles is that the countries, using young women as coming Indifference to Migrants and situation they are living in,” the car- Church loose from some certainties same societies that people live in de- ‘fill-ins’ instead of guaranteeing Refugees, organised by the interna- dinal said. “I have a feeling that public or assumptions, such as the relation- cently and co-operatively seems to them the best formation possible. tional Catholic weekly The Tablet. opinion in Italy swung in favour of ship between faith life and the terri- tolerate this kind of distortion of reality. Many of these young women are Many would acknowledge, he said, migrant workers over these months. torial parish. I think it has something to do with not able to stand up for themselves that it was only when people were Whether this is having an effect on “I think Covid-19 said the fact that the very rapid evolution of media, to if they don’t know the language and locked down and everything came to policy, I don’t know. This year of Covid- you live within this particular square the point that we have lost our bear- are rarely allowed outside; rather “a grinding halt” that their eyes were 19 may be looked back on as a year mile does not define your faith life ings in terms of what is true, what is than a community, the religious opened to the fact that some of their of revelation.” nearly as much as you thought. You plausible and what is believable. house feels like ‘a prison’. most basic needs were being met by The 74-year-old Czechoslovakian- found yourself ‘going to Mass’ some- “I don’t remember shock value ever ‘Unfortunately, history teaches migrant workers. born Canadian, whose family fled where much further away and you being a valid criterion for truth. Yet it that without confronting (the issues) “Here in Italy, it was a real eye- their home after World War II, also found yourself relating to people in seems to be that the more outrageous, and seeking new pathways, the opener for people to realise how many suggested that the restrictions im- new ways that are not limited to the the more contrary sounding, the an- charism risks losing its vitality, trig- of these people there are, the kind of posed on public worship during the territorial parish.” grier – somehow the more credible. gering a slow, but unstoppable de- work they are doing, and the kind of Covid-19 pandemic had torn the He wondered if the number of peo- This is a problem for all of us.” cline,’ it said. 16 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com World News

Arms race kills thousands WHO admits no certainty over beating virus as Latin America Fr Shay Cullen becomes worst affected region The drums of war are beating ever louder as arms traders supply weapons for wars in the Middle UN says failure to reopen schools quickly will be a ‘global catastrophe’ East while the superpowers line up in confrontational posturing in a show of might and military power. The head of the World Health Organ- ‘Might is right’ is the military isation has admitted there may be no thinking behind the three biggest ‘silver bullet’ for treating Covid-19. military powers that are vying for But as countries around the world prestige and power. The United race against time to test and produce States, Russia and China, despite a safe and effective vaccine, the United being in the middle of a pandemic Nations has said it fears the impact that is killing hundreds of thou- of the virus on children’s education sands and infecting millions, con- could create a long-lasting ‘global ca- tinue to build up their armed tastrophe’ if a solution to the pandemic forces and supply weapons to na- is not found soon. tions of the Saudi-led coalition Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, making war on the Houthi in director general of WHO, said people Yemen. must accept that it is possible scientists Thousands of civilians, including may never find one that works. many children, have been killed He said for now, stopping outbreaks and wounded, driven to near star- ‘comes down to the basics’, urging vation by the air attacks of a Saudi- nations to continue with test, trace led coalition of Arab nations and isolate schemes. against Houthi rebels backed by If restrictions to lockdown can be Iran. Houthi took power in Yemen relaxed, schools and colleges must be in 2015. The indiscriminate air the priority, the UN said: “If we deny strikes against hospitals, clinics, children their education we could schools, markets, mosques, houses blight the lives of a generation,” a and festival occasions are gross vi- spokeswoman said. olations of international humani- WHO’s top epidemiologist now be- tarian and human rights laws. lieves the virus kills 0.6 per cent of all People have tests at a Covid-19 mobile The UN has said that as many as patients – six times more than seasonal testing facility in Hyderabad, India as the 10,000 people have been killed in flu. Dr Maria Van Kerkhove admitted country recorded the highest ever single-day the war, two-thirds of them civil- the estimate “may not sound like a spike with 55,078 fresh cases, taking the total ians. Another 55,000 have been in- lot but it is quite high,” killing one in tally to 1,638,870. jured. 167 people who contract the virus. In bringing evidence of war As of the middle of this week there “A number of vaccines are now in cent of over-75s but the death rate is close to half of the region’s more than crimes and a halt to the arms trade had been more than 18m confirmed phase three clinical trials and we all no higher than 0.024 for anyone under 200,000 deaths. However, Colombia by the British Government, cases across the world, and 693,000 hope to have a number of effective the age of 45 – the equivalent of killing is another hot spot, recording 11,000 Amnesty International has visited deaths. The number of infections in vaccines that can help prevent people one in 4,167 people. new cases in the just 24 hours at the Yemen and documented as many Latin America has passed the five mil- from infection.” Dr Mike Ryan, executive director start of the week. as 42 indiscriminate air strikes by lion mark, making it the world’s hard- Dr Tedros added: “However, there of WHO’s Health Emergencies Pro- Other nations, including Mexico, the Saudis, which led to 518 civil- est hit region. is no silver bullet at the moment and gramme, said 0.6 per cent is “just over Peru and Chile, are struggling to con- ian deaths. The evidence was pre- Researchers are hopeful a potential there might never be. one in 200 people infected, potentially tain the pandemic. sented to a court in October 2019 vaccine will be proven to work, al- “For now, stopping outbreaks comes dying.” With the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, Health experts say the outbreak in and the judge ruled that the UK lowing it to be administered to the down to the basics of public health “it was more like one in 10,000 or one Latin America has been hard to control arms trade to the coalition for the global population. and disease control. in 100,000”, giving a sense of just how due to the region’s poverty and densely war in Yemen was illegal. The arms Dr Tedros noted a number of vac- “Testing, isolating and treating pa- more deadly Covid-19 is. populated cities. manufacturers, however, find ways cines are now in phase three clinical tients, and tracing and quarantining Dr Ryan said countries with high Outside that region, Iran has re- to supply weapons nevertheless, trials – the last stage of human testing. their contacts. Do it all. transmission rates needed to brace emerged as a country struggling to likely using other countries as in- The forerunners include Oxford Uni- “For individuals, it’s about keeping for a big battle. “The way out is long control the virus spread, after it record- termediaries. Deadly cluster versity, which is still confident it could physical distance, wearing a mask, and requires a sustained commit- ed 2,700 daily infections – the highest bombs banned under interna- have some form of vaccine by the end cleaning hands regularly and coughing ment,” he said. number in more than a month – as tional law but still manufactured of this year, and US-based firm Mod- safely away from others. Do it all.” Dr Tedros added: ‘When WHO’s well as 212 deaths. in the United States, the UK, and erna. His call came as a number of coun- pandemic response committee met But while officials say Iran has seen Brazil have been found in Yemen. But experts have repeatedly damp- tries reported spiralling rises in in- three months ago, three million cases a total of 314,786 cases and 17,617 fa- When dropped, they scatter ened expectations, warning that it fections. The US yesterday recorded of Covid-19 had been reported to talities, an investigation by BBC Per- dozens of smaller bomblets that won’t be until 2021 at the earliest that 67,000 new cases in one day, while at WHO, and more than 200,000 deaths. sian found the country has signifi- explode when touched. The ex- a jab could be ready. the same time 54,000 were reported “Since then, the number of cases cantly under-reported the impact of ploded remains of missiles have Instead Dr Tedros urged countries in India and 52,000 in Mexico. has increased six-fold to 18 million, the pandemic. been found and documented as to focus on preventative measures But Dr Van Kerkhove, accepted that and the number of deaths has more Government records seen by the evidence of war crimes against the and tracing carriers. even these figures were likely to be than tripled. BBC appear to show almost 42,000 suppliers. He said: “We learn every day about on the low side, as “right now, we “We know from serology studies people had died with Covid-19 symp- If not killed by bombs and bul- this virus and I’m pleased that the don’t know how many people have that most people remain susceptible toms by 20th July, compared to the lets supplied by the arms manu- world has made progress in identifying been infected. to this virus, even in areas that have 14,405 reported by its health ministry. facturing nations, then cholera, treatments that can help people with “We must do everything we can to experienced severe outbreaks. The number of infections was also Covid-19, typhoid and starvation the most serious forms of Covid-19 prevent ourselves, and those individ- “Over the past week we’ve seen sev- double the official figures. have killed thousands more. There recover. uals, from getting infected.” eral countries that appeared as though Even with the official numbers, Iran is an estimated 22 million people “Over the past week we’ve seen sev- Previous estimates had put the virus they were past the worst now con- remains the worst-affected country in need of humanitarian aid. It is a eral countries that appeared as though mortality rate at around 0.8 per cent tending with fresh spikes in cases. in the Middle East and cases have horrific war bringing death and they were past the worst now con- but now Cambridge University aca- “We have seen around the world, continued to rise since lockdown re- destruction. tending with fresh spikes in cases. demics believe it could even be as that it’s never too late to turn this strictions were lifted. Masks are now “However, we’ve also seen how some high as 1.4 per cent. pandemic around.” mandatory in enclosed spaces, and countries, regions or localities that However, there are large differences In Latin America, Brazil has con- the deputy health minister has called Visit www.preda.org, and on had a high number of cases are now in its impact on age groups: Cambridge tinued to drive the regional surge with for people to be fined if they fail to Facebook, Preda Foundation. bringing the outbreak under control. experts believe the virus kills 13 per more than 2.7 million infections and wear a face covering. The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 17 World News

A crucifix is seen in the Blood of Christ Chapel at the Metropolitan Mother’s hopes dashed Cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua, July 31, 2020, after it was destroyed in an arson attack. as court rules on side of Photo: Oswaldo Rivas, Reuters 14-year-old’s ‘husband’

John Pontifex The campaign to free a 14-year-old Christian girl from the clutches of a man who abducted her and held her hostage in his home in Pakistan has been dealt a savage blow after Lahore High Court unexpectedly decided in his favour. Judge Raja Muhammad Shahid Ab- basi overturned last week’s ruling of the Faisalabad District and Sessions Court which ordered that Maira Shah- baz be removed from Mohamad Nakash’s house and placed in a women and girl’s refuge, pending further in- vestigations. Mr Nakash claimed he had married Maira but, in spite of evidence inval- idating the marriage certificate and showing that she is underage, Lahore High Court ruled in his favour, stating that the teenager has embraced Is- Nicaraguan bishops lam. Maira Shahbaz Witnesses said Maira was in tears in the court today and afterwards her of her alleged marriage to Mr Nakash. clearly distressed mother, Nighat, de- Mr Tahir Sandhu also argued that clined to speak to Aid to the Church the marriage certificate was faked, label cathedral attack in Need (ACN), the Catholic charity citing evidence denouncing the doc- which has been closely following the ument given by the Muslim cleric case. whose name appears on the docu- Family friend and advocate Lala ment. Robin Daniel said: “With this ruling, The lawyer also quoted from state as an act of terrorism no Christian girl in Pakistan is safe.” law in Pakistan to show that, as Maira Lawyer Khalil Tahir Sandhu, who is underage, she can only change her The Nicaraguan bishops’ conference causing extensive damage and severely ly rejected the explanation, telling re- represented Maira in court, told ACN: religion with her mother’s permis- has called an arson attack on Man- charring a 382-year old image of the porters, “There are no candles in the “It is unbelievable. What we have seen sion. agua’s cathedral last weekend “an act crucified Christ. chapel.” today is an Islamic judgement. Mr Tahir Sadhu said: “I became so of terrorism” and blamed Government “We condemn and reject such a vi- The reasons for the attack are clear “The arguments we put forward upset as the proceedings went on, I supporters for the violence, which left olent and extremist act, typical of an to the Church, Mgr Carlos Aviles, Man- were very strong and cogent.” feared I might be asked to leave the a 382-year-old crucifix severely act of terrorism, premeditated and agua archdiocesan spokesman, said. In the courtroom, Mr Tahir Sandhu court room.” charred. planned to seriously offend our faith “There’s repression, persecution, ha- detailed 11 arguments in support of The lawyer said he would appeal However, they refused to be intim- in Christ the redeemer and our tred of the Church; but we’re going to his client, chief of which involves an the decision, first at Lahore High Court idated by the attack and said they Nicaraguan history and identity,” the continue speaking out.” official birth certificate showing Maira and, if this fails, in the Supreme Court would continue to speak out against bishops said. The firebombing of the cathedral was only 13 last October, the month of Pakistan. the country’s oppressive left-wing San- “We consider the profaning of our was one of at least three attacks on dinista Government. churches to be a manifestation of the churches in Nicaragua within days, The cathedral attack is the latest in violence and the great human, spiritual Aviles added. He said he had been in- a long line of assaults on Church prop- and cultural wound which afflicts timidated during Mass by paramili- Supreme Court gives a green erty and personnel. In recent years, those who still do not tolerate the taries on Sunday, while parishioners the Church tried convening peace message of peace and redemption at Mass in the Santa Rosa del Penon talks between the Sandinstas and hu- that the Church proclaims,” they said. parish in the Diocese of Leon were light to Trump’s Mexican wall man rights activists, only to be branded At the Vatican, Pope Francis told shocked when an intruder began The United States Supreme Court has as a tool of ‘outside agencies’ and big pilgrims in St Peter’s Square that he throwing stones at the priest. given the go-ahead for portions of Donald Trump business by the Sandinistas. was “thinking of the people of The Managua cathedral was tem- President Trump’s controversial border inspects part Relations soured even further when Nicaragua who are suffering because porarily occupied and profaned by wall with Mexico to be built, over- of his wall the Church openly backed students of the attack in the cathedral of Man- pro-government thugs in November turning a lower court ruling that his after a series of demonstrations against agua, where an image of Christ that 2019, when mothers of political pris- use of emergency funds earmarked the Government had turned violent, is highly venerated, that has accom- oners were inside holding a hunger for military spending could not be offering sanctuary in churches to panied and sustained the life of the strike. used for its construction. groups being attacked by police. faithful people for centuries, was great- “Those who think that with these US Catholic bishops have continu- The latest attack appears to have ly damaged, almost destroyed.” acts of terror they will intimidate the ally voiced opposition to the presi- been perpetrated by one man who Shortly after the attack, Nicaraguan church are mistaken. Christ Crucified dent’s desire to construct a barrier the president that there is a “human- threw an explosive device into the Vice President Rosario Murillo claimed is our strength, our comfort and our along parts of the border. itarian challenge” at the border, but cathedral’s Blood of Christ chape. candles in the chapel had caused the hope,” tweeted Auxiliary Bishop Silvio Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of “erecting a wall will not solve the Flames quickly engulfed the chapel, fire. Cardinal Brenes of Managua terse- Jose Baez of Managua. Galveston-Houston and Bishop Joe problem.” Rather, they asked Congress S. Vasquez of Austin, Texas said they to step in with more humanitarian were “deeply concerned about the responses. Mysterious fate of Chinese bishop a concern president’s action to fund a wall along The southern border wall has been the US-Mexico border, which circum- a major part of Trump’s platform since The disappearance – and possible Chinese President Xi Jinping women of faith and virtue?” vents the clear intent of Congress to his 2016 election campaign when he death – of a Chinese Catholic bishop needed to be asked ‘Where is Smith said he met Bishop Su in limit funding of a wall.” promised that Mexico would pay for has been raised by US politicians. Bishop Su?’” 1994, after the bishop had already “We oppose the use of these funds the wall. Bishop James Su Zhimin of Christopher Smith, co-chair of been arrested several times, “yet he to further the construction of the The groups challenging the wall's Baoding was arrested in 1997 and the Lantos commission, who led had extraordinary strength, wall,” Cardinal DiNardo and Bishop funding have said they will continue his whereabouts since then have the hearing, said it was important courage and a peace that surpassed Vasquez said. "We remain steadfast their battle. Spokesman Dror Ladin never been confirmed, but rumours the Chinese admitted what had all understanding. in the vision articulated by Pope Fran- pointing out that “every lower court suggest he may have died in prison. happened “to this man of God.” Bishop Su is “a great hero to the cis that at this time we need to be has ruled President Trump’s border Nury Turkel, a Uighur American, “Why does a powerful cause of religious freedom,” the building bridges and not walls.” wall is illegal and the Supreme Court’s told a US Congress hearing that dictatorship fear peaceful men and Center for Religious Freedom said. The bishops said they agree with order does not decide the case.” 18 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Comment/World Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress

NJPN Comment At the limits Fighting Covid-19 myths and of morality: deterrent raising awareness in Nigeria entering.” Henrietta We are helping to provide buckets and sanitiser for regular hand wash- Cullinan ing, as well as emergency food and hygiene packages for families living 6th August marked the 75th an- in remote regions. It is crucial to re- niversary of the atomic bomb at- member that CAFOD’s support is tack on Hiroshima. I usually mark Oge Chukwudozie not meant for Catholics alone, but this day while sitting on a French I have been working with CAFOD in for the poorest and most vulnerable beach with my family. Umbrella to Nigeria for about two years now, and of whatever religious belief. umbrella, we pin ourselves to the my role involves helping our part- The Archbishop of Jos, Reverend vast, relentless beach of dangerous ners here by providing technical Matthew Audu, said: “Covid-19 has rip currents and burning sun. support, to strengthen their organi- put the whole world at a standstill, Nearby, facing each other across sations so they can better deliver and this has brought serious hunger a broad river, are a pair of 17th their emergency programmes. in our land. This dreaded disease century, star-shaped forts. The UK Some of the rural communities we does not segregate, so this support is has a similar one at Southsea, in work with are located along the not just for Catholics or Christians, Portsmouth. A huge amount of bank of the river Niger. These com- but also our Muslim and pagan human effort must have gone into munities are characterised by a total brothers and sisters.” building them. They were built in absence of basic social amenities, Mr Miri is a farmer. His family re- order to deter enemy ships from such as good roads, healthcare facil- cently received support, including sailing up the river to Bordeaux ities, schools, clean water and elec- emergency food and hygiene pack- but ‘not a single shot was fired in tricity. These communities rely on ages. He told us: “I am very excited anger’. There was a fashion all over fishing and farming for their living, to receive these items, even though I the world for these forts; their growing crops such as rice, cassava Hygiene kit am not a Catholic. Such a gesture pointed geometric shapes were and yams. distribution in symbolises unity in diversity.” thought to be good for deflecting These communities are hard to Nigeria Though much has been done to canon balls. reach – especially during the rainy curb the spread of the virus, a lot Now we have a nuclear deter- season. Often, they can be accessed of this country. None of my family dangerous beliefs. Thankfully, we are more still needs to be done – by gov- rent, designed to deter an unspeci- only by motorbikes and canoes. Reg- members have gone abroad, so how clearing misconceptions and clarify- ernments, civil society groups, faith- fied enemy from using its own nu- ular flooding when the volume of can I come in contact with the ing myths, working hard to promote based organisations and individuals. clear deterrent, that it is also never water in the river Niger increases virus?” facts. We are showing vulnerable With your help, CAFOD and JDPC going to use. due to torrential rainfall leads to loss Others believe that it is simply im- people in remote communities that can provide hand-washing buckets When 650,000 people in the of farmland, properties and even possible for Covid-19 to exist in coronavirus is very real and that all and vital hand sanitiser, as well as world have died of coronavirus, human life. Nigeria, because the virus cannot of us have a role to play to ensure emergency food, but there is an and many in developing countries Literacy levels in these rural com- survive in hot weather. Another the safety of our loved ones. even greater need to scale up aware- face starvation, it is plain how munities are very low, especially for community member told me: “I Community and religious leaders ness of coronavirus as a real and costly and wasteful is the mainte- women and girls. Children are heard that coronavirus cannot sur- play the largest role in the success of credible threat, so vulnerable com- nance, research and development forced to trek a long way to and from vive under a very harsh climate, and these awareness-raising sessions. If munities can be protected. of a nuclear deterrent. Against the school. These daily trips are not al- this village is usually hot during the they are convinced, their people will Only by working together, across threat of a pandemic, a nuclear ways possible on foot. day, so how can it survive in our vil- be convinced too. communities and faiths – with unity warhead is useless. Worse, as Pope The Covid-19 pandemic has been lage where there is usually a high One religious leader, Imam Yahaya – can we reduce chaos, promote tol- Francis said in 2017, we are at the received with mixed reactions. While temperature?” Isah of the Izalla Mosque in Idah, erance and increase tranquillity. limits of morality and legality in some are keen to combat the spread Consequently, lots of people in Kogi state, had this to say: “Thank This is how we beat coronavirus in possessing nuclear weapons. of the disease, others believe that these rural communities are ignor- you for saving us from the ignorance Nigeria. Last week, Boris Johnson com- coronavirus is not real. ing health advice from officials – ad- of the deadly coronavirus. I did not Find out more about how CAFOD is pared a second lockdown to a nu- One woman said to me: “I want to vice that will help curb the spread of believe that this virus was real prior responding to coronavirus in clear deterrent, ‘a tool I won’t know if this virus truly exists, be- coronavirus, such as the use of face- to your visit. We took all the safety vulnerable communities around abandon but don’t want to use’. It’s cause we have not seen anybody masks and social distancing. tips for granted, but with the under- the world at hard to understand why he would that has been diagnosed with the CAFOD is working with local ex- standing that has been given to us, cafod.org.uk/coronavirus use this comparison. Hidden in disease. I heard that the virus only perts in the Justice Development we will ensure that all the worship- the language of ‘deterrent’ is the affects those who travel to other and Peace Commission (JDPC) to pers in our mosque wash their • Oge Chukwudozie who works in language of the ultimate threat. countries. I have never travelled out raise awareness to counter these hands with soap and water before CAFOD’s Nigeria office. It’s not possible to threaten a virus, so Johnson must be threat- ening the public who, he assumes, Hand washing training session to consider a lockdown to be a fate prevent coronavirus in Nigeria worse than death. The author Bel Hooks, in All About Love, writes that western so- ciety’s idolisation of money, power and weapons is the worship of death. It runs through our patriar- chal governments, institutions, re- ligions, keeping us from love and life. She writes that ‘our cultural obsession with death consumes energy that could be given to the art of living.’ Lockdown is a way of keeping everyone safe. Unused to the lan- guage of life, loving and caring, the prime minister regressed to idolis- ing death, the very trait we need to give up if we are to live and die well in a modern-day pandemic. A session run by JDPC Idah to raise awareness of and teach Henrietta Cullinan is a member people about coronavirus, as of the London Catholic Worker. well as to provide emergency www.londoncatholicworker.org food supplies. theCatholic David Fr Francis Fr Michael Torkington Marsden Collins From saying prayers The reorganisation How the popes holiday to contemplation - p22 of parishes - p24 over the years - p26

