Friday 12th March 2021 • £2.40 • €2.70 Subscribers only pay £1.94 www.thecatholicuniverse.com

Children’s futures at risk unless we act now Former Education Secretary calls for national drive to help youngsters make up for a lost academic year Nick Benson cation found that all year groups have With children back at school this week experienced a learning loss in reading: following almost a year of disruption between a month-and-a-half and two due to Covid-19 lockdowns, former months on average; and typically more Education Secretary Damian Hinds in maths. has called for a national effort to re- Even more worrying, the attainment build their futures. gap between wealthier students and Mr Hinds’ call comes amid concerns those from more limited financial over the loss of education children means had widened, after narrowing have suffered over the past 12 months, by as much as 10 per cent over the as well as the major impact it has had past decade. on their mental health. “This effect on education won’t be Young people have been uniquely made up in short order – it needs a impacted by the pandemic and lock- sustained approach,” he wrote in his Prayers down, with NHS research suggesting local constituency newspaper The Pe- one in six may now have a mental tersfield Post. health problem, up from one in nine Highlighting the impact of the pan- in 2017. demic on young people, he noted that for Alan Mr Hinds, a Catholic, stressed the it has formed “a significant part of importance of the nation coming to- their conscious lives to date”, leaving Pope Francis prays with Abdullah gether to support young people as them distanced from friends and with- Kurdi, the father of three-year old they attempt to catch-up in their stud- out structure and routine. Alan Kurdi whose body washed up on a Turkish beach in 2015, at the ies, with their return to the classroom The youngest children have seen conclusion of Mass in Irbil as part of “much more than a waypoint on a the development of social skills around the papal visit to Iraq. Kurdi lost his road map”. other children badly affected, while wife, Alan and another son in a “This is not just a cohort of children; older students have had key transi- shipwreck as the Syrian family was these are our children, the future of tional moments “blown off course” trying to reach Europe. our country,” he said. by the pandemic restrictions. FULL COVERAGE OF POPE’S VISIT Mr Hinds pointed out that a recent TO IRAQ: See from page 14 report for the Department for Edu- Continued on page 2 This week’s Companion £2.40 €2.70 Pre-sale clean: Don’t stop gardening - tips to help your David’s top tips home sell fast

All about robins - Celebrate the history of Britain’s most loved traditional Irish music garden companion this St Patrick’s Day 02 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com News Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress Children’s Catholic Union warns Budget futures at risk unless could push families into debt

edge in the autumn”. we act now Short-term retention of Chancellor Mr Parker also accused the Chan- £20 uplift in UC ‘kicks Rishi Sunak cellor of missing the opportunity to Continued from page 1 can down road’ but set out his vision for supporting fam- Citing the mental health effects of ilies in the wake of the pandemic. lockdown on children, he also noted doesn’t solve problems “Freezing personal allowances, the impact on physical health, with a The Catholic Union has warned that while making no commitment on lack of organised sport and natural Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget could child benefits or the continued un- daily activity. potentially create a “poverty cliff edge” fairness of the two-child cap on Uni- “We certainly can’t just cram our for families across the country. versal Credit and tax credits, risks way through this,” he warned, in an Nigel Parker, Catholic Union direc- forcing more children into poverty,” apparent response to suggestions from tor, said the Budget has “painted a he said. current Education Secretary Gavin picture of a country significantly worse However, he welcomed extra sup- Williamson that school days would off than a year ago” and many tough port for the homeless and victims of be lengthened and holidays cut. decisions will need to be made in the domestic abuse but criticised the de- “There are limits to how much you years ahead. cision to press ahead with cuts to the can lengthen days or terms – attention But when those decisions are made, foreign aid budget, branding it “re- spans have limits, and holidays are “those on the margins of society grettable”. important. But clearly there can be a should be the first to be helped and “Britain can and should be a force role for additional time,” he added, the last to be affected by efforts to for good in the world, which means citing the use of summer programmes. balance the books,” he said. leading by example and not turning Noting that “our brilliant teachers Mr Parker noted that while it is our back on some of the poorest peo- and heads” will lead this rebuild proj- right that the Chancellor does every- ple in the world when they most need thing possible to avoid unemploy- support,” he said. ment, there must be a “focus on good Caroline Abrahams, charity director ‘This is a shared jobs with fair pay”, so that people can at Age UK and co-chair of the Care national “find dignity in work”. and Support Alliance, expressed dis- endeavour in “The increase in the national living the furlough scheme and self-em- face when it is removed in September, appointment at no immediate or which everyone wage and more incentives for appren- ployed support comes to an end, risks at a time when unemployment is fore- longer-term support for social care, has a role.’ ticeships is a step in the right direction, creating a poverty cliff edge for families cast to increase. What’s more, people warning that older and disabled peo- but it’s disappointing that the Chan- across the country,” he warned. on most legacy benefits will continue ple, as well as their unpaid carers, cellor said nothing about our health Emma Revie, chief executive of the to miss out,” she said. may suffer further stress and strain if ect, he said the responsibility couldn’t and social care workers,” he said. Trussell Trust, described the six-month Alistair Cromwell, acting chief ex- there is an upsurge in closures of lie solely on the education system. On extending the £20 uplift in Uni- extension for the Universal Credit up- ecutive of Citizens Advice, echoed her smaller care companies in the coming “This is a shared national endeavour versal Credit and tax credits, Mr Parker lift as a “short-term fix”. sentiments, calling it “a stopgap” that months. Many had experienced “a in which everyone has a role.” said this was “welcome news”. How- It “does not address the serious “kicks the can down the road, only to tough year, which saw many of them He insisted that a national conver- ever, “ending this at the same time as hardship and uncertainty families will leave millions facing a financial cliff badly battered by the pandemic”. sation is needed, with all individuals and organisations getting involved. “Our national task will be not just for pupils to catch up on school work. Campaigner casts doubt over crime fund plan It’s to help children get back on track, to re-build opportunity, broaden hori- Nick Benson being drawn into violence. told The Catholic Universe. “brave enough” to admit these issues zons, and to get them back to enjoying Prominent Catholic peace campaigner While welcoming the funding, Mr “The issues run deep, from the great cannot be solved fully without creating their childhood…while also catching Barry Mizen said he is sceptical of Mizen, of The Mizen Foundation, financial rewards of drug supply, to honest, caring communities. up on school work, and re-narrowing what can be achieved by a new £130m questioned whether the funding was the uncontrolled anger that drives “One of the easiest ways of making the attainment gap. fund set up to tackle serious violence, a “genuine new venture” or “just a re- a difference is to pass on information, ‘Problem won’t be “Obviously we play a key role at murder and knife crime. hash” of previous attempts that failed solved just by whether about drug crime or domestic any time, as parents or as grandpar- Home Secretary Priti Patel an- to reach the intended outcome. Government and violence,” he said, anonymously ents. Teachers take this to another nounced the funding this week, with He said since his son Jimmy’s violent its money’ through Crimestoppers. level, sharing with families the re- £30 million to support police action murder some 13 years ago, “there have – Barry Mizen Mr Mizen said he would be “more sponsibility for bringing on the next in the parts of England and Wales been many intervention programmes, impressed by the funding if it “in- generation. But the old words of wis- most affected by serious violence. It all promising similar outcomes”. domestic violence. Until we fully ac- cluded a plea to the rest of us to help, dom are instructive: ‘it takes a village also includes up to £23 million for “Yet here we are again with a prom- cept and understand these reasons, rather then give the false hope that to raise a child’. Never has that been new early intervention programmes ise of a new dawn, without any ask or we will forever be giving false hope.” the money and Government alone truer than now.” that will help stop young people from expectation of the general public,” he Mr Mizen urged politicians to be will solve the issue”. The Catholic Universe | Friday 12th March 2021 03 News

Westminster No tears as BooHoo Mass binds Europe over investigated for Covid deaths slave labour links Cardinal Vincent Nichols joined Catholic leaders have welcomed re- hold to account, anyone who violates with Catholic bishops from across ports that online fashion giant Boohoo this inalienable right.” Europe last week in holding a and many of its suppliers are facing Cardinal Vincent Nichols, president special Mass in memory of all those an investigation following widespread of the Santa Marta Group, also wel- who have lost their lives to Covid- allegations over the use of slave labour. comed an investigation. 19. The clothing giant has come under “Actions such as these can bring The co-ordinated Masses formed increasing scrutiny following the al- pressure on anyone seemingly prof- a ‘Eucharistic chain’ stretching legations of exploitative practices at across the continent, which has its factories in Leicester, a city within ‘Our diocese will seen over 770,000 people lose their the diocese of Nottingham. continue to fight lives during the pandemic. Following reports that Boohoo is for human dignity During his homily, the cardinal now facing an investigation into its in the workplace’ pointed out that so many of these practices by the US Customs and Bor- Bishop McKinney deaths have “taken place in an der Protection, the Bishop of Not- enforced isolation, adding a stark tingham, Patrick McKinney said: “I iting from exploitation while avoiding depth to the pain of the dying and to the grief of the bereaved”. was disturbed to hear of allegations all responsibility for it. The need for “Today we pray in the company of labour exploitation in some of change is vital and urgent,” he said. of this image of Mary, for she is the Leicester’s clothing factories and I “Pope Francis has graphically de- Mother of all sorrows, the blessed welcome reports that an official in- scribed profit made from the labour Mother, who in embracing her vestigation is due to be launched. exploitation of any child, woman or dead Son embraces all our sorrows “As Pope Francis has previously man, as ‘blood money’ and the fight too,” he said. said, ‘every human being is a free per- against modern slavery requires this “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray son destined to live for the good of kind of international co-operation if for us sinners now and in the hour others in equality and fraternity. Every it is to register any progress.” of our death.” person, and all people, are equal and The Santa Marta Group is an al- Praying for those who have died, must be accorded the same freedom liance of Catholic bishops, police and he added: “Let us be strengthened and the same dignity’. law enforcement agencies, religious in the sure and certain hope that “The diocese of Nottingham and communities and international or- for those embraced by God, life is the wider Catholic Church in England ganisations with a shared commit- changed, not ended, and when the and Wales will continue to fight for ment to eliminating human trafficking body of our earthly dwelling lies in the human dignity of each individual and modern slavery. death, God will draw us into an and support international efforts, to everlasting dwelling place in Heaven.”

Photo: Mazur/cbcew.org.uk. PLEASE GIVE LENTEN ALMS FOR THE WORLD’S POOR Your gift can make a life-and-death difference for desperately poor families and for sick and needy Irish bishops’ alarm over new people living on their own in the midst of the present Covid crisis. The Little Way Association has received many urgent appeals from bishops, priests, sisters and missionaries asking for help delays to worship’s return for those in their care. They tell us of how already-struggling families and communities are experiencing real additional Nick Benson something seems unfair or could be worship will remain banned even at hardships. It is hard to see how the world can Catholic bishops in the west of Ireland done better”. Level 3, which “suggests that we may easily return to normal, let alone how the have expressed concern that the coun- Prudence and caution remain nec- not celebrate Mass together for homeless, sick and deprived can build a new life. try may not see the return of public essary, the bishops said, but after months to come”. This Lent, please can you spare a donation, large or small, for the suffering people in mission lands worship “for months to come”. studying the Government’s recently- This “ignores the important con- in desperate need of help. In a pastoral message marking one published five stage plan, Covid-19 tribution of communal worship to year since Covid-19 arrived on the is- Resilience and Recovery 2021: The Path the mental and spiritual well-being Every penny that you land, the bishops of Tuam said they Ahead, they admit that there are two of people of faith” and the importance donate goes intact to provide recognised the “disappointment and particular points they find “very dif- of Holy Week and Easter makes the basic sustenance, water, frustration that many people feel, at ficult to support”. prohibition of public worship at this medicine and housing for the news of an indefinite extension The first is that at Level 5, all funerals time “particularly painful”. the children, families and of lockdown”. are still limited to 10 people. “While, as Christians, we are obliged individuals who need them. Your gift will enable a missionary priest or sister to carry the While stressing that “Catholics must “We believe that a modest increase to obey these regulations, we believe love, care and compassion of Christ to a needy person. obey the law unless it is manifestly to 25 would, without compromising that it is our responsibility as Church All Little Way donors are remembered at Masses offered for unjust or immoral”, they note that safety, bring much consolation to leaders to make the case for change. their intentions and the missionaries always promise prayers for this “does not mean that we should grieving families,” they suggest. We will continue to petition for careful their benefactors. not speak out when we believe that Their second concern is that public changes to this decision.” Crossed POs and cheques should be sent and made payable to: THE LITTLE WAY ASSOCIATION Sacred Heart House, 119 Cedars Rd, Clapham Common, Agency punishes environmental lawbreakers     London SW4 0PR (Registered Charity No. 235703)    Tel. 020 7622 0466. www.littlewayassociation.com A well-known high-street name is company got through in the same Jonathan Coldicott said: “Any company   

I enclose £ ...... to be allocated for:- U/12/03 among four retailers contributing period, between 2010 and 2015. producing more than 50 tonnes of    
thousands of pounds to charity after Other retailers similarly punished packaging a year, and with a turnover    £...... SICK, HUNGRY AND DEPRIVED failing to comply with the law. for similar infringements are Bershka of above £2 million, must meet their     £...... NEEDS OF MISSIONARIES       £...... MASS OFFERINGS (Please state no.…...... …) For five years, Zara Home UK Ltd, UK Ltd, Pull & Bear UK Ltd, and Mas- responsibilities for recycling waste      The Little Way £...... LITTLE WAY ADMIN. EXPENSES Association     which sells homeware products in simo Dutti UK Ltd. packaging. Name (Rev. Mr. Mrs. Miss) Please tick if you would     (Block letters please) stores and online, broke rules which All four businesses, which are owned “If companies fail to meet their ob-    like an acknowledgement Address ensure that businesses fund the re- by the same parent company, identi- ligations, we will take action to ensure     cycling of the packaging waste that fied their non-compliance and worked that they change their ways.”         they place on the UK market. alongside the Environment Agency The companies will pay £13,000     Zara also avoided paying a charge to address their failings. each to Keep Britain Tidy and the Ma-   ! 
based on how much packaging the Environment Agency officer rine Conservation Society. To donate online go to: www.littlewayassociation.com 04 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com News Like us on facebook - search Catholic Universe Newspaper

Boy charged after priest’s house attack

A 12-year-old boy has been charged been “unsettling and frustrating”. Posed image by in connection with an attack on a “We didn’t know what to do or when Brian A Jackson Catholic priest’s home. this would end,” he told reporters. The youngster is said to have been “The police were here for a while but involved in a month-long campaign once they left the kids came back, by a group of youths targeting the defying them. Children’s Holy Family Catholic Church in “I’ve been in this parish for two Mossend in North Lanarkshire. years and have never had any trouble, In a Facebook post, Sancta Familia but the past six weeks it’s been con- mental health Media revealed that the teenagers had stant.” been intimidating parish priest Fr Many parishioners expressed con- priority call Michael Brown ‘by trespassing, being cern and branded the youths’ behav- The director of a Catholic mental abusive, kicking doors and other gen- iour ‘disgusting’. One pointed out that health project has urged the Scottish eral misdemeanours’. similar behaviour had taken place at Government to prioritise children’s However, on Thursday 4th March, a parish close to them, while another mental health services after statistics the youths went a step further and insisted that more must be done to The youths found many had been waiting a year the violence and intimidation esca- protect priests and their churches. broke a window or more for specialist help. lated when they smashed the front ‘Priests are very vulnerable and as and caused More than 1,500 children with men- window of the parish house. time moves on they could be under other damage to tal health problems had waited a year ‘This should not be tolerated and more danger. Catholic men need to Fr Michael’s or more for specialist help by the end the costs will fall on the parish which be there for them,’ he wrote. house of 2020, according to official statistics. is already under a tighter squeeze due A Police Scotland spokesperson Photo: Sancta This compares to 589 children who to lockdown,’ Sancta Familia wrote. confirmed that “a 12-year-old boy has Familia Media. had been waiting longer than a year ‘No-one deserves this. been charged in connection with van- for Child and Adolescent Mental Fr Brown, 57, said the trouble has dalism and enquiries are ongoing.” Health Services (CAMHS) in December 2019. World needs to be Public Health Scotland’s latest wait- ing times report explained that the online says Blair rise in youngsters experiencing long Former Prime Minister Tony Blair ‘Secrecy clause’ offers waits was ‘potentially due to a com- has urged world leaders to recog- bination of school closures, some CYP nise the critical importance in pro- (children and young people) not hav- viding universal internet access in ing access to a safe/confidential space order to prepare for and respond to to engage in digital appointments, or future pandemics. Government way out have a desire to wait for an in-person Blair, a Catholic, said closing the appointment’. digital divide would boost eco- Ben Bano, director of Welcome Me nomic growth and improve the as I Am, told The Catholic Universe: lives of ‘billions’ of people. “These lengthy wait times for mental The report points out that more of environment laws health services for children and ado- than 3.5 billion people live without A “controversial secrecy clause” within to account for may end up swept un- the Office for Environmental Protec- lescents are of particular concern at access to the online world. the Environment Bill could see Gov- der the rug. tion from revealing evidence and key a time when they are particularly vul- ernment failures on the issue hidden “The new Office for Environmental discussions with the Government and nerable through multiple stresses, in- The Universe despite the launch of a new environ- Protection is meant to hold the gov- other public bodies. cluding the effects of lockdown as mental watchdog, a Catholic envi- ernment to account on environment “The office will not be allowed to well as not being able to attend school – Contacts – ronmentalist has warned. issues, undertaking the oversight pre- divulge correspondence with ministers and meet their friends. It comes amid the launch of the viously done by EU agencies before without their permission,” she said. “These important services need to new interim environmental watchdog Brexit, scrutinising laws on tackling “Other information such as unpub- be prioritised - they provide a lifeline for England, ahead of its formal es- pollution, meeting climate goals, and lished data on whether the Govern- for those most at risk.” tablishment as part of the Environ- conserving the environment,” Mrs ment and public authorities are meet- ment Bill. Teague told The Catholic Universe. ing their climate crisis goals could Ellen Teague, of the Columban Jus- “However, the Environment Bill also be kept from public view.” To contact a member tice, Peace and the Integrity of Cre- contains a controversial secrecy clause Environmental laws must be im- PR gaffe chief of The Catholic Universe ation, expressed concern over the which could hide failures on the en- plemented and subject to meticulous team, call: watchdog, warning that any issues vironment and climate goals.” oversight, she said, pointing out that steps down that the Government should be held The clause, she explained, prohibits many environmental groups had crit- icised the Bill “for being full of loop- The founder of a PR company has ADVERTISING SALES: holes and omissions” and argue that, resigned after posting a “tone deaf” 07984 616950 in its current form, it will not legally social media message in which he guarantee nature restoration in Eng- said his firm ‘didn’t hire blacks, gays land before 2038. or Catholics’. CIRCULATION: She also warned that “the Office Gordon Beattie, founder of Beattie 07375 397312 for Environmental Protection is un- Communications, published the post likely to be sufficiently independent on LinkedIn, adding that rather, the ACCOUNTS: or powerful under the current Bill.” company only takes on ‘talented peo- 07984 616949 She also pointed out that its delay ple’ and does not care about their until the Autumn means that the UK’s skin colour, sexual orientation or re- credibility at key international envi- ligion. EDITORIAL: ronmental summits this year, includ- He said the post was issued with 07949 987771 ing a biodiversity summit in May and the “best of intent” and was meant the UN climate summit in November, to highlight the fact that the firm GENERAL ENQUIRIES: is undermined. “does not discriminate” when it re- “The Bill sets out a framework by cruits. 0161 820 5722 which ministers can impose new tar- However, it was met by a storm of gets on vital issues such as air pollution anger, leading to Beattie agreeing to Supporting Catholic journalism and water quality, waste, resource use step down. “I am truly sorry for the and biodiversity, which were previ- embarrassment I have caused the www.thecatholic A group of climate ously regulated under EU directives. wonderful team across the business protestors. Photo: Our Government needs to get on with and our clients, and for the offence Diamond Dogs. universe.com it, and seriously.” it has clearly caused,” he said. The Catholic Universe | Friday 12th March 2021 05 News Canon takes worship ban to Scottish court A Glasgow priest’s challenge to the need to make sure that we’re not ne- Canon White has joined with legal Scottish Government’s blanket ban glecting our spiritual needs. This is experts from ADF UK to launch the on public worship has gone to court. really, truly essential for the wider ho- ‘Let Us Worship’ campaign, which is The challenge, supported by human listic health of ourselves as a society,” gathering signatures of support from rights group ADF UK, has been joined he said in a new video statement. the public. with a similar case filed by leaders As The Catholic Universe went to The challengers will point to the from Protestant denominations. press, Canon White, together with relative freedoms enjoyed by Chris- As previously reported in The faith leaders of other denominations, tians living in England, Northern Ire- Catholic Universe, Canon Tom White, was set to share his arguments at a land and Wales, where churches have parish priest of St Alphonsus Church hearing on 11th-12th March. They been allowed to remain open with in Glasgow, launched legal action are seeking a judicial review of the protective measures in place, and against Covid-19 related church clo- Scottish government’s “disproportion- question why Holyrood has taken a sures in Scotland. ate” ban on public worship. more extreme and restrictive ap- Canon White “It’s very, very important that we The Protestants include the Church proach. Photo: ADF International. keep each other safe, and that we of Scotland, the Free Church of Scot- The faith case will also ask why cer- To help fund Canon White’s challenge, keep our local communities safe; but land, and the Free Church of Scotland tain businesses were given clearance see: https://www.justgiving.com/ as Christians, we not only have phys- (Continuing), and is supported by to open while places of worship faced crowdfunding/freedomforfaith ical needs, but spiritual needs. We Christian Concern. a blanket ban. Granny still offline in an online world Nearly two million over-75s in England Since the onset of Covid-19, the are still digitally excluded in a Covid- public sector, businesses and enter- 19 world, according to Age UK. tainment providers have increasingly Analysis from the charity busts the turned to digital technology to engage myth that the pandemic has driven with customers. For many people, the most older people online – and on pandemic has changed the way they the back of these findings it is calling work, socialise, communicate, buy for greater support for those who are goods, access services and generally offline and finding it increasingly dif- live their lives. ficult to access essential goods and However, Age UK is warning that services. Without this help, it says, the rapid pace of this change is leaving millions of older people will be left significant numbers of older people high and dry. behind. The charity’s new report, Digital “These new findings debunk the inclusion and older people – how have idea that the pandemic has prompted things changed in a Covid-19 world?, a headlong rush online among our shows that while just under a quarter older population, and that once an (24 per cent) of over-75s in England older person starts to use computers have increased their internet usage they continue to do so and carry out since the pandemic hit, this is mainly an ever-wider range of tasks using driven by existing users going online technology,” said Caroline Abrahams, more often. Most older online users charity director at Age UK. say their use has remained unchanged, “Our research suggests a lack of with nearly one in 10 (nine per cent) digital skills and confidence is a big actually using it less. barrier stopping many of today’s over- A few months into the pandemic 75-year-olds going online, alongside more than two in five (42 per cent) of the associated costs. If we continue this age group were still non-users, in that direction and do nothing else, busting the myth that as a result of we will simply marginalise millions this health emergency ‘everyone’ is of older people who either cannot or now online. do not wish to use computers.” 06 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Comment