www.thecatholicuniverse.com TIMESA CATHOLIC UNIVERSE SUPPLEMENT Vatican workers who meet public tested for Covid-19 antibodies

routine medical services at its health But the health service did do blan- Carol Glatz clinic, which serves Vatican residents, ket testing of Vatican employees Vatican employees and workers who employees and retirees, and focused and residents who would have been have contact with the public are all its efforts on urgent care. in contact with the people found to being tested for the antibodies for “People who suspected they had be positive, he added. Covid-19, said the new director of symptoms of Covid-19 were advised The Vatican has said it registered the Vatican department of health to not use the health clinic, but to 12 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and hygiene. go instead to a special mobile med- among employees and residents, re- “For now, the study has had good ical unit that had been set up exclu- gardless of where they were tested. results in that no one has been shown sively for Covid-19 testing to help All 12 tested negative by early June. to be a carrier of the antibodies,” reduce the possibility of spreading “Right now, we are doing specific Andrea Arcangeli told the Vatican the virus. Fortunately, we did not antibody tests on all personnel that newspaper in an interview published see many patients suffering from are in direct contact with the public,” on 3rd August. Covid-19,” he said. he said. People being tested included Vat- Their first positive case was con- According to reports, antibodies ican police, members of the Swiss firmed by the Vatican on 6th March. develop between one to three weeks Guard, staff at the Vatican Museums It was a priest from Bergamo who after infection by the novel coron- and in the Vatican’s warehouses and had first gone to the health clinic avirus, but current studies are still shops, said Arcangeli, a medical for a routine pre-employment exam looking into how long people carry doctor who started his new position and later tested positive, leading the the antibodies, which, in some lab in August after serving the depart- clinic to temporarily close for special tests, have been present at least three ment since 1999. He was on the cleaning and to order a preventative months after infection. medical team offering emergency quarantine for those who had come Arcangeli said they are ready for care for St John Paul II in the few into contact with the priest at the any eventual resurgence in the au- months before his death in 2005. Vatican. tumn. There is a greater understand- When the Covid-19 pandemic Arcangeli said the other cases of ing about the disease “and, therefore, erupted in Italy, the Vatican named Vatican employees and residents all the doctors are more prepared,” Arcangeli to be its special commis- who tested positive for the coron- he said. sioner to help handle the city-state’s avirus were all handled by Italian The clinic can help people who emergency response. hospitals because the Vatican health suspect they might be infected but Following what other countries clinic is not a hospital and offers it will continue to refer people who A Swiss Guard wearing a protective face mask speaks with a woman at were doing, he said, starting in only general and specialised tests test positive to local Italian hospitals the business entrance to the Vatican in early May. March, the Vatican also stopped all and outpatient care. for care, he said. (Catholic News Service photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters) Vatican official voices support for German abbess who sheltered refugees

Sarah Mac Donald final consequence.” The cardinal was addressing a the Abbey of Maria Frieden in dents.” But Mother Mechthild has Asked how far people in the webinar. Overcoming Indifference the Bavarian town of Kirchschlet- defended her actions stating, “I Cardinal Michael Czerny, Pope Church should go and whether to Migrants and Refugees, organ- ten. acted out of Christian spirit; to Francis’ point man on migrants, they should be willing to take that ised by the Catholic weekly, The Up to now, proceedings against give concrete help to a person in has voiced support for a German risk the German abbess is taking, Tablet, on World Day Against those offering Church asylum have need can’t be a crime.” abbess facing trial for sheltering which potentially could lead to a Trafficking in Persons on 30th traditionally been dropped fol- A lawyer for Mother Mechthild, refugees. jail term, Cardinal Czerny re- July. lowing the payment of a fine. Franz Bethauser, expressed hope The cardinal linked Mother sponded, “God bless her!” Mother Mechthild is facing trial However, the 62-year-old abbess that the case would offer legal Mechthild Thurmer, a Benedictine He added there was no reason in Bamberg, Germany, for offering has refused to pay the fine and certainty over the position of reli- nun, with “a long tradition of for this Christian tradition to be refuge on 30 occasions to women stands accused of two counts of gious organisations granting Christians living their faith to the “refuted or broken.” seeking asylum at her monastery, “aiding and abetting illegal resi- Church asylum. 20 CatholicTIMES supplement 07.08.20

In brief TALKING POINT MANILA: The Philippine gov- ernment issued new orders re- stricting movement in an effort Germany’s Catholic bishops divided to control a spike in Covid-19, resulting in 10 dioceses sus- pending public Masses. over Vatican instruction on parishes In addition, the Diocese of Balanga in Bataan province voluntarily suspended the public celebration of Masses, and Bish- The Vatican instruction on the reform op Ruperto Santos dispensed of Catholic parishes continues to The document, released on 20th July by the Congregation for Catholics from their Sunday stir debate in Germany, where some obligation in order to help fight bishops say the current parish model Clergy, urged parishes worldwide to become centres of the pandemic. with a priest in charge is no longer evangelisation. It also emphasised that, according to canon law, The move came as medical sustainable because of a lack of vo- workers asked for tighter re- cations. only priests can direct the pastoral care of parishes. strictions because of the spike, Cardinal Walter Kasper defended reported CBCP News, official the paper following widespread crit- pastoral conversion of the parish since much in it is quite unrealistic – ologian said the instruction left him news agency of the Philippine icism, such as by Bishop Franz- community in the service of the especially with regard to our extreme worried about “the many who are bishops. Josef Overbeck of Essen, who said: evangelising mission of the Church, diaspora situation, which they evi- (still) committed.” He stressed: “Soon CBCP News reported that “In no manner does the instruction was released by the Vatican’s Con- dently cannot imagine – and since they will have (had) enough if their from 4th to 18th August, the take note of the fact that we in Ger- gregation for Clergy on 20th July. no positive solutions are indicated commitment is only suspiciously dioceses in Metro Manila and many – but also in many other coun- While it does not introduce new in view of the mounting lack of watched and evaluated from on four provinces will not have tries of the universal Church – can legislation on pastoral care, the Vat- priests.” high.” public Masses. The decision no longer shape Church life accord- ican press office said it was devel- Bishop Feige said the document He added that he was worried was announced after President ing to the model of the people’s oped by the congregation as a guide will demotivate some people from about the priests in his diocese. Rodrigo Duterte’s meeting with Church we have known up till now.” related “to the various projects of working for the Catholic Church at “We can’t fill vacant positions as key Cabinet officials on 2nd Critics especially cited the lack of reform of parish communities and all. He warned that the structure of it is. Many priests complain that August as Covid-19 infections priests. diocesan restructuring, already un- the Church will change even more they are overwhelmed by the ad- surged past 100,000. The German Catholic news agency derway or in the planning process.” dramatically than before. ministration and bureaucracy.” He CBCP News reported that be- KNA reported that, in a guest com- It also clarifies the role of the dea- “It does not help at all just to said it also seemed “absurd to have fore the government order, the mentary for the Church website cons, consecrated men and women, conjure up noble principles and to every merging of parishes approved Manila Archdiocese and the domradio.de in Cologne, Cardinal as well as the laity, in dioceses refer to canonical guidelines,” he by Rome on a case-by-case basis.” dioceses of Cubao and Kasper wrote: “The German criti- where there is a shortage or lack of said. The Vatican instruction bars Paranaque had already an- cism completely misses the actual priests. Instead, there should be a respon- laypeople from leading parishes and nounced the temporary suspen- point of the instruction, the pastoral Bishop Gregor Maria Hanke of sible, sensitive and creative consid- emphasises the role of priests. It di- sion of public liturgical services conversion to missionary pastoral Eichstatt said the instruction provided eration of what form parishes can rectly opposes efforts to hand over for two weeks. work.” valuable impetus for a missionary survive in given the circumstances. the management of parishes to teams Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Cardinal Kasper, who was respon- awakening in the parishes. Bishop Franz-Josef Bode of Os- made up of priests and dedicated Manila said medical workers sible for ecumenical relations at the “The document encourages and nabruck called the instruction “a Church members as well as other on the front lines of the pan- Vatican for many years, said the supports all those who have already strong brake on the motivation and staff. demic had shown compassion first chapters of the document and taken such paths,” Bishop Hanke the appreciation of the services of Cardinal Beniamino Stella, head and dedication. the summary made extensive refer- said on 28th July. laypeople.” Bishop Bode is chairman of the Vatican’s Congregation for “Many among them are tired ence to the common responsibility “Pastoral conversion as a vitali- of the forum on the role of women Clergy, told KNA he would be happy and even discouraged by their of the whole congregation. Empha- sation of the missionary spirit should in the Church, one of four forums to speak with the bishops to alleviate heavy responsibilities. So we sising the responsibility of the parish renew the local church, the parish of the Synodal Path reform dialogue their concerns about the document. support their appeal for a ‘time priest was theologically legitimate, with its traditional structures. This in the Catholic Church in Germany, Earlier in July, KNA reported that out,’” Bishop Pabillo said. he said. renewal process is done through and deputy president of the German in the Munster Diocese, the pastoral In a pastoral directive reported He added that the “perennial de- evangelisation.” Bishop Hanke said bishops’ conference. guidance of a Catholic parish is by CBCP News, Bishop Santos bate” over celibacy, the ordination the instruction from Rome should He said the Vatican instruction being conducted by a layman and said of his region: “Just this of women priests and management not be seen as “a struggle for the had taken the bishops completely not a priest. The diocese called it past week, our Covid-19 posi- teams was causing uncertainty, which roles in the Church or being in terms by surprise and that he would have an experiment with a new gover- tive cases have doubled. ... Be- was to blame for the shortage of of winners and losers.” expected it to be preceded by an ex- nance model. The parish was to be cause of these, we are, once priests, alongside other factors. The By contrast, Bishop Gerhard Feige amination of the realities of local headed by a pastoral assistant, who again, closing the doors of the cardinal said the document tied bish- of Magdeburg criticised the docu- parish life on the ground, and to has a degree in theological studies. church.” ops to enforceable criteria if they ment, reported KNA. have shown greater respect for the His job is to perform pastoral care, want to restructure parishes. “As learners we gladly accept sug- frequently pledged synodality. but pastoral assistants are not or- ROME: Public schools in Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria gestions,” Bishop Feige wrote in Bishop Peter Kohlgraf of Mainz dained priests and may marry and Rome, like elsewhere in the Woelki also praised the instruction pastoral letter to members of his wrote in a statement that he could have a family. world, are scrambling to ensure and thanked Pope Francis for the diocese. “As a bishop, however, I “not simply accept” what he de- “There are simply not enough the safety of students and staff guidance it provided. won’t let myself be paralysed and scribed as an “interference” in his priests around who can assume the while also resuming classroom The 22-page document, titled The blocked by their restrictive orders, episcopal office. The pastoral the- duties of a leading pastor,” stressed instruction. Munster Auxiliary Bishop Christoph The Diocese of Rome has Hegge. offered to help with one big Similar leadership models have problem: finding enough space also been introduced in other dio- to educate students sitting at ceses, in some cases with women desks or tables six feet apart. holding positions. For example, the Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Osnabruck Diocese appointed a the papal vicar for Rome, signed woman as the pastoral envoy for an agreement with Rome Mayor the North Sea island of Langeoog, Virginia Raggi and Rocco Pin- supported by a “moderating priest” neri, director general of the from the diocese. Lazio regional schools’ office. The Vatican recently stopped plans Under the agreement, drafted by the Trier Diocese to es- Catholic parishes, religious or- tablish 38 large-scale parishes to be ders and institutions will identify co-led by a priest and a group of indoor spaces that could be laypeople. used as classrooms by nearby Matthias Kopp, spokesman for public schools when the 2020- the German bishops’ conference, 2021 term is set to begin on said the bishops will carefully study 14th September. the Vatican document and discuss Pictured L-R: Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki and Bishop Gerhard Feige. it at their next meeting. CatholicTIMES supplement 07.08.20 21 www.thecatholicuniverse.com BOOKCASE/COMMENT Book details what The growing edge the Dead Sea Scrolls of liturgical living Have you heard liturgical living, of “liturgical but the domestic living”? The church. Home is tell us about Jesus catchphrase has where children gained popularity first learn about in recent years faith. Within their among Catholics homes, Catholics The Dead Sea Scrolls give us a window into the seeking to follow are called to thought and practice of the Judaism of Jesus’ day the rhythms of embrace what the the Church year Church is and Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls: “The circumstantial case that John at home. does: Revealing the Jewish Roots of had contact with the Essenes at Celebrating “Many remain Christianity by John Bergsma. Qumran is very strong,” he writes. feast days with without a human Hardback - 272 pages. He asks whether it is “just special meals, family, often due decorating with to conditions of Available to buy from all good coincidence” that John the Baptist liturgical colours poverty. ... The bookshops or online at Amazon. and the Qumranites were working Laura Kelly Fanucci only a few miles from each other and teaching doors of homes, when John’s preaching and children through crafts are the ‘domestic churches,’ and of One of the last acts of the Jewish baptisms were attracting large examples of liturgical living, the great family which is the community that once inhabited crowds in the desert. Bergsma found in blogs and books that Church must be open to all of Qumran on the Dead Sea’s thinks that John and the encourage families to embrace them. ‘No one is without a northwest shore may have been the Qumranites knew each other well. liturgical living as part of their family in this world: the hiding of its treasured “holy Bergsma puts forward a scenario Catholic identity. Church is a home and family scrolls” in nearby caves upon that “can’t be proven” but that But what is the purpose of for everyone, especially those seeing Roman legions “does fit with all the known facts” liturgical living? Are crafts who ‘labour and are heavy “approaching in the distance.” This in which John “received some or and celebrations enough to laden’” (No. 1658). happened around the time in 70 all of his education” at Qumran. form our children in faith? If liturgy is meant to C.E. when Rome also destroyed Was he sent there at a young age? Returning to the roots of the proclaim the Gospel through Jerusalem and its temple. Did he voluntarily join Qumran liturgy orients us. The love of God and neighbour, The legions “seem to have later? Catechism of the Catholic and if the domestic Church is ignominiously annihilated” the When people asked John how Church defines “liturgy” thus: meant to be open to all – Qumran community, John says. they ought to conduct their lives, “In Christian tradition it especially those in poverty and Bergsma writes in Jesus and the He describes how the Dead Sea he responded: “Whoever has two means the participation of the need – then liturgical living Dead Sea Scrolls. Unwittingly, Scrolls “give us a window into the tunics should share with the person people of God in ‘the work of must be oriented towards during the 1946-1947 winter, thought and practice of the who has none. And whoever has God.’ ... In the New Testament others. Bedouin shepherds directed the Judaism of Jesus’ day.” The author food should do likewise” (Lk the word ‘liturgy’ refers not Theologically, the goal of world’s attention back to Qumran. became convinced the scrolls 3:11). Bergsma suggests that in only to the celebration of liturgical living is not only to Searching a cave for hidden illuminate many “otherwise this way John “encouraged the divine worship but also to the celebrate within our domestic treasure, they discovered a jar confusing or hard to understand” ethic of simplicity and equality he proclamation of the Gospel church, but to lead us towards containing “three old scrolls,” New Testament passages. had learned at Qumran.” and to active charity. In all of the wider body of Christ. among them a “nearly pristine For example, he devotes However, the author appears these situations it is a question If our family is celebrating copy of the Book of Isaiah in attention to Essenes in Jerusalem rather certain that John left of the service of God and our children’s saint days (the Hebrew.” and how they may have factored Qumran or was expelled, perhaps neighbour” (No. 1069-70). feasts of their namesakes), can Finding no gold, the shepherds into the time and place of Jesus’ due to his conviction that “God’s The liturgy is meant to give we talk about where Christians found something far better. “In the Last Supper and thus help explain message of salvation should go out glory to God and to transform are still being martyred for years 1949 to 1956, dozens of a “discrepancy in the date of to all the people, not just an elite us by leading us to serve their beliefs today? exploratory missions ... located a Passover” that has challenged among Israel.” That conviction others. We praise God, seek As we fill our home with total of 11 scroll-bearing caves” Scripture scholars. clashed with Qumranite teaching. forgiveness, listen to the Word, liturgical colours, can we near Qumran, says Bergsma. An “Curious features of the Gospel It seems the influence of John and receive the Eucharist – to reflect on how their symbolism expert on the scrolls, he is a accounts ... would be explained if the Baptist and his Qumran draw closer to Christ and by speaks to what is sorrowful or theology professor at the Jesus celebrated the Last Supper in background extends even further. that proximity be changed. hopeful in our world? Franciscan University of the Essene neighbourhood of Bergsma proposes that the The danger can be These examples show the Steubenville, Ohio, USA. Jerusalem,” following “the sometimes puzzling Gospel of complacency or triumphalism, growing edge that liturgical I am happy to have read this calendar they used,” Bergsma John “makes sense as the work of assuming we have arrived and living needs: an openness book. It brought Qumran to life, a suggests. the apostle John, who was a forgetting we are still sinners towards transformation, not a community that people today Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls disciple of John the Baptist before on the way. If I go to Mass to closed circle. might consider monastic in its is remarkably readable, following Jesus.” fulfil an obligation but don’t One rare silver lining faith-centred lifestyle. considering the seriousness and “No number of parallels between leave renewed in my brought about by the The Qumranites were Essenes, range of its topic. A concise Christian and Essene literature can commitment to live out the pandemic is the unexpected Bergsma explains. First-century summary at each chapter’s explain away the unique and Gospel, then my participation gift of more months to build Jewish culture was dominated by conclusion clears up any possible remarkable nature of the person in the liturgy has fallen short. our domestic churches. As three sects, the Sadducees, confusion about the author’s and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth,” Liturgical living must families face a year with less Pharisees and Essenes, he intent. Bergsma states. The Essenes were change us, too. time at church, this is a perfect observes. While Qumran was an I found Bergsma’s discussion of not Christianity’s “’parent’ Catholic efforts to embody moment to consider how we all-male community, Israel’s John the Baptist fascinating. I had movement,” he says. The the Church year at home celebrate faith at home and Essenes also included women. been wondering if Scripture’s Qumranites and early Christians cannot stay self-contained where God may be calling us I always was aware of the writers treated John the Baptist were “siblings.” celebrations. They need the to grow. presence of Sadducees and considerably more seriously than A benefit of the Dead Sea wider community and May the doors of our homes Pharisees in the Israel of Jesus’ Christianity nowadays often does. Scrolls in Bergsma’s eyes is the continual conversion that always be open to Christ – and time, but quite unaware of the John the Baptist, eating locusts help they provide in making remind us we are still in need may the growing edge of Essenes. Yet, Essene communities or wearing camel hair garments, Christianity’s origins “more of grace to grow. liturgical living draw us were present “in all the significant appears less eccentric when the understandable in their ancient Interestingly, Catholic towards those in deep need of towns and cities of Israel, beliefs and practices of Qumran historical context.” teaching does not talk about God’s love. including Jerusalem,” Bergsma are known, Bergsma suggests. Reviewed by David Gibson 22 CatholicTIMES supplement 07.08.20