The Universe – Comment – A little bit of order, Mr Speaker, We’re still here for you every week! these fake letters are necessary

difficult not to think that, in the cir- cumstances, it might have been bet- The re-opening of schools in ter had it been delayed again, or Britain in recent days has been an even nixed entirely. important milestone in our fight Philip with Covid-19, not just for the chil- A letter from the Speaker dren themselves but for the way it Cowley But when Mr Hoyle wrote to the shows the virus is to be handled in interim chair of the research council the future, now that more than 40 that funded the work, he deprecated per cent of all adults – and almost the research project far beyond ar- all of the vulnerable – have been guing merely that the timing was vaccinated. You may have heard about a recent bad. He rules out this sort of work But while they may be back to research project which involved on Parliament ever, even (and at this school, children are far from back sending MPs emails from imaginary point things get a bit surreal) poten- to normal. Some older pupils are people, just to see how they might tially viewing it as a form of contempt expected to wear masks in certain respond. of the House. circumstances, alongside regular It involved sending marginally dif- On its own this will be enough to testing in the first two weeks that ferent letters to test whether a certain deter most researchers dipping their is bound to be disruptive. After type of person might be more likely toes into this particular research that they will be expected to test at to receive a response from their MP pool any time soon. But the principle home twice a week. These require- than another. of this research is fine and needs de- ments are being imposed on a But I don’t mean the one that MPs fending. If we accept this type of re- group almost entirely untouched are in uproar about right now – with search method elsewhere (and any by the ravages of Covid. the House of Commons Speaker MP who has ever quoted one of The Government is naturally Lindsay Hoyle publishing a letter those CV studies has implicitly done concerned that the infection rates criticising the academics involved so), then it is difficult to see why will start to rise again once schools and saying he is “deeply concerned” politicians should somehow be con- are back, which looks inevitable about their conduct. sidered out of bounds. given what happened last time. I mean this project, carried out in It is precisely because the work Ministers and scientists want to 2019 with a very similar research de- that MPs do in their constituencies use the few weeks before the sign and which ended up in one of is so important that it deserves Easter holidays to see if the con- the top academic journals in its proper study. The constituency face nection between rising cases field. It found British MPs had a re- of the MP’s role has become ever among children and hospitalisa- ally high response rate to queries more important over the last few tions, serious illness and fatalities from their constituents, with 91 per decades, with far greater engage- has been broken by the vaccine. cent responding (good news), albeit ment between MPs and their con- Evidence shows that the trans- with some bias in their responses, stituents than ever before. The days mission among children takes depending on who it was they they proved because researchers and the other studies, though, is its when an MP would swan into the place mostly outside. Moreover, thought was writing to them (that’s sent out what were otherwise identi- timing. This most recent experiment constituency every couple of health chiefs are at pains to em- less good news). cal CVs, save for details like the was conducted while MPs’ offices months, if that, and receive about a phasise that children are largely Another similar project, also pub- name or the age, only to find the were already dealing with a huge in- dozen letters a week are long gone. If immune to the worst aspects of lished in 2019, also found a very white, or male, or younger candidates crease in casework as a result of the it matters that people may be being Covid, while data shows that high response rate (89 per cent, with were more likely to be invited to in- pandemic. Their staff are under the discriminated against because of teachers are no more likely to con- 70 per cent replying within a day), terview. Covid cosh – working from home, their sex or race when it comes to tract the virus than people in albeit again with some bias in the The most recent study took a sim- stressed, juggling home schooling, housing, it also matters if politicians many other walks of life. responses. There are multiple similar ilar approach. Letters were sent to and so on. Discovering right now do it, even if any bias is unconscious. This generation of schoolchild- studies published based on the re- MPs from imaginary people who that someone has chosen to in- ren has had a wretched year and, sponses of politicians in other coun- came from different age groups and crease your workload, however mar- This article first appeared on with reforms to term times and the tries. had names that might suggest a par- ginally, as part of an academic study, www.theconversation.com school week mooted, the disrup- If Parliament isn’t your thing, you ticular ethnicity. The idea being that must smart. tion is set to continue. The Gov- may have heard about studies which this might help show if certain peo- The project was conceived, and Philip Cowley is Professor, School ernment’s aim must be to use the find organisations and companies ple got a faster response from their funded, in a pre-Covid era – and had of Politics and International vaccine success to let schools re- discriminate against people based representative. already been delayed once, when Relations, Queen Mary University vert to as near normal activity as on their ethnicity, sex or age – which The key difference between this the pandemic broke out – but it’s of London swiftly as possible. The Universe Letter project has missed the mark – Direct Contacts – An extract from the letter Lindsay already be well aware of them. also become even harder to reach. fair shake of the stick. The evidence Hoyle has sent to the ESRC, Indeed, one concern must be that All this would be very unfortunate. from the existing research certainly To contact a member originators of the project. the fallout from this row makes It would be a real shame if the shows that British parliament- of The Catholic Universe He writes: ethics committees even more ultra- timing of an otherwise justifiable arians respond much quicker than “None of this is to argue that there cautious than they already are study made research on parliament politicians in most other countries team, call: are not ethical issues involved in (and, boy, are some of them harder to conduct. – so one of the many ironies of this ADVERTISING SALES: work like this. Anyone who has cautious). It can already be difficult MPs say that they take constituents’ row is that I suspect British MPs 07984 616950 tried to get projects involving any to get British politicians involved queries seriously, that partisan would have come out of this study element of deception through with academic work and there issues don’t affect how they really well. But we’ll now never CIRCULATION: university ethics committees will must also be a risk that they will respond, and that everyone gets a know.” 07375 397312 ACCOUNTS: 07984 616949 www.thecatholicuniverse.com Supporting Catholic journalism EDITORIAL: Universe Media Group Limited, News and feature items: Subscription rates: 07949 987771 Editor: Joseph Kelly 2nd Floor, Oakland House, All enquiries: (Annual) £99 UK; £129 Ireland/Europe. Email: joseph.kelly@ 76 Talbot Road, Email: pool@ Tel: 0161 820 5722 To subscribe, please use the order form GENERAL ENQUIRIES: in this issue or call us on 0161 820 5722 0161 820 5722 thecatholicuniverse.com Manchester M16 0PQ thecatholicuniverse.com The Catholic Universe | Friday 12th March 2021 07 News

More delays Petition calls to Troubles pay-outs on Assembly Victims of the Northern Ireland Trou- bles have voiced their “frustration” at further delays to a payment scheme for those seriously injured in the con- flict. to drop hated Justice Minister Naomi Long said the victim’s pension scheme would

More frustration for Troubles victim abortion rule Dr Mary Hannon- Fletcher Over 1,500 people with Down’s syn- others. Lynn Murray, spokesperson drome and their families have signed for the campaign said: “Already, over be delayed “for a number of weeks” an open letter urging Northern Ire- 1,500 people with Down’s syndrome to allow for guidance around medical land’s political leaders to vote in favour and their families have called on assessments to be provided. of the Severe Fetal Impairment Abor- Northern Ireland’s party leaders to Ms Long said she trusts the scheme tion (Amendment) Bill at its second support this Bill. will open for applications “at the earlier reading. “It’s clear that there is strong support possible opportunity”. The Bill, which was introduced last from the Down’s syndrome commu- “Victims have waited a long time month by Paul Givan MLA, seeks to nity for a change in the law. People for this scheme and I am keen to en- amend the current Abortion (Northern with Down’s and other disabilities sure they have access to it as soon as Ireland) (No.2) Regulations 2020 to shouldn’t be screened out before possible,” she said. no longer allow unborn babies with they’re born. In response to the delay, Dr Mary a ‘serious fetal impairment’ (SFI) to “We call on politicians from across Hannon-Fletcher, who was paralysed be aborted to term. the political spectrum to support this in October 1975 after being shot by a Under the current provision in the Bill and show the way forward for sectarian gang as she walked home Abortion (Northern Ireland) regula- other countries.” in Belfast, said was “not surprised but tions, babies in Northern Ireland with The Bill has been backed by many frustrated” at the latest delay. disabilities, including Down’s syn- individuals who have Down’s syn- She said victims didn’t want to delay drome, cleft lip and club foot, can be drome or have a family member with any further. singled out for abortion because of the disability. “Naomi Long has been fabulous. I their disability and aborted right up Campaigners say the current law have really nothing negative to say until term. Campaigners have high- in Northern Ireland communicates about Naomi, but I do think it’s the lighted that this is distressing for fam- to people with disabilities that their nonsense of how Stormont is running, ilies who are preparing for the birth lives are less worthy of protection that this has been on the books for of their child, and also to people with than the lives of those without dis- over a year and they still haven’t got disabilities. abilities – and perpetuates deeply themselves organised,” she told the The new Bill, produced in associa- unhelpful stereotypes about their BBC. tion with the Don’t Screen Us Out quality of life, by suggesting it might Down’s campaigner campaign, sends a clear message that be better for them not to have been Heidi Crowter people with disabilities are equal to born. Footballer hit Minister promises funding to support by new abuse Irish Catholic footballer James Mc- Clean has urged online trolls to edu- Traveller children in higher education cate themselves. The Derry-born Stoke City mid- Ireland’s Minister for Further and novation and Science in June 2020 participation in higher education is would provide higher education in- fielder, who plays nationally for the Higher Education, Research, Innova- and hearing the challenges they have “fundamental to ensuring that the stitutions with the opportunity to Republic of Ireland, said he receives tion and Science has announced the in finding somewhere quiet to do student body reflects the diversity tackle such issues through additional online death threats and sectarian vwssfwp“”wl”€€300,000 in funding to sup- their work or secure access to Wifi. and social mix of Ireland’s population”. pre- and post-entry supports for Trav- abuse “day in, day out”, while his wife port students from the Traveller com- “It is my ambition to do everything “While the Covid-19 pandemic has eller students. revealed that the couple’s three chil- munity. we can to ensure members of the affected all of Irish society, we must “We value students from the Trav- dren have also been in the firing line. The funding is aimed at Traveller Traveller community access higher recognise the particular impact it is eller community in higher education Speaking to talkSPORT host Jim progression to and retention in higher education and importantly complete having on the Traveller community,” and we want to ensure that their par- White, McClean issued a simple mes- education during the Covid-19 pan- their higher level journey,” he said. ticipation is nurtured and increased,” sage to the trolls: “Go educate yourself demic. It can be used to support stu- Dr Alan Wall, CEO of the HEA, said Dr Wall said the ring-fenced funding he said. on why you hate me. dents with study spaces, health and increasing and maintaining Traveller from the Dormant Accounts Fund Anastasia Crickley, chairperson of “You hate me because of what you social impacts, caring responsibilities Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre, see in the media, and the media is a or technology supports. said the centre and the National Trav- powerful entity so people nowadays Acknowledging the “particular prob- eller Women’s Forum welcomed the believe what they read,” he said. lems” Covid-19 has posed for Travellers funding as “a tangible response” to “For the past nine years, every article participating in higher education, the recommendations in the National about me mentions the poppy; Minister Simon Harris said the funding Forum’s 2020 report on higher edu- whether that is a good article or a will help higher education institutions cation. bad article, the poppy is mentioned. address the particular needs of indi- “The fund will help to mitigate “And people believe what they see vidual students. against the effects of Covid-19 on in the media, and the media has got “The aim with this funding is to Travellers participating or hoping to a lot to answer for and they are never ensure that the risks associated with participate in higher education,” she held accountable. Covid-19 do not serve to widen the said. “Essential special measures such “Educate yourself on why you hate existing and very significant gap in as this are crucial to achieving real me, rather than what you read about participation in higher education by progress in realising education am- me.” Travellers,” he said. bitions for Traveller families. McClean’s call came as his wife, Mr Harris recalled meeting mem- “We hope this marks an important Erin, told RTE’s Today with Claire bers of the Traveller community when milestone in enhanced approaches Byrne that the couple’s children are he was appointed Minister for Further to collaborative engagement across aware of it and have even witnessed and Higher Education, Research, In- the wider education spectrum.” it when out in public. 08 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Comment Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress

Stronger together Take a leaf out of Naples’ John Battle book in marking the virus A mother at a food centre in Leeds asked recently, “Will this go on forever, do you think?” Though her children had re- turned to the classroom she felt ordinary social contact would not come back. Her only lifeline was Keith the food support contact. She had Johnston lost all hope that anything would really change. The vaccine may well save older people from Covid A poignant reminder of death stands death but “where”, she asked, was in Naples, where the old Roman “the future for our children?” road meets the main college street Covid and the impact of auster- and the imposing palazzos step back ity cuts locally had choked off any to reveal a sun-drenched plaza. real hope in the future, and cer- The spire of San Domenico –a tainly in any sense that politics stone obelisk topped with a statue of could make an improvement. As the saint – is one of Europe’s “plague Rebecca Solnit put it recently, “Or- columns.” Such monuments were dinary life before the pandemic erected after devastating epidemics was already a catastrophe of des- in the 17th century to remember the peration and exclusion for too religious figures believed to have in- many.” terceded to stop the spread of disease. But she added: “Hope offers us Vienna still has the most famous clarity that amidst the uncertainty one, though others survive. Of the ahead there will be conflicts worth three columns standing in joining and the possibility of win- Naples, only the spire of San ning some of them.” Domenico was erected to actually Recently, Citizen’s UK held a People have visited 17th-century plague commemorate a plague. As art his- well attended Zoom meeting on columns during the Covid-19 pandemic, torian Maria Ann Conelli points out, Pope Francis’ letter Fratelli Tutti including this one in Vienna, built after the column shares its form with a to which Archbishop Malcolm the plague epidemic in 1679. type of temporary funeral monument McMahon OP and Austin Ivereigh, Photo: Ronald Zak erected to display the coffin of a collector of Pope Francis’ prominent citizen in baroque-era tacular new altars and statues, and and believed it was their duty to ask great rejoicing of fireworks and thoughts in Let Us Dream, con- Italy. listened to musical performances saints to perform miracles. In June, lights.” Neapolitans were so familiar tributed. Both Archbishop As the one-year anniversary of the and the thunder of artillery. the Neapolitan city council had in with fireworks displays from past McMahon and Ivereigh drew out World Health Organization’s decla- “As much a spectacle of beauty as fact commissioned artist Mattia festivals that the account of the encouragement and hope that ration of a global pandemic ap- of piety,” the author wrote. “Not a Preti to paint new frescoes depicting them simply says that they, “being of radiates from Pope Francis even proaches, it might finally be time to simple tribute, but a full triumph.” saints to be mounted above the the usual sort, don’t need their own in these circumstances, always in- consider how our modern age wants The festivities began with a more city’s gates in order to protect particular recounting.” sisting on the unique dignity, po- to remember this plague. sombre event on the evening of 1st against the plague. Today, we are all hungry to enjoy tential and value of each person Pulitzer-winning art critic December, as the officials responsi- This religious zeal was just one the familiar things we did before the which can make a difference by Christopher Knight recently sug- ble for combating the disease, the part of a complex civic life – and pandemic. Neapolitans were too. As joining with others. gested we should build a new plague deputies of health, sat in the cathe- struggle against an epidemic – with a city facing economic, political and The rapidly developing Citizens column to remember Covid-19 vic- dral facing a bejeweled statue of some bracingly familiar features. religious divisions, Naples celebrated movement of ‘community organ- tims. It’s a brilliant idea. But Saint Francis Xavier as he was pro- There were conspiracy theories these crucial festivals in order to ising’, championed some years columns take time. The spire of San claimed protector of the city. about the origins of the virus – that bring together the city’s disparate ago by Bishop Victor Guazzelli Domenico, begun two years Six months earlier, as the bodies it was “artificially spread to kill the parts for a few precious days. and Cardinal Hume in London, is after the 1656 epidemic, took 79 were piling up in the streets, the people” as vengeance for an earlier Festivals admittedly served to glo- now growing in our towns and years to complete. deputies had prayed to him to inter- uprising. There was the problem of rify favoured saints and strengthen cities, bringing groups of ordinary The Neapolitan civic officials of cede and save Naples. On that Satur- where to bury the bodies. And there the vice royalty. But they also put people in their communities to- 1656 have another lesson to teach day in December, the voices of four was the heartbreak over shuttered artists to work, fostered social con- gether to relearn the art of really about how to remember a plague: choirs resounded through the cathe- theatres, schools and businesses. nection and allowed for a brief listening to each other through they put together a grand celebra- dral in a work of thanksgiving, the Te Sound familiar? spasm of joy. Some historians, like structured one-to-one conversa- tion to mark the containment of the Deum. “In the number and quality “The whole city had become a John Marino, emphasise the former; tions, sharing real concerns and epidemic and help heal a wounded of singers, it was the best of the tomb,” one observer recalled. others, like Gabriel Guarino, the lat- acting together in practical and city. For 10 days (instead of the usual whole festival,” wrote the author. For the city in the shadow of ter. positive ways to challenge power eight), beginning on 1st December Though the religious character of Mount Vesuvius, the December feast When we’re finally ready to get and bring about real change. 1656, the city was transformed by that night might seem striking to- must have felt like an eruption of back to normal after Covid-19 will The Fraternity Tutti session festivities both solemn and joyous. day, in 1656 all civic officials in joy. By Sunday night, the solemn re- we be content to mark the event brought together a wide range of “After such calamity, and in such a Naples professed the Catholic faith ligious processions gave way to “the with a shopping spree, a haircut and community examples of hopeful short time,” says a contemporary Je- a meal? Or will we take a page from breakthroughs in the spirit of the suit account, the city put together a the Neapolitan playbook, updated Fratelli Tutti, encouraging people celebration that was “if not the for our pluralistic world, and come to work together to reroot and greatest, as is often said, then at together for a (responsible, socially regenerate our politics through least, no one can deny, one not un- distanced) feast of music, fellowship community engagement. equal to those seen in Naples in the The Piazza and fireworks that could aid social, As Archbishop McMahon midst of its greatest happiness.” Mercatello cultural and economic recovery pointed out, Fratelli Tutti is not a This source, a Jesuit text that cele- in Naples right now? detailed handbook on what to do, during the brated the miracles performed dur- Let’s commission spectacular but a encouragement, sparking plague of ing the plague, still describes events works of music, art and sculpture, as hope and urging us to get together 1656, typical of Neapolitan feasts, for the Neapolitans did, and prepare to and organise as citizens to shape a painting by which there are many sources. revel in eight days of celebration. different future. In our parishes Domenico Painters, sculptors, musicians, the If it goes well, we can make it 10. and dioceses it’s worth watching Gargiulo. military, clergy, bureaucrats and out for Citizens UK’s Fratelli Tutti (Museo politicians all had a role to play. As Keith Johnston is an adjunct follow up as we emerge from lock- Nazionale the procession moved through the Lecturer in History, Algoma down, and to join in. di San streets, people worshipped at spec- Martino) University

10 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com News Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress

IN BRIEF Pontins changes A little bit of forgiveness all tack after slur over Travellers Holiday park operator Pontins has round would go a long way agreed to change its working prac- tices following revelations that it kept a blacklist of Irish surnames in an attempt to screen out book- CATHOLIC Prince Harry and Meghan, ings from Gypsies and Travellers. COMMENT The Duke and Duchess of Fr Daniel Mason, the national Sussex with Oprah Winfrey Catholic chaplain to Gypsies, Photo: Joe Pugliese, Roma and Travellers, said the Caroline Harpo Productions blacklist did not comes as a sur- prise to members of the Travelling Farrow community, which “routinely faces widespread discrimination and ex- clusion based on their ethnicity,” he said. It’s just as well that I read today’s The Equality and Human Rights Gospel parable about the unforgiv- Commission (EHRC) was con- ing servant before continuing with tacted by a whistleblower over my thoughts about the Meghan and claims the holiday firm kept an Harry debacle, which by the time ‘undesirable guests’ list of 40 Irish this is published, could well have surnames, including Boyle, Keefe, taken many more twists and turns. Gallagher, O’Donnell, McGuiness, The ability to exercise forgiveness Murphy, and O’Reilly. Staff report- is at the heart of Christian life and I edly refused or cancelled bookings have to confess it is the area in made by those with an Irish accent which I struggle the most. How do or surname. you forgive those who are set on Pontins has now agreed to nothing less than the total destruc- change in its working practices. tion of your personal and profes- sional life and family, which seems to be an occupational hazard of any- Public backs free one who is outspoken these days. I’m not claiming that bringing speech protection down the Royal Family was the mo- There is widespread public support tivation behind Meghan and Harry’s for stronger free speech protections interview, but they must surely have in the Scottish Government’s Hate been aware of the damage which Crime Bill, campaigners say. could have been done both to the other members of the family. day, and turning her nose up at the behaviour and comments (having A limited consultation period of institution and the individuals Even more confusingly, Harry ap- extravagant ceremony which was an unnecessary swipe at the just four days still gathered more within it as a result of their explosive peared to give a different timeline filled with celebrity friends as op- Duchess of Cambridge being an- than 600 responses over the Bill, of revelations to Oprah Winfrey, the and context to these comments posed to members of her family, is other low moment), what this inter- which 84.86 per cent stressed the doyenne of US prime time TV. claiming that they began before he cocking a massive snook at the tax- view revealed is that Meghan and need for stronger safeguards than It’s clear that what was driving the got married, whereas Meghan said payer who had to shell out £32 mil- Harry are still two desperately inse- those on offer. Only 13 per cent couple was a sense of pride and that they occurred when she was lion for the affair. cure, needy and damaged individu- were happy with the Bill’s pro- damaged ego, of wanting to set the pregnant with Archie. That was not This is part of the reason why so als who have tragically managed to posed options; none called for nar- record straight and establish them- the only element of the interview many in the UK at least are so angry alienate all of their close families. rower protections. selves as unfortunate yet coura- which did not add up. Meghan airily with Meghan and Harry, not be- The situation requires nothing “Legislators must draw a clear geous victims who have now been claimed that a secret wedding took cause of the colour of her skin, but more than a huge dose of forgive- line between that which is criminal set free, and while I am not going to place between the couple, three because of the way in which they ness from all parties concerned, re- and that which is merely offensive,” defend their actions or any of the days before the official ceremony, have behaved. I was one of those membering that Meghan and Harry said Jamie Gillies, of the Free to untruths that they presented in the conducted by the Archbishop of who initially believed that this are obviously very frail and flawed Disagree campaign. “Good free interview, understanding why some- Canterbury in their back garden. woman would be a welcome addi- individuals who are primarily con- speech protections will do this.” one has acted as they have, is often This is clearly a misunderstand- tion to the royal fold and was de- cerned with their own egos. the first step in the road to forgive- ing, to put it charitably. A ‘back gar- lighted that Prince Harry had found They need to realise that moral ness and healing. den’ is not a registered venue and love and happiness. If anything has authority is not commensurate with Government to look The interview was rage-inducing with no witnesses and no register alienated them from the public it is fame, fortune or royal status. for many reasons. First, because entry, no legal wedding could have their own high-handed behaviour, What we all have to remember is at breakfast boost they must have been aware of the taken place. Neither could anything jetting off on various trips around that every single good quality or The Government said it is consid- impact that their interview would sacramental because it is against the world while lecturing everyone blessing that we have has come as a ering options for school breakfast have on other members of the fam- Church of England, as well as else to stay at home and bitterly gift of God, not as an entitlement or provision once its current contract ily, especially the elderly Queen Catholic canon law for two wed- complaining. When compared to the right. When we realise that our lives ends later this year. whose even more aged husband is dings to take place. rest of the world, it looks like they are not simply about us, and don’t The Minister for Children and still in a very fragile condition in If, as Meghan suggested, her and have things pretty sweet. belong to us, it makes letting go of Families, Vicky Ford, said the Gov- hospital. The Palace are not giving Harry had privately got married It’s hard to feel compassion for a resentment, anger and self-right- ernment recognised the importance out many details as to Prince Philip’s then the Archbishop of Canterbury woman who says that she wasn’t eousness that much easier. Real for- of a healthy breakfast for children health, but it’s obvious that under- would be implicated in officiating in even free to meet her friends for giveness and healing can only ever and the positive impact it can have taking a heart procedure on a 99 a public sham marriage! lunch and who had her car keys and come when we remember and bear on their studies. “That is why my year-old is going to be a risky busi- What probably happened is that passport removed, yet was able to in mind God’s forgiveness towards department is investing up to £38 ness. during a rehearsal they said some jet around the world for baby show- us. million in the National School Members of the Royal Family are personal vows to each other and the ers and tennis tournaments at the As we get ever deeper into the sea- Breakfast Programme (NSBP), and known for not publicly responding Archbishop obliged them with a drop of a hat. son of Lent, we need to let go of our we are considering options for to family and personal dramas, and blessing, to keep them sweet, rather My daughter was more sympa- sense of self and give everything to- breakfast provision once the cur- therefore Meghan and Harry made a than anything official. If Meghan thetic, pointing out that you had to tally up to God if we truly want to be rent contract ends. series of damaging revelations had not wanted a public spectacle feel sorry for someone who felt so able to live lives of meaningful serv- Her comments come after a knowing that the family would not then she need only have said the bad that they even contemplated ice. That’s something that Meghan cross-party group of MPs urged fight back. Racism is a very serious word, because as a divorcee marry- suicide, though once again, I am and Harry would do very well to re- the Government to extend school charge and while Harry had the ing the sixth in line to the throne, sceptical about Meghan’s claims that member. breakfast provision, while Catholic good sense to clarify that neither the there is no doubt that she would she was prevented from seeking MP Emma Lewell-Buck tabled a Queen nor Prince Phillip had made have been indulged. mental health help. Caroline Farrow is a Catholic Private Members’ Bill on the issue, these supposedly racist comments, Indeed, it seems as though Regardless of whether or not they journalist and UK campaign which was withdrawn after Parlia- he has nonetheless left a cloud of Meghan was very particular about are genuinely victims, and no matter director and media commentator mentary time ran out. unkind suspicion hanging over what she wanted for her wedding how furious one might be over their for Citizens Go The Catholic Universe | Friday 12th March 2021 11 News Soap story highlights tactics used to force women into abortion

Nick Benson ITV soap Emmerdale has highlighted the reality of women being coerced into having an abortion. Emmerdale viewers expressed shock and disgust after recent scenes showed Mackenzie Boyd (played by actor Lawrence Robb) devise a sick plan with Jamie Tate (Alexander Lincoln) to trick Gabby Thomas (Rosie Ben- tham) into aborting her unborn baby. The 19-year-old became pregnant with Jamie’s baby following a one night stand last month. However, Jamie quickly told Gabby to forget about the evening they spent together. He then confessed his love Gabby (Rose Bentham) and Jamie to new partner Dawn Taylor (Olivia (Alexander Lincoln) are at the centre Bromley) and said he wanted to make of an abortion storyline that SPUC their relationship work after she con- says is only too real for many women fronted him over the pregnancy. Photo: ITV Listening to Mackenzie’s advice, Jamie pretended to be in love with Michael Robinson, the Society for who have contacted the Abortion Re- Gabby in order to “paint a picture” to the Protection of Unborn Children’s covery Care and Helpline (ARCH) have the teenager of “how wonderful life (SPUC) director of communications, experienced some form of pressure could be” if they did not have a baby said that the storyline had highlighted or coercion, many not even recog- “just until she agrees to take a trip to the “sick ploys” which involve ma- nising the coercion at the time.” the doctor” and have an abortion. nipulating and coercing pregnant However, he noted that the Em- However, this week Gabby discov- women into having an abortion, merdale storyline is “particularly ered the cruel, sick plan after she stressing that they are not uncommon. shocking as it shows two young men overheard Dawn and Jamie admitting “The reality is that most women trivialising pregnancy and abortion, their feelings for one another. are pressurised or coerced in some leaving viewers unlikely to realise the As she confronted Jamie over his way into an abortion decision, whether devastating reality of abortion”. lies, the teenager took a fall after feeling it be subtly, harshly, or somewhere “An unborn baby’s life is at stake as dizzy and called out to Jamie as she between the two,” he said. well as the mental wellbeing of a passed out clutching her stomach. “A concerning 75 per cent of women young woman,” he added. Hasbro caught up in new row over same-sex Potato Heads

Toy manufacturer Hasbro, which The clarification came after many caused controversy recently after it took to social media to share their announced it is dropping the ‘Mr’ views on the announcement, with title from its Mr Potato Head brand some joking about it, some welcoming of toys, is preparing to launch a new it and others expressing concern and product line in the autumn that will displeasure. allow children to create families with Prior to the clarification, one Twitter same-sex parents. user accused the company of ‘hopping The American toy giant said the on the bandwagon cancelling a char- decision came in order “to promote acter who literally has a wife in a gender equality and inclusion” and series spanning 30 years’. to offer a “modern look for modern limiting when it comes to both gender However, many remained con- families”. identity and family structure.” cerned about a toy being marketed Starting in September, Hasbro will Hasbro released images of the boxed to toddlers featuring families with sell Potato Head family kits featuring sets, which portray families on the two mums and two dads. two non-gendered ‘adult’ potatoes, packaging featuring a heterosexual ‘Unfortunately it’s not going to do one ‘baby’ potato and 42 accessories. couple, as well as scenarios with two any good for children whose minds Kimberly Boyd, a senior vice presi- mums and two dads. are still growing,’ one tweeted, ‘They’re dent and general manager at Hasbro, Following the initial announcement, denying human biology.’ said the sets will allow children to de- Hasbro clarified that while the brand Another added: ‘@Hasbro. You have cide the parents’ gender, rather than is changing, the actual Mr and Mrs the right to make any changes in your being told they are ‘Mr’ and ‘Mrs’. Potato Head characters will continue product line. I maintain the right to “Culture has evolved,” she told Fast to be sold in stores. no longer purchase your products. I Company magazine. “Kids want to be It said that the ‘Mr’ and ‘Mrs’ names will no longer purchase your products able to represent their own experi- will be less prominently displayed at for the children in my family. I’m sure ences. The way the brand currently the bottom of the box, instead of the that’s small ‘potatoes’ for you, but this exists – with the ‘Mr’ and ‘Mrs’ – is top. whole thing is ridiculous.’ 12 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com News Like us on facebook - search Catholic Universe Newspaper

Public fed up Betting didn’t with firms’ Armagh ready to have stop during ‘woke’ stunts lockdown, says The public has called for an end to some St Patrick’s Day ‘cancel culture’ and ‘woke’ stunts after new report global e-commerce giant Amazon de- Around one-in-six sports bettors start- cided to tweak its app logo after some ed a new form of gambling during commentators saying it resembled the initial Covid-19 lockdown, and Adolf Hitler. fun in safety of home one-in-three placed bets more fre- The observers compared the icon, quently, a new study has found. which depicts a strip of blue tape over Nick Benson The Universities of Stirling and Glas- an Amazon ‘smile’ logo, to the tooth- The Catholic and Anglican primates gow explored regular bettors’ behav- brush moustache largely associated of All-Ireland will come together this iour between March and June 2020, with the Nazi dictator. weekend to share a St Patrick’s Day the first UK lockdown. At the time, Following the comparisons, Amazon message as part of a six-day online professional sports were suspended, quickly changed the logo so that the festival marking the patron saint’s and gambling venues were closed. tape no longer has ridges and is now forthcoming feast day. They found that while one third of folded on one corner. With St Patrick’s Day parades and regular sports bettors completely However, many took to social media events once again hit by Covid-19 re- stopped betting and the majority re- branding the comparison ‘pathetic’ strictions, Armagh, the ecclesiastical duced their gambling, some found and ‘one of the dumbest cancellations capital of Ireland, has moved its cele- other means to feed their habit. I’ve seen yet’. brations online, with six days packed The study, published in the journal ‘An app logo of a box with clearly full of festivities for everyone through- Addictive Behaviours, 17.3 per cent tape on it resembles the face of Hitler? out the world to enjoy. of men and 16.5 per cent of women There’s literally nothing that surprises Armagh, where the island’s famous started a new form of gambling during me anymore with cancelling anything patron saint established his first stone this three-month period, while 31.3 for any given reason,’ tweeted one. church in the year 445AD, is beginning per cent of men and 30.3 per cent of Another added: ‘Whoever thinks online celebrations early and wants women increased their frequency of that resembles Hitler needs to get out millions of people at home and away gambling on at least one activity. The more.’ to join in on an enthralling showcase study defined these people as poten- of events designed to inspire a new tially vulnerable to gambling harms. global audience. Professor Kate Hunt, of the Uni- The ‘At Home with St Patrick Festi- versity of Stirling’s Institute for Social val’, runs from today, Friday 12th Marketing and Health (ISMH), said March to his feast day on Wednesday the findings will help inform the review 17th March, as a response to teh can- of the Gambling Act 2005, currently cellation of the city’s usual green- being conducted by the Department themed street parade, plus many other for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. events, are unable to go ahead. The logo before “Our findings are just one part of a As part of the festivities, the Catholic (above) and broader study which also looks at Primate of All-Ireland and Archbishop after it was people’s experiences and the adver- of Armagh, Eamon Martin, will join redesigned, to tising and marketing of gambling dur- stop ‘similarities’ his Church of Ireland counterpart, ing the first UK lockdown,” she said. with the Nazi Archbishop John McDowell, in pro- “The findings will provide important dictator viding a short message in commem- food for thought about how gambling oration of St Patrick on Sunday, 14th and the gambling industry are best March. regulated – and, importantly, provides The Universe Their message will be available to timely evidence to inform the ongoing view at 12noon, on the VisitArmagh searched for a site in Armagh to es- and we’re proud to celebrate his iconic – Contacts – review of the Gambling Act 2005, cur- and The Market Place’s YouTube and tablish his first church (12th March); legacy from a remarkable city that rently being undertaken by the UK social media channels. an illustrated presentation providing will bring laughter, enjoyment, reflec- Government.” The six-day festival will also take insights into the iconic symbolism tion and hope to the world in this participants through a thrilling show- and arts linked with St Patrick (13th challenging year.” case of rousing events themed with March); and a choral celebration at All events will be streamed free of snakes, shamrocks, history and cul- St Patrick’s RC Cathedral in Armagh charge. However, some do require ad- ture, traditional music and dance - (13th March). vance registration. To contact a member and plenty of inspiring food and drink Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Ban- of The Catholic Universe ideas. bridge and Craigavon Borough, Cllr For more details about the festival team, call: The festival line-up also includes Kevin Savage said: “Built, shaped and or to register for events, see: an online dramatisation at Navan Fort steeped in St Patrick, Armagh remains https://visitarmagh.com/festivals/ uncovering St Patrick’s early life as he the true home of Ireland’s first citizen st-patricks/ ADVERTISING SALES: 07984 616950 CIRCULATION: Chaplain eyes joint World Cup bid 07375 397312 ACCOUNTS: as way to heal Brexit rifts 07984 616949 Nick Benson he told The Catholic Universe. thing for the country.” The Westminster Chaplain for Sport has Mgr Felzmann’s comments came as Mr Martin told RTE News: “It’s very EDITORIAL: hailed a joint bid from England, Scotland, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it is exciting news, it’s very interesting. Ob- 07949 987771 Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic the “right time” to “bring football home”, viously it’s very early days, but we’re of Ireland to host the 2030 World Cup while Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin very happy to co-operate with the UK GENERAL ENQUIRIES: as “an excellent – and noble – idea”. said he was excited by the joint bid and and, indeed, all the football associations Mgr Vladimir Felzmann said it seemed pledged that his Government will do involved.” 0161 820 5722 fitting that ‘The Beautiful Game’ should what it can to “add value” to it. A feasibility study is under way and be used to heal the UK and Ireland from In an interview with The Sun, Mr will continue before the formal bidding Supporting Catholic journalism any post-Brexit rifts that remain. Johnson said: “We are very, very keen to process begins next year. “I believe it’s an excellent – and noble bring football home in 2030. I do think Mgr Vladimir Felzmann said that if www.thecatholic - idea to use, post-Brexit, the Beautiful it’s the right place. the bid proves successful, “Ireland and Game to weld the whole of our North “It’s the home of football, it’s the right England should use that home advantage universe.com Atlantic Archipelago closer together,” time. It will be an absolutely wonderful to get through to at least the last 16.” The Catholic Universe | Friday 12th March 2021 13 Bishopric of the Forces Taking the rough with the smooth as a chaplain in the Royal Navy

Fr Thomas Bakulumpagi RN As a recently commissioned Chaplain Fr Thomas’ temporary home, HMS Lancaster. to Her Majesty’s Service in the Royal Left, Fr Thomas wasn’t spared Navy, I have had the joys of going the gruelling training regime through a ritual birth into full entry while an Officer Cadet to the service. You start with glorious memories of the beautiful landscape of Britan- nia Royal Navy College, Dartmouth which confronts you on arrival, but then sadly fades away once the pro- gramme starts and you no longer have the luxury of time to appreciate her splendour anymore amidst the busyness of the programme. This is followed by the robustness of the training itself, whose objective is to make you acquire a military bearing, and where the opportunity to train with other officer cadets was just outstanding. Though it was at the height of the pandemic, we kept to our bubbles and the college staff delivered the training package to a remarkable standard. the daily orders and emphasising a nearby port and sailors can ease Like anything else, some days A smiling Fr Thomas with his proud sister and father the command aim that underpins off the pedals by catching a breath were better than others. The Royal after his Royal Navy passing out ceremony all activities on the ship. ashore. Sadly, in our case Covid-19 Navy’s AOP (Accelerated Officers Life is non-stop on IST: watches restrictions stood in the way and de- Programme) as advertised was very and routines dominate as I spent nied us the chance. We came along- intense and run at a terrific pace, two days with every department, side a few ports, and this brought with the emphasis on CLM – that’s learning about their roles and an- excitement to all on board hoping Command, Leadership and Man- swering questions in the task book against hope that perhaps we would agement. that related to them. The efficiency be allowed a run ashore, but sadly The Royal Navy challenges you at of all departments in performance everywhere we came along the story all levels of life, putting you through and responding to any OPDEFS (an was the same, the furthest one could mental and physical tests that gauge operational defect) is amazing. go was the jetty. your attitude and response to various The trip to the far north of the In my very limited time of service real-life scenarios you’ll experience Atlantic saw the Lancaster cutting in the Royal Navy, ministry has been in your role. As a priest and chaplain through waves up to ten metres unique, but then I see it as a perfect I had the privilege of working closely high. On one occasion while sailing response to that invitatio from Pope with my flock, learning more about back from the Arctic, I experienced a Francis, to “Go out”… self and developing an appreciation rather unpleasant imbalance in the of humanity in all its strengths and body while sitting in the Ops room, weaknesses; it was priceless training. one that left me literally floating in Fr Thomas Bakulumpagi RN is a One discovers immediately that for the poor, prisoners, oppressed, as I benefitted from their wide range space. I made an excuse and started priest of the Archdiocese of there’s a genuine thirst for support neglected; and I would add to that of knowledge about the workings of ascending to 2 deck and my cabin Southwark and is currently and an openness among the sailors. list sailors who, on their long de- the ship and broad experiences of for a lie down. On my way through Chaplain looking after small ships As a trusted friend you find yourself ployments, experience a sense of these young sailors in their areas of the corridors I met with a few others in four squadrons: Coastal Forces part of the family, with most of your poverty of separation from family expertise while ministering to them staggering in the same direction, Squadron; Marine Counter fellow trainees eager to draw from and loved ones. The pope’s invita- pastorally. running for their safety. Measure 2 Squadron; Overseas your life’s experiences as well as tion was an opportunity to revive Life on board a warship has a I later learnt it was a form of sea- Patrol Squadron and the sharing deeply their lives with you, their drooping spirits, and called us unique tone and pace. A typical sickness that I was experiencing for Expeditionary & Divers’ Squadron. and seeking pastoral guidance. to live out our priestly life and voca- working day starts with a briefing the first time! Based in Portsmouth, Fr Thomas I recall that in March 2013, while tion as shepherds, living with and piped by the OOD (Officer of the It is widely accepted that on de- will be accompanying these reflecting on Psalm 133 at his first among the sheep, smelling the Day), highlighting the key events on ployments the ship comes alongside squadrons when they are at sea. Chrism Mass as pontiff, Pope Fran- “smell of the sheep”. Left, why we’re cis reminded all priests of the need The job of a chaplain – known af- here: Fr Thomas ‘to go out’ in order to experience fectionately in the Navy as ‘Bish’ – leads a their own anointing. He also spelt requires one to be with the flock. I Remembrance out that priests have been anointed had the privilege to deploy for the Day services on first time on HMS Lancaster, a Type board HMS 23 frigate, in October through to No- Lancaster while vember 2020, travelling to the far on its operational north of the Atlantic. We spend six- tour of the north seven weeks at sea, performing a se- Atlantic ries of tasks ranging from firing a Sea Sceptor missile to keeping a close eye on the Russian Navy, among other exercises. My three col- Far left, Initial Sea leagues on IST (Initial Sea Training) Training meant a and I were accommodated in the tour of ship’s Junior Rates’ Mess, and this provided departments, an opportunity to build a rapport including a stint with the ship’s company, starting in the galley. Here from the lower ranks upwards. It Fr Thomas is pictured created a closeness that won us trust preparing pizza and ease among all souls on board. for the crew Besides, it worked symbiotically, 14 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Pope Francis in Iraq Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress

Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Mass in Irbil (main photograph); top right, greets a flower girl at Baghdad International Airport; and blesses a young boy in the Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Deliverance. Below, security was tight throughout the trip but the Pope remained relaxed and smiling throughout Pope proves doubters wrong as he takes message of peace to Iraq

Rob Beswick State massacres, including The Syriac pope’s cavalcade, highlighting again Affairs at the American University of port to all Iraqi people.” Even the most jaundiced of Vatican Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of De- the love and affection Francis carries Beirut. “There wasn’t any. People were The Vatican was particularly pleased critics hailed Pope Francis’ pilgrimage liverance, where 48 Christian martyrs before him. very excited and I think it’s been well- with the thanks the pope received to Iraq last weekend as a triumph de- were slaughtered on 31st October The trip, some feared, would prompt received by most people.” from Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, whose livered against the odds, one that jus- 2010, and the devastated Hosh al- a vicious Muslim backlash, with Interest in the papal visit stretched opinions are hugely respected tified the huge personal risk the 84- Bieaa (church square) in Mosul, a for- protests against this ‘proselytising far beyond Iraq’s borders. Many Middle throughout the Shiite community. Af- year-old pope appeared to be taking mer Christian strongpoint until it fell Christian’. Yet none materialised: Eastern newspapers, such as the Saudi ter talks with the pope on protecting in going through with the three-day under the horrific cosh of Islamic rather, the welcome was as warm Arab News daily, and satellite TV sta- religious minorities, al-Sistani “af- trip. State. from Muslims as from Christians, and tions, ran live feeds of the pilgrimage, firmed his concern that Christian cit- Faced with the triple threats of a Both venues were telling reminders Iraqi state TV devoted hours of cov- and Sheikh Ahmad el-Tayeb, grand izens should live like all Iraqis in peace perceived lack of security in the face of the trauma Iraq has suffered in re- erage to the visit without complaint imam of al-Azhar University in Cairo and security, and with their full con- of local Islamist anger, alleged local cent years and offered up haunting from local faith leaders. and a leading authority in Sunni Islam stitutional rights.” indifference and the ongoing Covid- images. “Did you see anyone on the news with whom Pope Francis has previ- This was strong support for one of 19 crisis, it had long been rumoured Yet throughout what could have protesting against his visit?” asked ously shared close inter-religious di- the pope’s main goals of the visit, to in Rome that the visit would not take been a sombre visit the smiling faces Dania Koleilat Khatib, an analyst af- alogue, said all should welcome Pope show Iraq’s remaining Christians that place, with papal advisers pressing of ordinary Iraqis – Muslims and Chris- filiated with the Issam Fares Institute Francis to the region as he brings “a the country could still be their home, the Holy Father in the weeks leading tians standing together – lit up the for Public Policy and International message of peace, solidarity and sup- and Pope Francis thanked al-Sistani up to his visit to cancel – or at least for having “raised his voice in defence postpone until a safer time. of the weakest and most persecuted” But with the pope reluctant to follow during some of the most violent times predecessors who had also been forced in Iraq’s recent history. to call off proposed visits, Francis It was important, Dania Koleilat gamely took a bout of sciatica in his Khatib said, to realise that “al-Sistani limping stride to press on with the represents co-existence with, accept- first-ever papal visit to Iraq. Talks with ance of and respect for the ‘other’. the country’s civic leaders saw him This is far beyond mere tolerance of impress both with his understanding another’s faith. The visit falls in line of the local situation and caring calls with al-Sistani’s thinking, which always for peace and tolerance, while his seeks social cohesion and fights sec- meeting with renowned Islamist cleric tarianism, despite the immense pres- Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the influential sure he has been placed under.” leader of Shiite Muslims in Iraq, offered The view of mainstream Muslim another foundation block in building was summed up by Mohamed Ali lasting inter-religious harmony in the Bahr al-Ulum, a senior Shiite cleric Middle East. in Najaf, who said his community felt But for many the highlights were “proud of what this visit represents, the emotional Mass and prayers at and we thank those who made it pos- some of the scenes of Daesh/Islamic sible.” The Catholic Universe | Friday 12th March 2021 15 Pope Francis in Iraq

Your chance to purchase a beautiful, hand crafted white resin statue of

All smiles: Pope Our Lady Francis and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi (above) and left, with President Barham Untier of Knots Salih A popular devotion, this statue is extended to the Blessed Virgin’s intercession for us in Heaven. The knot is a good representation of the results of sin in our spiritual Francis pays homage to victims in life: As we engage habitually in sin, it becomes harder and harder to return to virtue, just as a knot talks with civic and faith leaders that is pulled tighter and tighter To consolidate peace and ensure becomes harder to untie. God’s progress, Iraq must never treat anyone grace, however, offered to us as a second-class citizen and must through the intercession of the work each day to promote harmony, Virgin Mary, can undo any knot Pope Francis said. and conquer any sin. “Fraternal co-existence calls for pa- tient and honest dialogue, protected by justice and by respect for law,” he Pope Francis said: told an audience that included Iraqi ThroughTh Mary, President Barham Salih and other members of the Iraqi government. “All the knots of our heart, The president welcomed Pope Fran- every knot of our cis as a “great and dear guest,” ex- pressing his gratitude that the pope conscience can beb undone.” made the trip “despite calls to post- STRICTLY LIMITED pone the visit because of the pan- Dialogue is key demic and despite the conditions that £34£34 OFFER ORDER NOW! our wounded nation is going through” incl P&P&P * Statue is 8 inches high with sporadic waves of violence. to building society Facing those dangers and visiting anyway “doubles the value of your visit in the eyes of Iraqis," the president based on respect Celebrating 190 years told the pope. of the devotion of the During his speech the pope outlined Miraculous Medal his main themes: to pay homage to In a low-key meeting followed closely in Iraq and beyond, Pope Francis and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the influential leader of Shiite Muslims in Iraq, the Christians martyred by Islamic ONLYONLLYY spent 45 minutes in private talks. The 90-year-old ayatollah, who turns militants over the past 20 years; in- down most meeting requests, said his encounter in Najaf with the pope £24.99£24.999 sisting in a belief in one God, the showed that world religious leaders should work to hold ‘great powers’ to incl P&P father of all, and all people as brothers account, calling upon them “to give priority to reason and wisdom, to and sisters; encouraging a commit- reject the language of war, and not to expand concern for their self- Purchase this beautiful ment to rebuild the physical and social interests over the rights of people to live in freedom and dignity.” fabric of the country; and condemning Pope Francis said the meeting “underlined the importance of Sterling Silver Crystal edged violence. collaboration and friendship among religious communities, cultivating Miraculous Medal “I come as a penitent, asking for- mutual respect and dialogue.” and 18” silver chain giveness of Heaven for so much de- The meeting also gave the pope a chance to thank the ayatollah and the struction and cruelty,” the pope said. Iraqi Shiite community, which “raised their voices in defence of the “I come as a pilgrim of peace in the weakest and the persecuted, affirming the sacredness of human life and name of Christ, the prince of peace.” the importance of the unity of the Iraqi people” when Islamic State “May the clash of arms be silenced! militants were on a rampage from 2014 to 2017. To order online visit : May their spread be curbed, here and www.thecatholicuniverse.com/knots everywhere,” the pope said. "May the secular leaders, Pope Francis could pluralism, diversity and accepting the voice of peacemakers find a hearing! not fail to mention the special suffering opinion of the other.” Those ordinary men and women who of the Christian community, advocate Such an attitude, he said, “increases want to live, work and pray in peace.” for their rights and promise that they, terrorism and the incitement to vio- to order by cheque or PO please send a cheque or PO for Pope Francis acknowledged how too, would use their talents and skills lence, hatred and committing atroci- item/s, with your full name, phone number and details to Iraqis have dedicated themselves to to build up the nation. ties with pretexts that have nothing building a democracy. For further The Universe Media Group, 2nd Floor, Oakland House Condemning violence “grounded to do with the tolerant spirit of the 76 Talbot Road, Manchester M16 OPQ. progress, he said, “it is essential to in a fundamentalism incapable of ac- divine message. This threatens our ensure the participation of all political, cepting the peaceful co-existence of entire future.” social and religious groups and to different ethnic and religious groups," Pope Francis agreed. “Only if we guarantee the rights of all citizens.” the pope urged Iraqis to strive to be a look beyond our differences and see In fact, the country’s dwindling To order by credit card please call model of dialogue and harmony for each other as members of the same 0161 820 5722 and give your card details Christian minority is not the only the rest of the region. human family will we be able to begin group that repeatedly has been denied President Salih told the pope that, an effective process of rebuilding and its basic rights; Kurds, Yazidis and too often in the modern world, “op- leave to future generations a better, Mandaeans all have faced discrimi- position and polarisation” are the or- more just world,” he said. ToTo vivisitsit our shop Go o to:to: www.thecatholicuniverse.comwww.thecatholicuniversse.com nation and even persecution. der of the day, and people, “especially Religion, he insisted, “must be at Even though he was speaking to in the East, are losing the habit of the service of peace and fraternity.” 16 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Pope Francis in Iraq