David Torkington MYSTICAL THEOLOGY From saying prayers to contemplation

over them for a second and a third for instance, would lend itself to adoration and love gives way to si- time, poring over them, entering this method of praying. Do not just lence that says far more than the more profoundly into their dynamic think of what Christ went through most potent man-made means of inner meaning. Then they would in your mind, go back in your imag- expression. pause in moments of deep interior ination and place yourself in the stillness to allow the same Spirit event. You are amongst the soldiers The simple loving gaze upon who inspired the scriptures in the at the scourging, one of the crowd God – contemplation first place, to inspire them also. during the carrying of the cross, an The slow meditative penetration When they had savoured one par- onlooker at the actual Crucifixion. of the texts, now opens out and en- ticular text they would reverently You see everything as it happens, velops the whole person as the be- move on to another and repeat the you open your ears and hear what liever is ever more deeply absorbed process, leaving pauses for silence, is said and then you open your into a silent contemplative gaze for the impact of the words to seep mouth and begin to pray. upon God. The most powerful and into the very marrow of their being. The more we penetrate the inner poignant expressions of the new re- As this prayer grew more and more meaning of the sacred text the more lationship with God seem to be intense, the moments of silence we feel moved to react prayerfully emptied of their meaning in face of would become more and more pro- with our hearts to what we have as- the reality. All one wants to do is to longed until in the end words would similated – Oratio. Real prayer remain silent and still in the simple give way to periods of profound begins now as we start to try to loving gaze upon God that has tra- inner contemplation. raise our hearts and minds to God, ditionally been called contempla- ‘We must never forget and always turn back to the Bible as the Christian as we respond to the inspired words tion. prayer book par excellence.’ True Lectio Divina upon which we have been reflect- It is the fruit of this profound Learning to read the scriptures, ing. prayer that is in the eyes of St Every committed Catholic is brought Christ. When we read the scriptures Lectio means learning to read in a Thomas Aquinas the perfect prepa- up to say their morning and evening then, slowly and prayerfully allowing new way and learning to listen too The state of mental paralysis ration for sharing the faith with oth- prayers, to make their morning of- them to sink into our hearts, we as we have never really listened be- To start with, the truths of the ers. He could have said that we fering, to use the prayers handed listen to the word of God speaking fore. We are so bombarded with faith are too big, too enormous, al- should first meditate and then share down like the Lord’s own prayer, to us now. This is how the early reading materials from all sides most too incredible for us to take in the fruits of our meditation with and many other prayers and devo- Christians used to pray in a method every day of our lives, that we have effectively. When I first heard that others or pray and share the fruits tional practices. However, the time of prayer called Lectio Divina or had to acquire a habit of reading at the stars in the nearest galaxy An- of prayer with others, but something always comes when Christ reaches the divine or sacred reading. It was a breathtaking pace of knots. dromeda were two and a half million even more profound is required. We out to them personally and calls so called, not just because they be- Every day there are the newspapers light-years away I simply could not must persevere for long enough in them to a deep personal relationship lieved the words they read were in- to be read, mountains of junk mail take it in. The distances were too prayer to experience for ourselves with him that can change their lives. spired, but because they believed to sift through, memoranda to be enormous for my mind to cope with. something of the love that we are It may be through a book that is that they too would be inspired as absorbed and letters and bills to be It is exactly the same with the truths called to share with others in sublime read, a Christ-like person who is they read them, by the Holy Spirit dealt with. Our only concern is to of our faith, at least to begin with. mystical contemplation or we will met, a sermon that is heard or even who inspired them in the first place. glean the relevant facts as quickly They are too much for us to cope have little to give. through a direct spiritual ‘touch’ They believed that through the holy as we can and to move on to some- with, too great for us to take in. It is In this contemplation in which that is felt. Then a new and personal readings they would be led on and thing else. If we apply the same as if our minds are paralysed by the whole person, heart and mind, relationship with Christ can begin. into a sort of profound conversation techniques to the way we read the their transcendent enormity. We sim- body and soul is more united than But what is the next step, how do with God that would lead them on scriptures it will not enable us to ply cannot penetrate or comprehend ever before, a subtle change begins we get started once we are aware and into what St Paul called: “The get to know Christ more deeply. their meaning. to take place. Initially it was through that we are called to come to know height and depth, the length and They should be read as we would However in time this state of men- meditating on God’s love, as em- and love Christ in a way that we breadth of God’s love that surpasses read good poetry, endlessly going tal paralysis gradually begins to lift bodied in the human body of Jesus have never experienced before? How the understanding” (Ephesians 3:18). over them to plunder their contents. thanks to the Holy Spirit. The slow that led the believer to contemplation, can such a relationship begin? This is why whatever other meth- This is the beginning of true Lectio meditation on the sacred texts sud- but now a change gradually begins ods of prayer we may at times find Divina. denly begins to bear fruit; the spiri- to take place. The spaces between people helpful, we must never forget and Having read and re-read the sacred tual understanding begins to stir and Meditating on God’s love as it are bridged by words always turn back to the Bible as the texts it is time to reflect – Meditatio. the emotions are touched and begin was embodied in the historical Christ There is nothing mysterious about Christian prayer book par excel- Pore over them again and again, ru- to react. What began as rather dry gives way to contemplating his love human communication. We get to lence. minate on them, as St Augustine academic knowledge about God as it is now, pouring out of the risen know someone by listening to the would say; allow the inner meaning changes and begins to strike with Christ, whether the believer realises words they use. The spaces between Lectio, Oratio, Meditatio of every word to seep deep down an ever-deepening impact. Knowl- this or not at the time. The first was people are bridged by words. They and Contemplatio into the very marrow of your being edge begins to turn into love, as the generated with God’s grace and hu- enable us to find out more about Four Latin words have traditionally so that their dynamic impact can love that God has for us begins to man endeavour, the second is a pure them, to draw closer and closer to been used to describe how Lectio register with effect. register with effect. Nobody can re- gift of God. However, before the them. This is why Christians have Divina can lead serious-minded To facilitate the use of this pro- main the same when they realise gift of contemplation can lead to always regarded the Bible with awe Christians onward to experience the found meditation some people find that another loves them. We respond the full union for which the believer from the earliest times, because it Love that surpasses all understanding. it helpful to recreate the scene in automatically, the emotions are re- now craves, a purification begins to contains the words that bridge the The words are Lectio (Read), Med- which the sacred words were first leased and we begin to express our take place so that the selfish seeker gap between God and man – God’s itatio (Reflect), Oratio (React), and spoken in their imaginations. Let love and thanks in return. can receive the selfless giver without words. It even goes a step further Contemplatio (Repose). The early us suppose that you have chosen to This is the beginning of real prayer any let or hindrance. This is the only by showing how God’s words were Christians knew no other method meditate on those profound words that will grow with depth and in- way to the full union with God that eventually embodied in the flesh of meditation. Many of them knew of Jesus at the Last Supper. Begin tensity as the truth of God’s love is is our deepest desire. The purification and blood of Jesus Christ. When whole passages, if not all of the by setting the scene in your imagi- brought home time and time again is the work of the Holy Spirit all we we learn to listen to his words we Gospels off by heart. They had no nation. Picture the Apostles preparing in so many different ways through have to do is to faithfully persevere learn to listen to God. When we other prayer book to hand, nor did the tables, see Christ coming into slowly poring over, digesting and in prayer he will do the rest. learn to love him we learn to love they have need of them. the room, watch the way he moves, assimilating the sacred texts. As the God. When the Desert Fathers used the look into his face when he speaks, impact of the Gospel message begins I David Torkington is the author This is why all authentic Christian scriptures, most particularly the New then mull over his every word, trying to explode with maximum effect, of Wisdom from the Western Isles prayer begins not by flinging oneself Testament and the Psalms, they were to penetrate there inner meaning. the believer finds that even the most - The Making of a Mystic, Wisdom into obscure states of transcendental not interested in how much they The same sort of scene-setting extravagant words do not sufficiently from The Christian Mystics - How to Pray the Christian Way and awareness, but by trying to listen to read, but in how deeply they pene- could be used to build up the at- voice the depth of feeling they ex- Wisdom from Franciscan Italy - God’s words, most particularly as trated the sacred texts. They would mosphere before meditating on other perience welling up from within. In The Primacy of Love. See embodied in the words of Jesus read a few verses at a time, going Gospel texts. The Passion of Christ, the end the words of thanks, praise, www.davidtorkington.com CatholicTIMES supplement 07.08.20 23

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Chris McDonnell JOURNEY IN FAITH 75 years on…....Hiroshima and Nagasaki remembered

It was just after breakfast time on September, aboard the US later, we saw that a thick smoke 6th August 1945, when a single battleship Missouri, anchored in was rising in the city area and we B29 super fortress bomber plane Tokyo Bay. could clearly see big flames. We of the US air force appeared in the Because of the extent of the went up a hill to see better and we clear blue sky above the Japanese devastation and chaos, exact death could distinguish the place where city of Hiroshima. It was about to tolls from the bombing of the city used to be, because what unleash the most destructive Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain we had in front of us was a weapon of war yet developed by unknown. However, it is reckoned completely devastated Hiroshima,” mankind on the unsuspecting 70,000 to 135,000 people died in Arrupe narrates. population going about their Hiroshima and 60,000 to 80,000 “A huge lake of fire” spread in business in the streets below. people died in Nagasaki, both from front of them, which minutes later Piloted by Paul Tibbets, the B29 immediate exposure to the blasts “blew Hiroshima to smithereens.” bore the name of his mother on its and from long-term side effects of Those escaping the city did it fuselage nose cone - Enola Gay. Its radiation. “with difficulty, without running, payload bomb known as Little Boy Recent events have shown that as they would have wanted to was the result of years of nuclear the global community must work escape that hell as soon as research in the US under the code together to overcome the possible, because they could not name of the Manhattan Project. It challenges facing us in the 21st do it due to the awful wounds they was the start of the Atomic Age. Century. We must speak out and had.” In the middle of July the first call for action, to ensure that the Arrupe, who had studied experimental atomic weapon was horrific events witnessed in medicine, and the rest of the Jesuits, detonated at the Alamogordo test Hiroshima and Nagasaki are never improvised a hospital in the range in New Mexico. It created a repeated novitiate’s house. They were able (above) The Atomic Bomb Dome is seen in Hiroshima, Japan, on 6th crater 300 metres in width. It was One witness to the onset to take more than 150 injured August, 2019. (Catholic News service photo/Kyodo via Reuters) ironically given the code name of nuclear horror was the people and save almost all ‘Trinity’. The scene was set for Jesuit priest, Pedro of them, although most of (below) A broken clock stopped by the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, is pictured at the Urakami Kirishitan Museum in Nagasaki, Japan. the first use of nuclear weapons in Arrupe (pictured right), them suffered devastating (CNS photo/Mihoko Owada) the theatre of war. later to be elected leader effects of the atomic Preparations went ahead on the of the Order. Born in radiation in the human total annihilation,” Pope Francis skied hour Pacific island of Tinian for the first November 1907 in Bilbao, being. noted. Hiroshima Day attack, the city of Hiroshima, with Pedro Arrupe left to be a It took another Jesuit, in “They can be achieved only on dark brightness in the bright a population well over a quarter of missionary in Japan arriving in the person of Pope Francis during the basis of a global ethic of darkness a million people, the designated 1938, he immediately started to a recent visit to Japan, to declare solidarity and co-operation.” Night Hiroshima. target. The bomb was released learn the Japanese language and that nuclear weapons were “not the If you look back to the old over the city at 8.15am that customs. On 8th December 1941, a answer” for global security, peace Roman Missal and read the Introit Only then in the agony of Monday morning and exploded at few hours after Japan joined the and stability. “Convinced as I am for the Mass for the feast of the that explosive instant an altitude of just under 2,000 feet. battle, he was arrested and that a world without nuclear Transfiguration (6th August), you when over ground, The blast equivalent was estimated imprisoned by the local authorities weapons is possible and necessary, will find these words: “All the razed of buildings, to be the equivalent of 13 under the accusation of being a I ask political leaders not to forget world shone with thy lightning and human forms that moved, kilotonnes of TNT, destroying an spy. He was released a few weeks that these weapons cannot protect the troubled earth shook.” just disappeared. area of just under five square after and later, appointed novice us from current threats to national The Psalmist who wrote Psalm miles. It is likely that 90,000 master in Nagatsuka, a small and international security,” the 76 could not have appreciated just Only then as the fireball rose people lost their lives. locality seven kilometres away pope said when in Nagasaki. how awful was that prediction to and the firestorm spread outwards Three days later, given the from what would later be the “Peace and international be, for there is something deeply did voices of children cry failure of the Hiroshima event to epicentre of the nuclear explosion stability are incompatible with uncomfortable and prophetic in “Atsui, Atsui” bring about Japanese surrender, in Hiroshima. attempts to build upon the fear of those few words. Now, some 75 ‘It’s hot’ - but without response. the second target city of Nagasaki On 6th August 1945, he was in mutual destruction or the threat of years on, we live with an uneasy was hit just after 11am with a a house with 35 young people and stalemate. Only then did silent bomb given the name of Fat Man, several Jesuit fathers, when, just I wrote this a few years ago. shuffling ghosts killing an estimated 40,000 people after breakfast time “a very leaving the stricken town and injuring many thousands powerful light, like a magnesium Hiroshima hold out their savaged hands more. explosion, shot before our eyes.” There is now no way softly howling The result of these two He records that: “When we of knowing what was said “Tasukete kure” bombings was city-wide opened the door of the room facing in those early morning moments - ‘help if you please’- destruction of buildings, huge loss Hiroshima, we heard a huge by many voices. but none came. of life and the long term damage to explosion, similar to the roar of a For now do we begin to realise health from nuclear radiation terrible hurricane, which took Now no way of hearing their words the transfigured Christ, fire-caught sickness. The terrible doors, windows, glasses, unstable (of greeting or recrimination) that August morning of fearsome consequences of the use of nuclear walls…, that broke to pieces and traded across a room Dawn. weapons in the conduct of war fell over our heads.” These were or in passing down the street. between nations had been three or four seconds “that seemed The use of nuclear weapons in demonstrated in graphic terms. In to be lethal,” although all those Now no way of smelling war has raised huge moral issues the Cold War years that followed, present saved their lives. However, the scent of flowers from that are still fiercely debated. Pope possession of weapons of mass there was no trace of a bomb garden shrubs Francis gave us this unequivocal destruction became the gambling exploding there. or from potted plants rivalling statement during the visit to Japan chips in the contest between the Arrupe was seven kilometres the staleness of sleep when he declared: “The use of super powers. away from the explosion’s with breakfast done. atomic energy for purposes of war Six days after Nagasaki, epicentre when he saw that “very is immoral, just as the possessing Emperor Hirohito announced his powerful light.” Now no way of touching of nuclear weapons is immoral, as country’s surrender in a radio “We were going round the rice the outstretched hand of the child I already said two years ago. We broadcast. The formal surrender fields around our house to find the walking with her Mother will be judged on this.” Peter has agreement was signed on 2nd bomb’s place, when, 15 minutes just after eight that blue spoken, it is up to us to listen. 24 CatholicTIMES supplement 07.08.20

Fr Francis Marsden CREDO The laity have a role, but all parishes must be led by priests

Strange of the Vatican to release a parish merges into another, being pastoral document on parishes, absorbed into it and losing its when many parishes are semi- former individuality and juridic paralysed in their activity due to personality; This is legitimate only the Covid-19 pandemic. for causes directly related to the The pastoral conversion of the specific parish, but not because of parish community in the service of the scarcity of diocesan clergy, the the evangelising mission of the general financial situation of a Church, was published on 20th diocese, or other conditions July by the Congregation for the temporary and reversible e.g., Clergy. It claims to be a guide “to numerical consistency, lack of the various projects of reform of financial self-sufficiency, the parish communities and diocesan urban planning of the territory. restructuring, already underway or 2. Fusion of parishes producing in the planning process.” a new and unique parish, resulting [It is helpful to recall the roots of in the suppression of the existing the English word “parish.” It goes parishes and their juridic back to Old French paroisse and personality. late Latin parochia, paroecia, a 3. Creation of new autonomous diocese or parish. parishes by division of a parish This in its turn came from Greek community. paroikia – a dwelling near or with Each step requires consultation one, or in personal terms, a with the diocesan Council of neighbour. Biblically it is used to Priests, and must strictly follow mean a sojourning, a dwelling in a canon law procedures. A separate strange land. Metaphorically the formal decree is required for each life of Christians on earth is such a step, clearly stating the precise paroikia, for we are more truly reasons, not merely “the good of citizens of heaven.] souls” “The parish is a house among The decree to suppress any houses,” even if, in a digital age, parish must state clearly the “just territorial factors count less than cause,” and dispose of its temporal Jesuit Father Hans Zollner is pictured with Kerry Robinson of the Leadership Roundtable, an organisation of they used to. “Para” is near, laity, religious and clergy dedicated to improving Church management. (CNS photo/Gregory Shemitz) goods in accord with the law. beside, and “oikos” is house. The [Canonically a parish’s property parish church is that beside the with interpretations that are Restructuring into larger pastoral financial sacrifices for decades to must pass over wholly to its house, in the neighbourhood. It is improper for the life of a units has the potential to provoke build up and maintain their parish successor parishes, not to the “the Church living in the midst of community and the ministry of local conflict: community. diocese!] the homes of her sons and pastors.” Which sounds like a rap “Dropping plans upon the People In theory a parish can be carved The motivation to suppress daughters.” The parish priest, or across the knuckles for some of God from above, without their up among neighbouring parishes, “must be directly and organically parochus in Latin, fittingly lives dioceses. involvement, should be avoided. and its inhabitants reassigned connected to the interested parish beside the Church, in the The document hints at two Instead, such proposals should accordingly. But how many community,” not based on some presbytery, rather than in a extremes to be avoided: one is the proceed gradually, with patience parishioners can or will actually general theory or ideology. secluded condo miles away. clericalist model, wherein the and prudence; moreover, a travel twice or thrice the distance Otherwise the decree is invalid. The document emphasises the parish priest (and assistant preliminary consultation should be to St Og’s RC or St Fiacre’s RC Furthermore: “It is necessary to role of parish priest as the “proper priests?) decide everything carried out, including a detailed and when St Mary’s is shut down? Will ensure that the Church of the pastor” of the community, and the themselves, relegating the competent study of the situation, they feel kicked in the teeth by the suppressed parish remains open to services rendered by deacons, parishioners to the marginal role of where different approaches are put diocesan administration and just the faithful unless there are grave consecrated religious and the lay taking orders. This is at best a to a trial period to test their give up practising? reasons to the contrary.” faithful. benevolent dictatorship, at worst a effectiveness, before arriving at a Will they transfer to the nice As regards taking churches out “‘There is a place for all and all peremptory autocracy. So much in definitive decision that is balanced High Church Vicar with the good of use for divine worship and their can find their place’ with respect my experience depends upon the and already proven in the field, in a choir just down the road, which “reduction ….to profane but not to each one’s vocation, preserving character of the parish priest. way that does not create a rupture some of their friends attend? Or to sordid use” i.e. to, say, residential the faithful from certain possible The other extreme is the in the life of the community.” the Non-denominational Free accommodation but not night extremes, such as the “democratic model” where an One might reflect that Catholics’ Evangelical Reformed Chapel of clubs – the legitimate causes “do clericalisation of the laity and the elected Parish Council run faith is often incarnated in one Christ the Blessed Messiah with not include reasons like the lack of secularisation of the clergy, or everything and the priest is a mere particular parish. Catholicism is a the super-duper rock group, cool clergy, demographic decline or the from regarding permanent deacons functionary concerned with Mass religion of flesh and blood, not sound-system, and mega mixing- grave financial state of the as ‘half-priests’ or ‘super laymen’.” and the Sacraments. In this quasi- structural theories. Personal board? diocese.” The one reason The Church’s canon law has a Presbyterian modus operandi, he is memories of family baptisms, first The document says lots of nice countenanced is when a church particular vision of the parish told how to perform the Sacred communions, confirmations, things about mission and building is so dilapidated that there community and of pastoral care, Liturgy, what to preach about, weddings and funerals, and of evangelisation, but they are hardly is no possibility of repairing it. based on Vatican II. The what are his sacramental policies Sunday Mass week in week out, new. We have to plough through to The document goes on to speak Congregation is evidently on Baptism, First Holy are so often connected with that Para 46 before we get to the nitty- about grouping of parishes into concerned that in the restructuring Communion, Marriage etc. one parish. An abrupt notice of gritty: “How to proceed with the deaneries (Vicariates Forane), of parishes, this vision “frequently When practising parishioners closure from some distant Curial establishment of parish pastoral units and pastoral regions, comes to be considered as a mere and priests are few, parish Offices can be very hurtful to groupings.” There are three looked after by one or several opinion, at the discretion of an reorganisation is a hot topic in parishioners’ spiritual lives, when possibilities: priests. This column will return to individual bishop or group, often many deaneries and dioceses. they have made spiritual and 1. Extinctive union, where one these issues at a later date. CatholicTIMES supplement 07.08.20 25 www.thecatholicuniverse.com

CARITAS IN ACTION Ellis Heasley PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE At least eighty killed in southern Kaduna attacks in July alone