Celebrating the power of Christians ‘honour martyrs women

Fr Shay by working for a better Iraq’ Cullen Cindy Wooden Amid the rubble and bombed out re- Pope Francis stands on a temporary altar mains of four churches destroyed by in the shattered remains of Mosul’s Hosh We have seen phenomenal devel- Islamic State militants, Pope Francis al-Bieaa, the church square, destroyed by opments in the respect, status, paid tribute to Iraqi Christians who Islamic State between 2014-17 freedom, progress and achieve- endured persecution and even death. ments of women in the world. But he also urged the Christians of They have achieved positions of northern Iraq to live up to their faith power as presidents and prime and honour the sacrifice of those who ministers, hold important govern- died by promoting peace and recon- ment and corporate positions and ciliation. are inspirational, outstanding civic Much of Mosul’s old city centre re- leaders and influencers. They have mains in ruins or under reconstruc- succeeded in every profession and tion. So when Pope Francis stood in are outstanding in every field: pol- Hosh al-Bieaa, the church square, he itics and business, music and art, faced some of those ruins: the remains science and engineering, sport of the Syriac Catholic, Armenian Or- and literature. thodox, Syriac Orthodox and Chaldean But there are other areas in Catholic churches all destroyed be- which women excel. Her intrinsic tween 2014 and 2017. instinct is to nurture and care for His message was clear: “If God is others. Her vital and indispensable the God of life – for so he is – then it femininity is the block on which is wrong for us to kill our brothers humanity depends for its survival. and sisters in his name. If God is the It is her unique role to choose to God of peace – for so he is – then it is have children, to nurture and pro- wrong for us to wage war in his name. tect and care for them. That is why “If God is the God of love – for so her womanhood and motherhood he is – then it is wrong for us to hate is actually more precious, our brothers and sisters.” more important and more vital In Mosul, Pope Francis listened to than that of her male companion. the stories of Christians forced to flee, but 70 families have returned. “The “Today, however, we reaffirm our miles to Qaraqosh, a majority Christian It is the mother, the source of the fear many have to return and the rest are afraid to come back.” conviction that fraternity is more city that also suffered devastation at human life, who has the most encouragement of Muslim neighbours Militants of the Islamic State group durable than fratricide, that hope is the hands of the Islamic State group. powerful influence on the early committed to making the city a thriv- controlled the city for three years from more powerful than hatred, that peace Less than half of the city’s inhabitants years of her child, building a sense ing, multicultural metropolis again. 2014-17, terrorising the population, more powerful than war,” the pope have returned since the militants were of security bonded in strong values But he also heard choirs of children executing hundreds and kidnapping, said. “This conviction speaks with ousted in 2016. of trust, honesty, faithfulness and singing in welcome, women ululating raping and selling women. They blew greater eloquence than the passing Mounir Jibrahil, a 61-year-old math togetherness. A strong family, to honor his arrival and the cheers of up major landmarks, both Muslim voices of hatred and violence, and it teacher, said he came back in 2016, bonded in mutual respect and young people waving flags. and Christian, and killed tens of thou- can never be silenced by the blood but only finished rebuilding his house support, is the foundation of soci- Fr Raid Adel Kallo, pastor of Mosul’s sands. spilled by those who pervert the name last year. “Now it’s safer here,” he said. ety and nationhood. Protecting Church of the Annunciation, told the Offering prayers “for all the victims of God to pursue paths of destruc- “It’s great to see the pope; we never and supporting family life is a pope that he and many of his people of war and armed conflict,” Pope Fran- tion.” expected him to come to Qaraqosh. most fundamental responsibility left the city in June 2014; at that point, cis said. Mosul is concrete proof of After the prayer service and a private Maybe that will help to rebuild the and duty of government. Failure to he said, his parish had 500 families. the “tragic consequences of war and visit to the ruined churches, Pope country, finally bringing love and do so brings serious social problems. “The majority have emigrated abroad,” hostility.” Francis flew by helicopter about 20 peace.” Some suffer at the hands of men, left abandoned as single mothers to support their children. Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Mass in the The huge number of single mothers The faithful’s rebuilt Cathedral of Our Lady of Deliverance. who have risen to the challenge to Social distancing rules meant the congregation care for their children and work was less than a tenth of the church’s capacity must give all people a sense of sacrifice must wonderment and appreciation of their resilience and abilities. Yet it lead to good is difficult, hard and lonely as they face a day of labour while caring Cindy Wooden for their children. Many cannot Visiting a Baghdad cathedral “hallowed cope and children are neglected as by the blood of our brothers and sis- the mother, some deprived of edu- ters”, Pope Francis said their sacrifice cation, without opportunity, strug- must motivate faith and a commit- gle to survive for the day. ment to work for the common good. The Universal Declaration of The Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Human Rights states that “mother- Our Lady of Deliverance, sometimes hood and childhood are entitled to referred to as Our Lady of Salvation, special care and assistance” and is now a shrine to 48 Christian martyrs that the “family is the natural and who died on 31st October 2010, fundamental group unit of society slaughtered by al-Qaida militants. and is entitled to protection by so- Photos of the dead, including a three- ciety and the State.” That’s why it is year-old, hang over the altar. so infuriating to see women dis- Pope Francis listened to the stories criminated against, belittled and of representatives from the Syriac abused. It has to stop. Everyone Catholic community, as well as saving message of forgiveness, rec- Younan welcomed Pope Francis to the Chaldean patriarch, told the pope has to defend, protect and Chaldean, Armenian and Latin-rite onciliation and rebirth.” the cathedral, telling him the 48 “mixed that the Syriac Catholic cathedral and promote the rights and dignity of Catholic parishes. The pope told them “Christians are called to bear witness their blood with that of the Lamb,” its martyrs are a poignant sign of what women and children. that the memory of the 48 – whose to the love of Christ in every time and and showed “their oppressed brothers Christians throughout the country sainthood cause is underway – and place,” he said. “This is the Gospel and sisters in the Middle East” that have endured and survived over the Visit www.preda.org, and on of the countless other Christians killed that must be proclaimed and embod- the risen Lord continues to walk with past decade, but that “this paternal Facebook, Preda Foundation. should “inspire us to renew our own ied in this beloved country as well.” his people. visit of yours gives us the strength to trust in the power of the cross and its Syriac Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Cardinal Louis Sako of Baghdad, overcome adversity.”

18 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Pope Francis in Iraq Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress

NJPN Comment Over 10,000 attended Mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Irbil Women network for justice Margaret Clark

The National Board of Catholic Women (NBCW) has launched a new website for communication for women throughout England and Wales. It is also a platform for the Bishops’ Conference to hear the voices of Catholic women. Our committees cover a wide range of issues: social justice, education, health, bioethics, ecumenical and Cleanse hearts of anger, live the interfaith, violence against women and international issues. Also, we have Diocesan Links, reaching women on the peripheries and Gospel, is pope’s plea at Mass communicating with their bishops. Working together and collabo- rating with organisations, includ- Cindy Wooden Pope Francis swings a and resurrection Jesus “liberates us ing the National Justice and Peace Having experienced persecution for censer while celebrating from the narrow and divisive notions Network, we come together as a their faith, the Christians of Iraq must Mass at the Franso Hariri of family, faith and community that strong collective Catholic voice to be careful not to harbour thoughts of Stadium in Irbil. divide, oppose and exclude, so that address areas of concern, advocate revenge, Pope Francis told them. The statue of Mary in front we can build a church and a society for change and transfer information. In a day full of symbolic imagery, of him was disfigured by open to everyone and concerned for Our new website helps us commu- Pope Francis paid homage to the vic- Islamic State militants our brothers and sisters in greatest nicate and link digitally with ex- tims of Islamic State as he celebrated need. “ tensive networks. News and events Mass with 10,000 local Christians at “At the same time,” the pope said, are frequently listed and updated. Irbil’s Franso Hariri Stadium. “he strengthens us to resist the temp- Currently, NBCW events are Irbil, capital of the Kurdistan au- tation to seek revenge, which only held online and all are welcome to tonomous region in northern Iraq, plunges us into a spiral of endless re- join. International Women’s Day hosts Syrian refugees and hundreds taliation.” on 8th March celebrated the of thousands of displaced people, par- With faith in Jesus and the experi- tremendous efforts of women and ticularly Christians, from Mosul, ences of the past decade, Pope Francis girls around the world in shaping a Qaraqosh and other towns that had told them, the Holy Spirit sends them more equitable future and recov- been under the thumb of Islamic State forth “as missionary disciples, men ery from the pandemic. Women militants in 2014-2017. and women called to testify to the stand at the front lines of the After blessing the altar with incense, life-changing power of the Gospel.” Covid-19 crisis as health care Pope Francis blessed a partially re- At the end of Mass, Chaldean workers, caregivers, innovators, stored statue of Mary from a parish Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of community organisers and as in Karmless. The Islamic State militants Irbil thanked the pope for travelling some of the most effective na- decapitated the statue and cut off its to Iraq during the pandemic, telling tional leaders in combating the hands. The restoration re-attached the pontiff he made real the saying, pandemic. The crisis has also the head, but left the hands dangling. “Do not be afraid.” The archbishop highlighted the disproportionate “Here in Iraq, how many of your said Iraqis must give life to the pope’s burdens that women carry. brothers and sisters, friends and fellow message of peace, brotherhood and Across the world, women are citizens bear the wounds of war and forgiveness. facing increased unpaid care du- violence, wounds both visible and in- Then Pope Francis addressed the ties, unemployment and poverty, visible,” the pope told the crowd. “The crowd – and those watching on TV: all factors contributing to the in- temptation is to react to these and “Now the time I must leave for Rome crease in domestic violence during other painful experiences with human draws near. But Iraq will always remain the pandemic. Coercive control power, human wisdom,” but the path with me in my heart. and domestic abuse of people of Jesus was to serve, to heal, to love confusion.” to be swept from our hearts and from “I ask all of you, dear brothers and with disabilities are just some of and to offer his life for others. “Our heart must be cleansed, put the church.” sisters, to work together in unity for a the horrendous abuses endured. Referring to St John’s Gospel account in order and purified,” the pope said. But, the pope told them, “to cleanse future of peace and prosperity that We see and hear of these cases all of Jesus cleansing the temple, Pope Anything that leads a person away our hearts, we need to dirty our hands, leaves no one behind and does not around us in every strata of society Francis said Jesus did not want his from God or causes them to ignore to feel accountable and not to simply discriminate against anyone. Salaam, and the NBCW encourages Father’s house to be a marketplace, the suffering of others must be look on as our brothers and sisters salaam, salaam, shukran and God Catholic parishes to become and “neither does he want our hearts cleansed, he said. “We need the bane- are suffering.” bless everyone, God bless Iraq, Allah places of safety for people seeking to be places of turmoil, disorder and ful temptations of power and money Through his own suffering, death ma’akum (God be with you).” to escape domestic abuse, espe- cially women and children. The NBCW has produced a pas- toral guide to raise awareness in Chaldeans told ‘live the Beatitudes, change the world’ the Church of the devastating ef- Pope Francis told Iraqi Christians you – for you who are afflicted, who Iraqi President Barham Salih and beatitudes. fects of domestic abuse and offers that when they suffer discrimina- hunger and thirst for justice, who Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein The beatitudes “do not ask us to practical guidance for responding. tion, persecution or war, the Eight are persecuted. The Lord promises were among the congregtion with do extraordinary things, feats be- The resource pack ‘Raising Aware- Beatitudes are addressed to them. you that your name is written on members of the government, and yond our abilities,” the pope said. ness of domestic abuse’ is available “Whatever the world takes from his heart, written in Heaven!” the pope included a special prayer But “they ask for daily witness.” in digital format on the NBCW us is nothing compared to the ten- The service marked the first time on their behalf, asking God to help “The blessed are those who live website or hard copy booklet ob- der and patient love with which the Pope Francis celebrated a eucharis- them be “examples of honesty for meekly, who show mercy wherever tained by leaving a message on the Lord fulfills his promises,” the pope tic liturgy, “the Holy Qurbana,” in the common good” and “know how they happen to be, who are pure of NBCW website or by contacting told the congregation at the the rite of the Chaldean Church. to collaborate for a renewed world heart wherever they live,” he said. 01642 782111. It has been circu- Chaldean Catholic Cathedral of St. While the pope recited the prayers in which liberty and harmony reign.” The beatitudes are not a call for a lated to every parish. Joseph. “Dear sister, dear brother, in Italian, Cardinal Louis Sako, the In his homily, Pope Francis told moment of heroics, but about imi- If you are interested in joining perhaps when you look at your Chaldean patriarch, and members the people that while “in the eyes of tating Jesus each day, Pope Francis one of the committees or helping hands, they seem empty, perhaps of the congregation prayed in the world, those with less are dis- said. with our work, see www. you feel disheartened and unsatis- Chaldean, a modern form of Ara- carded, while those with more are “That is how the world is nbcw.co.uk or call 01642 782111. fied by life,” he said. “If so, do not maic. The Bible readings were in privileged,” it is not that way with changed: not by power and might, Margaret Clark is NBCW President. be afraid: The beatitudes are for Arabic. God, which Jesus made clear in the but by the beatitudes.” theCatholic Chris Fr Michael Fr Francis McDonnell Collins Marsden Perseverance The Code of An anti-hero for has landed - p23 Hammurabi - p24 Christians - p28 www.thecatholicuniverse.com TIMESA CATHOLIC UNIVERSE SUPPLEMENT A church inclusive of women is a more synodal church, says speakers

In her presentation Sr Nathalie Becquart (pictured) said that Carol Glatz odal” Church, which is the theme leadership that does not see the woman with a right to vote at a Pope Francis chose for the next leader as a “head” and everybody meeting of the Synod of Bishops, synods represent “a process of listening” to those who are often A more inclusive attitude and a co- world Synod of Bishops at the Vat- else as a “follower,” but as a person said a synodal Church requires a in need or voiceless, offering an operative approach that includes ican in 2022. who can co-ordinate a team and “new mindset” in which competition important “sound box” for people, women are needed for the future of “Synodality,” which means “walk- projects. They are “not above others,” or people locked in different cate- including women. the Church and society, said a num- ing together,” is a key topic of his but serve with the right skills for gories or levels is replaced with co- ber of Vatican officials. pontificate; the idea is built on the the particular mission at hand, she operation and reciprocity. in “the road map for church that is The three Vatican officials and a fact that the grace of baptism makes said. Pope Francis appointed Sr Nathalie Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti,” she top member of a Vatican commission a person a part of the body of the The concept of power also must to be one of the two undersecretaries said. were part of a panel of speakers in- Church and, therefore, responsible change from that of being better to the Synod of Bishops in early “I am convinced we cannot have vited by the Australian Embassy to for its life and mission. In a hierar- than others and managing “over” February. Her appointment and that a good relationship with creation in the Holy See to mark International chical Church, that shared respon- others to being able to make things of other women to key roles at the mutual respect without this respect Women’s Day on 8th March with a sibility calls for regular, serious and happen and to motivate, co-ordinate Vatican “reflects Pope Francis’ desire and interdependence between men webinar titled, An equal future in a structural forums for listening to all and unify people, she said. to give more places to women at all and women,” where there is co-re- COVID-19 world: Champions of members of the Church. “I dream that in the future the levels of the church,” she had told sponsibility and teamwork, she Change Choosing to Challenge. Salesian Sister Alessandra Smer- Church and the Holy See can have Catholic News Service. added. The webinar’s focus, Ambassador illi, an economist and co-ordinator the evangelical flavour of the early At the webinar, Cardinal Mario Francesca Di Giovanni, a longtime Chiara Porro said in her opening re- of the Vatican Covid-19 Commis- Christian communities, made not Grech, secretary-general of the Synod Vatican official, was the first woman marks, was what change was needed sion’s task force on the economy, of the best,” but of people who en- of Bishops, said her appointment to hold a managerial position at the in order to emerge from a multitude said if the Church of the future is to countered Christ, and act as a com- and permitting her to vote in a synod Vatican Secretariat of State when of crises unfolding in the world and be a more synodal Church, then munity that is “dynamic, proclaims is “a major milestone” and is some- Pope Francis appointed her as an to “build back better for everyone.” women have to contribute to how the Gospel and knows how to go thing that should not be limited to undersecretary in the Vatican’s for- When it comes to the Church, the Church works and is organised. against the tide.” just this one institution or just to eign ministry office in January 2020. one important step, some speakers For example, women can con- Xaviere Missionary Sister Nathalie voting rights. She said at the webinar that Pope said, will be creating a more “syn- tribute by changing the concept of Becquart, who will be the first “The intention of the synod is to Francis has shown from the start reflect about the praxis of the people the need for walking together in a of God, journeying together under spirit of solidarity and fraternity. the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” Also at the webinar was Bishop that is, how the Church can envision Paul Tighe, secretary of the Pontifical “the permanent interaction of the Council for Culture – the only Vat- different members in her midst in ican dicastery with a permanent discernment processes.” consultative body made up of all This reflection must not just be women to provide their perspective “a mere intellectual exercise in which on the council’s work. some talk about the possible in- In addition to things the council volvement of other baptised” mem- was doing to be more inclusive, he bers, but must be lived experience said, on a personal level, he tries to of mutual listening and common make sure they have a mix of par- discernment with everyone includ- ticipants and speakers for events ed. they organise “so the face of the Sr Nathalie said in her presentation Church visibly includes those people that synods represent “a process of who are competent from a range of listening” to those who are often in backgrounds.” need or voiceless, offering an im- In doing research and study, he portant “sound box” for people, in- said he intentionally reads women cluding women. authors and the contributions of The final documents of the latest women leaders to make sure he is synods – on young people and the reading from a wider range of per- Amazon, in particular – all underline spectives. the urgency of offering “a greater And he said he tries to be more recognition and a greater valuing attentive and “follow the arguments of women in society and the Church.” of people who are critical, particular Chiara Porro, the Australian ambassador to the Holy See, presents her letters of credential to Pope Francis at the Vatican on 27th August, 2020. Porro was one of the speakers marking International Women’s Day on 8th “Synodality is about mission” and women,” and then tries “to see the March with a webinar. (Catholic News Service photo/Vatican Media) what that entails is spelled out clearly value in what they have to say.” 20 CatholicTIMES supplement 12.03.21

In brief PAPAL VISIT COLOGNE: The second ex- pert report commissioned to investigate abuse in the Arch- diocese of Cologne also in- criminates Church officials who are still alive and accuses them of mistakes in dealing with cases of sexualised violence, according to its author, Björn Gercke. The criminal lawyer who was asked by Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki to conduct an investigation told the newspaper Kölner Stadt- Anzeiger that the report had al- ready met with opposition from some officials and their lawyers even before its publication, scheduled on 18th March . The German Catholic news agency KNA reported the lawyer did not mention names, but said the people concerned had tried, sometimes in vain, to dis- pel allegations of breaches of duty. In addition to Cardinal Woelki, the prominent clerics still alive who held important posts in the Archdiocese of Cologne during the period under investigation include Archbish- op Stefan Hesse of Hamburg; two auxiliary bishops of Cologne, Bishops Dominik Schwaderlapp and Ansgar Puff, and the retired vicar general, Father Norbert Feldhoff. “First of all, our report un- sparingly ascertained the facts,” Pope Francis listens to a question as he speaks with journalists aboard his flight from Baghdad to Rome on 8th March. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) Gercke said, but now, he added, his law firm was assessing what could be made public legally. Returning from Iraq, pope talks Archbishop Woelki refused to allow the publication of an initial report he had commis- sioned from the Munich law about the ‘risks’ taken on trip firm Westpfahl Spilker Wastl because he did not consider it legally sound. It is now expected that current or former Church Cindy Wooden fraternity” – recognising that all much” about the Iraq trip because care of the people.” officials will take legal action men and women, created by God, of the coronavirus pandemic, “and And even though many experts against the portrayal of their The Catholic Church’s are members of the same human in the end I made the decision do not expect the pandemic to be roles in abuse cases. commitment to dialogue with family and brothers and sisters to freely, but it came from within. resolved by the autumn, Pope other Churches and with other one another – is a process that And I said to myself the one who Francis said he has promised to go VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis religions flows from the Gospel, requires effort, emphasis and helped me decide this will take to Budapest, Hungary, for a day in has named Cardinal Joseph To- but Pope Francis said he knows repetition. bin, a member of the Congre- some Catholics disagree. “You are human. You are a child gation for Bishops, the office “Often you must take a risk” to of God. You are my brother or that advises the pope on the promote harmony, he told sister,” the pope said. nomination of bishops around reporters on 8th March as he flew With sporadic violence the world. back to Rome from Baghdad. continuing in Iraq, the pope’s trip Cardinal Tobin, 68, takes the “There are some criticisms: ‘The last week involved a massive place left vacant by Cardinal pope isn’t courageous, he’s security operation with the Donald Wuerl, retired Arch- reckless.’ He’s doing things deployment of thousands of police bishop of Washington, who against Catholic doctrine. He’s a and military officers. Even the turned 80 last November and step away from heresy.’” Vatican police and Swiss Guards automatically ceded his mem- Still, he said, through prayer and wore bulletproof vests under their bership. listening to the advice of experts dark suits, an unusual practice on a The congregation is led by and aides, he has become papal trip. Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouel- convinced that God wants the But the other danger was posed let, its prefect. Nuncios, or Vat- Church – and all humanity, for that by Covid-19 and the risk that ican ambassadors, around the matter – to continue promoting a people gathering to see the pope, world conduct the initial search sense of belonging to one human who has been vaccinated, would for priests suitable for the office family. create a surge in the already-rising of bishop and forward their And, he said, it does not matter number of cases in Iraq. names to the congregation. Con- if some religions, sects or groups Pope Francis said the gregation members review the seem further from sharing that pandemic – not the security biographies of potential candi- vision. issue – was what made him dates and the comments and “The rule of Jesus is love and repeatedly think, “maybe, maybe recommendations collected by charity,” the pope said. “But how not” about the visit. the nuncios before making their many centuries did it take us to put Decisions about foreign trips are Pope Francis is greeted by Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, one of Shiite Islam’s recommendations to the pope. that into practice?” “stewed over time,” the pope said. most authoritative figures, during a courtesy visit in Najaf, Iraq, last Preaching and living “human “I thought so much, prayed so Saturday. (CNS photo/Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani office) CatholicTIMES supplement 12.03.21 21 www.thecatholicuniverse.com Lebanon: A papal visit would bring hope to a country on the brink

On 8th March, it was have brought one crisis after announced that on the way another,” said Dulière. back from his historic papal “Between uncontrolled visit to Iraq, Pope Francis, Covid-19 outbreaks and some expressed a desire to visit of the strictest lockdowns Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, worldwide, to the Beirut next. According to Reuters, explosion, which killed Pope Francis said he badly hundreds and left 300,000 wanted to visit Lebanon as homeless, and skyrocketing soon as possible to show prices due to the economic solidarity with the people of crisis, many have already all religions suffering there. reached a breaking point.” Pope Francis is pictured with religious leaders during an interreligious meeting on the plain of Ur near “The pope’s visit to Iraq, According to The World Nasiriyah, Iraq, last Saturday. (Catholic News Service photo/Paul Haring) and his powerful call to Bank, in Lebanon, 1.7 million address the challenges in the people have fallen under the September to celebrate the closing March in Najaf with Ayatollah Ali from 2014 to 2017. region, has implications for poverty line and 22 per cent Mass of the International al-Sistani, an authority figure for Even though he said he had seen both external powers and of the population is expected Eucharistic Congress, which was Shiite Muslims in Iraq and around photos of the ruined churches of national governments,” to fall into extreme poverty. postponed from 2020. the world, Pope Francis described Mosul, Pope Francis said standing explained Hombeline This is excluding the one The other trip he would like to him as “a great man, a wise man, a amid the rubble was Dulière, CAFOD’s million Syrian refugees who make soon, he said, is a visit to man of God.” “unbelievable, unbelievable.” Emergency Programme have sought refuge within Lebanon. The meeting, he said, “was good But even more touching, he said, Manager, based in Lebanon. Lebanon’s border: nine out Cardinal Bechara Rai, patriarch for my soul” and was another step was the testimony of survivors, “The possibility that Pope of ten Syrian refugee families of the Maronite Catholic Church, on the path of promoting greater including of a mother who lost a Francis’ next trip to the in Lebanon are now living in even asked him to stop in Lebanon understanding and co-operation son, who spoke about the Middle East may be to extreme poverty. on the way to or from Iraq, the with Muslims. importance of forgiveness and of Lebanon is welcome news Dulière continued: pope said, but doing that would The day after meeting the rebuilding. needed by communities who “Addressing the dire seem like giving the Lebanese ayatollah, Pope Francis travelled to “We are so great at insulting have faced immeasurable situation in Lebanon requires people “crumbs” given how they Mosul, a city terrorised and left people and condemning them,” he suffering and hardship.” solidarity between the are suffering. largely in ruin by Islamic State said, but too many people have During his visit to Iraq, international community and Asked about his meeting on 6th militants who controlled the area forgotten the power of forgiving Pope Francis was praised for the people within the country others. addressing sensitive, but who are trying to build a Pope Francis participates in a memorial prayer for the victims of the Asked when, if ever, he will critical challenges in the better future. war at Hosh al-Bieaa (church square) in Mosul, Iraq, last Sunday. make a trip to Argentina, Pope wider Middle East – calling “After seeing the effect (CNS photo/Paul Haring) Francis repeated that he imagined for steps to address the root that the pope’s visit had in either dying or resigning and causes of the crises in the Iraq, and the worldwide remaining in Rome, “my diocese.” region, the protection of attention it brought to the He joked that he had spent 76 those forcibly displaced and country, it is clear a visit to years in Argentina and didn’t see respect of human rights. Lebanon will help the few why people wanted him to spend “For families living in seeds of hope that remain to more time there. Lebanon, the past 18 months flourish.” But, denying he had what he termed “patrio-phobia,” he told reporters that he had planned a trip to Argentina, along with Chile, in November 2017. However, the trip was pushed back to January 2018 because of elections in Chile. And January in Argentina would have been just too warm. “I don’t know if the trips will slow down now, but I can tell you that on this trip, I’ve felt more tired,” he said, adding that being 84 comes with some baggage. However, he said, he does enjoy being with people, especially “after these months of imprisonment” because of the pandemic and the lockdown in Italy. “I feel different when I am far from the people,” he said, adding that he would continue to follow the recommendations of government health authorities as far as holding general audiences or other events that could attract a large public. “Closeness to the people of God” is an essential part of being a priest, the pope said. “The only ones who save us from pride are the holy people of God,” otherwise A priest celebrates Mass for the victims of the Beirut explosion priests run the risk of acting like last August. (Photo credit: Caritas Lebanon) “an elite caste.” 22 CatholicTIMES supplement 12.03.21

FEATURE West Bank candle-making workshop helps Palestinian women support families

Judith Sudillovsky support their families. Today to pilgrims and visitors. spikenard oil, while still Pro Terra Sancta joined with the When Mary, the sister of Lazarus, expensive, is much easier to Al Hana’a Society for Women anointed Jesus’ feet days before his acquire. Development to bring 15 women crucifixion, she used the precious Last June, the Pro Terra Sancta to the initial workshop courses, and expensive spikenard oil, which Association opened a candle- with half of those asked to remain originates in the Himalayan making workshop for women not to launch the candle-making Mountains of India and was far from the Franciscan Church of business. With no pilgrims, brought to the Holy Land through St Lazarus complex, where keeping all the women employed the ancient spice trade. traditionally Jesus is believed to is not sustainable at the moment, Now, Palestinian women are have raised his friend Lazarus explained said Osama Hamdan, (above A woman pours wax for candles at the Bethany Candles using spikenard – mentioned in from the dead. Bethany Candles, co-ordinator of the Hospitable workshop in the West Bank. The workshop helps Palestinian women several places in the Gospels as part of the three-year Hospitable Bethany project, but organiaers support their families. “nard” – as well as rose, jasmine, Bethany project, it was meant to hope to bring more of the women (left) Rabieca’a Abu Ghieth makes candles at the Bethany Candles honey, ambra and other essential provide a source of income for to work when the situation workshop. (Catholic News Service photos/Debbie Hill) oils to infuse candles – and help women, who could sell the candles improves. “We are building for the future,” Many Palestinian women cannot said Hamdan. “If we think of go out to work, but the candle today, we might as well just stay at workshop allows them to home.” collaborate with each other to earn Marah Abu Rish, 25, started a living, said Ola Abu Damous, working at the workshop four director of the Al Hana’a Society. months ago after being laid off Damous, 60, is a widow who put from an office job at a hospital all eight of her children through because of Covid-19. She and her college on her own. She said she older brother are the only hopes the candle making will help breadwinners for their family and, other women not have to struggle when she was laid off, she became financially as she did. so sick with anxiety she had to be Since the pilgrim market is hospitalised, she said. closed to them now, the women “I am the oldest girl, I need to have designed another line of help support my family,” she said. candles intended for the local “When I was invited to come work market, to be given as small gifts here, I was in the hospital with my at weddings or in honour of a father, but I was so happy for the birth. work I came the very next day.” Though an online store for After years of administrative international sales is planned, Abu work, she said, she has found a Rish and some of the other love for creative work, and she younger women have already experiments making different taken the initiative to market the candle styles and designs. local candle line via an Instagram “I discovered myself. I feel like account under the name an artist,” she said. “I am so proud Lavender.Store9 as they wait for of myself.” the pilgrims to return. As part of the course the The plan also includes opening a women, who are all Muslim, took gift shop adjacent to the church a tour of the Church of St Lazarus. site. CatholicTIMES supplement 12.03.21 23

Follow us on twitter @ukcatholicpress

Chris McDonnell JOURNEY IN FAITH Perseverance has landed

The fourth rock from the Sun, the exciting. It has landed in what is life to exist, possibly significantly planet Mars, has for centuries held believed to be the dried-up dust in advance of our own a fascination for the human bowl of what was once, over three development? It is an intriguing dwellers of planet Earth. The small billion years ago, a Martian lake. question, one that has puzzled red spot in the sky was the subject Its principal scientific purpose is many people over the centuries of mystery, long before the to search for evidence that life may and continues to do so. invention of the telescope and with have once existed in the waters of For some, this possibility might it our ability to see Mars in greater our neighbouring planet even if it seem to be a direct challenge to detail. was, in the famous Star Trek faith, much as Galileo’s rejection For the Romans, Mars was the words: ‘Life, but not as we know of the Earth being the centre of the god of War, second only to Jupiter it ’. Cosmos was threatening to the in the Roman pantheon. In the last Early in the 20th century, the Church of his time. century, there was considerable astronomer Percival Lowell But surely this is not so? To interest in Mars and it was the believed he had seen evidence of suggest that we are alone and popular focus of science fiction. It canal structures on Mars and unique in this huge Universe is to was famously the subject of H.G. argued that they were evidence of put a limit on the majesty of God. Wells book, The War of the life, either now or in the past. Our scientific endeavours have led An illustration shows NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover, which landed on first serialised in 1897 by Jeff Wayne’s musical version of us to the discovery of many stars Worlds, the planet on 18th February. (Photos: NASA handout via Reuters) Pearson’s Magazine in the UK and The War of the Worlds was released with planetary systems, some of by Cosmopolitan magazine in the in 1977. The actor Richard Burton, them apparently not unlike our on Earth. Mars lander. It was the US. The novel’s first appearance reading the words of the journalist own. The colossal distances We are challenged by the events consequence of so many human in hardcover was in 1898, in the story, opens the recording involved prohibits, within the recounted in the fictional story of minds operating in a collective published in London. It tells the with these brief words. constraints of our present H.G. Wells to look at ourselves as way, one with another, to achieve a story of the invasion of Earth by “No-one would have believed, in knowledge, any possibility of we walk our journey in faith. common goal. The red and white creatures who move about in the last years of the nineteenth, contact. There is however no How would we cope with the panels of the descent parachute three-legged machines, wreaking that human affairs were being reason why we shouldn’t ask unexpected, the unknown? Covid- were laid out in binary code for the destruction with a devastating heat watched from the timeless worlds questions and speculate on the 19 has given us a foretaste of this words: ‘Dare mighty things’. ray. Set in the Home Counties and of space. No-one could have possibility of inhabited worlds scenario, as we have faced a Three words attributed to in London, the stark horror of dreamed that we were being other than our own. world-wide threat, totally new in Theodore Roosevelt and adopted Martian invasion from another scrutinised, as someone with a The exploration of space is our limited experience, asking as the motto of the Jet Propulsion world is set against the reality of microscope studies creatures that hugely expensive and many many practical and ethical Laboratory, funded by NASA familiar places. The demise of the swarm and multiply in a drop of question the efficacy of the cost. It questions, questions that we have which is based at CALTECH in invaders is brought about not by water. Few men even considered has been suggested that the multi- often struggled to answer to California. weapons but by the onslaught of the possibility of life on other million dollar cost of the present everyone’s satisfaction over recent It is a lesson that each of us can earthly pathogens from which they planets. Yet across the gulf of probe seeking evidence of water in months, not least the need to share take from our Christian faith, that had no immunity. It would seem space, minds immeasurably a now-barren land, would have with poorer countries the vaccines we are not alone as we seek the that a lethal contagion struck a superior to ours regarded this been better spent providing they desperately need. God who made us and who decisive blow. earth with envious eyes and slowly distribution of clean water for The rights of the individual have sustains our lives, one with This narrative was to provide the and surely, they drew their plans those who need it here on Earth; a been measured against the overall another. We too should dare substance of a famous radio against us…”. valid argument indeed, one that we needs of the society in which we mighty things in our search for broadcast by the American actor The question arises, are we might also use when we count the as individuals live. We have come truth. And like the lander, we Orson Welles in New York City in alone in the Universe? Is the life cost of the expenditure on the to realise, through bitter should persevere. We might even 1938. Welles presented the story that we see here on Earth unique world-wide weapons industry. At experience, that we need each borrow the words from the anthem of The War of the Worlds, setting or have other planets beyond our least the exploration of space may other and that our selfish behavior of the Liverpool Kop – You’ll the events in and around New solar system developed conditions provide useful answers to help is ultimately destructive. Never Walk Alone – and feel York as a series of broadcast news that are suitable for some form of solve some of our problems here That is the lesson of the latest confident on our journey. flash interruptions. The interlacing of fact and fiction meant that his Martian surface. presentation was so convincing that many of his listeners were led to believe that an invasion by Martians was in fact taking place. Fake news had consequences, then as now. One thing it achieved was the establishment of the career and fame of its perpetrator, Orson Welles. The musical composition, the Planet Suite by Gustav Holst, opens with Mars, the bringer of War, a brooding, threatening piece of music that builds to a tumultuous, vengeful climax. It was a piece of music I first came across through its use in the BBC science fiction television serial Quatermass broadcast in the mid- 50s. The recent successful landing by NASA of a vehicle, named ‘Perseverance’ sent from Earth to the red planet has rightly been recogised as a significant achievement. The initial images returned to Earth are detailed and 24 HIDDEN GEMS CatholicTIMES supplement 12.03.21

Fr Michael Collins One of the oldest surviving legal systems of the world

hundred years later, the Egyptians lived. Bergoglio, who was now an Euphrates. The almost 300 laws that developed the spoke wheel, which auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires Hammurabi was a belligerent make up Hammurabi’s radically transformed warfare. The saw the tray in the refectory and king who extended the city-state of Code show us what daily wheel was further adapted for use gave them to the cook and staff to Babylon north and south along the life was like more than in canals, allowing for the bring home with them. The staff banks of the Euphrates. He was irrigation of dry land and the were embarrassed by the gift but the sixth monarch of the dynasty 3,500 years ago watering of crops. Bergoglio insisted that they take which had formed from a semi- But it is unlikely that Pope them home to their children. The nomadic tribe in western Syria. Pope Francis was in a rush last Francis would have shown much reaction of the deprived Jesuits has Hammurabi had already ruled weekend. With just three days in interest in wheels although he not been recorded in the annals. for three decades when he invaded Iraq, the pope had little time to spent much of his visit transported So if Pope Francis had time to the neighbouring kingdoms of dawdle. If time permitted, he by armoured car, the chariot’s visit the museum in Iraq, he might Assyria, Mari, Larsa and Eshunna. might have wished to see a descendant. As a young man, have seen a reproduction of the To accompany the expansion, museum or inspect some of the Jorge Bergoglio trained as a celebrated Code of Hammurabi, a Hammurabi composed or collated ancient artifacts from the cradle of chemical engineer before his set of 282 laws composed by the a collection of rules which civilisation. passion for justice and rectitude Mesopotamian king somewhere governed the people who lived Nobody knows when or where led him into joining the Society of between 1792-50 BC. under his juristriction. He built the wheel was invented. But Jesus. Although not the oldest code of numerous temples in honour of the archaeologists have identified how Jorge Bergoglio often tells tales laws which have survived from Babylonian deities, the most potters used wheels in against himself. If he didn’t, there antiquity, the code is certainly one celebrated of which was Marduk, This bust, known as the “Head of Hammurabi”, is now thought to Mesopotamia, of which modern- is no end of people who willingly of the earliest and most complex the god of life and death. predate Hammurabi by a few day Iraq is part by at least 3,500 oblige. As a young man, he was legal codes to emerge from the Writing had its birth in ancient hundred years. (Louvre Museum, BC if not earlier. A few centuries intense and strict. It is a trait which area between the Tigris and the Mesopotamia. The earliest Paris) later, in c. 3,100, the concept of he often laments now in old age. the wheel had been adapted for One story which is often The Code of Hammurabi influenced the laws of many neighbouring kingdoms. carts. That invention allowed recounted in Jesuit circles relates people transport goods over large to a tray of pastries and delicacies It was accepted that a strict punishment deterred potential criminals. distances, radically changing the which a kind person delivered to a While imprisonment was employed, rulers generally prefered to spare the economy of Mesopotamia. A few house where a number of priests expense of prisoners and finished them off with the stroke of a sword.

The Babylonian Marriage Market, by Edwin Long (1875). CatholicTIMES supplement 12.03.21 25

Follow us on twitter @ukcatholicpress

“cuneiform” script was a system of perceived wrongs. It is quite brutal for the good of society. “If any one The Ten Commandments, The tribe was recorded in the uniform marks incised in clay in its scope, demanding retribution steal the property of a temple or of recorded in the Book of Exodus, Old Testament, and in the late 19th tablets with a wooden stylus. From for every infringement of rights. the court, he shall be put to death, reflects some of the severity of century, a number of about 3200 BC, scribes began to Babylonian society at the time and also the one who receives the Hammurabi’s culture. God, just as archaeological expeditions in record on damp mud tablets, consisted of three classes; the stolen thing from him shall be put the Mesopotamian king, Mesopotamia unearthed historical which, when laid out to dry in the landowners, slaves and freedmen. to death,” reads the rule 6, while demanded high standards. The finds. Among the surprising items sun, formed hard, durable records. There was little mobility through rule 14 reads “If any one steal the first three commandments are set to emerge from the sands was a The earliest cuneiform scripts the ranks. Born into slavery, or minor son of another, he shall be in the affirmative, the last seven in stone stele on which the laws of were little more than numerals, being sold into slavery was one’s put to death.” a prohibitionary mode. Jesus Hammurabi had been carved. recording stock such as corn, beer lot, although occasionally a benign The Code of Hammurabi referred indirectly to the thought Susa lies almost 300 kilometres and grains. Gradually the script owner might grant the slave influenced the laws of many processes which were adopted by from Babylon. When de Morgan developed, a mixture of simple freedom. But this release from neighbouring kingdoms. It was the Jews from Hammurabi’s code: first examined the stone, he incisions with a wooden slavery was often done when the accepted that a strict punishment “If a man put out the eye of identified the writing as implement. slave had grown old or infirm, no deterred potential criminals. While another man, his eye shall be put Babylonian script. But how had By the reign of Hammurabi, longer able to serve and becoming imprisonment was employed, out.” In the Sermon on the Mount, the code found its way so far from writing was sophisticated. Not a liability for the owner. rulers generally prefered to spare Jesus reversed that teaching. “You Babylon, Hammurabi’s seat of only had an alphabet been devised, Offences were harshly dealt the expense of prisoners and have heard that it was said, ‘An eye power? but grammar had be developed. with, often inflicting physical finished them off with the stroke for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ There are a number of While only a few scribes were punishment. Theft might merit the of a sword. But I say to you, Do not resist the hypothesis. The stone slab may not literate, the key of communication severing of the robber’s hand. One Death was meted out in a variety one who is evil. But if anyone be the original. Indeed, it is was invaluable for regal power. who lied or spread calumny could of ways. Theft was usually slaps you on the right cheek, turn probable that there were many The Code of Hammurabi was face their tongue being cut out. punished with beheading or to him the other also.” copies which the king sent around written in a “what if” series of And of course an infection might stoning to death, incest with While there were many his kingdom. But Susa was not questions. It is all about soon finish off the culprit. burning and bearing false witness references in antiquity to Babylonian territory. It is possible punishment for crimes or Rules were decisively applied by drowning. More often monetary Hammurabi and his complex legal that King Shutruk-Nahhunte fines were applied. “If he knock system, generations of historians brought the stele to Susa following out the teeth of a freed man, he and archaeologists bemoaned the his seizure of Babylon in the mid shall pay one-third of a gold loss of the original text. 12th century BC. mina.” With a heavier fine applied That changed in 1901, when a However arrived in Susa, we for violence against a pregnant French mining engineer, Jacques may be grateful that it has woman. “If a man strike a free- de Morgan, began an emerged from the sands of time born woman so that she lose her archaeological dig in Susa, once and sheds light on one of the unborn child, he shall pay ten the capital of the kingdom of the oldest surviving legal systems of shekels for her loss.” Elamites and now part of Iran. the world.

Fr Michael Collins is a priest and author living in Dublin, Ireland, with a passion for history, arts, culture and travel writing. His two most recent books are short biographies. NEWMAN A Short Biography, published in 2019 by Messenger Publications, was written to mark the canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman. RAPHAEL’S WORLD, published also by Messenger Press, was written in 2020 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of the High Renaissance painter, Raphael Sanzio da Urbino. Both titles are available to buy from www.messenger.ie Follow Fr Michael on Twitter: @frmikecollins

The Code of Hammurabi is a Babylonian writing on law. The primary copy of the text is on a basalt stele 2.25 metres tall. (Louvre Museum, Paris) 26 ART FEATURE CatholicTIMES supplement 12.03.21

I David Torkington’s page is temporarily on hold due to health reasons.

Zoey Maraist When he was seven-years-old, Catholic sculptor hopes to Dony MacManus’ mother gave him a bag of clay for his birthday. The boy wasn’t thrilled to receive what he considered a bit of mud. inspire with his liturgical art But he soon learned to create beautiful things with that humble bag of moldable earth. “She showed me how to make whatever Dony MacManus sculpts the body of I wanted,” said MacManus. “It Christ on the cross in the basement opened up a whole world to me.” of his home on 10th February. MacManus has sculpted ever (CNS photo/Matt Riedl, Catholic Herald) since, starting with elephants and cars and graduating to bronze statues of holy men and women displayed in churches around the world. Recently, the Irish artist moved to Northern Virginia in the US, and he hopes to share his love of art and God with young people here, just as his mother first shared it with him. “I see my calling, my vocation as an artist is to resurrect the Christian tradition in the visual arts,” MacManus told the Arlington Catholic Herald, newspaper of the Diocese of Arlington. The sculptor, 49, was born in Dublin and raised in a devout Catholic family. Having dyslexia pushed him towards art. “Dyslexia was a big part of my formation as a person because it closed off areas in my life, made school quite difficult with regard to numbers and letters,” he said. “It forced me into another grammar, another language in which to understand the world, and myself, and to communicate to the world.” the city’s dock workers. Florence. After secondary school, he MacManus’ work can be seen “The schools that I founded, I attended the National College of stateside as well. He created a bust didn’t really found them Art and Design in Dublin but was of Pope Benedict XVI for St (intentionally),” he said. “Basically, deeply dismayed by his perception Patrick’s Cathedral in New York local artists pressured me to give of how ideologically motivated it City. In Washington, four of his classes and those classes just grew was. statues are in the Catholic and grew. They weren’t satisfied “The sculpture department Information Centre, including St with what they were receiving in wanted to remove me from the fine Joseph and the Child Jesus. He their schools, which are very good arts department because my aimed to make the saint look both schools, but they didn’t have the understanding of what it means to macho and tender, carrying his full grounding.” be a human being was very carpentry tools while cuddling the Several of his students became contrary to their understanding,” baby Jesus. Catholics. he said. “They were more “It’s one of the most popular MacManus recently moved to interested in deconstructing art sculptures I’ve ever done because the United States to marry an history and I really wasn’t buying it really touches people,” he said. American woman, Christine, and that.” “With it I tried to address the they settled near St James Church So he moved to the craft crisis of paternity, one of the in Falls Church because he thinks department and learned major crises of contemporary Northern Virginia is the perfect goldsmithing and silversmithing. culture. I spent 10 years working place to launch a new liturgical “They gave me the lowest in inner city projects with arts school and studio. (passing) mark possible but that underprivileged kids, mostly guys. The area has a vibrant Catholic same year I won craft designer of And there I realised the crisis – big community and it’s close to the the year in Ireland, and I was time.” National Gallery of Art in selected by the National Museum Before sculpting, MacManus Washington, which allows artists of Ireland to launch the spends weeks researching the to draw and paint the classics on contemporary silver collection.” subject and sketching out design display. He plans to instruct After graduating, he spent time ideas. While crafting the piece, he interested high schoolers for the in New York City, Florence, Italy, attends Mass and spends time in same reason he likes working with Rome and Dublin taking classes, prayer before the sculpture each soft clay – it’s easily moldable. giving classes and making art. day. “I deal with secondary school For an Irish rehabilitation MacManus believes that all art students because they’re more Archbishop Eamon Martin blesses a new statue of St Oliver Plunkett in centre, he created a statue of Mary is the overflow of the interior life open, they’re more excited about St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh on 10th July 2019. The seven-foot high crushing a bottle and a syringe of the artist, so if he’s growing in a visual art and the great masters,” bronze statue by Dublin-sculptor Dony MacManus depicts the saint at deeper understanding of God and he said. “I’m trying to create an the moment of his martyrdom. beneath her feet. For one cathedral Photo: Brenda Drumm, Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth. church, he made a statue of the creation, his art will reflect that. army of artists to serve Christ.” Irish martyr St Oliver Plunkett that He said his approach sparked the MacManus believes artists have He feels that beautiful churches the heart and to bring with it truth depicted the moment before he creation of two schools: Irish a special ability to evangelise and liturgies will strengthen the and goodness,” he said, quoting was hanged, drawn and quartered. Academy of Figurative Art in through their work, creating not Church, and in turn bring the Pope Benedict XVI. “That phrase Beside the River Liffey in Dublin, Dublin, which has since closed, only lovely art but easily culture back to Christ. really sums up the whole mission of his statue, The Linesman, honours and the Sacred Art School in consumed catechesis. “Beauty has the power to pierce art in the hands of the Christian.” CatholicTIMES supplement 12.03.21 27