On 24th July, ten people were educational facility in Zangon killed, and at least 11 others Kataf LGA. were injured, in an attack by Calls for international Fulani militia on Zikpak, in action are growing Jema’a Local Government increasingly more Area (LGA), southern pronounced, both from within Kaduna State. The attack Nigeria and internationally. marked the latest in a On 23rd July, hundreds of sustained campaign of women participated in a violence targeting farming protest in Zangon Kataf LGA communities in southern against the continuing Kaduna which has been violence, while youth from the We saw great community spirit during ongoing since January 2020, area protested peacefully in and which has seen a the federal capital, Abuja. particular surge in July, with As previously reported in lockdown and we don’t want to lose it at least 80 people killed in the this column, the UK All Party last month alone. Parliamentary Group for Jenny Sinclair that community spirit to strengthen group best. The Guide is free to Particularly striking International Freedom of their neighbourhoods. download at https://bit.ly/LetsCon- regarding the attack on Religion or Belief recently As we begin to emerge from lock- The economic, social and health tinueToBuildCommunity. Zikpak is the fact that local published a report on the down, what have we learned? Un- consequences of the crisis are only Even though access to our churches sources report security agents violence which raised serious derlying weaknesses in society have starting to unfold and will impact is currently constrained, our mission arrived the scene well after concerns that the current undeniably been laid bare by the us all in some way. The power that as Catholics and Christians is all the assailants had left, even situation may amount to pandemic. The undervalued status comes from community grassroots, the more needed. The limitations though the village is less than genocide. These concerns of our key workers and carers, whilst and the love, strength and support we are living with cannot not stop two kilometres away from a were reiterated in a televised hailed as heroes, was exposed. The it provides, will be more important us building the relational power that local military base. The interview with the Church has found itself reduced, we than ever. flows from being a good neighbour. spokesman for Nigeria’s Archbishop of Canterbury, are ill-equipped to deal with grief, The Guide consists of four, 45 They cannot prevent us from pursu- president recently gave The Most Revd Justin Welby businesses have failed, redundancies minute sessions to use with a group. ing the Common Good – the shared assurances of comprehensive in Zaria on 24th July, in are widespread and everyone is un- It is easy to download, and will give life of the community in which security coverage in southern which he described the easy. Virtually every aspect of the you a focus to bring people together everyone can flourish, each of us Kaduna. Indeed, at least 18 campaign of violence as economy is on life support. Discus- to continue to build on connections taking responsibility according to security agencies are based in “genocide,” and attributed a sion abounds on the lessons to be forged during lockdown. It also helps gifts and ability. Our calling as fol- the area. However, there is perceived lack of concern on drawn and things will not be the you create a simple action plan to lowers of Jesus Christ is to be wit- little evidence of vulnerable the part of the international same again. Some lessons it seems take forward in your neighbourhood. nesses to the flourishing of love in communities such as these community in general, and had to be learned the hard way. The sessions provide the perfect faithful human relationships. receiving the protection they the United Nations in Yet have you, like us, been touched structure for an open discussion on If you like the idea of the com- require. particular, to the fact that the by the remarkable sense of com- what really matters in your com- munity sessions but would also like According to the area is “almost 99 per cent” munity spirit that emerged during munity. You could invite your neigh- to pursue the themes in a prayerful International Society for Christian. lockdown? New connections and bours, fellow volunteers, key workers, way with Scripture in your prayer Civil Liberties and Rule of Christian Solidarity interactions between different faith leaders, community leaders, group or a church setting, then you Law (Intersociety), 300 Worldwide (CSW) has also branches of the community have local authority representatives and might like The Word and the Com- southern Kaduna Christians repeatedly called on the been sprouting: from community others who’ve been helpful, or been mon Good another of our resources had been killed in militia United Nations Human Rights WhatsApp groups, to local police helped, during lockdown. Everyone consisting of six sessions. You can attacks in the 200-day Council to convene a special working with foodbanks and phar- has an equal voice and shares their also download it for free at: period from 1st January session on the human rights macies, from neighbours delivering views and together you identify what https://bit.ly/WordandCommon- to 20th July. Few, if any, situation in central Nigeria, supplies to the shielding, from school you will do next. Good. perpetrators of these attacks with a particular focus on the science departments donating PPE The four conversations are framed We hope that you, like us, want have been intercepted or southern Kaduna area and to hospitals and care homes, to that around Common Good principles, to keep the flame of community brought to justice, and neighbouring Plateau State. smile you gave to the supermarket which (like all our resources) are spirit alive as we learn to live with neither a Covid-19 lockdown No such session has been cashier or to your neighbour as you derived from Catholic Social Teach- coronavirus and face the future to- nor a 24-hour curfew which convened thus far. clapped across the street on a Thurs- ing but it is deliberately framed in gether. The people of the Church has been in place in some Please pray for all victims day night. neutral, non-religious, non-lecturing have an important contribution to LGAs since 11th June have of violence in central Nigeria, When looking at how to rebuild language. So the material is suitable make. It will be through communi- inhibited perpetrators from ask God to protect the stronger for the future, it is just as for everyone in the community, ir- ty-led action, harnessing the distinct attacking seemingly at will. vulnerable, heal the injured, important to draw on the energy respective of background, class, faith gifts and experiences that each of Thousands have been shelter the homeless, and from these positive experiences that tradition or political views. Woven us has to offer, that we can truly re- forcibly displaced by the comfort those who have lost emerged from the crisis – the glim- throughout the sessions are principles build a stronger, better society than violence, with many now loved ones. Pray particularly mers of new connections and human such as ‘solidarity’, ‘human equality’, the one we left behind. residing in emergency IDP that the international kindness – as to learn from the fail- ‘dignity in work’, ‘stewardship’ and camps. Earlier in July 1,013 community would take swift ures and the suffering. ‘interdependence’, all themes so per- I Please visit: www.togetherfor people, including 11 pregnant action to respond to the That’s why we at Together for the tinent in the pandemic. thecommongood.co.uk for more women, were forced to flee violence, holding the Nigerian information. Common Good, keen to galvanise The Guide is both detailed and their homes following a series government to account for its and not lose these new relationships, straightforward, with the necessary I Jenny Sinclair is the founder of attacks from 10th-12th failure to protect vulnerable have created a new Guide Let’s Con- resources, questions, prompts and director for Together for the July. They are currently citizens, and assisting the tinue to Build Community. As the reflections all provided. Leadership Common Good, a member of CSAN (Caritas Social Action sheltering in an emergency authorities in addressing the fallout of the pandemic hits, it’s for can be shared so one person doesn’t Network), the Church’s social camp at an Evangelical threat posed by Fulani militia people who want to move forward have to do it all. The sessions can action agency in England and Church Winning All (ECWA) wherever possible. together and continue to build on be held online if that suits your Wales. www.csan.org.uk 26 HIDDEN GEMS CatholicTIMES supplement 07.08.20

Fr Michael Collins How the popes would holiday over the years

Staycation – that is the buzzword. day clothes worn by the pontiff. Apostolica, which dispensed alms This year most of us will forego The paraphonista was the on behalf of the pope. A number our annual holiday. The virus has choirmaster, who provided music of cooks were employed and were put paid to our hopes for a week or both for the liturgies as well as the regarded as part of the papal two away from our routine. For secular music which accompanied family. Curiously there is mention Pope Francis, whose idea of the banquets are festivals. In the of servants, both “black and holidays has always been to stay at early 16th century, singers and white.” home, this will be no different. A instrumentalists accompanied the During the period when the man who loves routine, his idea of pope on holidays. The prior popes resided in Avignon, many fun is reading books piled up stabuli was in charge of the stables bishops and abbots sought throughout the year. Now that and the groomsmen as well as membership of the papal court. Castel Gandolfo is open to the javelins and bows and arrows in Pope Innocent VI (1352-63) public, it is unlikely that he will case the pontiff, such as Leo X, became so irritated with these even sneak away there for a few wished to go hunting. prelates and abbots that he issued a days. In fact, he has only been to Further information on the roles decree sending them all home. the lakeside villa twice since his within the papal household comes The numbers pertaining to the election. But I am sure that from in a document from the Papal Household continued to time to time he would like a few Carolingian era. The nomenclator increase. According the a days entirely on his own, away was in charge of papal audiences, document dating to 1555, Pope from the Roman Curia. while the cellerarii were entrusted Paul IV had in his service a Pity the popes of old! They had to with the wine cellar. One wonders veritable army of dependents. travel with a group euphemistically which was more important! Among these were seven doctors, called ‘The Papal Family’. More All cardinals were members of one pharmacist, a baker, ushers, a (above) Portrait of Pope Clement XIV (1705-1774), in country attire, on like the papal menagerie. the Papal Household by virtue of clock keeper, and scribes for Latin, horseback, with Lake Albano and Castel Gandolfo beyond. The first written evidence for the their office. They were referred to Greek and Hebrew. There were (below) A view of Lake Albano is seen from a window of an existence of the papal family is as the Palatine cardinals and the also two keepers of the great seals observational dome at the Vatican observatory at the papal villa at found in the Ordo Romanus, pope often invited them to join with which documents were Castel Gandolfo, Italy. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) composed in the eighth century. him on excursions outside Rome. authenticated. The text cites the duties of the As the centuries progressed, the By the end of the 16th century, vice-dominus, the equivalent of the Papal Household came to there were some 800 members of modern Prefect of the Papal increasingly resemble a noble the Papal Household. Originally, Household – a position effectively court. In a document dating from members were paid in kind. They vacated by Archbishop Georg the first year of the pontificate of had food and lodging at the papal Gänswein in February this year. I Nicholas III (1277), we read how court and received a small recall asking Cardinal Harvey, his the court had greatly expanded. allowance. In the 17th century predecessor, what the duties of the The primicerius was replaced by Pope Urban VIII decreed that all household were. “Everything from the camerlengo, in charge of the members of the household were to ordering lightbulbs to kitchen papal palaces. He was assisted by be paid in currency for their work. paper,” he replied laconically. five maestri di camera. Several From time to time, the pope took The primicerius was in charge of chaplains were in attendance on holidays. These were normally the personnel and their horses. The the pope, presumably in case he during Easter and during the sacellarius, or sacristan, was took ill and wanted to be shriven summer. Many of the cardinals responsible for the sacred vessels and confessed. retained rural residences outside and missals. The vesterarii were in In addition to these personnel Rome in the Castelli Romani. It charge of the papal wardrobe, the there was the Elemosineria was considered a great honour if the pontiff decided to pay a visit. pontiff stayed only one day. The cardinals were generally Arriving in the afternoon from very wealthy. Most had benefices Rome, he was entertained in the which allowed them live a princely cool groves of the gardens, life and retain a sizable court of decorated with 500 fountains. The their own. Cardinal Ippolito cardinal had swans made from ice D’Este had a luxurious house in and loaded with fruit which sailed Tivoli, east of Rome. It lay close to up and down the lake. The swans the ruins of the rural residence of were pulled by ropes underneath the second century emperor the water. Presumably, this was not Adrian. the only piece of rigging in the The cardinal, who participated history of the papacy. in five conclaves, hoped to be Pope Urban purchased the Villa elected Pope. With each at Castel Gandolfo so that the disappointment, he retired to his pope’s would no longer have to do country house where, to console the rounds of cardinal’s country himself, he lavished large sums on residences for their holidays. Pope embellishing the villa and Gregory XIV loved to go horse- expanding his gardens. racing around Lake Albano. The Pope Alexander VII visited pope loved to race and frequently Ippolito’s kinsman, Cardinal fell of his horse. Having broken his Alessandro D’Este, at Tivoli on leg on one occasion, the papal The pope's bedroom is pictured in the papal villa at Castel Gandolfo, Italy. Private areas of the papal villa are one occasion. The pontiff travelled doctor put an end to his riding now open to the public. Although many popes over the centuries have spent their summers at Castel with scores of attendants. days. Gandolfo, Pope Francis chooses to remain in Rome. (Catholic News Service photo/Paul Haring) Fortunately for the cardinal, the Roll on the summer holidays! CatholicTIMES supplement 07.08.20 27

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SUNDAY WORSHIP

Jesus Walks on All in the same boat: Water, by Ivan Konstantinovich our journey of faith Aivazovsky – (1888). is a never-ending one

1st Reading: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13 all, God blessed forever. Amen. God’s voice was like the gentle whisper of a breeze. Gospel: Matthew 14:23-33 At that place Elijah came to a When Peter begins to sink cave, and spent the night there. Jesus chides him for his lack of Then the word of the Lord came to faith. him, saying: “What are you doing Jesus made the disciples get into here, Elijah?” He said: “Go out the boat and go on ahead to the and stand on the mountain before other side, while he dismissed the the Lord, for the Lord is about to crowds. And after he had pass by.” Now there was a great dismissed the crowds, he went up wind, so strong that it was splitting the mountain by himself to pray. mountains and breaking rocks in When evening came, he was there pieces before the Lord, but the alone, but by this time the boat, Lord was not in the wind; and after battered by the waves, was far the wind an earthquake, but the from the land, for the wind was Lord was not in the earthquake; against them. And early in the and after the earthquake a fire, but morning he came walking towards the Lord was not in the fire; and them on the sea. But when the after the fire a sound of sheer disciples saw him walking on the silence. When Elijah heard it, he sea, they were terrified, saying: “It wrapped his face in his mantle and is a ghost!” And they cried out in went out and stood at the entrance fear. of the cave. Immediately Jesus spoke to them and said: “Take heart, it is Responsorial: Psalm 84:9-14 I; do not be afraid.” Peter R./: Lord, show us your mercy answered him: “Lord, if it is you, and love, and grant us your command me to come to you on salvation. the water.” He said: “Come.” So I will hear what the Peter got out of the boat, started Many find it hard enough to stay discovered the mysterious Cry; – and upon thy so sore loss Lord God has to say, walking on the water, and came afloat, pressurised by the presence of God in the still, small Shall shine the traffic a voice that speaks of peace. towards Jesus. But when he bewilderingly changing times, ill voice of his own soul. Standing at of Jacob’s ladder His help is near for noticed the strong wind, he at ease in their relationships with the mouth of a cave, on the slopes Pitched betwixt Heaven those who fear him became frightened, and beginning others, discontented and insecure of the holy mountain, he got and Charing Cross. and his glory will to sink, he cried out: “Lord, save in themselves. That’s exactly what strength and comfort from the Yea, in the night, dwell in our land. (R./) me!” Jesus immediately reached the frightened apostles in the Living God. Where God is, there my Soul, my daughter, Mercy and faithfulness have met; out his hand and caught him, storm mean for us today: we are is peace. But his presence is Cry, – clinging Heaven justice and peace have embraced. saying to him: “You of little faith, those sailors, tossing about in the everywhere, for those who learn to by the hems; Faithfulness shall spring why did you doubt?” When they waves. discern it. And lo, Christ walking from the earth got into the boat, the wind 3. Remedies: Many In his poem, The Kingdom of on the water and justice look down ceased. And those in the boat prescriptions are suggested, to ease God, Francis Thompson expresses Not of Gennesareth, but Thames! from heaven. (R./) worshiped him, saying: “Truly the upsets of our voyage. Like his belief in God’s unseen 5. Safe Harbour: We do not The Lord will make us prosper you are the Son of God.” different brands of medication for presence: expect to be immune from the and our earth shall yield its fruit. sea-sickness! A long quiet rest, a O world invisible, we view thee, hardships and problems faced by Justice shall march before him If the wind dies change of occupation, psychiatric O world intangible, we touch thee, all the other voyagers through this and peace shall follow his steps. 1. Voyage: Life can be viewed help or counselling, a course of O world unknowable, life. Indeed, Christ himself shared (R./) as journey (Pilgrim’s Progress; Yoga or Transcendental we know thee, fully in all of these anxieties, being Exodus; Odyssey), or still better as Meditation, Contemplative or Inapprehensible, we clutch thee! tested as we are. If the Church be 2nd Reading: Romans 9:1-5 voyage (because driven by forces Charismatic Prayer. Doubtless, Does the fish soar to seen as a boat (in which there are Paul grieves at the Jews’ more powerful than ourselves, like every remedy has its own find the ocean, no idle passengers, but all are refusal to accept Jesus. He would wind and wave.) We sail upon a advantages, but what better The eagle plunge to find the air — needed to row!), then we have as do anything to win them for rippling surface of events, feeling support can be found in times of That we ask of the stars in motion destination the safe harbour of Christ. the joy of movement, being alive stress than an understanding If they have rumour of thee there? eternal life. With the compass of I am speaking the truth in and going somewhere. When friend? Today’s gospel suggests Not where the wheeling faith, and Christ himself as unseen Christ – I am not lying; my things go well, we feel the that our first and most constant systems darken, captain of the ship, that harbour conscience confirms it by the Holy contentment of those experienced recourse should be to none other And our benumbed will surely be reached. In the Spirit – I have great sorrow and sailors, the apostles on their way than, Christ himself. conceiving soars! meantime, though tossed about by unceasing anguish in my heart. For home across the quiet lake of 4. Presence: God is present The drift of pinions, circumstances, he tells us: I could wish that I myself were Galilee. where we least expect him, would we hearken, “Courage! Do not be afraid, men accursed and cut off from Christ 2. Waves: A gale blew up, although it is a hidden, unseen Beats at our own of little faith!” for the sake of my own people, my changing their mood. Danger and presence, not always easy to clay-shuttered doors. kindred according to the flesh. fear of drowning. Our own life- discover. It takes faith nearer than The angels keep their I Published by kind permission of They are Israelites, and to them voyage has its share of storms too, the door. So the apostles were ancient places;- The Association of Catholic belong the adoption, the glory, the anxieties, problems and pressures amazed to see Christ coming to Turn but a stone, and start a wing! Priests, an association for covenants, the giving of the law, of various kinds. How often a them in the middle of the storm, ‘Tis ye, ’tis your estranged faces, Catholic Priests who wish to have the worship, and the promises; to sudden turn of events can rob us of a forum, and a voice to reflect, for (at that stage) they were men of That miss the many-splendoured discuss and comment on issues them belong the patriarchs, and inner peace. Are we on a charted little faith. Elijah, that lonely thing. affecting the Church and society from them, according to the flesh, course, or just drifting along refugee, faithful to his God despite But when so sad thou today. See www.associationof comes the Messiah, who is over without any determined direction? cruel persecution by Jezebel, canst not sadder catholicpriests.ie 28 CatholicTIMES supplement 07.08.20

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FEATURE Felician sisters bear loss of 13 sisters to Covid-19: ‘Our most tragic time’

The nuns, who lived together at the US Felician Sisters’ convent in Livonia, Michigan, were all aged between 73 and 99 years of age.

Dan Stockman other’s rooms. They were dining in to 800 sisters in the 1960s, but Good Friday. three different shifts, with one convent life today has become “We all knew if it hit the place, They were teachers. A librarian. A sister seated at each table. As of concentrated around the chapel it would be bad,” Sister Mary Ann director of religious education. A 6th July, they are back to two to a and the two halls where sisters Smith said. “But we never secretary in the Vatican Secretariat table. live. Much of the sprawling anticipated how quickly it would of State. The author of a 586-page The community had 65 sisters building, dating to 1937, is go.” history of the congregation. before the pandemic. The unused. A new reality began. Almost all One was an organist. One helped remaining sisters fear the day they The first floor of St Joseph Hall, of the many traditions the sisters her second-grade class write and can be together as a group and see a three-story wing of the convent, keep when one of their own dies perform a commercial for how many are no longer there. is dedicated to sisters who need had to be suspended. There could Campbell’s Soup. One was a nurse “I get chills thinking about that,” 24-hour nursing care. The second be a funeral, but only 10 people and led nursing students on Sister Mary Andrew Budinski, floor is for assisted living, and the could attend. If they also went to mission trips to Haiti. superior of the Livonia convent, third floor, independent living. the graveside, they had to travel All of them were members of told Global Sisters Report. “The Though visitors were prohibited one to a car. There would be no the Congregation of the Sisters of raw grief is yet to come, I think.” beginning 14th March, the convent hugs. St Felix of Cantalice, or Felician As the pandemic progressed in kept essential staff members, “That whole part of the closure sisters. They lived together, prayed March, so did the restrictions at including nurses, nurse’s aides and process has yet to be realised,” Sr together and worked together. the convent: no visitors, no dining hall workers. Then staffers Joyce Marie Van de Vyver said. And in one awful month – from shopping trips, no group activities. started getting sick. Sr Luiza’s table companion at Good Friday, 10th April, to 10 At first, there was no Mass, only “I first heard two aides had meals, Sister Nancy Jamroz, said May – 12 sisters died of Covid-19, Communion services, because the contracted the virus,” Sr Andrew no one knew Sr Luiza had the the illness caused by the novel priest was not allowed to enter the said. “We don’t know who they virus. She went to the hospital for coronavirus. Eighteen other convent. Then, Communion are, and we don’t want to know. heart palpitations. Felician sisters at the convent in services were cancelled, and Then it hit sisters on the second “Everyone said, ‘She’ll be back Livonia had the illness as well. Communion was distributed to the floor, and it went through like in a few days,’” Sr Nancy told “We couldn’t contain the grief sisters in their rooms. On Holy wildfire.” Global Sisters Report. “She never Felician Sister Joyce Marie Van and the sorrow and the emotional Thursday, even that ended. Then came the first death: Sister came back.” de Vyver poses for a photo impact,” said Sister Noel Marie The 360-acre campus was home Mary Luiza Wawrzyniak, 99, on That became a pattern. One in the order’s convent. Gabriel, director of clinical health services for the Felician Sisters of North America. “We went through the motions of doing what we had to do, but that month was like a whole different way of life. ... It was a month of tragedy and sorrow and mourning and grieving.” But as the world grapples with the economic and social fallout of the continuing pandemic, survivors are discovering the virus can cause lasting damage, and recovery may not mean a return to full health. One of the 18 sisters who initially survived the illness died from its effects on 27th June, making her the 13th victim. Though sisters worldwide have died from the illness, the Felicians in Livonia may have experienced the worst loss of life for a community of women religious since the 1918 influenza pandemic. In many ways, because of the restrictions in place to prevent a return of the virus, sisters’ grieving has yet to begin. All aspects of community remain prohibited or severely limited. Sisters could not attend the funerals. There are limits on the number of people allowed in the chapel. They cannot enter each

(right) Sister Mary Andrew Budinski, superior at the order’s convent in Livonia, Michigan, reflects at the convent’s memorial for the 12 Felician sisters who died in one month from Covid-19. CatholicTIMES supplement 07.08.20 29