www.thecatholicuniverse.com

PROFILE Ellis Heasley Deacon at 102 PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE Iranian’s detention a reminder of the plight says he’s not of Christians and ready to retire religious minorities Last month Iranian authorities There, they were warned to released Christian convert stop their house-church meet- Ebrahim Firouzi on bail after ings and not to visit each other Denis Grasska “While other charitable groups diocesan newspaper. “In the days were building ‘homes’ from when it was unclear what a deacon he had spent nearly three weeks at homes even for social pur- Deacon Albert Graff, who turned discarded garage doors that were was supposed to do, Al had a in detention on charges relating poses. 102 on 23rd January, explains the really little more than glorified ready answer – to serve the folks to blasphemy and national se- Elsewhere, on 18th February secret to his longevity in two shacks,” recalled Mgr Richard on the margins.” curity. While his release was the United Nations Working words: “Never retire.” Duncanson, pastor of St James - St Deacon Graff also has been a welcome, the fact that Mr Group on Arbitrary Detention An engineer by profession, he Leo from 2001 to 2006, “Deacon Al benefactor of St James Academy, Firouzi was detained in the made public their ruling on had scarcely retired after 25 years developed a system by which the the parochial school where four of first place highlights the on- the case of well-known Iranian at General Atomics when he began families built their own homes using his five children were students. going and concerning plight Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, his more than 30 years of ministry interlocking concrete blocks, which The Deacon Al Graff Scholarship of Christians, and specifically whose detention they deemed as a permanent deacon. they made and assembled on-site.” Fund was started in January 2019 Christian converts, in Iran. to be arbitrary. Pastor Nadark- “I retired from General Atomics In 1988, Deacon Graff co- to help make Catholic education Mr Firouzi, 34, was detained hani is currently serving a six- in April of 1983 and was ordained a founded Community accessible to parishioners with on 8th February in the remote year sentence in Evin prison, deacon in May of 1983,” said HousingWorks, which provides limited financial means. town of Sarbaz in south-east- recently reduced from ten years Deacon Graff, who ministered to affordable apartments for the St James Academy Principal ern Iran, where he had been at an appeal, on charges of the St James - St Leo Catholic working poor in San Diego. Christine Lang, who praised the serving a two-year sentence ‘acting against national secu- Community in Solana Beach, 22 Three years later, he co-founded centenarian’s devotion to God and of ‘internal exile’ since his re- rity’ by ‘promoting Zionist miles north of San Diego in the US. the St Leo Medical-Dental Clinic service to others, said: “If we all lease from prison in October Christianity.’ He continued in active ministry in Solana Beach, which treats shared a fraction of the 2019. He was initially arrested The pastor was one of four well into his 90s, retiring for good patients who cannot afford health compassion, mercy, faith and love in March 2013 and sentenced Christians initially arrested in only after suffering a stroke five insurance. Deacon Al has provided to others, to one year in prison for Rasht on 13th May, 2016 dur- years ago. He still attends Mass at “Deacon Al has always had a the world would be a better place.” “spreading propaganda ing a series of raids by security the parish, including Friday school heart for the poor,” Deacon Peter For his own part, Deacon against the Islamic Republic agents on Christian homes. Masses. Hodsdon, who has served the St Graff’s message to fellow of Iran.” After serving his Another of the Christians ar- Born in North Dakota, Deacon James - St Leo Catholic Catholics is a simple one: “Stay sentence in Evin prison in rested, Deacon Saheb Fadaie, Graff grew up in Los Angeles, Community since 2006, told The involved with your church. ... You Tehran, Mr Firouzi was not is currently serving a six-year where he attended Catholic Southern Cross, San Diego’s need to practise your faith.” released, but was instead sen- sentence with Pastor Nadark- schools through high school. tenced to a further five years hani, while the two others have His family was far from affluent, Deacon Albert Graff is in prison on charges related since been released, one into and his Catholic secondary seen after Mass at St to national security. internal exile, and the other education was made possible James Church in His most recent detention on conditional terms. through a unique arrangement: His Solana Beach, came after he released a series As mentioned, it is not just pastor said the parish would pay California, on 29th of videos exposing the harass- Christians who suffer repres- January. He turned ment he was experiencing from sion at the hands of the Iranian his tuition if he cleaned the church 102 on 23rd January. every week. (Catholic News Service the Ministry of Intelligence authorities. CSW receives reg- Deacon Graff went on to earn a photo/Denis Grasska, and Security (MOIS) whilst in ular reports of members of the degree in mechanical engineering The Souther Cross) exile. He was released on 27th Baha’i, Sufi Dervish and Sunni from University of California, February after posting bail. Muslim communities receiving Berkeley. The charges against him, which similarly harsh treatment, in- In 1947, he married his wife, are alleged to involve “insulting cluding facing imprisonment, Marion, who died in 2000. The the sacred” (blasphemy) and torture and even extra-judicial couple settled in San Diego in “propaganda against the Is- execution. 1958, becoming members of St lamic Republic in favour of Please pray for all religious James Parish. hostile groups,” remain in ef- minorities in Iran. Pray specif- In the late 1970s, at a time when fect. ically that the charges against there were already two deacons As regular readers of this Ebrahim Firouzi, Pastor Yousef serving the St James - St Leo column will surely be aware, Nadarkhani, and Deacon Sa- Community, he remembers asking the targeting of Mr Firouzi in heb Fadaie would be dropped his pastor: “Can you use a third?” this manner is by no means immediately and without con- Emboldened by the priest’s an isolated case. Christians, as dition. Pray also for the im- response – “I can use a dozen” – he well as other religious minori- mediate release of all those de- entered the San Diego Diocese’s ties, continue to face a severe tained on account of their re- diaconal formation programme. crackdown on their fundamen- ligion or belief, or in connection Among his duties as a deacon, tal human rights, including of with the exercise of other fun- he had a particular love for their right to freedom of reli- damental human rights. Fi- preaching and was committed to gion or belief (FoRB). nally, please pray for a radical serving the poor of nearby For example, last month shift in the hearts of the Iranian Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego. Christian Solidarity Worldwide authorities that leads them to In 1985, he co-founded (CSW) learned that 11 Chris- end their practice of cracking Esperanza International, a non- tian families in the city of Karaj down on those who do not ad- profit that has constructed more were summoned for interro- here to their strict interpreta- than 1,000 homes for poor families gation by the authorities. tions of Shi’a Islam. in Tijuana. 28 CatholicTIMES supplement 12.03.21

Fr Francis Marsden CREDO Karl Marx, an anti-hero for Christians

“Religion is the sigh of the regards Victorian Anglicanism, he individual is completely abolition of private property leaves Ever more boldly I play the dance oppressed creature, the heart of a had a point. subordinated to the functioning of the individual naked before the all- of death.” heartless world and the soul of Marx believed that the historical the socio-economic mechanism.” powerful Communist State and its His motto in the preface to his soulless conditions. It is the opium process would inevitably lead to St John Paul II (Centesimus nomenklatura. doctoral dissertation was the of the people.” an uprising of workers against the Annus) Marx was expelled from Prussia, words of the Greek hero On 14th March 1883, Karl Marx capitalists and bourgeoisie. 2. Marxism replaces universal Paris and Brussels as a political Prometheus: “I hate all gods,” died of bronchitis and pleurisy in Communists should sharpen the charity with class war. The agitator, so settled in London with adding that they “do not recognise London. This Sunday marks his conflict, promote class war, workers must rebel to destroy the his wife Jenny von Westphalen. man’s self-consciousness as the anniversary. He was buried in orchestrate Revolutions to bring hated capitalists and bourgeoisie, They had seven children, but only highest divinity.” Highgate cemetery, in the down the established order, to introduce the egalitarian society. three survived to adulthood, owing In Human Pride he spoke of the section reserved for and create worker states: The rich are to be not converted to their poor living conditions. For triumph of his theories: agnostics and atheists. “Proletarians of all but eliminated. In abolishing an economist who prescribed how Then will I wander Eleven mourners nations, unite!” religion and morality, Marxism the world should live, Marx was god-like and victorious attended his removes any inhibitions against remarkably inept at providing for Through the ruins of the world. interment. Karl Marx pictured murder and cruelty in the service his own family. And giving my words He is worshipped as in 1875. of its cause. He earned little as a journalist, an active force, a near-deity by his far- Communism and 3. Marx, despite his Jewish whilst labouring on Das Kapital in I will feel equal to the Creator.” left acolytes, but hated Catholicism have a background, ignored original sin. the British Museum Library. His as the devil’s spawn by complicated Even in a Utopian economy collaborator Friedrich Engels, Elsewhere he made it clear that right-wing capitalists. relationship. Think of base system, fallen man still proves working in his father’s mill in “Communism abolishes eternal He was born in 1818 in the communities, liberation theology, greedy, lazy and corrupt, Salford, supported Marx with his truths, it abolishes all religion and historic Roman city of Trier in and the many Catholics who have avaricious and proud. He abuses wages. The two met up regularly all morality. “The first requisite of Germany. Both his grandfathers belonged to communist power and treats others unjustly. for pub crawls in Manchester. the happiness of the people is the were Jewish rabbis, his father’s in organisations out of a sense of Unless the heart of man is Marx’s heavy drinking caused abolition of religion.” Trier, his mother’s in Nijmegen. justice. They rightly want a world transformed by divine grace, the liver and gall problems, aggravated “I wish to avenge myself against His father Heinrich held rather liberated from unfettered new system after the Revolution by excessive night work, spicy the One who rules above!” vague, deist beliefs, but converted capitalism, which exploits ends up worse than what it dishes, smoked fish, caviare, And he didn’t mean his landlord, to the Evangelical Church in order hundreds of millions of the poor in replaced. pickled cucumbers, wine and with whom he was often in rent to be permitted to practice law: his order to enrich Wall Street and “Communism, moreover, strips liqueurs. He smoked heavily, arrears. mother followed. Threadneedle Street. man of his liberty, robs human usually bad-quality cigars. In later Even Engels once said: “Karl During his schooldays Karl The idea of a classless society personality of all its dignity, and life he was plagued by insomnia Marx is a monster possessed by accepted conventional Christian with equality of opportunity is removes all the moral restraints and boils, which he referred to as ten thousand devils.” Another ideas, albeit of a rationalist attractive: “From each according that check the eruptions of blind “the wretchedness of existence.” friend, Robert Payne, wrote: Marx flavour. He went to Berlin to study to his ability, to each according to impulse.” Pius XI (Divini Irritable, argumentative, savage “had the devil’s view of the world law and philosophy, at a time his need.” Redemptoris) and cruel in debate, he had a more and the devil’s malignity. when liberal Protestant exegetes Cardinal Reinhard Marx of 4. The communist State never sinister side too. Sometimes he seemed to know were dismantling the Gospels. He Munich is overfond of his withers away, contrary to Marx’s In a teenage poem, The Player, that he was accomplishing the became enamoured of Hegel and namesake: “We are all on the predictions. Instead it becomes an he wrote: “The hellish vapours works of evil.” Feuerbach, and adopted atheism. shoulders of Karl Marx. Catholic all-controlling Behemoth. rise and fill the brain, till I go mad Later an early Soviet slogan was From 1842 onwards, he wrote social teaching has a significant Everything is centrally planned. and my heart is utterly changed. “Let us drive out the Capitalists about religion only as part of his debt of gratitude towards the father Subsidiarity disappears – everyone See this sword? The prince of from the earth, and God from critique of how the State and other of Marxist doctrine.” is paralysed waiting for darkness sold it to me. For me he Heaven.” For all Christians, Karl economic interests use “We should not have let instructions from above. The beats the time and gives the signs. Marx was definitely an anti-hero! Christianity. ourselves be stolen by capitalism. Religion dulls the pain of In wars, like the First World War, oppression and so dissuades imperialist economic interests people from demanding social played an undoubtedly important change. The promise of an afterlife role. It was all about expanding the gives the poor something to look markets and expected profits.” forward to: “pie in the sky when Capitalism is responsible for you die.” They tolerate present “enormous social inequalities and misery for the sake of post mortem environmental damage.” ‘eternal bliss.’ Not all Catholics agree. What Christianity makes a virtue out critique can Catholicism offer? of poverty, “Blessed are the poor.” 1. For Marx, human life and It urges the rich towards history are all about economics. philanthropy, but it does not His system reduces human beings promote the necessary systemic to Homo economicus. He ignores change to the economic order. the spiritual dimensions of life. Religion is an irrational delusion, Marxist redemption is liberation a worship of appearances, which from material dependence, not the avoids recognising the underlying creature entering a loving economic reality. relationship with his Creator. Instead it sanctifies the status “The fundamental error [of quo, hypocritically siding with the Marxism] is anthropological in oppressors: “The rich man in his nature. It considers the individual castle, The poor man at his gate. person simply as an element, a God made them high and lowly, molecule within the social And ordered their estate.” As organism, so that the good of the “We are all on the shoulders of Karl Marx. Catholic social teaching has a significant debt of gratitude towards the father of Marxist doctrine” – Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich Tomb of Karl Marx, East Highgate cemetery, London. CatholicTIMES supplement 12.03.21 SUNDAY WORSHIP 29 www.thecatholicuniverse.com We are saved not through our own Karl Marx, an anti-hero for Christians efforts but through God’s mercy

14th March, 2021. Fourth Sunday of Lent. ‘And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes First Reading: 2 Chronicles in him may have eternal life’ The Brazen Serpent (1618- 1620), by Anthony Van Dyck. Museo del Prado, Madrid. 36:14-23. For their sins the people were ex- iled to Babylon. But God’s mercy will bring them back. All the leading priests and the people also were exceedingly un- faithful, following all the abomina- tion of the nations; and they polluted the house of the Lord that he had consecrated in Jerusalem. The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent per- sistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place; but they kept mocking the messen- gers of God, despising his words, and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord against his people became so great that there was no remedy. They burned the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all its precious vessels. He took into exile in Babylon those who had escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and to his sons until the establish- ment of the kingdom of Persia, to fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had made up for its sabbaths. All the days that it lay desolate it kept sabbath, to fulfil 70 years. In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia so that he sent a herald throughout all his kingdom and also declared in a written edict: “Thus says King Cyrus of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to cleave to my palate has made us, created in Christ Jesus than light because their deeds were both really and symbolically. He build him a house at Jerusalem, if I remember you not, for good works, which God prepared evil. For all who do evil hate the couldn’t see clearly. In the years that which is in Judah. Whoever is If I place not Jerusalem beforehand to be our way of life. light and do not come to the light, followed this late night conversation, among you of all his people, may ahead of my joy. (R./) so that their deeds may not be ex- Nicodemus became a follower of Je- the Lord his God be with him! Let Gospel: John 3:14-21 posed. But those who do what is sus and, step by step, was drawn to him go up.” Second Reading: Ephesians God sent his only Son, not to true come to the light, so that it may see things differently. At last he fi- 2:4-10. condemn but to save us. be clearly seen that their deeds have nally did see. When at the end, Jesus Responsorial: from Psalm 137 We are saved not through our And just as Moses lifted up the been done in God.” was really and truly lifted up, Response: Let my tongue be own efforts but through the mercy serpent in the desert, so must the Nicodemus was not too far away. silent, if I ever forget you! of God. Son of Man be lifted up, that who- Love lifted up When we meditate on the crucifix By the rivers of Babylon But God, who is rich in mercy, ever believes in him may have eter- Have you noticed the types of and participate in the Eucharist we there we sat and wept out of the great love with which he nal life. “For God so loved the world phrases we use when describing also see Jesus lifted up. Perhaps to- remembering Zion. loved us even when we were dead that he gave his only Son, so that something wonderful? I catch my- day as I lift my eyes to see him, I On the willows that grew there through our trespasses, made us everyone who believes in him may self saying things like being ‘over might ponder on the mystery of suf- we hung up our harps. (R./) alive together with Christ-by grace not perish but may have eternal life.” the moon’ or ‘on cloud-nine.’ A fering and exaltation and wonder at It was there that they asked us you have been saved – and raised Indeed, God did not send the Son friend talks about being in the ‘sev- the love that is lifted up and draws our captors for songs, us up with him and seated us with into the world to condemn the enth heaven!’ Now, that admission us ever closer, uplifting us as well. our oppressors for joy: him in the heavenly places in Christ world, but so that the world might may say a lot both of us, but I can’t (Kathryn Williams) “Sing for us” they said Jesus, so that in the ages to come be saved through him. Those who help thinking that our deepest ex- “the songs of Zion!” (R./) he might show the immeasurable believe in him are not condemned; periences are those that have a I Published by kind permission of How could we sing a riches of his grace in kindness to- but those who do not believe are power to lift us up. Such experi- The Association of Catholic song of the Lord ward us in Christ Jesus. condemned already, because they ences take us out of ourselves. They Priests, an association for in a foreign land? For by grace you have been saved have not believed in the name of the uplift us and we perceive things dif- Catholic Priests who wish to have If I forget you, Jerusalem, through faith, and this is not your only Son of God. ferently. a forum, and a voice to reflect, may my right hand be forgotten! own doing; it is the gift of God – And this is the judgement, that Jesus is always inviting us to see discuss and comment on issues affecting the Church and society (R./) not the result of works, so that no the light has come into the world, things differently. When Nicodemus today. See www.associationof May my tongue one may boast. For we are what he and people loved darkness rather sought out Jesus, he was in the dark catholicpriests.ie 30 CatholicTIMES supplement 12.03.21

Follow us on twitter @ukcatholicpress Questions and answers... with Fr Francis Doyle The location of the tabernacle in church

Q. When I was growing up, the Q. How should I respond to a custom had arisen as a gesture of tabernacle was in the front of young couple – raised Catholic – humility – women covering their the church on the main altar. I who do not plan to baptise their hair, which might be a source of am upset that some Catholic infant children? They intend to pride; men refraining from certain churches today put our Lord in wait until the children are old headgear, which could denote a small chapel in the back of the enough to decide on a religion positions of honour. church. I consider that for themselves. Men have never covered their disrespectful and think that it A. I would ask the couple heads in Catholic worship. The must displease Jesus. whether they follow the same 1917 Code, in fact, had specified A. Whenever a Catholic church standard in other areas of child that ‘men are to assist at sacred is built or renovated, perhaps no rearing. Since they’re not sure functions…with their heads single issue prompts more debate, whether their son will grow up to uncovered’. or stronger feelings, than the like maths, do they decline to As to the letter writer’s dismay location of the tabernacle. Part of teach him arithmetic when he is over men wearing baseball caps in this has to do with the fact that little? church, I couldn’t agree more. Church guidelines allow some The role of parents is to Respect surely demands that a discretion. determine what opportunities they man’s hat be removed when he The General Instruction on the have benefited from, what virtues enters church. And I, for one, Roman Missal says in No. 315 that and values have helped them, what would even extend that to a home the tabernacle may be located moral framework can offer or place of business. ‘either in the sanctuary, apart from guidance through life – and then to The age-old Jewish custom is the altar of celebration…or even in pass on the best of what they have different from the Catholic some chapel suitable for the learned to their children. practice; it calls for men to cover private adoration and prayer of the What Catholic parents say by their heads in a synagogue with a faithful and organically connected having their infants baptised is skullcap, as an expression of awe to the church and readily this: We believe (both from our before the divine presence. noticeable by the Christian faith and from our experience) that faithful.’ the sacraments and Catholic Q. I was married in the Catholic Many older Catholics may teaching offer a clear channel to Church in 1965, divorced in remember the tabernacle’s having God, and we want our children to 1976 with two children. I never been in the centre of the altar of have that blessing. had the marriage annulled. I sacrifice. The general instruction The tabernacle located behind the altar at Versailles Cathedral, France. married a wonderful man in cautions against that so as not to infallible, and what are some of fundamental teachings was part of Q. Since Vatican II, I have 1981, but unfortunately he died distract from the celebration them? And if something has not the early history of the Church and noticed that in today’s Catholic suddenly in 2018. I go to Mass of the Mass. The two purposes, been defined as infallible, are we is reflected in St Augustine’s fifth- churches, women go and receive Communion historically, of the tabernacle were free to question and discuss? century statement: “Rome has bareheaded, while I have seen regularly, and I feel that I am a to reserve the Blessed Sacrament A. The doctrine of infallibility, spoken; the case is concluded”. some men wearing baseball caps. devout Catholic. for distribution to the sick and while sometimes misunderstood Infallible declarations have been No-one seems to show any Fast forward to 2021, and I dying and to offer the opportunity by Catholics and others, is clearly issued only sparsely during the respect for the place where they have met a good Catholic man for quiet adoration of the Eucharist defined by the Church’s Code of Church’s two-millennium history find themselves. Nothing seems who was divorced but never had when Mass was not being held. Canon Law. Canon 749, Section 1, and have usually been formulated sacred or awe-inspiring the marriage annulled. We have In No. 314, the general explains that the pope may teach in response to particular issues that anymore. found a good life together and instruction amplifies its guideline infallibly when he proclaims by had been disputed. A. The Catholic Church’s Code enjoy each other’s families. I by clarifying that the tabernacle definitive act that a certain But, as the Catechism of the of Canon Law currently allows a don’t want to remarry because should be located ‘in a part of the doctrine of faith or morals is to be Catholic Church explains (No. woman, if she chooses, to wear a of financial considerations. We church that is truly noble, believed by the faithful. He must 892), even the ordinary teaching of hat or a chapel veil while in want to live together and would prominent, conspicuous, worthily clearly state that he intends to the bishops, as successors of the church, but it does not require her like to have this relationship decorated and suitable for prayer’. teach that doctrine as infallible and apostles and joined with the pope, to do so. The 1917 Code of Canon blessed by a Catholic priest. Is Pope Benedict XVI, in his 2007 irreformable. are to be followed ‘with religious Law, in No. 1262 had stated that there a way that this can take exhortation Sacramentum The consensus among assent’. So where does that leave women, when assisting sacred place? Please help. Caritatis was even more specific, theologians is that only twice in Catholics as to their freedom ‘to functions, ‘should cover their A. To do want you want – to stipulating that ‘the place where the Church’s history has the Holy question and discuss’ noninfallible heads and be dressed modestly, have that particular living situation the eucharistic species are Father by himself exercised this teachings? particularly when they approach blessed by a Catholic priest – the reserved, marked by a sanctuary prerogative: in 1854 with the The answer seems to depend on the Lord’s table’. Church would have to abandon its lamp, should be readily visible to dogma of the Immaculate the particular teaching – how But that 1917 Code was biblically based teaching that everyone entering the church’. Conception and in 1950 with the fundamental it is and how solidly replaced by the 1983 Code, which marriage is a permanent Within these parameters of Assumption. embedded in the history and is now silent on the question of commitment. The Church also universal Church law, the placing But there is a second manner of tradition of the Church. head covering. The same section believes that a couple should not of the tabernacle falls within the infallible pronouncements (Canon For example, in 1994, when St of the 1917 Code had also said that be living together without being discretion of a local bishop, and 749, 2), and this happens when the John Paul II said in Ordinatio ‘conformable to ancient discipline, married. some bishops have chosen to issue college of bishops, joined in an Sacerdotalis that the Church lacks it is desirable that the women be I recognise your desire for the guidelines in this regard. ecumenical council, proclaim that the authority to ordain women, the separated from the men in church’. Eucharist and your eagerness to be a certain truth is to be held by all word infallible did not appear. But Paul’s First Letter to the ‘a devout Catholic’, but to be Q. What is the Church’s the faithful. An example would be the pontiff did say that this Corinthians observes in 11:13 that eligible to receive, one has to be foundation for declaring itself to at Nicaea in 325 A.D., when it was teaching should be ‘definitively it is proper for women to pray with living in concert with the Church’s be infallible when the pope declared that Jesus is ‘of the same held’ and suggested that further their heads veiled. But the teachings, including those speaks ex cathedra and with the substance’ (nature) as God the debate was pointless. But on the Vatican’s Congregation for the concerning marriage. Please entire magisterium supporting Father. issue of mandatory celibacy for Doctrine of the Faith, in a 1976 consider meeting with a priest and him? I understand that the The doctrine of infallibility did clergy, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, document called Inter Insigniores discussing your situation. Church made this declaration not suddenly appear in 1870. papal secretary of state, noted a made it clear that such a practice Meanwhile, I will pray that you around 1870 A.D., and it seems a Rather, it is founded on Christ’s number of years ago that this is a was based on the custom of the make a decision about your future little curious to arrive at that promise to the apostles that he matter of Church discipline and times and was not a matter of faith. based on your deeply held faith. conclusion nearly 2,000 years would send the Holy Spirit, who not dogma, that the early Church This observation was reinforced after the life of Christ. “will guide you to all truth” (Jn had married priests and that the when the 1983 Code went on to I Please note that Fr Doyle How many teachings on faith 16:13). That secure sense of matter is therefore open to lift the canonical requirement. cannot answer readers’ personal and morals have been declared protection from error on discussion. Some scholars believe that the questions through this column. The Catholic Universe | Friday 12th March 2021 31 News Extra