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COMMENT Masks as technology

Brett Robinson artificial layer between people. Despite its name, Facebook There has been a lot of hype does not convey the actual about wearable technology faces of other people; rather, it over the past few years. Fitbits, inserts itself in between smart jewellery and AirPods persons by creating a digital have ushered in a new age of layer where faceless, digitised accessorising with tech to interaction takes place. enhance our bodies in some Technology comes between way. Many people have us and the other, and, as a embraced this movement as a result, the relationship way to track their exercise between us and the other can routines or monitor their sleep be diminished. habits. Pope Francis spoke about But you don’t need batteries this in his encyclical, Laudato or a Bluetooth connection to Si’. Our technological use the latest wearable innovations have come technology to cause a cultural between us and nature in ways stir. A simple technology, the that haven’t always been medical mask, has become a mutually beneficial. This has ubiquitous feature of life in the happened on a global scale midst of the current pandemic. and the results have been And yet we don’t tend to think calamitous as climate change of masks as a technology per science has revealed. But it’s An empty room on the first floor of the care centre in the Felician sisters’ convent in Livonia, Michigan. se. Instead they are viewed as also happening on an a symbol that is almost individual level. sister would go to the hospital there, just like the 12 apostles,” Sr eventually, the trauma must be entirely political. Personal technology, overnight because she could not Nancy said on 10th June, before dealt with. Unfortunately the whether mask or smartphone, breathe, but would call in the the community’s death toll rose to “We all have post-traumatic politicisation of technology has intervenes in our relationships. morning to say she was feeling 13. “Anyone who knew those stress,” Sister Noel Marie said. come at the expense of It gets in the way of direct better and would be home in a few sisters knows they have “Not full-blown post-traumatic understanding technology and contact and adds a layer that days. Then would come the news companions (in heaven) now. stress syndrome, but some its effect on our social, diminishes our connection. At that she had died. They’re looking down, letting us indications of it. People couldn’t psychological and spiritual a time when we are starved for “It was the classic case of what know it’s going to be OK.” grieve because of the urgency of well-being. There is certainly a human contact and we had heard about the virus,” Sr It’s not yet clear in what ways, getting through it. Now, we’ve got medical case to be made for connection, both digital media Nancy said. “It’s vicious, and it’s but each member of the bad dreams, high anxiety, wearing masks as it can be a and masks have precluded quick.” community has changed, she said. emotional distress.” deterrent to spreading a direct contact. The community lost four other “We haven’t been together The end of April saw the loss of dangerous virus. But there are These new conditions lie at sisters in that first week. Sister enough to know how, but we’re three more sisters. Sister Mary other ways to read technology the root of the fear, suspicion Celine Marie Lesinski, 92, and different people than we were in Alice Ann Gradowski, 73, died on if we are truly going to and isolation that the masca Sister Mary Estelle Printz, 95, died March,” she said. “None of us are 25th April. Sister Victoria Marie understand it. and the medium have created. on Easter. Sister Thomas Marie the same.” Indyk, 69, died the next day, and What is the psychological To overcome that fear and Wadowski, 73, followed on 15th The community lost three sisters Sister Mary Martinez Rozek, 87, effect of not seeing the faces of isolation, it is first necessary to April. Then Sister Mary Patricia in three days in mid-April: Sister followed on 28th April. people around us? A mix of understand it. Pyszynski, 93, on 17th April. Mary Clarence Borkoski, 83, on Sister Mary Madeleine Dolan, suspicion and fear. The The same can be said of Sr Nancy said accepting the 20th April; Sister Rose Mary 82, died on 10th May. Sister Mary etymology of the word mask is ourselves. The focus of this reality of what was happening to Wolak, 86, on 21st April; and Danatha Suchyta, 98, one of the the Latin masca, for “specter, column on technology and the community was hard. Required Sister Mary Janice Zolkowski, 86, sisters thought to have survived the nightmare.” theology has been the way in isolation meant the sisters heard of on 22nd April. illness, died from its effects on What are the effects of which technology can either their friends’ deaths over the “They weren’t giving us 27th June. living in a “faceless” deepen or diminish our intercom during the daily 1pm numbers,” Sr Andrew said. “Just In the middle of that awful community? A growing sense understanding of ourselves announcements. every day, they’d say, ‘Another month, the Felician Sisters across of isolation and loneliness. and our relationships, with Closing the convent was sister.’ ‘Another sister.’ ‘Another the continent gathered on a Zoom The fact is, masks are media one another and with God. anathema to the sisters. They had sister.’ It was very frightening.” call to their sisters in Livonia. technologies. The etymology To the extent that technology dedicated their lives to serving The Felicians have 469 sisters in They brought a message of of media comes from the forces a recognition of others. So on 13th March, the day six large convents in North comfort, of community, a message Medieval Latin medium, or ourselves, our motives and before the doors were shut to the America. Of those, only the of love. They remembered the middle. Masks come between desires, our true face, it can be outside world, 10 of the sisters convents in Livonia and Lodi had sisters lost in a slideshow. The human beings just like all a good thing. As C.S. Lewis went to the chapel steps and held cases of Covid-19. Lodi reported Livonia sisters said they wept forms of media. put it in his novel, Till We up a banner to the Livonia 12 cases and one death. through the entire thing. To mediate our Have Faces, “How can (the community that said: “We’re The virus also hit the staff When it’s all over, they plan to communication, whether print gods) meet us face to face till lifting you up in prayer.” caring for the sisters. One sister hold a celebration of life for the 13 or electronic, is to construct an we have faces?” “We are not hidden behind these was believed to have the virus, but sisters they lost. In the meantime, walls,” Sr Joyce said. “We will the nurse caring for her stayed there is still the semi-quarantine to People wearing face masks always continue to pray for the with her anyway, despite the risk deal with. The last person came maintain social world and especially the people of to herself. Another staff member out of a 28-day isolation on 8th distance as they Livonia.” caught the virus but had an elderly June, but there are still many attend Mass on But now, it’s turned around, she relative at home, so she lived in a restrictions. 26th July, the first said. “Now it’s: ‘Sister, we’re guest room at the convent for “I look at it like an accordion day of the praying for you.’ The number of weeks until she recovered. that can open and close, and right reopening of the cards and letters we’ve received is And there were volunteers, those now, that accordion is still really Basilica of unbelievable.” who willingly came from across tightly closed,” Sr Noel Marie Guadalupe in They also believe there are the country to work in a place said. “We’re not touching each Mexico City after others praying for them who where death stalked the hallways. other, not hugging, not doing the the government eased coronavirus cannot be seen: the sisters who Not thinking about the grief and things we usually do. ... We miss restrictions. died. just doing what needs to be done is that part of how we live.” (CNS photo/Carlos “There are some days when I a common coping mechanism in Jasso, Reuters) (Catholic News Service photos/Dan say, ‘God, we have 12 sisters up times of great trauma. But Stockman, Global Sisters Report) 30 CatholicTIMES supplement 07.08.20

Follow us on twitter @ukcatholicpress Questions and answers... with Fr Francis Doyle Will we see our pets in heaven?

Q. Will our cat and dog be with simply means that, as a me and my family in heaven? consequence of the fall of our Every day I say the Rosary to earliest parents, we have been ask God to help me, but then weakened in our ability to resist sometimes I can’t go to sleep at temptation – we still possess free night worrying about what will will, but we are born into the happen to our pets when they world with an inherited inclination die. I have no-one to talk to but to evil. you, so I’m hoping you can As the Catechism of the Catholic answer me. Church states: ‘Original sin is A. I suppose the traditional called ‘sin’ only in an analogical philosophical position would be sense; it is a sin ‘contracted’ and that only human beings have not ‘committed’ – a state and not immortal souls. On the other hand, an act’ (No. 404). As to your the revered author C.S. Lewis once concern about children who die said that, since the loyalty of pets without baptism going to hell, that often exceeds human fidelity, dogs is not the belief of the Church. and cats may well find their way to In fact, in 2007, the Church’s heaven with their masters. International Theological Left to a plebiscite, the vote is Commission, with the split. I recall a few years ago, a authorisation of Pope Benedict poll, carried out by a news XVI, published a document that organisation, found that 43 per concluded explicitly that ‘there are cent of those polled think that theological and liturgical reasons dogs and cats go to heaven (that to hope that infants who die figure went up to 47 per cent without baptism may be saved’. among pet owners), 40 per cent God, after all, is reasonable; he said no, and the rest were created people to be happy and reserving judgement. wants to bring us to heaven. A woman makes the Sign of the Cross after receiving Communion during a Mass. There is no rule about The most honest answer is that fasting after the reception of Communion, although the common advice of spiritual directors would be to wait we do not know. What our faith Q. During the current at least 10 or 15 minutes before eating or drinking. (CNS photo/ Chaz Muth) does tell us, though, is that the joys coronavirus pandemic, when we of heaven are beyond compare, are not obligated to attend Mass, that is active and caring. They neighbouring church, even though the common advice of spiritual beyond our poor power even to I believe that we should be have given much to me, so I it is not Catholic. It may be a directors would be to wait at least imagine them. So, it’s safe to say required to watch the Mass on would like to join this programme of Bible study, a 10 or 15 minutes before eating or that if in heaven you need your television when possible. Does congregation officially. But it is course on prayer or a food pantry drinking. pets to be happy, they’ll be right this obligation vary from diocese not Catholic. Is there any or soup kitchen that has sparked This seems to stem from the there with you. to diocese? problem with belonging to two your interest. Church’s belief that Jesus remains Some people take this different denominations at the I would encourage you to present in the Eucharist for as long Q. When I was a Protestant, I dispensation to mean that they same time? (The rituals and maintain your involvement with as the ‘species’ of the host never heard mention of ‘original don’t have to bother about Mass theology seem very similar). those particular programmes – continue to exist (size, colour, sin’. We were told that each at all, and I believe that this A. For a believer in Jesus, it while not actually enrolling as a taste, etc.) while the digestive person is responsible for their could lead to lower Mass seems to me, it’s important to ‘member’ of that denomination – process begins to take place. own sins – and need not even attendance when the crisis is decide which Christian but at the same time to continue to Many spiritual writers, though, worry about sin until we over. denomination can trace its descent worship and receive the encourage an even longer period of approached ‘the age of A. There is no binding most clearly from the time of sacraments at your local Catholic fasting and prayer following accountability’ (usually said to obligation, in any diocese I am Christ. In my own mind, that is the parish. Communion, since that is an ideal be about the age of 10). Until aware of, to watch the Mass on Catholic Church. time for an intimate exchange with then, we were told, people are in television for those who are at The regular celebration of the Q. When I was a student in the Lord and a ‘preview’ of the a ‘state of grace’ – meaning that, home because of the pandemic. Eucharist, its recognition as the Catholic school many years ago, divine presence in heaven. if they died, they would go to However, there is strong body and blood of the saviour and we were taught that we needed The Jesuit saints Ignatius of heaven. encouragement to do so, and I the sacrament of the forgiveness of to fast from food and drink from Loyola and Aloysius Gonzaga are Now, as a Catholic, I hear know of many instances where sins find their origin, I believe, in midnight in order to receive said to have spent two hours on original sin mentioned almost families are making this a part of the words of Christ and the actions Holy Communion in the their knees in prayer after weekly and, it seems, we all their regular Sunday routine. I, too, of the earliest believers. That morning. That has since been receiving the Eucharist – although (from birth on) are held share your concern that some may pedigree is also true of the shortened to one hour. that may seem beyond the reach of responsible for Adam and Eve’s not come back to regular practice hierarchical Church, with the pope My wife came in to the average Catholics and could wreak initial sin in the Garden of Eden when the crisis is over – although as the final arbiter of religious Catholic Church about five havoc with Sunday Mass – and if we die (children, too) my experience has been that doctrine. years ago, and she has asked schedules! prior to some kind of salvific people are eager to return. (Remember how, in the Acts of me why we don’t wait at least St Louis de Montfort would experience to erase it, we will go the Apostles, the first Christians an hour after communion remain in church after Mass for to hell. Could you please help me Q. The small parish to which I appealed to Peter to decide before we eat anything. half an hour. No worry or by explaining original sin more have belonged since my baptism whether gentile converts to the Frankly, I couldn’t think of a engagement could deter him, and thoroughly? 70-plus years ago used to have new faith needed to follow Jewish good answer. It seems that we he said he would not give up that A. Actually, I am a bit surprised three full-time priests. Now it is rituals and rules?) get together after Mass with time of prayer even for an equal that you heard no mention of down to one, and even he is So to answer your question, I our friends and go somewhere time in paradise. original sin during your years as a shared. For the past quarter of a don’t think it’s logical to ‘belong’ for breakfast as soon as we can. As a practical matter, it would Protestant. The doctrine of original century, our priests have often to two different religious Is there a rule about this – or seem a worthy and productive sin, first articulated precisely by been elderly men with health denominations – particularly when should there be? habit to stay after Mass at least a Augustine in the fifth century, was problems. Pastoral attention is one of them does not include A. As happens with many recent few minutes in order to pray in popular with Protestant reformers, practically non-existent, and this some, or even all, of the elements converts, your wife’s question is gratitude for this divine including Martin Luther and John is true of most of the Catholic mentioned above. perceptive and profound since it nourishment. Calvin. churches within driving However, I do understand that recognises the special reverence you are finding satisfaction in, and due to a special gift. There is no The Catholic understanding is distance. I Please note that Fr Doyle cannot that original sin involves no I have found, however, a drawing benefit from, certain rule about fasting after the answer readers’ personal personal guilt on our own part; it wonderful congregation nearby programmes offered by your reception of Communion, although questions through this column. The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 31 Vatican Letter

chunk of its student body is made wanted them to guarantee that stu- Pontifical up of foreign students, who may dents had the possibility of following have problems attending onsite coursework either in person or on- What the new given ongoing travel restrictions. line, and in that way, universities About 70 per cent of students en- would “be able to accompany the academic rolled at the Pontifical Gregorian personal situation of every individ- University are foreign students, and ual student,” according to a letter year is set universities 65 per cent of these come from non- dated 26th June and sent by the Vati- EU countries. can secretary of state to ecclesiasti- International travel is an even big- cal universities in Rome. to look like ger problem for students at the Pon- Accompaniment and personalised Reviewing protocols published tifical Urbanian University, whose attention will be their objective as in July by Rome’s Pontifical student body is predominantly from they “prepare for the new scenarios Gregorian University, Salesian prepare for University, the University of Asia and Africa, Father Roberto that await us,” the priest said on the Cherubini told me. Salesian university website. the Holy Cross, and Lateran Some cannot leave their country, The same level of prudence and University, a number of com- which is why a number will not be enthusiasm is awaiting new and re- monalities emerged, giving a able to come to the university to turning students who will be resid- sense of what the next aca- classes in study, he wrote in an email response ing at the Pontifical North American demic year might look like for to questions. College. those studying in Rome: Online opportunities will be made Father David Schunk, vice rector • Regular academic activity available for them and “we will guar- for administration, told me that the is set to begin as scheduled in antee technical assistance to both university has not reduced the size the autumn. students and professors who need it,” of its incoming class, which will be • Instruction will be offered Covid-era on site, in the presence of stu- said the priest, who works in the uni- around 35 students. versity’s public relations department. The admissions office “has been dents and teachers, and, for A cautious, but proactive and flexi- keeping in touch with our new stu- some, remotely. ble approach is definitely the case dents, and they are excited about • In order to follow physical with the Pontifical Salesian Univer- coming to Rome to begin theological distancing requirements, ority, he said on the university’s sity, which became a coronavirus “hot studies,” he said. classroom capacities will be VATICAN reduced, in some cases, by 50 LETTER website. spot” in the spring when 62 residents Discussions are underway on en- “Our conviction that no techno- tested positive for the coronavirus. A suring social distancing in commu- per cent. Classrooms will be logical device can replace the dy- number required hospitalisation and nal areas and having community rearranged and, where possi- namics of onsite learning has grown one priest died of Covid-19. members monitor students’ temper- ble, additional spaces on other Carol stronger; a conviction that is not due Father Mauro Mantovani, the uni- ature, he said. properties will be used. Glatz to nostalgia, in fact, it is the result of versity’s rector and president of the “Like all plans, we are expecting • More sophisticated and long and consolidated experience,” conference of pontifical universities them to change over time as the sit- powerful online platforms, he said in comments accompanying in Rome, said the challenges made uation continues to change, but we such as Moodle or Webex, have When the Vatican issued norms that the school’s new protocols. them aware of the importance of know we must be flexible in order to been adopted and Wi-Fi con- pontifical universities offer in-per- So wanting to follow both the “and profound need” for an educa- do our best to keep the entire com- nections have been expanded son classes on their campuses for time-tested benefits of person-to- tional approach that focuses on munity healthy,” he said. in classrooms. The goal is be- the coming academic year, institutes person instruction, as seen in the every aspect of the person and their Fr Schunk added: “As we move for- ing ready to put a course on- in Rome spent the summer ham- Vatican recommendations, and ad- call to be in relation with others. ward, I think the pandemic has line if needed, particularly mering out what changes and proto- here to Italian protocols and safety In June, he told RomaSette.it, an taught us the importance of the per- when additional space on cols would be needed to keep staff measures, the Gregorian and other online news site for the Diocese of sonal relationships we have with campus is not available. and students safe. pontifical universities released fairly Rome, that what would be guiding God and with others. For our men • For some universities that In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, detailed plans throughout July of them for the future would be “flexi- preparing for the priesthood, this want to accommodate stu- the Congregation for Catholic Edu- what the new academic year would bility and the ability to adapt.” will be a reminder for them of the dents unable to attend on cation published recommendations look like. Guidelines and opportunities put sacredness of their relationships, the campus, courses will be in early May and confirmed them in Class registration will remain on- forth by the school administration importance of the person in front of livestreamed or recorded for mid-June, asking that ecclesiastical line for the rest of August, and, when are meant “to leave no one behind. them, and not taking their relation- students in different time universities do what is needed “to be classes start up early October, it will We are working to guarantee in-per- ships for granted.” zones. able to teach in the ordinary way, be on-site learning, but online alter- son learning, but, wherever it is not • On-site learning will be a with the lectures held in the pres- natives also will be ready or up and possible, we will keep open the pos- priority for first-year students, ence of students and teachers.” running for those in need. sibility of distance learning, which especially for the first weeks of So-called “distance learning” it As the Pontifical University of the represents for us a great opportu- school, and for courses requir- said, “is no alternative” and must Holy Cross said on its website, it has nity,” he said. ing small-group work and only be used “in part and for partic- to take into account that a large Fr Mantovani said Pope Francis study or internships. ular situations,” with authorisation (right) The exterior of the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas in • More library resources from the Vatican office. Rome. have been made available on- According to the rector of Rome’s (below) The exterior of the Congregation for Catholic Education building line. Pontifical Gregorian University, the in Rome. When the Vatican issued norms that pontifical universities offer • Class hours have been ex- importance of in-person instruction in-person on-site instruction for the coming academic year, institutes in panded and made more flexi- was made evident during the sud- Rome spent the summer hammering out what changes and protocols ble to allow smaller groups of den nationwide lockdown in the would be needed to keep staff and students safe during the coronavirus students to be staggered spring, which forced all educational pandemic. (CNS photos/Robert Duncan) throughout the day and to pre- institutions in Italy to turn to virtual vent crowding in public areas instruction. and buildings. Thanks to fast-acting administra- • Thermal cameras or tem- tors and platforms already in place, perature checks are being set programmes were able to continue up at entrances; wearing a face online, and many students com- mask is mandatory wherever pleted their end-of-year exams and physical distancing cannot be defended their dissertations either guaranteed; there will be in- online or in-person. creased specialised cleaning of While the shock revealed how vul- common areas and classrooms nerable and dependent people are and increased ventilation. on one another, the rector, Jesuit Fa- • Scholarships should be ther Nuno da Silva Goncalves, said it available for students in need also showed how their university who want to study on campus. was ready to respond to new needs, • Any changes in how the ready to innovate and improve so as pandemic plays out over the to fulfil their mission in human for- next several months may lead mation and building a better future. to changes or new rules and However, while the experience restrictions, since the universi- brought to light “unimaginable po- ties are seeking to follow rec- tential” combined with “unforeseen ommendations and guidelines proximity between teachers and stu- from competent health au- dents in virtual classrooms,” an in- thorities. person presence still has to be a pri- 32 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Heart of the Matter Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress Catholic-supported co-op in Israel helps asylum-seekers during pandemic

The collective’s work with asylum-seekers has become even more critical during the Covid-19 pandemic, reports Judith Sudilovsky. (above) African women work in Kuchinate, the African Women Refugee Inside Kuchinate, the African Azeeza. exhibition and a much-needed pop- collective, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Women Refugee collective, women The collective, supported by sev- up shop to sell its hand-crafted bas- (below) Comboni Sister Azezet Kidane and Diddy Mymin Kahn, Kuchinate dropped off their completed sewing eral Catholic charities – including kets and bags, to try to take make up co-founders, pose at the co-op with products made by female African and crochet work, receiving new the CNEWA/Pontifical Mission, the for the sales it lost because of a asylum-seekers in Tel Aviv, Israel, (CNS photos/Debbie Hill) material to work on at home. Comboni Sisters, Spanish Manos three-month lockdown. Eden Gebre, 30, one of the mem- Unidas and a parish in Switzerland, The collective has 200 active Gebre, a mother of three, who recently At the beginning of the pandemic, bers of the co-operative who has has been providing a source of in- women members who also come in underwent a liver transplant and was Kuchinate began stockpiling mate- been in Israel for eight years, made come and support for Israel’s most for psychosocial assistance. unable to work during the first quar- rial to deliver to the workers. The note of their work and answered vulnerable population of African “It has been difficult now. There antine period. Her husband suffers women had just learned how to sew questions as she gave them more women asylum-seekers, and its have been no meetings (at Kuchi- from asthma and is not working. and use sewing machines so were material. work has become even more critical nate). Some people can’t work be- Mainly from Eritrea, the women easily able to begin producing face Some slipped in to speak privately during the Covid-19 pandemic. cause they have a lot of children at reached Israel after perilous jour- masks from home. They also started with the co-founders Diddy Mymin Just before the second round of home. Before we had lots of groups neys through Sudan and Egypt, sewing dolls of color for the children Kahn and Comboni Sister Azezet Ki- Covid-19 infections hit Israel in who would pay to come to our work- where they survived human traffick- of the asylum-seeker community. dane, known to everyone as Sister June, the collective took part in an shops (and buy our products),” said ing, torture and rape. The masks are doing very well, The pandemic has compounded said Kahn, and the dolls are sold on many of their fears and traumatic their online store as a way people memories have resurfaced, said can make a donation to the children Kahn, a clinical psychologist and of the asylum-seeker community. trauma specialist originally from “It was like God knew what the South Africa. women (would) need and he During the pandemic, the women opened a gate for them,” said Sr “were terrified of being infected; it Azeeza. She also provides spiritual was a survival issue,” Kahn said, not- support for the women, often pray- ing that the donations have enabled ing over the phone with them and them to give food vouchers to their sending messages of hope on What- members. “A global pandemic can sapp groups. take on (wider proportions) for sur- Sr Azeeza is like a mother to the vivors of human trafficking and tor- women, said Gebre, and together ture. They already have 100 kilos of with Kahn has helped her believe in weight on their back, this makes her own strength and capabilities. their load heavier.” Now she is able to speak to the other Selam Gonets, 29, has three chil- women to support them to move dren and just returned to work at forward. Kuchinate after her husband came “I tell them that we will never ad- out of quarantine at a hotel provided vance if we think only about the by the Israeli government. During things that we have experienced,” that time, when neither of them was said Gebre, who spent six months in working, her biggest fear was that an Egyptian jail, where she was shot her family would be evicted from and beaten. “Because I believe I am their apartment because she was strong, I can give (others) help with unable to pay rent. Now she is the all my heart. I tell them that now I sole wage earner because her hus- can help them, but they don’t have band was laid off from his job. to wait for help every day. Every per- As unrecognised asylum-seekers, son has something small they can they are not eligible for any of the do if we only believe in our heads unemployment packages the gov- that we want to be strong, that we ernment has been providing. want to work.” African cardinal urges courage as Covid-19 adds to disasters Fredrick Nzwili Before Covid-19, there already were vidual and communal,” Cardinal Ouedraogo for the continent, the Christian faith, and floods, droughts, locust invasion and poor said in a statement last week. “Amidst the for unity, communion and solidarity of the Cardinal Philippe Ouedraogo, president of harvests – disasters that remain serious current situation, we say ‘Courage brothers bishops, clergy, religious and laity. the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of challenges, the leader said, in reference to a and sisters; do not give in to despair.’” Cardinal Ouedraogo said it was shameful Africa and Madagascar, has urged courage recent report by Caritas Internationalis, the Each year on 29th July, African bishops and regrettable that not even Covid-19 had in Africa, as cases of Covid-19 increase amid worldwide umbrella organisation for lead Catholics in celebrating the day the deterred violence and terrorism in some adoption of containment measures and Catholic charities. continental bishops’ organisation, SECAM, countries in Africa. prayers to defeat the pandemic. “This situation has given rise to several was founded 51 years ago. Three days after “We continue to kill ourselves on a daily The cardinal from Burkina Faso said questions and agitations. For those in the its founding, St Paul VI launched the organ- basis. We join our voice with the Holy Father, across the continent, there were increasing grip of anguish and misery, it is easy to con- isation at the cathedral in Kampala, Pope Francis, and other world leaders to call food shortages due to lockdown, loss of jobs clude that God has abandoned us, and the Uganda. for an immediate end to violence every- and the destruction of small businesses. pandemic is punishment for our sins, indi- The churches use the celebrations to pray where in Africa and the world,” he said. The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 33 Religious Art Healing the wounds of racism through the form of religious art

Brother Mickey O’Neill McGrath, OSFS, an Oblate of St Francis de Sales, is an artist, author, and storyteller. Using his own paintings and the stories which inspired them, Br McGrath makes deep connections between art, social justice, and religious faith around a wide variety of themes and subjects. Gina Christian reports.