Sr Ann Nu Thawng, a member of the New report discovers Sisters of St Francis Xavier, kneels in front of police and more abuse cases in soldiers during an anti-coup protest in the French Church Myitkyina, Mya nmar. Sr Catholic clergy in France perpetrated boys, with half of all cases dating from Thawng more than three times as many sexual the 1950s and 1960s; 30 per cent were implored abuse offences as previously thought, from the 1970s and 1980s. troops to not the head of a bishops’ commission “While there were systemic abuses shoot civilians set up to investigate the issue has within the Church, there were also and that her found. quasi-criminal enterprises, as in the actions Jean-Marc Sauvè, 71, a lay Catholic rest of society, and extremely serious protected and head of the French Institute of personal vices and faults in an insti- protesters. Administrative Sciences, presented tution that failed at all levels,” Sauvè Photo: new data from the Independent Com- said. “Whereas girls and young women Myitkyina mission of Sexual Abuse in the Church. made up most victims in wider society, News Journal The commission of lawyers, psychia- most victims in the Church were boys. trists, historians and theologians was It was also characteristic that acts of established by the bishops in 2018. violence and abuse were committed “I received a Catholic education, here not by unknown people, but by and I knew certain abnormal, blame- priests who were familiar with their worthy things had happened – but I victims and trusted by them.” never imagined the reality would be Sauvè said his commission had con- so bleak and alarming,” Sauvè said in ducted investigations among France’s an interview with France Inter public religious orders and 94 metropolitan Pope appeals for Myanmar radio. dioceses and had also circulated a “The great question we still have questionnaire to 30,000 people to as- to answer is how all of this could have certain how abuse in the church com- violence to end after deaths happened. This is very much our mis- pared with abuse in other sectors of sion, knowing how the Gospels society. Carol Glatz leaders and activists, including State The previous day, Bishop David J. demonstrate the radically intolerable He added that the commission had Pope Francis has issued an urgent Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and Pres- Malloy of Rockford, Illinois, chairman nature of sexual abuse within the referred 30 clergy suspects to prose- appeal for an to deadly violence ident Win Myint, citizens have taken of the US Conference of Catholic Bish- church. cutors over the past two years, in line against protesters in Myanmar, calling to the streets almost daily in protest. ops’ Committee on International Jus- “The Catholic Church adopted a with civil law obligations. on the military junta to free political At least 60 people have been shot tice and Peace, expressed solidarity zero-tolerance policy, and we now A Catholic journal, Tèmoignage prisoners and let dialogue and the dead by the junta’s security forces in with the people of Myanmar and wait to see whether this new orienta- chrètien, said that disputes over the journey towards democracy prevail. the past week, with scores more in- echoed Pope Francis’ earlier call for tion is being fully and systematically Church’s responsibility for pedophilia Appealing to the country’s current jured. dialogue. applied,” he added. “Issues hidden and liability for reparations had caused military leaders, the pope said the Pope Francis asked that “young Bishop Malloy said he had contacted for decades must be solved in a deci- a “crisis” at an online bishops’ meeting only solution was to let “dialogue pre- people of that beloved land be granted the bishops’ conference in Myanmar sive, radical manner.” last heard, which heard testimonies vail over repression and harmony over the hope of a future where hatred to express solidarity, and asked the He told France Inter that the com- from 30 abuse victims and pastoral discord.” and injustice make way for encounter US Government “to carefully consider mission had received more than 8,000 workers. He also launched an appeal to the and reconciliation.” the insights the local Church can offer victim testimonies since June 2019 in It added that 95 per cent of past international community, asking that He repeated an appeal made one toward achieving a just resolution to response to a public appeal, and he abuse perpetrators were believed dead, they work to ensure that “the aspira- month ago, that “the journey toward the current crisis.” now believed “at least 10,000” abuse making the “moral responsibility” for tions of the people of Myanmar are democracy taken in recent years by “As protests continue in Myanmar, cases occurred after 1950 in the French recompense unclear. not stifled by violence.” Myanmar may be resumed through I call on all Catholics and people of church, rather than the 3,000 cited in It said the issue would be discussed Since Myanmar’s military took con- the concrete gesture of the release of goodwill to pray for the people and a preliminary report last June. further at the bishops’ spring assembly trol of the country, arresting political various imprisoned political leaders.” leaders of this land.” He added that 62 per cent involved at Lourdes, from 22nd-26th March. Angola on knife-edge, warn bishops as economy stalls

Catholic bishops in Angola have came the first country in eastern Children are pictured scavenging warned that the Covid-19 pandemic and southern Africa to receive vac- at a waste site on the edge of is exacerbating an already grave im- cines under the World Health Orga- Luanda. Catholic bishops said the balance in living conditions and op- nization’s Covax programme to dis- Covid-19 pandemic is exacerbating portunities, alongside an “unbridled tribute them. an already grave imbalance in race to exploit hydrocarbons” in the The bishops warn that Angola’s living conditions and opportunities country’s parks and nature reserves. people had been severely affected by Photo: Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters “We are concerned about a degra- a drop in oil prices and a crisis in dation of the political discourse that goods and services, while efforts to management and instability since a threatens a collapse in the national control Covid-19 had been ham- 27-year civil war ended in 2002. unity, reconciliation, justice and pered by the “scarcity of profession- Rioting in the capital of Luanda peace, which have been under con- als, medicines and adequate equip- has become commonplace as peo- struction with so much sacrifice,” ment.” ple voice their frustration over rising said the bishops’ conference of An- The bishops said “greater general living costs, joblessness and the gola and Sao Tome. insecurity” had also fuelled a spate coronavirus-related postponement “Our country’s social situation of murders, as Angolans sought “to of local elections; police are increas- continues to worsen, with high lev- leave the traumatic experience of ingly using heavy-handed tactics to els of poverty, hunger, unemploy- war behind.” quell dissent. ment, a sharp loss of purchasing They added that “great and seri- At the start of February the police power and the closure of busi- ous concern” surrounded a new killed up to 15 protesters in Cafunfo. nesses.” “unbridled race to exploit hydrocar- in the prices of products for basic to the nation and to ethics.” The bishops said police violence In addition, “a lack of rain has bons,” under Government plans to needs, including electricity and The Catholic Church makes up 56 had “resulted in the loss of human again raised the spectre of hunger, permit prospecting in national parks drinking water, while health services per cent of the 34 million inhabi- lives and other human rights viola- so we call on the authorities to cre- and conservation areas, which had and education are largely unavail- tants of Angola. The country, a ma- tions” and pledged “support and ate a contingency plan to help.” “put biodiversity and population able,” the bishops added. jor oil exporter and Africa’s third- solidarity” for bishops in the arch- The message was issued after a survival at risk.” “We therefore call for restraint, largest economy, became diocese where Cafunfo is situated. conference meeting at the Marian “Inequalities between the coun- mutual respect, constructive dia- independent from Portugal in 1975 They urged “dialogue to tackle social shrine of Muxima, as Angola be- tryside and large cities are reflected logue and a renewed commitment but has faced problems with mis- and economic problems.” 32 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Faith insight All hail the great power of listening and mid-adult life producing the More than Republican politics, it national news, you can see the con- is still the cult of Trumpism showing CatholiC tinual pattern. Done subconsciously its power. It shows how the man and CommEnt or otherwise, often depending on his faux-gendas still commands un- the organisation, is the risk of ‘com- wavering loyalty from intoxicated Sean peting points of view’. followers, some of whom continue Information TV and radio in the to deify him. Ellard US is fuelled by personalities. This A great example is March 4th, a often means the most rational and date devout Trumpers believed he thoughtful individuals who can raise would be returned to office, ousting Living without a steel umbrella be- the level of debate are trampled by President Biden. When the day came neath a torrent of stones, it seems identity politicians who make much and went without Trump’s resurrec- rather pointless arguing over who better entertainment. tion to power, it still wasn’t enough threw the first one. The endless cy- When you need to fill air-time, the to destroy the myth that fuels much cles of blame, distrust and insults ‘talking heads’ booked need to keep of the devotion behind his loyal con- that plagues much of US politics the show going. Snappy soundbites, gregation and their offerings. and social discourse has us racing factual or fictional, always makes At the recent important conserva- towards a dangerous precipice. better TV than nuanced discussion. tive gathering, CPAC, in Washington, We are at greater risk than ever of Politicians know this as much as the former President gave his first tumbling into an intellectual prison producers, which helps fuel a corro- speech since leaving office. It was of our own construction. Yet, a world sive symbiotic relationship. If you Pope Francis riddled with lies and falsehoods but away, an historic meeting in the want to get re-elected and grasp greets Grand also plenty of easily digestible catch- Middle East is proof the more en- power, you need to get noticed. Ayatollah al Sistani phrases and one-liners that go down lightened path is always accessible, Simply put; when there is limited in Iraq. Both easy. He was even greeted with a should we choose it. time for two or three guests to offer spoke of the golden idol-like statue, made in his Part of what makes the narrative commentary, someone who might importance of likeness, rolled out on full display. It of life so amazing in these parts of only represent 10 or 15 per cent of listening with was clear who they were there to the world, is the very valid reason we actual voters, but has the ability to respect to the worship. have, and make room for, the outra- engage the audience, gets 30-40 per views of others But at CPAC, where outrage takes geous among the rational. That is cent of the airtime and skews the centre stage over issues, there were what a free society is about; every- message. As the pattern is repeated, At a time when a global pandemic, for great weapons to muzzle the even more troubling reminders of one gets a say. But in the age of an the fringe minority opinion is ele- social and financial inequality need for contemplative discourse what happens when truth is high- endless array of social media plat- vated to a position where it adds too threatens to crush millions of work- and discussion. jacked from reality. One that organ- forms and 24/7 news TV, the dangers much weight to the broader dis- ing class families, too much dither- At a time when Republicans have isers brushed off as mere coinci- of creating false equivalency grows – course. The disproportionate influ- ing with silly, soundbite friendly been on TV to defend the rights and dence. When viewed from above, the as does the appetite for too much ence can unfairly impact how issues topics is dangerous. People end up feelings of neandertals after President CPAC stage design mirrored the Odal nonsense where more serious dis- are viewed, discussed or rationalised seeing monsters where they don’t Biden made an off-hand remark, it or Othala Rune symbology used by cussions should take place. – and even worse – promoted and exist, instead of real issues that need shows the hunger some have to cre- the Nazis and white supremacists. After spending much of my early exploited for ratings and attention. real solutions. Fear and panic makes ate their brands through headline Considering the endless cacoph- grabbing soundbites and outrage. ony of white nationalist dog-whistles Only weeks into the Biden admin- from the previous administration, istration and we are presented with it’s an abhorrent (deeply sceptical) the path we might be tumbling coincidence at best. But it shows the down. You only have to look at the dangers if we are not careful about recent furore by some Trump- the messages we send or the choices Republicans over protecting the we make. gender identity of a plastic children’s The continual denial that people toy. It’s now called Potato Head, for- face real challenges, while making merly known as Mr Potato Head. But time for outrage over things like the they’re talking about it. When you gender identity of children’s toys, hear people taking a stance in de- produces a warm glow from the fence of a dress-up root vegetable gaslight that hides bigger reality in and extinct human ancestors, one the shadows. But there is a much can’t help wondering if they they brighter light of truth that shines don’t have enough real work to do? into the intellectual darkness that Or simply can’t be bothered by it. has consumed much of the political When you are able the fill the air- debate. waves and websites with outrage is- When Pope Francis met with sues and eye-popping sound-bites, Grand Ayatollah al Sistani this it leaves little room for much else. month in Iraq, it produced one of More than half a million Ameri- the most beautiful images in recent cans have died from Covid. Yet not a times. As the two spiritual figures sat single Republican Senator voted to together and shared their thoughts support the $1.9 trillion Covid-19 re- and feelings with one another, it il- lief bill. A political party that sup- lustrated above all else, the power of ported trillions in tax cuts for the listening – no how far apart we think wealthy and backs military spending we are. Message of hope, under- ignores relief for working class voters. standing and love will always bridge By not supporting the measures it the distance. reinforces the message that helping If we fail to hear what each other millions of working-class Americans has to say, if we fail to understand can’t override the need to defend how our differences can still guide party politics. It is party over people us to places of commonality, we are – and that’s despite two-thirds of condemned to wander aimlessly in Americans supporting Covid relief search of an elusive happiness we’ll and other major policy decisions by never find on our own. the new President. And while the Re- publicans make up half of the Senate, Sean Ellard is a professional feature they represent less than half the writer for CBR.com and a former population. It wasn’t about Democ- senior national news producer. You rats failing to get Republican sup- can find out more about him at port, it is about Republicans failing Twitter: SeanE@SingingRebels to support the American people. Why? The Catholic Universe | Friday 12th March 2021 33 Heart of the Matter As deaths increase, archbishop says Tanzania must admit Covid-19 exists

Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Workers prepare protective face shields from recycled plastics Ruwa’ichi of Dar es Salaam told at the Zaidi Recyclers workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Catholic News Service it was time for during the Covid-19 pandemic. (CNS photo/Reuters) the country to accept that Covid-19 exists, noting that denying the truth has led to loss of lives and a lot of people getting sick. “Covid-19 is still with us and we should stop being careless,” he said. “Let us protect ourselves and stop spreading the virus. People should seriously start wearing face masks and washing hands with soap and water.” Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic a year ago, Tanzania’s au- thority has repeatedly downplayed the virus and urged citizens to ignore preventative measures necessary to keep the virus from spreading. Instead, on several occasions, President John Magufuli, a Catholic, has urged Tanzanians to focus on prayers, referring to the virus as de- monic amid warnings that the na- tion is seeing a deadly resurgence in infections. “Let’s pray and fast for three days; I am sure we will win again,” Magu- fuli told mourners in late February at a funeral for John Kijazi, chief secretary. “May I ask reli- gious leaders, just as you have been doing, keep in- sisting in prayers. We will win. We won last year. We Although President John will win this year and years Magufuli has downplayed to come.” Covid-19 testing and The country of nearly 60 vaccines, the Church is telling million people has not published people to take preventive data on the number of coronavirus measures. (CNS photo/Thomas cases since last April. Mukoya, Reuters) In February, the East African na- tion lost more than 10 prominent lowing the indications provided by citizens to the coronavirus, includ- the experts and by those who know ing Seif Sharif Hamad, Zanzibar’s how to contain the disease.” first vice president, who also was na- But Magufuli remains adamant. tional chairman of the opposition He has refused to embrace Covid-19 party, ACT-Wazalendo. vaccination and declined to put the In early March, Father Charles country under any form of lock- Kitima, general secretary of the Tan- down. Bars and restaurants remain zania Episcopal Conference, an- open across the country, while nounced that more than 60 nuns, 25 sports events have been allowed to priests and two lay elders had died continue without safety protocols. within two months of various causes, He has praised citizens for not wear- including respiratory problems. ing masks and cracked down on any- Fr Charles urged Tanzanians to one who dares raise concerns about follow all health precautions such as the virus’ spread in the country. wearing masks, keeping social dis- “There’s coronavirus here because tance, washing hands with soap and people are falling ill and dying from sanitising, warning that the virus respiratory disease,” said a young threat was still alive in the country. woman who owns a small hotel in “Priests are dying and sisters are Kibamba, on the outskirts of Dar es dying, but this number within two Salaam. “I’m happy the Church is months has shocked us, especially speaking about it and urging the considering the government has government to protect us. Their strengthened better health systems,” voice is very important at the time Fr Charles said in statement. the country is losing a lot of people Archbishop Gervas Nyaisonga, from the virus.” president of bishops’ conference, The World Health Organization said prevention was better than cure has expressed concern over the gov- and rallied citizens to fight the pan- ernment’s unwillingness to publish demic. statistics on Covid-19 cases. Tedros “All of us have a responsibility to Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the avoid the danger of contagion, and WHO, urged Tanzania’s Government therefore we should protect our- to start releasing infection numbers selves from the virus,” he said. “I and share data. want to urge all of us to accept the “This situation remains very con- reality of the disease and live by fol- cerning,” said Ghebreyesus. 34 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com

“Remembering Universe weekly special all those in our parishes who have lost their lives Around theParishes during the pandemic” CatholiC news and information from aCross the Uk and ireland Relics from the 40 Martyrs to go on display in online Jesuit exhibition

Jesuits in Britain St Thomas relics of some famous lay people. St More’s hat Thomas More was executed on the launch first online orders of Henry VIII in 1535, and exhibition celebrating canonised in 1935. On display are two of his hats, a piece of his famous 50 years since the hair shirt and a gold crucifix. canonisation of the Mary, Queen of Scots once pos- sessed a remarkable relic of the Forty Martyrs Crown of Thorns. Its fascinating story is highlighted in the exhibition, Prompted by the 50th anniversary of spanning the Byzantine Empire, the the canonisation of the Forty Martyrs, Crusades, Mary’s own turbulent life, the Jesuits in Britain Archives has through the Rising of the Northern launched its first ever online exhibi- Earls until it found a safe home with tion in collaboration with Stonyhurst an extraordinary Elizabethan Jesuit College Collections. missionary, John Gerard. The thorn The virtual showcase, called ‘How is housed in a beautiful gold bleedeth burning love’: British Jesuit 16th century reliquary, with Mary’s A relic from Province’s Relics of the Forty Martyrs pearls wrapped around it. Mary, Queen of England and Wales, presents valued for the powerful stories they treason, and then hanged, drawn One new discovery is the identity of Scots’ treasured relics belonging to some tell, which have been passed from and quartered at Tyburn in 1581. On of a group of skulls and bones asso- Crown of of the priests and laypeople mar- generation to generation. display is the rope that tied him to ciated with Holywell Shrine in north thorns tyred for their Catholic faith in Eng- Dr Jan Graffius, curator of the the hurdle, on which he was dragged Wales, which have now been identi- land and Wales in the 16th and 17th Stonyhurst Collections, said: “The from the Tower to Tyburn. fied, during the course of research centuries – many of whom were exhibition relates the stories of some St Robert Southwell was also exe- for this exhibition, as those of the canonised by Pope Paul VI on 25 Oc- of the many men and women whose cuted at Tyburn, in 1595. He was fa- 17th century Saints Philip Evans and tober 1970. The online exhibition is bravery and resourcefulness helped mous for his literary works, includ- John Lloyd. at www.jesuitcollections. org.uk. to keep the Catholic faith alive in ing the 16th century poem ‘Christ’s Dr Graffius describes the process These relics shine a light on an ex- those days. It also explores the ex- bloody sweate’ which provided the of research and identification: “After traordinary period of English history, traordinary, and often perilous, jour- quote for the title of the exhibition. years of speculation as to the iden- when men and women were perse- neys of these relics before they came On display is a bone. tity of these two skulls, and the col- cuted and executed for their reli- into the sanctuary of the possession Blessed Edward Oldcorne had lection of associated bones, it is gious beliefs. Some of the relics in of the British Jesuit Province.” been a school friend of Guy Fawkes thrilling to be able to announce that the exhibition demonstrate vividly Among the relics in the exhibition and was tortured in the aftermath of we can finally put a name to the the barbaric nature of the penalties are those of famous Jesuits St Edmund the Gunpowder Plot. Although no men whose bones they are. It’s an inflicted upon those who held fast to Campion, St Robert Southwell and evidence was found to link him to intriguing detective story involving faith and conscience, while others Blessed Edward Oldcorne, who were the failed assassination attempt forensic science, archival research tell very personal stories of individ- all sent to be clandestine missionar- against King James I, Oldcome was and curatorial skill. ual spiritual journeys of historic fig- ies in Elizabethan England at a time hanged, drawn, and quartered in “The story of Evans and Lloyd is a ures such as Thomas More and when Catholics faced persecution. 1606. He was beatified in 1929. On powerful one: priestly dedication, Mary, Queen of Scots. These relics Edmund Campion was arrested display is his right eyeball. betrayal, faithfulness to death, have been treasured for centuries, by priest hunters, convicted of high The exhibition also includes the Welsh harp music and tennis. Their identification has been an extraordi- nary process, and one of the most rewarding in my curatorial career.” The relics all form part of the British Jesuit Province’s collection. Much of the collection resides in the Jesuits in Britain Archives in Lon- don, and a significant part is on loan to, and cared for, by Stonyhurst Col- lege Collections in Lancashire. Rebecca Somerset, Jesuits in Britain Archivist, said: “We could not put on a physical exhibition as origi- nally planned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Forty Martyrs, but by presenting the exhibition virtually, we are able to reach a much wider audience. We are always keen to make these artefacts more easily available to others, and we are look- ing forward to presenting a series of online exhibitions. “In order to make the exhibition as accessible as possible, we are pre- senting the collection as a visual and audio experience, with images of the relics accompanied both by text as The rope well as a recorded narrative.” which Follow @JesuitArchives and @Stony bound Blessed Edward Oldcorne’s Archivum on Twitter for updates Edmund right eyeball on #RelicExhibition Campion The Catholic Universe | Friday 12th March 2021 35 Around the Parishes

New Chaplain for Chain of Masses offer Cardiff University Cardiff: Archbishop George Stack of hope across Europe Cardiff has appointed Fr Nicholas Williams as Catholic Chaplain at the University of Cardiff, in succession East Anglia: Bishop Alan Hopes opportunity, or rather the need to to Fr Sebastian Jones. The appoint- joined bishops across Europe on remember in the Holy Mass in a par- ment will take effect at the begin- Tuesday, 2nd March in a chain of ticular way during this season of ning of the new academic year in Masses to pray for the victims of the Lent, the victims – the numerous September 2021. Covid pandemic. Bishop Alan’s Mass victims – of the pandemic,” said Fr Sebastian was appointed chap- was livestreamed from St John the CCEE President Cardinal Angelo lain by Archbishop Peter Smith on Baptist Cathedral at 10am. Bagnasco in his message to launch the Feast of the Immaculate Con- He told watchers: “Today we offer the initiative. “Each European Bish- ception of Our Lady, 8th December this Mass for all those who have died ops’ Conference has engaged in the 2009. He was the first Catholic chap- from the Covid pandemic. organisation of at least one Mass. It lain in the role of Co-ordinating “We also pray for those who grieve will be like creating a prayer chain, a Chaplain at Cardiff University. the loss of loved ones. We pray for an Cardinal Vincent Nichols, vice Eucharistic chain in memory and in Generations of students have end to the pandemic. president of the Council of Euro- suffrage of so many people. In this good reason to be grateful for the Fr Sebastian, Archbishop “And we pray for our doctors and pean Bishops’ Conferences, also cel- prayer we also want to remember dedication and ministry of Fr Sebas- Stack and Fr Nicholas nurses and carers, who work in hos- ebrates a special livestreamed Mass the bereaved families and all those tian as their chaplain over the last 13 pitals, hospices and care homes, and on the same day from Westminster who are still suffering from the virus years. Fr Nicholas Williams will be all our priests who work among Cathedral, while bishops across and whose lives remain in uncer- able to build on the legacy he has in- them.” England and Wales also celebrated tainty. herited and take the chaplaincy for- lain to the University. He will bring The continent has suffered over Masses in their own dioceses. “We, the Bishops of Europe, are all ward in these new and challenging the same dedication and enthusi- 770,000 deaths from the virus. Since the start of the pandemic, united alongside our Christian com- circumstances of university life. asm to the chaplaincy as he dis- The initiative, promoted by the bishops from across Europe have munities and our priests. We are A member of the Ethics Commit- played when he re-founded the Council of European Bishops’ Con- added their voices to that of Pope grateful to all those who continue to tee of the university, Fr Sebastian CathSoc at the University of ferences (CCEE), aims to offer a sign Francis to reiterate the Church’s devote themselves to those most in also worked closely with the Univer- Portsmouth. I give thanks to God for of communion and hope for the en- closeness to all those struggling with need. We support them with our sity’s Student Support Services. A the years of ministry at Cardiff Uni- tire continent. coronavirus – the victims and their words, and above all, with our Fellow of the University of Cardiff versity; they have been a precious Each nation, or nations in our families, the sick, health and social prayers so that their commitment Centre for Law and Religion, he lec- time to me. I thank all the outstand- case, is coming together to celebrate care workers, the volunteers and all and their hope that we must all tured in the Codes of Canon Law for ing staff and students who have sup- Mass on a designated day to be part those on the front line at this chal- have, maintain and increase can the Western and Eastern Churches ported and contributed to the life of this continental prayer network lenging time. help us to look forward together to a as part of the LLM degree course and witness of the chaplaincy dur- and to create a Eucharistic chain. “Together, we have assessed the better future.” since 2010. ing that time. I particularly wish to During his time he has overseen record my thanks to Ben Lewis who the extension of the work of the is responsible for the provision of Catholic Chaplaincy. In addition to chaplaincy and the university and the current premises at 62 Park for his tireless work for the welfare One year on: Remembering Place he was responsible for the es- of students.” tablishment of Newman Hall, a stu- Fr Nicholas Williams said: “I am dent Hall of Residence situated in grateful to the archbishop for ap- our loved ones the newly renovated buildings pointing me Catholic Chaplain at which provided the erstwhile nurs- the University of Cardiff, my home ery at Nazareth House. city. I feel privileged to be entrusted last year as a result of the pandemic. Archbishop George In August 2019 Archbishop Stack with the sacred duty of caring and “The Book of Remembrance will invited the Oratorian Community in accompanying the students in their Stack of Cardiff has be given place of honour at the Re- Formation to accept the pastoral journey of Christian faith and disci- quiem Mass before the Pascal can- penned an open letter to care of St Alban’s Parish, Splott. Fr pleship and in providing for their dle at the Requiem Mass. Sebastian was appointed the parish sacramental lives. those whose lives have “If you would like the name of priest. “I thank Fr Sebastian for the your loved one included in the Book been affected by the Commenting on the appointment legacy he has handed on to me of Remembrance, please email Fr Fr Sebastian said: “I warmly wel- through his work as chaplain. I look Covid-19 pandemic Daniel at [email protected]. come the appointment of Fr forward to building on the founda- The Solemn Requiem Mass will be Nicholas Williams as Catholic Chap- tions which he has laid.” On 23rd March we will reach a sig- celebrated at the Cathedral 12:45pm nificant milestone in the country’s on Tuesday, 23rd March. Due to lim- fight against Coronavirus: for it was ited numbers able to safely be pres- on this day that we entered the first ent at the Cathedral, those who may Julia has high hopes for her of the lockdowns. wish to attend will need to reserve a With these words of the Prime seat by telephoning Fr Daniel Stan- Kilimanjaro fundraiser Minister, our lives radically changed, ton at Clergy House on 029 20 23 14 and the era of a ‘new normal’ was 07. There are 34 spaces available in East Anglia: Julia Hull from St “I am a little apprehensive,” said ushered in: “From this evening I the Cathedral for yourself or your George’s parish in Norwich is plan- Julia of her challenge. “This isn’t must give the British people a very bubble. These seats will be reserved ning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in like anything I’ve ever done before. simple instruction – you must stay on a ‘first-come-first-served’ basis. Tanzania in 2022 to raise money for But the apprehension is totally out- home”. The Requiem Mass will also be live- the National Autistic Society. weighed by the excitement to get Since then, we as a nation have ebrate a Solemn Requiem Mass at St streamed through the Cathedral Her family are members of the St out there and push myself to lost over 121,000 lives, with the total David’s Cathedral for all the faithful website. John’s Cathedral parish, and she achieve something amazing.” here in Wales exceeding 5,000. These departed who have died as a conse- May their souls, and the souls of herself went to St John’s primary, St Julia’s fundraising target is are no mere statistics: each number quence of the pandemic. the faithful departed, rest in peace. Thomas More Middle, and Notre £2,500. All sponsorship will go to is a life, each life is a memory, each “I have opened a Book of Remem- Amen. Dame High Schools. the charity, as she is paying the cost life is a family trying to grieve in brance at the Cathedral, and I invite Her family was involved with of the trip herself. such exceptional circumstances. you to send in the names of your With every blessing, Faith and Light, the network that On Tuesday, 23rd March, I will cel- loved-ones who have died over the Archbishop George Stack supports families where a member • You can has a learning disability. They were sponsor active on both a local and wider her at: level, as well as providing respite www. To see your parish featured in these pages, contact care for various families over many just years. giving. Michael Winterbottom on 07949 987771 or via As an adult Julia has worked in com/ [email protected] schools helping children with social, fund emotional and behavioural chal- raising/ lenges, some of whom were autistic. julia-hull 36 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Education