As the US continues to grapple with years ago in Kenya. the issue of racism, an acclaimed “If we could see Jesus as a Black liturgical artist and retreat leader is man falling under a cross, as a man using his gifts to foster healing and who can’t breathe, maybe that will justice. make people see him in others,” said Oblate Brother Mickey McGrath Br McGrath, an Oblate of St Francis has created a series of images that de Sales, who is a former professor take a faith-based look at the strug- at De Sales University. gle for racial equality. From his stu- African American spirituality has dio in Camden, New Jersey, Br Mc- had a profound influence on his life Grath has been posting his recent and work, he said. work on Facebook, often in the form In 1993, while still teaching part- of colouring pages that viewers can time at De Sales, the Philadelphia download and use as meditative art native travelled back to the city’s exercises. Mayfair section to visit his dying fa- (left) Oblate Brother Mickey McGrath, a liturgical artist attempting to One image in particular has re- ther. At his parents’ house, Br Mc- foster healing and justice in the struggle against racism through his work. ceived international attention: a Grath came across a magazine arti- (above) This painting titled I Can’t Breathe, depicts the wounded Christ as striking portrait of Christ falling un- cle on Sister Thea Bowman a black man sharing the sufferings of George Floyd, who died on 25th May, der the weight of the cross, above (1937-1990), the first African Ameri- after being restrained by a Minneapolis police officer. which the words “I can’t breathe” are can member of the Franciscan Sis- man’s life and work, Br McGrath be- (below left) This painting titled Windsock Visitation, depicts the joyful painted in red. ters of Perpetual Adoration, who was came a full-time artist and received encounter in St Luke’s Gospel between Mary and Elizabeth. The phrase was among the last ut- nine-years-old when she decided to his first commission, painting the (CNS photos/courtesy Oblate Brother Mickey McGrath) tered by George Floyd, who died on become a Catholic. She’s now on the encounter between Mary and Eliza- 25th May after close to nine minutes path to sainthood. beth in Luke 1:39-56 at the request outside of their house on days when Once dubbed the nation’s most in a Minneapolis police knee-to- “I later saw a video about her life, of the Visitation Sisters of Min- they offer afterschool activities for dangerous city, Camden disbanded neck restraint. Floyd’s killing has and it changed me forever,” said Br neapolis. neighbourhood children. and reconfigured its police depart- sparked global waves of protest, McGrath. “She unleashed something The work features a joyous em- Br McGrath said the women have ment in 2012. Although substantial with calls for police reform and a re- in me, and my artistic style shifted to brace between Mary and Elizabeth, become his “dearest friends,” and challenges remain, the municipality newed look at race relations. something different than anything who appear as Black and dressed in like him, they live amid an impover- is now considered a model for oth- Br McGrath, said the depiction I’d ever done. She has become my vivid African-style prints. The title, Windsock Visitation, ished but richly diverse urban com- ers seeking to overcome violence was adapted from a set of Stations of guiding force.” recalls the sis- munity, one in which he feels quite and racial division. A recent anti- the Cross he had completed two Shortly after discovering Bow- ters’ tradition of hanging windsocks at home. racism protest saw Camden police “My studio is my monk’s cell,” he joining demonstrators. said, adding that his work is not in- “It was a peaceful rally, full of trust tended as a pious diversion. in the police,” said Br McGrath. “It “This is my way of trying to get ended on the steps of the police people to see Christ in each other,” building, around the corner from Br McGrath told CatholicPhilly.com, where I live.” the online news outlet of the Arch- In the coming months, Br Mc- diocese of Philadelphia. Grath intends to publish a book of Referencing a colouring page he his images, which he often designs posted on Facebook for the feast of using an iPad. He maintains a full Corpus Christi, he said that “the idea schedule, travelling extensively is not just to go to adoration and across the globe to lead retreats, come home and feel good about workshops and art-themed tours. yourself.” He said his life’s motto is a quote “I told my students that all the from Dostoevsky, who wrote that time,” said Br McGrath. “If you go “beauty will save the world,” an as- back to class and don’t see Christ in sertion endorsed by Dorothy Day, the Black person ... then you’ve co-founder of the Catholic Worker missed the point.” Movement and herself a candidate He added that the city of Camden for sainthood, and cited by St John Letter to Artists. itself has made progress in healing Paul II in his 1999 some of the tensions between resi- Along with love, said Br McGrath, dents, most of whom are of colour, “beauty is our deepest human incli- and law enforcement. nation.”

If we could see Jesus as a Black man falling under a cross, as a man who can’t breathe, maybe that will make people see“ him in others – Br McGrath 34 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com

Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress AroundUniverse weekly pullout the Parishes CatholiC news and information from aCross the Uk and ireland Chrism Mass All Images Paul McSherry celebrated at St Mary’s

St Andrews and Edinburgh ises. Normally, all priests would be The Archdiocese of St Andrews and invited to make the renewal at the Edinburgh is preparing to welcome Mass, but Covid-19 prevented that new Christians into the Church fol- happening this year. Instead, he lowing the consecration of the Holy asked clergy to make the renewal in Oils at the Chrism Mass at St Mary’s their private morning prayer. Cathedral in Edinburgh last week. He said: “The renewal of the In his homily, Archbishop Cushley priestly promises is a token, of said: “Now that we are at liberty to course, but it is an important one of celebrate Mass in public once again, the willingness of the clergy to be the time has come for us to make steadfast in their priestly promises, the preparations that we need to and therefore has become an impor- welcome new Christians into our tant moment very close to our midst. hearts. That is why it seemed impor- spiritual communion that we all “One of the means by which we do tant to me that we celebrate the share as priests with each other, and that is through the holy oils that will Chrism Mass as soon as it was prac- with our great high priest, Jesus be consecrated this morning. That is tically possible. Christ.” why I have asked the deans to be “Just as our Eucharistic abstinence He finished: “My dear people, we present in order to take a suitable over these last four months has in- priests are sinners; we are unworthy amount of each of the three oils tensified our appreciation of the Eu- to be at your service, but by your back with them to each deanery, so charist and of our Lord’s presence prayers and support, we resolved to- that the initiation of Christians can among us by that means, so the day to serve you ever more faithfully. begin as soon as possible.” unique way by which all the priests “So please pray for your priests, The Archbishop also highlighted in the archdiocese will renew their and pray for me, that we may be another important aspect of the priestly promises today is a poignant good and holy ministers of the Word Mass – the renewal of priestly prom- reminder of the crucial nature of the and of the Eucharist on your behalf.” Volunteers sought as pro-life ‘Calm, measured and devout’ head steps down vigil looks at autumn re-start Imelda Cooper is retiring as head of bishops’ picnics on the school field, St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary school Masses, the annual Pilgrimage East Anglia: As the provision of clinics stayed open as providers of outside the Marie Stopes clinic in School in Lowestoft. Matt Huke to Walsingham and all events where abortion continues uninterrupted ‘essential medical services’. Indeed, Norwich this September. Jenner, Chair of Governors, paid parents, children and staff could come though the Covid-19 pandemic, the the pandemic saw the launch of in- If you are interested in becoming tribute to her 19 years’ service. together to celebrate. She will miss diocese of East Anglia is prayerfully creased access to ‘abortion pills by a 40 Days for Life Leader then please Mrs Cooper began work at the assemblies and the opportunity to considering ways to respond. Sarah post’ for the termination of pregnan- email Robert Colquhoun for more school in 2001 as a Year 3 teacher, impart the teachings of our Lord. Ward, pro-life representative on the cies up to 10 weeks gestation, a sorry details. He can be reached at having been taken on by the then Imelda’s plans for retirement include marriage commission, reports. development that Pro-life groups [email protected]. head teacher – now school governor travelling, although that has somewhat are trying to challenge in the courts. For those who cannot physically – Mrs Beryl Edwards. Within a very been curtailed in the short-term, as While the Covid-19 lockdown saw One such provider is Marie Stopes attend vigils in Norwich, please con- short time she became religious edu- well as supporting the local parish in much of the country’s activities and the diocese is very keen to re- sider supporting 40 Days for Life cation subject leader, a post she held any way she can. come to a standstill, sadly abortion start a 40 Days for Life campaign with prayer and fasting from Sep- throughout her career. ‘Imelda always tember 23 – November 1. Working under four headteachers, provided a strong This year’s March for Life was suc- she soon became an outstanding Early link between the cessfully moved to an online virtual Years teacher (an Ofsted Inspector’s parish and school event and on Saturday, 13th June, official verdict) and was promoted to and will be sorely with some 15,000+ viewers logged deputy head in 2015. missed by all staff.’ on to watch LifeStream20. After a school restructure in 2018, The online programme included she was promoted to the post of head She will leave a lasting legacy on St events for younger children, youth of school in early 2019, working with Mary’s and will be missed by all in- and adults and the theme for the day a new executive head, Mrs Crane. cluding the staff, governors, parents was ‘Equal from Day One’. In the words of her peers, “Imelda and especially the children. You can still catch the highlights will be remembered for her calm, She will be succeeded by Ewa Parker from LifeStream20 at www.march- measured and devout leadership as the new head of school. Ewa is cur- forlife.co.uk. which is the embodiment of our school rently the deputy headteacher at St We look forward to having a big and its ethos. She has always provided Mary’s in Long Stratton. East Anglian presence at the next a strong link between the parish and Mrs Parker is delighted to be taking March for Life in June 2021. school and will be sorely missed by over and is very excited to join the Sarah Ward, left, will be continuing all staff.” team, and all staff and governors look the diocese’s 40 Days for Life Mrs Cooper said she fondly remem- forward to welcoming her in Septem- campaign bers whole-school events such as the ber. The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 35 Around the Parishes

Praise for Dominicans as Fr Sam joins priesthood Peter offers glimpse of

St Andrews and Edinburgh “In the sacred priesthood, what you, may God bless you abundantly.” Family and friends were on hand to the Church now asks of you is to Because of Covid-19 restriction love in his heart at help Fr Samuel Burke OP celebrate conform yourself more perfectly to only 50 people could attend the or- his ordination to the priesthood at St Christ, and Him crucified. We are dination, but it was streamed online Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh. priests, never for our ourselves, but by the cathedral to family and moving ordination Fr Samuel has been in the city for for Christ and his People. friends unable to attend. the past year as a deacon at the “May this new commission from After the Mass, Fr Samuel gave his East Anglia: Y”“”w…Mol x | ńvey…|wwyh”t of His people.” Dominican-run St Albert the Great the Church that priestly ordination first blessing to the archbishop and at the end of his seminary journey Y”“”w…’Yyz“w(…Mol x | ńvey…lw”k …rm in George Square and serves as represents, be for you a task that is gathered clergy as well as family and on Saturday, 25th July as Bishop in Cambridge and was an altar chaplain for the University of Edin- joyful and a burden that is light. Let friends, before heading to St Albert’s Alan Hopes ordained him to the server for 11 years in the parish of burgh. it conform you to Christ our great for a reception. priesthood at the Cathedral of St St Laurence. He was a longstand- In his homily Archbishop Cushley High Priest, the One who reveals to He thanked his Dominican broth- John the Baptist in Norwich. ing member of the Diocesan Youth praised the work of the Dominicans us the merciful face of God, and ers for their support and added: “I Around 100 people and friends Council of the diocese, and helped in the diocese and said: “As a Do- whose love and mercy we wish to want to give thanks to the Lord for from places where Peter had lived to lead pilgrimages to Taize and minican Friar, Sam, you have already share with humanity.” His mercy and the gift of my voca- and ministered, as well as Peter’s World Youth Days. given your life and your obedience He added: “Finally, Sam, always tion. parents and sister and some 30 He studied electronic engineer- to an order that is distinguished for live and act in a way that is worthy of “I especially thank my family for priests, came to join the socially- ing at Warwick University and its pursuit of truth, its attachment to the great gift that is bestowed on you their love, support and sacrifice; my distanced celebration. “This is a worked in industry in London be- simplicity of life, and the preaching today. friends for coming and their unique great day of joy,” said Bishop Alan. fore beginning his training for the of the Word. “And wherever your priesthood takes contributions and support.” “I know Peter will draw tremen- priesthood at the Venerable Eng- dous strength from your prayerful lish College in Rome. He studied presence here.” theology at the Gregorian Univer- “I remember attending an ordi- sity and gained pastoral experi- Bishop blesses cathedral’s Stations nation many years ago,” said Peter, ence in the diocese of Malolos in “and reading in the back of the or- the Philippines after that. In Octo- der of service a thank-you note ber 2019 he had the unique hon- of the Cross as fund launched that the new priest had added in. I our of singing the Gospel at the recall reading with some scepti- canonisation Mass of Cardinal Salford: A renovation fund which cism the line, ‘I couldn’t have done John Henry Newman in Rome. seeks to restore Salford Cathedral’s it without you’ and thinking it was Peter has been based at St Ed- Stations of the Cross has recently a bit much, that surely he’d have munds, Bury St Edmunds, since been launched and last week, at its managed on his own steam. the Italian universities closed in installation, Bishop John gave his “As I reach the end of my own the spring. blessing of the first Station. seminary journey, I know now that In his homily, Bishop Alan said: ‘The Stations of the Cross Renova- it is absolutely true that seminari- “Jesus tells us we must be pre- tion Fund,’ has been set up to enable ans only persevere thanks to the pared to share in his suffering and this piece of work to take place and immense support, encouragement death…and at the heart of our to improve the beauty of the Mother and prayer of countless people ministry must be humility”. Priest- Church of the diocese. along the way. Particularly here, I hood, he added, “Is nothing to do Bishop Arnold blessed the Stations would want to thank Bishop Alan with status”. in the company of a small gathering and the Venerable English College The bishop told Peter: “Your of socially distanced clergy and for all they’ve taught me, and also prostration before God…is an parishioners, which was conducted all those in East Anglia who have abandonment of yourself to His in accordance with Covid-19 guide- prayed for me and other seminari- love and will” and he encouraged lines. ans of the diocese over the years. him to “model your life on the The proposed Stations were origi- “I have some studying left to fin- mystery of the Lord’s cross”. nally located in St Gregory’s Church ish in Rome, but I greatly look for- Peter added: “My hope is that in Farnworth, Bolton, which closed ward to returning to the diocese to you’ve caught a glimpse of the in the 1990s. begin the ministry the Lord has goodness and beauty which has Donations will fund their restora- called me to in the years to come. I taken hold of my heart.” tion to a traditional oak framed and can but hope and pray, by God’s He expressed his gratitude to plaster relief set which is in keeping grace, that I continue to grow in Bishop Michael Evans for “getting with the design of the rest of Salford the beauty, heritage and sense of de- decorative feature that allow our my discipleship and, as I place my me moving” and to Bishop Alan Cathedral. votion at the Cathedral. Stations of parish to take part in the most com- hands in the Lord’s, He may work for being a father figure over the It is hoped that the Stations of the the Cross are an essential part of the mon act of devotion, the Way of the as He wills through me, in the life last seven years.” Cross being renovated will add to fabric of any Catholic church and a Cross. 36 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Education School closure impact could last for decades says new report

School closures could reduce young infection risk from reopening schools people’s earning potential in the future is limited. and damage the British economy for When infection rates rise in some decades to come, a report has warned. areas, schools may need to close but Around a quarter of the entire work- these decisions should be made on force could have lower skills by the a school-by-school or local area basis, mid-2030s for half a century onwards, it says. the paper from the Royal Society pre- The report calls on the Government dicts. This could reduce pupils’ earning to suppress the virus in the wider potential by around three per cent a community to reduce the risk of trans- year and lower the economic growth mission in schools once they are at rate if action is not taken by the Gov- full capacity to minimise disruptions ernment. to learning. Maricourt staff’s Schools closed their doors to the If local outbreaks occur, other fa- Summer of Hope. majority of pupils in March, which cilities where the risk of transmission will mean some children in England is high – such as pubs, gyms or non- will have been out of the classroom essential shops, should be closed be- for nearly six months when they return fore schools, it says. full-time in September. The Government should provide The report, by the Royal Society’s substantial extra resources to Hail ‘Mari-thon’ heroes Data Evaluation and Learning for Viral ensure schools can minimise chains Epidemics (Delve) group, says the of transmission – such as face cover- Teachers at Maricourt Catholic High “In Maricourt, social justice is in- them. It’s an incredible amount raised Government must prioritise reopen- ings for teachers, older children and School in Maghull held their own tegral to our mission as a school – as for a very worthy cause.” ing schools in the autumn and try to those with underlying health issues, ‘Mari-thon’ – running over 100km and students and staff, we have always Donations from the group’s keep them open in the months to regular testing, and prioritisation for raising over £2,000 in aid of the inter- been committed to caring for those fundraising will go towards CAFOD’s come. vaccines for teachers, it says. national development charity CAFOD’s in need in our local community and Coronavirus Appeal, which is currently It calculates that 13 cohorts of stu- Simon Burgess, professor of eco- Coronavirus Appeal as part of its Sum- throughout the world, so I knew that scaling up its support to local aid ex- dents have been affected by the lock- nomics at the University of Bristol mer of Hope campaign. I would get a response.” perts in developing countries already down – and for the 50 years after the and a lead author on the report, said: Ken McCabe, the chaplain of Mari- As a result staff joined together to on the frontline, reaching vulnerable mid-2030s, around one in four of “We know how damaging it is for chil- court, took up running in earnest as form ‘Team Maricourt’ and took up families providing food, as well as im- workers in the UK could have lower dren to miss out on school. a result of lockdown. After his wife the challenge, and between them proving handwashing and sanitation skills due to school closures. “The amount of school already suggested that he should aim to do a walked and ran over 110km and have facilities across communities. Apart from the longer-term eco- missed due to the pandemic could 10km run for charity CAFOD, Ken was raised a staggering £2,200. Siobhan Farnell, CAFOD’s local rep- nomic consequences of school clo- impact on their earning potential by uncertain – he didn’t think he would Ken continued: “The staff really resentative in Liverpool, said: “The sures, the immediate negative impact around three per cent a year through- even be able to run 5km! challenged themselves. We never ex- efforts of the teachers and staff at on children’s mental and physical out their lives and impact on produc- However, some weeks later, CAFOD pected to raise this much money, but Maricourt has been amazing. We know health and safety will be “consider- tivity in the UK for decades. launched their Coronavirus appeal people have been so generous.” that their contribution will really make able”, it warns. “There has been little evidence of and Ken saw an opportunity. Joseph Mangan, the head of Mari- a big difference to the lives of families The paper concludes that the risk surges in infection rates in countries “I sent out an email to staff in the court Catholic High School, added: who are struggling during this difficult of restarting schools is not as high as that have opened up their schools, school to see if anyone would be in- “We are all really proud of the efforts time.” many other activities, although it including countries that have fully re- terested in doing a run or walk for of our colleagues and appreciative of Find out more about CAFOD’s work recognises that the evidence on the opened.” CAFOD,” explained Ken. the generosity of those who supported at: cafod.org.uk/coronavirus The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 37 Education New Hall kept the community spirit alive through pandemic

Staff and pupils from New Hall School despite being eight months pregnant! port to NHS and frontline Key Workers, in Boreham, Chelmsford, Essex, have Accompanying these efforts, the as well as ensured that the children come together to support the nation school’s senior prefect team banded continued their studies and self-de- and local community in the most re- together and walked/ran/cycled velopment. markable of ways throughout the 5,614km (approximately the distance Covid-19 pandemic. from New Hall to Times Square in Faith Reflecting the school’s ethos of care New York) over a period of 30 days, to New Hall’s large and vibrant chap- and service, the school took action in raise money for NHS Charities To- laincy has continued to support the a number of initiatives to supply PPE, gether. prayer life of the school and local raise money for good causes and rally James Alderson, head of sixth form, community. munity during these unprecedented round its community to raise spirits. said: “The challenge was an excellent Fr Martin Hardy, New Hall’s chap- and difficult times, allowing people In addition to producing over 200 opportunity for students to keep fit lain, has regularly live-streamed Mass to stay connected and supported in face shields for the school’s local hos- and stay connected, while serving the from the magnificent and historic prayer. pital, Broomfield Hospital, New Hall NHS staff with PPE made community. The team raised a total Chapel. Katherine Jeffrey, said: “New “This has been especially important School donated a large amount of by New Hall School of £3,604 and covered an impressive Hall’s chaplaincy team and theology at a time when many have suffered protective equipment to local care distance of 5,727km!” department created an imaginative isolation and loneliness and others homes. been unable to run in person, New and moving set of ‘Remote Liturgies’, are struggling with illness and be- School principal Katherine Jeffrey Hall provided ongoing support and Portraits of heroes which have been valued by our com- reavement.” said this work had been inspiring: care throughout lockdown with home The Art Department has contributed Above, the “The selflessness and hard work of deliveries, Zoom/Skype calls and letter to the NHS Heroes portrait initiative, New Hall art the staff has provided some much- writing to all the members of its weekly with a dozen students and various department needed relief to the local community action groups. teachers creating over 60 portraits of NHS Heroes and the art, design and technology Key Workers, to be exhibited in the Portrait. department has done a fantastic job Fundraisers Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in due designing and manufacturing PPE Various members of the community course. Left, Key for frontline key workers battling the have participated in several sporting Workers’ virus.” challenges to raise money for NHS Open for key workers’ children children on Meanwhile, New Hall’s award-win- Charities Together. Isla-Rose Onions New Hall School remained open to the New Hall ning voluntary service, NHVS, has (Year 1) ran 26km over the month of Key Worker children continually from scheme. continued its 40-year tradition of giv- May, raising a total of £870, including March. With a plethora of activities ing service to those in need in the Gift Aid. Miss Beatty, teacher of Eng- on offer, from golf lessons and croquet, local community. While clubs such lish, took part in the 2.6 challenge, to painting and animal welfare, the as lunches for the elderly and support walking 2.6 miles for 26 days to raise School’s ‘Key Worker Childcare groups for vulnerable adults have money for the Little Edi Foundation, Scheme’ provided much-needed sup-

Covid sees poor children www.thecatholicuniverse.com lose ground on peers Be part of the conversation... Secondary school children from the most advantaged families will take six months to catch up following the Covid-19 closure of schools while those from disadvantaged back- We’re looking for articles grounds could take up to a year, a new study has found. for future issues of Researchers from the University of Education magazine. Southampton also found that primary age children from advantaged families If you would like to contribute would be approximately a year behind while those from disadvantaged back- do so as they are more likely to be please contact me – grounds even further back. working from home.” on details below. Dr Nic Pensiero, who led the study, The researchers analysed data on said: “Parents who work in professional home learning from the families of and management occupations, which 1,430 primary and 1,595 secondary are suitable for home working, are schoolchildren in April. better able to assist their children’s Children in secondary education home learning. with the most advantaged circum- “Such parents are better able to stances spent nearly four hours per provide children with their own com- day on school work, compared with puters and other learning resources two-and-a-half hours for those from as well as a suitable learning space. disadvantaged circumstances. This puts their children in a signifi- For children in primary school ed- cantly better situation than those from ucation, the most advantaged spent non-professional, non-managerial nearly three hours on school work, families.” compared with less than two-and-a- Dr Pensiero continued: “The tran- half for the most disadvantaged pupils. sition to distance learning is likely to The researchers said that in the increase inequalities in education be- most advantaged families, the main cause of differences in both the volume parent would work in a managerial of school work provided and the abil- or professional occupation, work ities of some parents to support their from home and the child would have children’s learning. their own computer. Catherine Kelly Editor on 0161 820 5722 “Parents with professional and man- In disadvantaged families, the par- or email [email protected] agerial jobs have the advantage of be- ent would not work regularly from ing better able to assist with home home and the child has to share a schooling and having more time to computer with others. PART OF THE UNIVERSE NEWSPAPER DIGITAL NETWORK

The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 39

YOUR WEEKLY LIFESTYLE PAGES INSIDE YOUR UNIVERSE FOOD | DRINK | MUSIC | BOOKS | HEALTH | FINANCE | TV GUIDE | GARDENING uuniverse Jenni Murray: ‘I went from 24 stone to 14’ The BBC Woman’s Hour presenter talks to Hannah Stephenson about her battle with obesity and the irreversible surgery she chose to lose weight.

PROFILE For much of her adult life, Dame “I wasn’t fat when I was a kid. I Jenni Murray, long-time presenter of had a big frame. I had my father’s BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, has bone structure. But my mother was been overweight, even obese. a slim, elegant woman, although she She has been called ‘fat cow’ in was continuously dieting.” the street many times, or taunted When Murray returned from Hull with cries of, ‘Eh, love, who ate all University two stones heavier during the pies?’ the Easter break of her first year, her “The taunting infuriated me and it mother couldn’t suppress her anger, hurt,” says Murray, 70, whose weight telling her ‘You look like a baby ele- yo-yoed between 14 and 24 stone for phant’. some years. She had tried every diet, But the presenter’s weight really from Weight Watchers to Atkins and ballooned when she was working on Dukon, but ended up putting back Woman’s Hour and moved house on all the weight and more. with her husband David and sons Ed At 64, the presenter avoided the and Charlie to the Peak District. scales, refusing to make connections During the week she lived in a between her weight and health is- basement flat in London she nick- sues, telling herself she was fat and named ‘Wuthering Depths’, where happy. She’d already had breast can- she became depressed and started over my head as far back as I can re- which didn’t work for her, as well as Today, when she goes out to din- cer, a disease which has been linked comfort eating. Only at weekends, member, ‘listen to your appetite’. It trying all sorts of diets, unsuccess- ner, she’ll order two starters instead to obesity, and a double hip replace- when she was back home with her was the one subject in which I appear fully. of a main but no bread and no pud- ment. family, did healthy eating prevail. to be profoundly deaf. I can’t hear In the end, she chose the surgical ding as she’s too full. The catalyst for change happened “I bought takeaways, pre-prepared my stomach. I just eat because it’s route after her GP told her that she Her energy levels and her mobility on one of her slow, lumbering walks food from the supermarket, drank something to do.” needed to address her weight. But have been transformed and five with her dogs and her son, Charlie. far too much wine. I wasn’t doing She became so low that on one Murray remained cautious, having years on, her weight has stabilised, They were having a little sit down much exercise because I would go to occasion she called the Samaritans. heard horror stories about bad expe- at around 14 stone, which she says when an enormous woman passed work very early, I’d have two lattes, “I was so down one night. I was riences. she is happy with. them driving a mobility scooter, her not skinny ones, a couple of crois- worried about home, about the hus- Finally, a guest surgeon talking She wouldn’t want any more sur- two dogs trotting beside her, their sants and we’d finish the programme band and the programme the next about obesity in children on her gery to remove the loose skin leads attached to the handlebar. before lunch, either go to the can- day, probably after having eaten a show took her through the options around her tummy and arms, she re- “Charlie said, ‘Blimey Mum, if you teen or the local Turkish restaurant pizza and a bar of chocolate. I don’t and she chose to have a ‘sleeve gas- veals. aren’t careful, that’ll be you before for pitta bread, hummus and wine. even really like chocolate. I just trectomy’, an irreversible procedure “Unless it is to save my life, I will long’,” she recalls. “It was the evenings when I would needed to talk to somebody. in which a large part of the stomach never go under the scalpel again.” His comment prompted her to comfort eat. We don’t necessarily eat “The young man was so sweet, he is removed. She had the operation in So, how will society change its at- eventually shed ten stone and sta- when we’re hungry and that’s the listened and asked me questions.” June 2015, aged 65, and it cost her titude to obesity? bilise her weight. Now she is reveal- crucial thing. That line has hung She went on to have therapy, £11,000. “We have to get people to under- ing her candid story about her battle “I was scared witless; I’d had my stand what is causing it and change with obesity in Fat Cow, Fat Chance, breast removed, I’d had my hips the attitude that it’s their fault, in which she also examines the sci- completely changed. I was thinking, they’re lazy, they’re greedy. It’s much ence and psychology of size. ‘Come on, do you really want to go more complicated than that. It is a Fat-shamers insist that obesity is into another operating theatre and disease and there is treatment for it the result of lazy, greedy people with never be quite sure if you’re ever go- which, in the no self-control, but obesity is a dis- ing to come out again?’ long run, will ease which should be treated as “But I had researched it properly save the NHS a such, she says, a claim backed up by and was convinced it was the right lot of money.” research in the book. thing to do.” Her mother, Win, a Yorkshire The recovery was much less woman who had an ethos of ‘eat painful than she anticipated. After • Fat Cow, Fat everything on your plate’, following an initial liquid-only diet followed Chance by Jenni wartime and post-war austerity, fed by sloppy purees, she returned to Murray will be young Jenni large portions and then eating normally eight weeks later. published by fat-shamed her cruelly when she put “I went from 24 stone to 14,” Mur- Doubleday, on weight. ray recalls. priced £16.99 40 uuniverse

Asters Michaelmas daisies start flowering as we go into August but then they will go right the way Summer Asters through. Aster novi-belgii is a tough aster which never seems to get disease and is ideal They can be planted in summer, where you have gaps left by early- flowering plants, and grow to around 80cm. They prefer sun or light shade and should be kept well watered in dry soils. They make good companions with other autumn-flowering plants, including Japanese anemones.

Rudbeckias Commonly known as coneflowers because of their yellow petals that hang down, Yellow petals of emphasising the Rudbeckia the prominent dark central cone, rudbeckias are from the same group of North American daisies. “Rudbeckia Late summer blooms to fulgida deemii or ‘Goldsturm’ are both beautiful,” Klein enthuses. ‘Goldsturm’ has such an abundance of flowers that it has an almost solid effect in the late summer border. Use the smaller keep your garden glowing varieties with fiery displays of crocosmias and red hot pokers in a border, or put them in a pot to Gardening expert Carol Klein suggests some of her top picks for longer lasting add patio colour, around perhaps a burgundy cordyline. Taller types summer plants. By Hannah Stephenson. can be put at the back of a border, framed by late-flowering GARDEN clematis. Did you buy summer bedding plants Left: Perennial Sunflower months ago, when they first went on These helianthus are not like the sale and panic buying was all traditional big-flowered annual, but around? they do make a statement and come If so, you might have noticed they back year after year. It grows to look a little tired by now, after the around 2m tall, with coarse, green baking sun we had in May followed foliage and light yellow flowers 5cm by endless rain. wide, with pale yellow florets and a So how can you plug the gaps to dark yellow central disk. bring colour into your garden that’ll last until the autumn? Below: Crocosmias TV’s Carol Klein offered late sum- Carol Klein Known as montbretia, crocosmias mer gardening inspiration to visitors are one of the main features at the of the virtual RHS Flower Show Tat- RHS Tatton show. They may have a ton Park at Home hosted on the RHS Heleniums Above: Pernnial Sunflower. reputation for being a bit invasive, website. “These plants, which are vaguely Helianthus are a type of but you can just pull up the corms if “You should go for perennials, be- from the daisy family, are superb. If sunflower they outgrow their space. cause not only will they look good you keep on deadheading, they will “I have Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’, which right through the summer and into flower right up to the end of has just started to flower and it is the autumn, but they will keep com- September,” says Klein. “They are taking over from big euphorbias.” ing back every year. They are much just starting to flower. My favourite more worth the investment. It’s not is Helenium ‘El Dorado’, which worth planting bedding plants at produces great big golden flowers, this time of year,” says the BBC Gar- and ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’. There deners’ World regular. are lots of traditional ones, including You can enjoy a riot of colour with ‘Moerheim Beauty’ with its dark, late-summer flowering perennials in copper-red daisy-like flowers, which shades ranging from zingy yellows to are also popular.” scorching reds and burnt oranges, When you deadhead, cut down to which will last into October. the next bud on the stem, which will “There’s a huge group of plants then flower and you can get a show which are all from the States, but through to autumn. Lift and divide which we think of as common Eng- heleniums every few years, which Crocosmias lish cottage garden plants, flowering will increase your stock, Klein adds. from mid-summer onwards,” adds “If you split them in the spring, Klein. they almost fall apart for you. We do • For more late summer gardening Here are some of her recommen- that with ours, planting three little Heleniums can flower all year round inspiration, visit dations... pieces at a time.” rhs.org.uk/tattonathome The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 41

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Home essentials: Spotting the signs of water damage Plumbing problems aren’t always obvious at first but it’s best to act fast if you spot any signs. Sam Wylie-Harris seeks some expert advice.

HOME If you suspect a serious leak, Schulman says a good way to test Home water systems can be compli- this is to turn on the taps and see if cated and expensive at the best of you have a substantial drop in water times, so the last thing anyone pressure. You should try this with wants is a leak to deal with. multiple taps around the home, While a sudden torrential leak which could help you identify the might be easy to spot though, potential problem area. smaller leaks can often go unnoticed If it’s clear these signs aren’t com- or ignored which isn’t good news. ing from within the home, one of the “When a leak springs, they’re often external pipes connecting your difficult to spot and usually by the house to the street supply might Mouldy areas time you do, it’s too late,” says Izzy have burst. Moisture makes any problem Schulman, director of Plumbers4u. To rule out this issue on your areas a breeding ground for mould “Repairing a leaking pipe can cost property and avoid a hefty repair Discolouration on your walls and mildew, which, if left you anywhere between £160-£310, bill, ask around your neighbourhood or the rapid growth of mould, untouched, can produce depending on the size and scale of to see if they’re having the same could be the sign of a leak in dangerous and harmful spores in the problem. trouble. It could be an issue in your your home. as little as three days. “It’s important to get the issue street’s main supply line. Schulman suggests cleaning as dealt with as soon as possible, as a When discolouration or mould soon as mould starts to appear, more substantial burst can send re- Unusual sounds around the house before anything nasty becomes pair costs skyrocketing into the Strange noises like gurgling, appears on the walls or ceiling, there’s a good chance the leak has airborne. thousands,” Schulman urges. dripping and bubbling can tell you a “Even the smallest • Douse the area with mould and So, what should you be on the lot about the health of your home, sprung from within the wall. This sort of job should be left to a profes- of leaks can set you mildew remover and let it soak for lookout for, and what can you do to even more so about your pipes. If five minutes before wiping it away. stop the problem from getting these sounds are coming from your sional to avoid making the problem worse. They’ll be far more equipped back an extra £9-£35 • Give the area several worse? Here, Shulman outlines four sinks, toilets or bathroom, it could applications of the remover as signs you may have a water leak in possibly signal a leak. to handle these issues and have all the specialist technologies to diag- a year on average mould can be stubborn and hard your home... If you’re becoming concerned by to remove. unnatural noises in your home, nose the problem quickly and accu- and these can rately. High water bills or low water check your water meter. If it’s still The growth of mould is an obvious pressure registering water usage or ticking, quickly become a Depending on your plan and usage, Schulman says it’s time to contact symptom as it thrives in humid tem- the cost of water bills can fluctuate, your local plumber. peratures. Leaky pipes provide the bigger problem if but for most homeowners it’s moisture that makes any problem ignored.” usually within a predictable range. If Mould, mildew and odd smells areas a breeding ground for mould it starts to become regularly higher If you’ve noticed a musty smell, and mildew, which, if left untouched, than you’ve budgeted for, there patchy discolouration on your walls can produce dangerous and harmful might be an underlying problem. or the rapid growth of mould, it spores in as little as three days. Even the smallest of leaks can set could be the sign of a leak in your Mould of this kind becomes visible you back an extra £9-£35 a year on home. Musty scents are a key within 24-48 hours, making it some- average and these can quickly giveaway; you shouldn’t be able to thing to look out for. become a bigger problem if ignored. smell anything musty or mouldy. Outdoor pooling (gathering and not dispersing) If you’ve spotted your bills are too high and you suspect a leak, it’s worth looking at your front and back gardens too. Check them for Leak test overgrown areas of grass. Leaking One of the most common issues in pipes fertilise the surrounding area the bathroom is a leaky cistern. leading to an overgrowth of grass You can find out if you have a around the leak; this is usually toilet issue by placing a few drops accompanied by an unpleasant of food colouring in your toilet smell. If nothing is growing as a tank. Leave the toilet alone for result, look for persistent pooling of half an hour and when you return, water this is another tell-tale sign. check to see if the water in the If the leak is leading to this level of Look for persistent pooling of bowl of the toilet has become saturation, there’s a good chance the Water bills being higher water or a particular patch that’s tinted with the dye from the tank. burst is big enough to potentially than expected is a sign of an always saturated, this is another If this has happened, there’s a leak weaken your home’s foundations, it’s underlying problem. tell-tale sign of outdoor pooling. between the tank and the bowl. best to get it looked at straight away. 42 uuniverse

Separate the fact from fiction on dieting myths Planning a post-lockdown diet? Liz Connor asks experts to talk us through some of the most common weight loss myths when it comes to losing weight.

Biology has no effect on weight loss HEALTH Weiner stresses that everybody is Healthy sources of fat different when it comes to weight include: loss, and there’s no simple ‘one size fits all’ rule. “People’s bodies are Has lockdown left your clothes feeling • Oily fish: salmon and affected differently because of a little more snug? According to a mackerel varying metabolisms, hormones and survey by King’s College London and muscle mass. Some ‘diets’ or IPSOS Mori, 48% of people in the UK training regimes will have great • Nuts: cashews, walnuts, say they’ve seen the scales creeping success with some people and not almonds, pistachio. up during the pandemic. with others,” he says. “You could Understandably, many of us have take more time to lose weight than • Seeds: chia, flax, sesame; turned to food for comfort, plus our others, and that’s totally fine. Just be lifestyles suddenly became much and butters and oils. patient and trust the process.“ more sedentary and giving ourselves a hard time for gaining a little weight Fats are ‘bad’ when trying to lose is the last thing anyone needs. You can target weight But if you are thinking about em- ‘problem areas’ Just like carbs, fats often have a bad barking on a post-lockdown health Many people reputation in the world of dieting. kick, it’s a good idea to approach it have a part of Some foods speed up metabolism “It’s not fat that makes you gain sensibly. Carbs should be avoided their body The popular theory goes that the weight, it’s simply eating too many So much is said about losing Most fad or celebrity diets always they’re unhappy ‘faster’ your metabolism, the more calories that makes you gain weight that it’s hard to know what revolve around cutting out specific with, and targeting calories you burn and the easier it is weight,” says Elliott Upton, personal advice to trust. Weight loss myths food groups, such as carbs, claiming these so-called ‘problem areas’ can to keep weight off. Foods and drinks trainer at Up Fitness (upfitness.co.uk). are particularly rife at the moment, that it’s a fast-track solution to often be a main motivator in their such as green tea and protein-rich One important thing to remem- with many people looking for ways weight loss. weight loss journey but regimes that foods are good at speeding up ber with fats is they contain to shed the extra pounds gained But carbohydrates are a really im- promise to tackle specific areas are metabolism. Spiking your Healthy more calories than pro- during lockdown. portant part of a balanced diet misleading. metabolism only lasts for a fats are vital to tein and carbs, so To help you on your way, we asked though, as the body’s main source of If your goal is to solely lose weight few hours at a time. These hormone production. they’re just easier to some experts to talk us through energy for the brain, and they also somewhere specific, like your processes need energy; Weight loss and a overeat. There are some of the most common weight contain essential dietary fibre, tummy, you’re probably going to be the amount of energy healthy lifestyle actually nine calories per gram loss ‘myths’.... which aids in digestion. disappointed. Weight is lost by eat- they need is dependent requires some of fat, compared to While they may sometimes be the ing a healthy, balanced diet along on an individual’s body essential fats in just four calories per Detoxing is good for you higher calorie option on paper, the with regular exercise, but everyone size, age, gender and genes. your diet gram with carbs and pro- Detoxing often largely revolves reality is carbs make you feel fuller is different and you can’t predict While it is possible, there is no tein. around ‘cutting out’ most of your for longer, which means you’re less where the fat will be shed from first. scientific proof they are beneficial Certain fats are also very good for usual food and just having detox likely to binge on snacks throughout Adding exercises that target the abs for your metabolism. us and essential for healthy function. juice or shakes instead. Although the day. and core can help to tone muscle in Losing weight and living a lean and trendy, health experts often advise this area, however, but fat loss is part healthy lifestyle actually requires caution. of a bigger picture. some essential fats in your diet. Jo Travers, registered dietitian and People rapidly author of The Low-Fad Diet, says: “A ‘ healthy, balanced diet is called such lose weight on a because it is healthy and balanced. Small steps can lead to big changes When you cut out certain foods, it juice fast Losing weight is not a straightforward and quick journey. Rather ceases to be balanced and this can than quick-fix diets and fast weight loss, instead think in terms mean the gut isn’t getting what it because it’s of a general lifestyle change that takes time. needs. It’s normal for people’s weight to fluctuate up and down. People “A juice detox is a key example. mainly just are generally ‘lighter’ in the morning than in the evening. And for There is very little protein content in women, holding on to water weight can often become more juice, so your body will be forced to muscle you’re significant during their menstrual cycle. break down muscle in order to com- losing.’ The bottom line is that making small lifestyle changes and plete important processes like making adopting healthy habits over time can help you lose weight in a hormones, enzymes and neuro- transmitters. This is usually why sustainable, healthy and enjoyable way. If you’re concerned people rapidly lose weight on a about your weight, it’s a good idea to speak to your GP, who can juice fast; it’s mainly muscle. give you further advice on losing weight sensibly at home. The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 43

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NICK’S MUSIC PICKS All Rise, by Gregory Porter Grammy award-winning singing sensation Gregory Porter provides the musical medicine in his eagerly awaited new album, All Rise…

The Music Scene and, two, music is medicine. In the Nick Benson spirit of that latter revelation, All Rise brims with songs about irre- Greg Porter. (C) Amy Sioux. Beloved US singer-songwriter Gre- pressible love, plus a little protest, because the road to healing is gory Porter has solidified his place Orchestra Strings. “But, quite Album, Porter hasn’t let down his le- bumpy. as one of the best voices of our frankly, the way I write in my head, it gion of fans, whether collaborating First single, Revival, sets the tone, generation in his highly antici- all happens with just voice and piano with Disclosure on Holding On, re- kicking off with Porter’s signature pated forthcoming album, All Rise. first, and it’s built up from there. It leasing his dance hit Liquid Spirit – hand-clapping. Drop the needle on Following on from 2017 album feels good to get back to the rhythms Claptone Remix which became one this irrepressible, gospel-infused Nat King Cole & Me, which charted and the styles and the feelings and of the most popular tracks in Ibiza, track and just try to pretend you at number three in the UK album the way that I like to lay down my scoring another Grammy for Take aren’t lifted by the spirit. charts, Porter’s forthcoming own music from start to finish.” Me to the Alley, or telling his life “For me, it’s the message of walk- record, which will be released on Cuts like Faith in Love, with its story through Cole’s songbook. ing into this life and having some Decca Records/Blue Note later lightly funky Marvin Gaye groove, Porter is still surprised by his run- fear and self-doubt, and the point this month, marks a return to his and Thank You, dedicated to every- away success, but he has a theory: “I where you grab onto something that beloved original song writing – one who’s helped Porter along the was soothed by my voice as a child cast, The Hang, featuring such you know is real, the silent and real heart-on-sleeve lyrics imbued way, underscore the complexities of and I think that’s the same thing distinguished guests as Annie things, the truth…Once you can with everyday philosophy and love as he sees it. “I keep making ref- others get from it. I’m trying to heal Lennox and Jeff Goldblum. grab onto the truth then this fear- real-life detail, set to a stirring mix erences that are both worldly and of myself with these songs.” As ever, Porter manages to cut lessness comes,” said Porter. of jazz, soul, blues, and gospel. the Most High. Am I speaking of God Not only has Porter made chart through the noise of genres and This is just one of the many mo- Produced by Troy Miller, this or am I speaking of the people that history by bringing jazz back to the the mess of life, bringing his rich, ments of pure joy on the new album. record also represents the evolu- are on Earth here with me? Am I masses, graced Glastonbury’s iconic soulful voice and exuberant per- “Yes, you could say that I went tion of Porter’s art to something talking about my actual father who’s Pyramid Stage, performed for the sonality to everyone and every- big,” said Porter about the record, even more emphatic, emotive, in- dead and in Heaven, or am I talking Queen, appeared on the biggest TV thing. And lucky for us that he which combines the talents of his timate and universal, too. about my Heavenly Father?” shows as well as presented his own does. longtime loyal bandmates, a hand- After Nat King Cole & Me, Porter Since his world-beating 2013 Blue series, Gregory Porter’s Popular • All Rise by Gregory Porter is out picked horn section, a 10-member knew two things: one, he’d bring Note debut, Liquid Spirit, which Voices on BBC Four, 2019 saw the on Decca Records/Blue Note on choir, and the London Symphony in an orchestra for his next LP, won the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal singer launch and host his own pod- 28th August 2020 NICK’S TV PICKS

Lights flash on an ambulance. Joanna Lumley at her home in Sean Fletcher joins the British Army’s Nigel Hunter at Hunters the Bakers. Captain Sir Tom. (C) North One. (C)Simon Dawson/PA London. (C) Burning Bright. Royal Lancers.(C) ITV Cymru (C) Daisybeck Studios.

999: On The Front Line – Joanna Lumley's Unseen Adventures Wonders Of The Coast Path Inside Britain's Food Factories The Life And Times Of Captain Sir Critical Care Tuesday 11th August Thursday 13th August Thursday 13th August Tom Sunday 9th August 9.15pm-10.15pm 8.00pm-8.30pm 8.30pm-9.00pm Thursday 13th August 9.00pm-10.00pm ITV ITV ITV 9.15pm-10.15pm Channel 4 Travel is Joanna Lumley’s passion. Wales is the only country in the Inside Britain’s Food Factories goes ITV This series explores some of the She has travelled the world for ITV, world with a designated path that behind the scenes at some of This new documentary features most powerful stories and major thousands of miles that take weeks stretches around its entire coastline. Britain’s most iconic food factories. Captain Sir Tom Moore telling for challenges that the West Midlands to shoot and months to edit. Sean Fletcher goes on an epic From mega factories making the first time his life story and the Ambulance Service faces. From the She has never been able to show journey to travel the length of the meals in their millions to family key events in his 100 years. 999 phone call to when the patient us everything – but now she is re- Wales Coast Path, meeting people firms trading on secret recipes. With access to Captain Sir Tom arrives at hospital, every moment is vealing unseen stories and special who live and work along its route Narrated by Siobhan Finneran, and his family, this explores the captured. moments of how these journeys are and immersing himself in a range of this episode celebrates some British man behind the medals and hears In Stratford-upon-Avon, a made. coastal adventures. classics – making traditional Lan- the NHS fund-raiser’s unique woman suffers an allergic reaction In this last episode, we find In this fourth episode, Sean is in cashire Eccles Cakes, using a recipe brand of wisdom. and a 15-year old schoolgirl col- Joanna in Iran exploring the tomb of Pembrokeshire, where he meets a passed from father to son; making He speaks about his young life, lapses with a seizure as paramedics Cyrus the Great before following the family who have moved to the coast jam fit for the Queen’s breakfast at how he headed off to the frontline treat her in the classroom. Critical Silk Road through Azerbaijan, on to to live off-grid and takes part in an Tiptree; and producing gin infused of the Second World War in India care at the scene can make a signif- Venice. Then off to Haiti for some archeological dig to unearth the se- with exotic botanicals at Bombay and the blossoming of his relation- icant difference to the outcome. unseen adventures in the Caribbean. crets of a medieval chapel. Sapphire’s high-tech distillery. ship with his wife, Pamela. 44 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com World News Feature Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress

Muslims attend Friday prayers outside Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Hagia Sophia Istanbul. Hagia Sophia was built as an Orthodox Christian cathedral and stood as the seat of Eastern Christianity for a is first step thousand years before Ottoman Turks conquered its host city and turned it into a of Erdogan’s mosque in 1453. Below, Turkish Muslims pray inside the former cathedral. By turning it into a mosque, President Erdogan has sent a grand plan powerful message to the rest of the Islamic world Critics see conversion of UNESCO World Heritage site as a symbol of Turkish leader’s Photo: Umit Bektas, desire to expand influence into Middle East Reuters As Muslims celebrated Friday prayers “What can I say as a Christian in the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul’s UNESCO clergyman and the Greek patriarch World Heritage Site which was con- in Istanbul? Instead of uniting, a verted into a mosque last month by 1,500-year-old heritage is dividing Turkish President Recep Erdogan, us. I am saddened and shaken,” Ecu- Christians who love the former menical Patriarch Bartholomew of cathderal-turned-museum could Constantinople told The Washington not hide their bitterness. Post of Erdogan’s action. Nor could they hide the feeling The spiritual leader of approxi- that this was yet another sign of mately 300 million Orthodox Chris- Erdogan’s desire to see Turkey tians worldwide reaffirmed that in greatly expand its influence into the Istanbul “we have survived for 17 Middle East. centuries and we will stay here for- For decades Turkey has followed ever, as God wills.” the instructions of its beloved father, Greece has threatened sanctions Kemal Ataturk, and looked to Europe against Turkey, while the United as the place where its future lay. But States and other Western nations as it saw entreaties to join the Euro- urged Erdogan to maintain the pean Union rejected at every turn, iconic structure as a museum in means once again that the leader- culture or ideology (Ataturk’s secu- corruption – particularly the where- so Erdogan has turned his back on keeping with Istanbul’s multi-religious ship of Turkey is choosing the way of larism) is definitely dead.” abouts of 110 billion Turkish liras the Bosphorus and instead focused heritage and its status as a symbol of political Islam, which is irreconcil- “He is telling the Kemalists: Your (more than $16 billion). his attention to his country’s former Christian and Muslim unity. able with any other political reality.” interlude was a parenthesis,” Eliza- Turkey’s internal problems may stamping ground, the Middle East. Pope Francis said he was “very Dominican Father Alberto Fabio beth Prodromou told the Wall St. also explain Erdogan’s adventurism Turkey’s willingness to become pained,” by the renaming of ‘The Ambrosio, a specialist in the history Journal. Prodromou, who works abroad, in Syria and by employing embroiled in the Syrian civil war is Grand Hagia Sophia Mosque’, while of Ottoman Sufism, agrees, saying with the Center for Religious Free- Islamist militants such as the Islamic one example of this new policy, as the World Council of Churches ex- that “in this perspective, it impacts dom in Washington, said Erdogan State and al-Qaeda to fight Kurds, are its regular incursions into Iraq to pressed “grief and dismay. the relation between religions, the envisions Turkey displacing Saudi Christians and Yazidis there. Erdo- challenge Kurds based there. One anonymous Catholic priest interreligious dialogue.” Arabia as leader of the Sunni Muslim gan is also sending Turkish and Syr- The conversion of Hagia Sophia said the move “confirms the insepa- But Father Ambrosio, a professor religious world. ian fighters to Libya and Yemen, in a may seen a more peaceful demon- rability of political and religious of theology and history of religions “This decision shows the idea of bid to resurrect Ottoman Turkish stration but it is no less powerful an sphere of Islam. The big deal is to re- at Luxembourg School of Religion the New Ottomanism project begun dominance over Arab lands, but Fr image of Erdogan’s new, aggressive peat, or reinvent what happened at and Society, adds that Erdogan, an by Erdogan and former Prime Minis- Samir says the Arabs want none of it. brand of Islamist expansionism. the conquest of Constantinople; the avowed Islamist, is playing to his ter (Ahmet) Davutoglu,” Fr Ambro- “He would like to create a new “I was very much shocked by the victory of Islam over every culture own populace, “the most Islamic tra- sio said. But Davutoglu has caliphate,” said Fr Samir. “Erdogan is news that Hagia Sophia had become and religion existing before it. It cer- ditionalist part of the country. He is mounted his own criticism of Erdo- someone who pretends to be the a mosque. It’s a provocative act,” Je- tainly concerns the past and it might saying to Turkey and to the entire gan, accusing him of failing to man- greatest ‘king’ in the Middle East, suit Father Samir Khalil Samir, a concern the future,” he said. “It world that a part of the Kemalism age Turkey’s faltering economy and while at the same time provoking noted Egyptian Catholic theologian Arabs and Muslims against him.” and Islamic studies scholar, admit- Earlier this year, the Turkish presi- ted. “This monument from the sixth dent tricked Syrian refugees to go to century belongs to the whole world. Turkey’s northwestern border to try It is in Turkey, but it belongs to those to storm into Greece. Erdogan has who built it, the Christians, and for a repeatedly threatened to ‘flood’ Eu- time Islam took it. I’m sure the deci- rope with refugees as in 2015, while sion will play against Erdogan, even forcibly returning Syrian refugees in the Muslim world,” said Fr Samir, back home in violation of the UN who founded the Arab Christian refugee agency protocols against Documentation and Research Cen- forcible repatriations. ter in Beirut and taught at the Pon- Meanwhile, Christians and Mus- tifical Oriental Institute in Rome. lims alike are asking why Hagia An architectural masterpiece, the Sophia cannot be used by both com- massive Hagia Sophia was built as munities. “Couldn’t this magnificent an Orthodox Christian cathedral and church reflect its 900 years of Chris- stood as the seat of Eastern Christi- tian and 500 years of Islamic history anity for a thousand years before by letting Muslims and Christians Ottoman Turks conquered its host pray inside it?” asked Thomas Stern- city, then known as Constantinople, berg, president of the Central Com- in 1453. mittee of German Catholics. Aiman Thousands of Christian Armeni- Mazyek, chairman of the Central ans, Assyrians and Greeks were per- Council of Muslims in Germany, secuted at the time. Ottoman Turks agreed a chance had been lost: “This turned the cathedral into a mosque could have been a unique sign of and, in 1934, it was designated as a mutual respect and a gesture of museum by modern Mustafa Kemal deep religious understanding,” he Ataturk, a secularist. said, “but now that chance is lost.” The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 45 Classified/Catholic Universe members

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Across Down Every 7. Sinew (5) 1. Not precise (10) Sudoku has 8. Inquisitive (7) 2. Leeway (5) a unique 9. Compel (7) 3. Equipment (4) solution 10. Remove faults (5) 4. Agree (6) that can be 12. Communicable (10) 5. Eastern (8) reached 15. Unlikely (10) 6. Ennui (7) logically. 18. Be (5) 11. Confused (10) Enter 19. Assemble (7) 13. Midday (8) numbers 21. Quake (7) 14. Best (7) into the 22. Suffering (5) 16. Harmony (6) blank 17. Send back (5) spaces so 20. Remark (4) that each row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9. SOLUTION - Stuck? see page 47 see page 47 The Catholic Universe | Friday 7th August 2020 47 Classified/Crossword/Liturgical Calendars

LITURGICAL CALENDARS THANKSGIVING PRIESTS & BROTHERS Crossword PRAYER Solution (from p46) Special Offer! An opportunity too good to be PRAYER TO THE Across: 7 Nerve; missed. We are not offering a job, career or even Ordinary Form Liturgical Calendar BLESSED VIRGIN 8 Curious; 9 Enforce; Sunday Year A, weekday cycle II MARY FOR SPECIAL a way of life. 10 Emend; 12 Infectious; ASSISTANCE : We offer an invitation to explore if you have 15 Improbable; 18 Exist; August: Month of the Immaculate Wednesday 12th August O most beautiful flower been invited by the Lord, to follow him in a 19 Convene; 21 Shudder; Heart of Mary Ez 9:1-7,10:18-22; Ps 112; Mt 18: 15-20 of Mount Carmel, fruit of special way as a priest or religious as an 22 Trial. the vine, splendorous of Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Augustinian Recollect friar. Down: Sunday 9th August Thursday 13th August Heaven, Blessed Mother 1 Indefinite; We offer you the fellowship of our 1Kgs 19:9,11-13; Ps 84; Rom 9:1-5; Mt Ez 12:1-12; Ps 77; Mt 18:21-19:1 of the Son of God, 2 Drift; 3 Gear; 4 Accede; Immaculate Virgin, assist 14:22-23 communities… the opportunity to share prayer 5 Oriental; 6 Boredom; me in this my necessity. Friday 14th August and spiritual growth… the challenge to know 11 Disorderly; O Star of the Sea help me yourself and your purpose in life… an 13 Noontide; Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon, Ez 16:1-15,60,63; Is 12; Mt 19:3-12 and show me herein you Martyr, Monday 10th August opportunity to serve God as a missionary in 14 Optimum; 16 Accord; are my Mother. O Holy 17 Remit; 20 Note. 2Cor 9:6-10; Ps 111; Jn 12:24-26 Saturday 15th August Mary, Mother of God, remote parts of the world, or in an inner-city Ez 18:1-10,13 30-32; Ps 50; Mt 19:13-15 Queen of Heaven and parish in London or New York. 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OUR LADY OF FIDELITY The Church needs religious sisters URGENTLY (ministers of religion) to bring Christ to others by a life of prayer and service lived in the community of Ignation spirituality. Daily Mass is the centre of community life. By wearing the religious habit we are witnesses of the consecrated way of life. If you are willing to risk a little love and would like to find out how, contact Sister Bernadette. Mature vocations considered. CONVENT OF OUR LADY OF FIDELITY 1 Our Lady’s Close, Off Hermitage Road, Upper Norwood, London. SE19 3FA. Tel: 0044 (0) 7760 297001 Email: [email protected] 48 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Sport (SWIFT) Like us on facebook - search Catholic Universe Newspaper We can see all the elements of life’s drama through the game of football

or even their partner. It’s always concerning the sale of its ground ‘The club is extremely disappointed their children. Sometimes a child (Hillsborough Stadium) in financial the commission has imposed a 12- with siblings will ask a parent ‘which statements for the period ending point deduction to be applied next one of us do you do you love the July 2018. Its owner, Dejphon Chan- season and awaits the written rea- After many years in most, desperately hoping that you siri, bought the Hillsborough Sta- sons for this decision,’ it read. ‘The will choose them. Of course, you dium from the club for £60m in June club welcomes the decision that the which the world has can’t and you don’t because you love 2019 with the profit backdated to the commission cleared Sheffield afforded me many all your children equally, and in their previous season’s accounts. This Wednesday of the charge of acting in hearts they all know it. The greatest meant that the purchase was valued bad faith in its dealings with the experiences, what I pain we feel as parents is not for as a £38m profit turning a £35.4m EFL.’ “know most surely in the ourselves, but for our children. We loss in 2017-18 into a £2.6m profit Yet the Independent Commis- long run about morality will do anything to protect them to thereby staying within the Champi- sion’s findings seem clear enough. stop them from suffering, to ease onship’s ‘profitability and sustain- Sheffield Wednesday did breach the and obligations, I owe their pain. Their sadness can make ability’ regulations which limit financial guidelines that were put in to football.” – Albert us feel helpless. We try to comfort losses to £39m over a rolling three- place to prevent clubs from spend- Camus (pictured below) them, but sometimes it’s too hard. year period. The club has been ing beyond their means and ensur- position of a points deduction Have you ever had to console your found guilty and will receive a 12 ing a more equitable league with seems to favour one club over an- child after the team they support point deduction. every club having its own ‘level play- other. It has the power to right a have just lost an FA Cup final, or lost However, crucially, this deduction ing field’. The English Football wrong to ensure that those who a play-off final, or missed promotion will take effect next season, 2020-21, League have taken a view that the break the rules are given the right or been relegated on the last game of not in the season just concluded, club should not be punished now for punishment at the right time. Clubs the season? I have and it hurts! You when such a penalty would have rel- what it has done in the past, but that rely on the League to be guardians of go with your child home and away. egated Wednesday. It finished 16th it will be punished in the future for the game to allow dreams to be ful- You suffer too many defeats along in the Championship, eight points offences committed three years ago. filled. William Butler Yeats once the way. You drive back from games clear of 22nd place, Charlton, who That seems wrong. wrote: But I, being poor, listening to Sports Report on Radio 5 released a statement considering a By not imposing the points de- have only my dreams; Live as all the results come in work- legal challenge to Wednesday’s sanc- duction at the time of the ruling the I have spread my dreams ing out the league table. You might tion not taking effect immediately. EFL are in danger of giving preferen- under your feet; have had the joy of promotion, but ‘We fail to understand why the de- tial treatment to one club at the ex- Tread softly because you the fear of relegation is worse. You duction will take place next season pense of others. As Camus has tread on my dreams. hear people say: ‘The table doesn’t rather than the current season, shown football is not just played on lie’, but sometimes it does and here’s which seems to be irrational, and a pitch, it is played in the hearts, By doing the right thing the EFL why. are writing to the EFL to get an ex- minds and very souls of people. Ca- will keep alive the flames of dreams, Championship club, Sheffield planation of the justification.’ mus wrote about morality and obli- hope and justice in its member Wednesday, was charged in Novem- Meanwhile Sheffield gations. The EFL has a duty to en- clubs. By doing the wrong thing ber 2019 and referred to an Inde- Wednesday dispute the outcome sure that all clubs are treated fairly many of these flames will be extin- pendent Disciplinary Commission and suggest it too might appeal. and the decision to suspend the im- guished. Dr Colm Hickey

Albert Camus (1913-1960), one of the greatest philosophers of the 20th century and the second youngest re- cipient of the Nobel Prize for Litera- ture, famously once said: “After many years in which the world has afforded me many experiences, what I know most surely in the long run about morality and obligations, I owe to football.” Essentially, he meant that you can see all the ele- ments of life’s drama in a football match and the way in which it is played. Indeed, the very position a person chooses reveals much about them, and in the way they play, their attitude. So football is a metaphor for life. One of the things that football can do is make you cry. It seems silly doesn’t it? To people who are not in- terested, watching a group of 22 men chase a football seems almost pathetic, but they don’t know what we know. They don’t know how it has a power that is, for hundreds of thousands, almost all consuming, and for millions of others, an inte- gral part of their lives. We watch it. We read about it. We play it. We lis- ten to it on the radio. We talk about it at work and in the pub, and we pass our love of the game to our children. Ask any parent who they love the A general view of Hillsborough, Sheffield. Sheffield Wednesday will receive a 12-point deduction in the 2020-21 season for breaching EFL profitability most. The answer is never their boss and sustainability rules, the league has announced. (PA photo/Nigel French)

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