From left to right, Vicki Madeley, Tessa Freer and Kirsty Abbott, Autumn spreads some Horsforth Children’s Services cheer, inspired by her hero, Captain Tom

A four-year-old pupil at All Saints Catholic Voluntary Academy in Glossop, Derbyshire decided to spread some cheer in her community as part of a Captain Tom Moore-in- spired challenge set by her teachers. Autumn Place and mum, Danielle Eyre, made 50 bookmarks and 50 keyrings and posted them to mem- bers of their community in Old Glossop who might be feeling lonely. Their efforts were in response to a challenge set by teachers at All Saints CVA, to do something 100 times to honour Captain Tom, who Leeds Trinity volunteers’ boost died earlier this month, and raise awareness of something they cared about. Danielle said they loved crafting for Horsforth children’s group as a family and wanted to raise awareness about loneliness during Leeds Trinity University community lockdown. members helped Horsforth Children’s She said: “The keyrings were a Services put together activity packs rainbow with inspirational quotes for children in the Horsforth area to on them and the bookmarks had the enjoy when lockdown restrictions pre- words ‘just for you’ stamped on vented them going to school. them. Danielle Roman, Charlotte Rainey, “We posted them through people’s Rachel Rudman and Reverend Nigel doors in envelopes with a message Sinclair volunteered with Horsforth on them. No-one knew it was us but Children’s Services, packaging 70 ac- I did have a message from one of the to raise money for our wonderful tivity packs for children in Horsforth mums at school asking if it was us NHS. to enjoy with their families. who had posted them through. “I asked the children to think The packs contained ingredients “We live in Old Glossop and there about Captain Tom and what he for children to make sweetcorn fritters are quite a lot of elderly people there would be remembered for. and heart-shaped biscuits, with some so we just posted the bookmarks “As he was such an inspiration to items donated by Kitchen Craft. and keyrings though doors at ran- us all and united communities, I set The initiative also received funding dom houses. them a challenge to do something from Horsforth Community Aid Proj- “Autumn loved it; she knew why 100 times to raise awareness of ect (HCAP), a partnership of local or- we were doing it. We are actually still something they cared about. ganisations who work together with making them as there are a lot of “Many children sent back mes- Leeds City Council and Voluntary Ac- houses in Old Glossop.” sages of how they would remember tion Leeds to support and provide Grainne Beaumont, headteacher Captain Tom and some sent pictures care for members of the Horsforth Rev Nigel Sinclair of All Saints, which is part of the St of their house windows decorated community. and Danielle Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Acad- with pictures of him. Many said they Vicki Madeley, cluster manager at Roman with the emy Trust, said they were proud of would be out clapping to remember Horsforth Children’s Services, said, activity packs all of the children who had remem- him. “Lots of our children and young people bered Captain Tom. “Autumn’s bookmarks were lovely, are really missing school and their with the university and this further little distraction for them and their She said: “The school was sad to and she really wanted to raise friends during lockdown so it’s great strengthens our links. families”. hear of the death of Captain Tom as awareness of the problem some to be able to provide something dif- “We look forward to more collabo- Horsforth Children’s Services works he had been an inspiration to the people have with loneliness and ferent to do over half term as a wel- ration in the future.” in partnership with local schools and whole school in the last lockdown. I cheer them up by receiving the gifts. come break from home-school. Danielle Roman, chaplaincy ad- organisations to improve the out- decided to share some information Autumn also delivered some to “It’s fantastic that we can work with ministrator at Leeds Trinity, said: “This comes for all children, young people about his life with the children and school to cheer up all the staff. We Leeds Trinity University to offer these lockdown and period of home school- and their families in the community, the amazing feat he completed by are all really proud of Autumn and activities and we’re very grateful for ing has been the toughest of the three, ensuring all children and young people walking around his garden 100 times her mum. They are superstars.” all the hard work of the volunteers. I think, so it was such a privilege to reach their full potential through the “Horsforth Children’s Services has be able to do something good for the provision of support and excellent a long history of partnership working children in Horsforth and provide a learning and teaching experiences. University support for hardship fund Leeds Trinity University has matched awards of up to £1,000. which is open to any student requir- the initial funding from the Govern- Since launch approximately 270 ing financial assistance throughout ment in order to support more stu- awards have been made to support the academic year. The University dents during the ongoing effects of students who have been impacted has also launched a digital Hardship the Coronavirus pandemic. by the pandemic and need financial Fund application system, to help im- Launched in January 2021, the support with living expenses due to prove accessibility to financial sup- Government-backed Leeds Trinity loss of part-time work, as well as IT port during the pandemic. Covid Hardship Fund is designed to costs to facilitate home study. Professor Charles Egbu, Vice-Chan- support university students who have Now, with additional Government cellor at Leeds Trinity University, been financially affected directly by funding, even more students will be said: “We are delighted to continue the pandemic. able to apply for the financial support to support this fund, as we appreciate After receiving initial funding from from the fund, which is estimated to how difficult the pandemic has been Autumn and her mum the Government, the Leeds Trinity be allocated by the deadline set by for students. This funding is just one made bookmarks and Executive team agreed to match this the Office for Students on 31st March. of many measures we have intro- keyrings for members of contribution, in order to support an The Covid Fund is separate to the duced to ensure our students feel their local community increased number of students with university’s existing Hardship Fund, supported.” The Catholic Universe | Friday 12th March 2021 37 To see your Catholic school or college featured in The Catholic Universe, send your stories Education in to Michael Winterbottom at [email protected] or call him on 07949 987771 Hope for St Mary’s as new home approved

Pupils and staff at a Derby primary again is just the best feeling ever. school destroyed in an arson attack “Being based at two sites has are one step closer to moving into a brought its own challenges; being new building. separated from colleagues and chil- Work to transform St James’s House, dren has been difficult at times but off Mansfield Road, into a temporary knowing this will all be over soon is home for St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary the most uplifting feeling one could Academy is continuing after planning have. permission was granted by Derby City “I can’t thank Christ the King Council. Church, the Diocesan Centre and St Mary’s, which is part of the St Saint Benedict enough for accommo- Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Acade- dating us since November, but now my Trust, was destroyed by a fire on that the move into St James’s has been Saturday 3rd October. Since then granted, the thought of being together pupils and staff have been based again is just incredible. across two sites, with Years 3-6 at “Then, to top this, knowing we have Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary such a large amount of families want- Academy in Duffield Road, Derby, ing to send their children to join re- while the school’s nursery, reception ception in September is incredible; a and Years 1 and 2 are based at the true reflection of the fact we are still Diocesan Centre in Mornington Cres- the number one school in Derbyshire.” cent, Mackworth and the neighbour- Sean McClafferty, chief executive ing Christ the King Catholic Church. of the St Ralph Sherwin Trust, said: No firm date has been set yet for “We are absolutely delighted to an- the move into St James’s House, which nounce that planning permission has currently houses office space, but the now been granted and work will con- St Ralph Sherwin Trust is optimistic tinue to prepare the building for St that this could take place in the term at St Mary’s, said: “We are absolutely to the Trust and local authority in the number of new families hoping Mary’s staff and pupils. As yet, we after the Easter holidays. delighted the local authority has grant- supporting this vision. to join St Mary’s in September, this cannot provide a definitive date for Plans for a new building on the ed us permission to use St James’ “I would like to take this opportunity number appears to be growing and moving in but, of course, will be doing school’s Broadway site are also moving House as our temporary base until to thank our existing parents and car- we cannot wait to welcome our new everything we can to ensure this is as forward. the new St Mary’s is re-built. ers for continuing to support us pupils and their families into the St soon as possible. More good news for St Mary’s has “Since the fire, it has been our vision through this time, it has not been Mary’s family.” “In the meantime, we would like to come in the increased number of ap- for the school community to be re- easy for families and this is testament Gill Novak-Lemmings, head of thank everyone for their unending plications the school has received for united in a substantial building; giving to the strength within the community; school at St Mary’s, said: “When I support for the staff, the school, and pupils entering reception in Septem- our staff, pupils and families a sense the St Mary’s spirit is truly alive and heard the news come through, I the Trust and for being pivotal in help- ber 2021, compared to last year. of permanence and stability at this stronger than ever. breathed such a huge sigh of relief. ing St Mary’s to continue being such Amanda Greaves, executive head difficult time and I am so very grateful “I remain utterly overwhelmed by The thought of all being reunited a wonderful community.” Award shows that it is achievement for us all Best foot forward, St Philip Howard Catholic Voluntary St Benedict’s Academy in Glossop has received an award for its work improving out- comes for disadvantaged students. Mike Kays with The school has received the Pupil the award Premium Award from the Achieve- ment for All organisation, which works with schools across the country to improve outcomes for all pupils. The award recognises St Philip Howard’s work to narrow the gap in education between Pupil Premium (PP) – disadvantaged students – and non-Pupil Premium pupils. A curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of PP pupils, meetings have been held with families to engage had to prove we have made massive with parents and a member of staff is improvements in all the above areas. responsible for overseeing the work “We have seen massive improve- done with PP pupils. ments in the PP pupils we have worked The school has been working with with, in some cases we have seen St Benedict’s pupils and staff stretched There were many outstanding efforts, a pilot group of 35 students and fol- them improve by a whole grade in their legs in a sporting fundraiser and but special plaudits go to sixth form raised over £5,000 for two charities, students Lily and Arabella, who lowing the success of the two-year their GCSEs. The Passage, which supports the walked the equivalent of a marathon “We are delighted with this achieve- programme the plan is to roll the ini- homeless, and The Sarah Cannon together, while Alexander in Year 9 tiative out to even more pupils and ment and it is recognition for all the Cancer Research Fund. ran, cycled, walked and rowed become a leading school in this area. hard work the school has put into in- The fundraiser was for all pupils aged 100.23km – the furthest individual Mike Kays, deputy headteacher at creasing outcome and opportunities. 3 to 18 and their teachers, with distance achieved by a pupil. St Philip Howard, said everyone was We are continuing to work with everyone invited to run, walk and For the staff, Junior School head Mr pleased to see their efforts recognised Achievement for All around achieving cycle a suggested minimum of 1km Simmons covered an amazing 373km. with an award. He said: “We worked more and we hope to become a lead- each. Many exceeded this distance, St Benedict’s Headmaster, Andrew with Achievement for All to raise out- ing school over the course of the next covering 5, 10 and even 100km Johnson, said: “It was terrific to have comes for Pupil Premium pupils, im- programme.” individually, finding sponsors or raised over £5,000 for these two prove their personal development, Louisa Morris, headteacher at St donating money for the good causes. worthy causes. I am very proud of behaviour and aspirations and in- Philip Howard, said: “We are delighted Collectively the school covered over everyone for showing such generous, crease parental engagement. with the award, which recognises the 4,000km! determined support.” “We have met 12 times over a year huge effort that has gone into im- to monitor the impact and we have proving the whole of the academy.” 38 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Faith Alive - Lenten season Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress Showing compassion through almsgiving

those we have never met, is an imi- condition that we recognise him as tation of Christ who gave his whole giver. “He makes his sun rise on the life for our sake. bad and the good, and causes rain to Brendan Two temptations can inhibit our fall on the just and the unjust” (Mt almsgiving: First, one might object 5:45). Gottschall, SJ that we ought to be teaching people This explanation comes only a few to fish rather than giving them fish, verses before Jesus’ teaching on that handouts only encourage peo- almsgiving: “When you give alms, do “Love ought to show itself more in ple to beg and perpetuate a cycle of not let your left hand know what deeds rather than words.” dependence. your right is doing, so that your – St Ignatius of Loyola. There is truth in this sentiment: almsgiving may be secret. And your One of the basic things we do to We have an obligation to advocate Father who sees in secret will repay express love is giving. Naturally, we for social justice, defined as “the you” (Mt 6:3-4). give of our time, talents and treasure conditions that allow associations or The quotation at the start of this to our family and friends. individuals to obtain what is there piece from St Ignatius about loving Catechism of In this time of Lent, we are called due,” according to the in deeds comes from the final exer- the Catholic Church Spiritual Exercises. to expand our horizons of love to (No. 1928). But cise in his Ig- those in need through almsgiving. the obligation to address structural natius instructs the one making the By giving alms, we not only help the injustices is only the minimal ex- exercise to recall all the gifts they less fortunate, but we also grow in pression of the Christian vocation to have received: the natural gifts of our own humanity. love our neighbours. creation, the supernatural gifts of re- Giving and receiving things is part Pope Benedict XVI wrote in the demption and the particular gifts Caritas in Veritate: of what it means to be a human be- encyclical “Char- that make each of us special. ing. None of us chose to exist. God’s ity goes beyond justice, because to After considering how much God creation is itself the primary gift. love is to give, to offer what is ‘mine’ has done for them, Ignatius antici- From the very beginning, we are to the other; but it never lacks jus- pates that the prayer will move from dependent on others for our basic tice.” Indeed, we cannot separate gratitude to a desire to respond to needs. In God’s providence, the justice and charity or think of them God’s infinite generosity. What can world is ordered so that other peo- as substitutes. we offer back to God? Simply put: ple, mostly people we will never In his message for Lent 2018, Pope ourselves. meet, work to provide us with the Francis has specifically called on Our material possessions are only goods and services we need to sur- Catholics to give to anyone who asks a small part of who we are and what vive and thrive. of us: “Even in our daily encounters we have. But our money and time Although we usually compensate with those who beg for our assis- are essential parts of our existence others for what they give us through tance, we (should) see such requests that we can offer back to God by giv- the sweat of their brows, we must as coming from God himself.” ing it away to our neighbours as admit that everything we have can The second temptation is to make alms. When we can let go of our own be traced back to the free gifts of excuses like “the money I give might wants to fulfil the needs of others, God. be wasted” or “I only want to give to we grow closer to God and grow in By giving of our material wealth, those with whom I am in relation- freedom. especially to those who are ship so that I don’t undermine the Later on, in that same chapter of strangers, we are growing into our humanity of those to whom I give.” Matthew’s Gospel, the Lord gives us humanity as images of God. Alms- These temptations are especially a beautiful image of the freedom giving is a way of sharing in God’s real in a time when opportunities that comes from trust in God: work to sustain and support all his for almsgiving might be mostly on- “Learn from the way the wildflowers children. line. There is a lack of connection grow. They do not work or spin. ... If Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Especially if, as the widow who with the recipient or human recog- God so clothes the grass of the field, Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican on 10th March, 2020. In his message for gave her last two coins (Mk 12:41- nition for generosity. which grows today and is thrown in Lent 2018, Pope Francis called on Catholics to give to anyone who asks of 44), we give out of our livelihood Jesus reminds us that this is how the oven tomorrow, will he not us: “Even in our daily encounters with those who beg for our assistance, and not just our excess. Truly sacri- God the Father gives to us: with no much more provide for you, O you we (should) see such requests as coming from God himself.” ficing for our neighbours, even regard for how much we waste or of little faith?” (Mt 6:28-30). (CNS photo/Vatican Media) Enriching our ‘domestic church’ this Lent

Joe Towalski homes: the “domestic church.” ity place God at their centre. Like Joseph all to understanding, to forbearance, to The Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic and Mary, they put what God wants ahead pardon, to reconciliation.” What can you Last December, Pope Francis announced Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gen- of their own desires. They strive to do his do, or fast from, this Lent as a sacrificial two special yearlong observances: one cele- tium) uses this phrase to describe the fam- will, even in the face of fear, challenges and gift to your family? brating St Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, ily. Parents, it says, through their words uncertainties. Family members foster hu- • Service: Joseph and Mary were dedi- and the other focusing on the family to and actions, are “the first preachers of the mility when they pray together and show cated servants of God’s plan of redemption. mark the fifth anniversary of the pope’s faith to their children.” The domestic kindness, generosity, compassion and em- The Gospel tells us: “If anyone wishes to be apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia church is the place where daily prayer pathy to others. How can you further culti- first, he shall be the last of all and the ser- (The Joy of Love). should be cultivated, where all family vate the virtue of humility in your family vant of all” (Mark 9:35). This is true for our The year of St Joseph, commemorating members are supported in their hopes and this Lent? domestic church as well. This Lent, what the 150th anniversary of his being named struggles, where living Gospel values is en- • Sacrifice: Families can only thrive acts of service or charity can you undertake the patron of the universal Church, ends couraged. when members are willing to make sacri- as a family that will help your parish or this year on 8th December. The family year Joseph, Mary and Jesus – the Holy Fam- fices for one another, just as Mary and community, especially those most in need? runs from 19th March – the feast of St ily – are models of how our own domestic Joseph did in giving birth to and caring for A deeper reflection on the life of St Joseph – until 26th June, 2022, during the churches should operate. Three aspects of Jesus. “Family communion can only be Joseph, the Holy Family and the Church’s World Meeting of Families in Rome. While their witness are especially worth reflecting preserved and perfected through a great teaching about marriage and family life they are two distinct celebrations, they on during Lent and over the course of the spirit of sacrifice,” Pope Francis wrote in can enrich how we live the call to disciple- both are opportunities to pray and reflect next year: Amoris Laetitia. “It requires, in fact, a ship in our own domestic churches. more deeply on the faith we live in our own • Humility: Families that practise humil- ready and generous openness of each and Let’s not miss the opportunity. 39

YOUR WEEKLY LIFESTYLE PAGES INSIDE YOUR UNIVERSE FOOD | DRINK | MUSIC | BOOKS | HEALTH | FINANCE | TV GUIDE | GARDENING uuniverse First impressions count: cleaning tips to increase your property value A pre-sale clean can make a real difference to the appearance of your home, giving the best impression of what your property may be worth.

changes to the presentation of your HOME home to a potential buyer can make Before you search for your next a world of difference to your house dream home, it pays to spend time sale. There’s usually no need for any evaluating your own property. A major changes, just a common simple spring clean and a few easy sense approach,” says David repairs could add thousands to your Newnes, MD of You Move sale price. We tell you how. We’ve all seen the TV shows that Use common sense promise to boost your house value According to Newnes, the kitchen by thousands just and bathroom are the two rooms by cleaning out the most likely to influence a spare room or sale, so pay particular adding a lick of attention to these. magnolia paint. Uncluttered However, ac- worktops give a cording to es- better impression tate agent Your and make a Move there is David Newnes kitchen look most DIY stores, have plumped up and curtains made to Finally, ensure you know specific something to be bigger, and don’t freshly washed, sweet hang neatly. Don’t forget to repair details about the house; mention said for a pre-sale spring clean. forget to check all smelling towels hung any tears to wallpaper and spend a any relevant guarantees such as “You might want to start with a your kitchen neatly and that new bars little time repainting chipped or damp proof courses or double spring clean; just making a few basic cupboard doors are of soap are on show rather marked paintwork. glazing; and explain the heating and hanging straight and than old ones. water systems. If you have low fuel “An unclean toilet close properly and if The idea is that your kitchen and Don’t forget the coffee bills, have some handy to show this necessary, take time to repair them, bathroom look and smell clean, hy- It’s not just inside that needs to look as it is definitely a selling point. or dirty kitchen he says. There’s no need for gienic and tidy. An unclean toilet or inviting: the first thing your buyer And if all else fails, put a fresh pot of expensive repair or building work. dirty kitchen surfaces are unlikely to will see is the outside of your house. coffee on. It is usually the simplest surfaces are unlikely Most problems can be resolved by attract your buyer back for a second Remember the exterior of the house. and cheapest jobs that can have the a trip to your local DIY store and a viewing. Kerbside appeal is vital to get most influence over the final sale. to attract your bit of common sense. In the Generally, cleanliness and tidiness potential buyers through the door. A A vase of flowers or the smell of bathroom make sure the grouting can make a huge impression, so neat garden, clean windows, and a freshly brewed coffee doesn’t cost buyer back for a between any tiles is cleaned using make sure all rooms are dusted and clean and tidy front make the right the earth but can make a very second viewing.” special grout cleaners available from vacuumed and any cushions first impression. positive impression.

Most people know the sort of Most blockages can be avoided things they shouldn’t put down their and here are simple steps to take to What not to put down the drain... sinks and yet millions continue to avoid the messy and costly problem. do so time after time. drain. One in 10 homes habitually “Blocked drains are very common 1. Avoid pouring cooking fat down Here are a few items that homeowners flush cotton wool, baby wipes and and can be expensive if you are un- the kitchen sink as it congeals when should avoid putting down the kitchen sanitary products away, seven per able to fix the problem yourself and it cools down and creates a solid cent try to get rid of leftover food need to call a plumber,” says AA blockage. sink or flushing away. down the sink, and almost three mil- Home Emergency Cover. 2. Scrape plates of all leftovers when lion adults – six per cent – admit to “We encourage people to stop washing dishes by hand or in the £87 million. Research suggests that pouring paint down the plughole. thinking of their drains as a waste dishwasher. HOME many of these blockages are being But it’s not just run-of-the-mill disposal option and try to keep as 3. Use food waste bins to dispose of caused by families forcing unsuit- items that clog up drains, according many solid objects as possible from food. Around six million UK homes suffer able objects down the drain. Nearly to research from the AA’s Home going down the plughole. 4. Put cotton wool, baby wipes or from blocked drains each year – and 30 per cent of Brits let hair go down Emergency Cover. Plumbers have “ If your drain does get blocked, sanitary products in the bin - these one in five need a plumber to un- their sink without attempting to retrieved a traffic cone and even a having home emergency cover will will not degrade like toilet paper. block them, bringing the total an- stop it, while almost a quarter of us pair of false teeth from the pipe let homeowners hand the messy 5. Use sink strainers to stop food nual blockage bill to a burdensome pour cooking fat or oil down the when the drain was jetted. business over to an expert to sort.” debris going down the plughole. 40 uuniverse How well do we know our red-chested garden friend?

a gardener’s friend and traditionally a symbol of Christmas, the robin is one of the UK’s most spotted birds, but there is more we should know.

The Robin Fact File Latin Name: Erithacus rubecula Breeding: May to July Eggs: 4-6 pale eggs. White with sandy or reddish freckles which are brooded by the female robin especially if we have prolonged Provide water Incubation: 13-14 days garden freezing weather for a number of Simply putting out a bird bath or a Fledging: 12-14 days, often with days but their increase is reflected in dish of water is great, but make sure two or more broods Robins are often only noticed at the milder winters we are now during the cold months this is Size: The robin is a medium sized Christmas but they are with us all experiencing. prevented from freezing over. bird, growing up to 5 1/2 inches year round. Their association with Nest: Robins build cup-shaped the festive season is believed to have Help robins thrive Provide shelter nests, mostly made of moss, begun when scarlet-jacketed post- As with all bird species in the UK, Piles of logs and leaf litter will house leaves and stalks. They are often men were delivering Christmas habitat change and destruction, plenty of spiders and other small built near the ground among cards, and the similarly-coloured removing suitable nesting sites and animals that robins can find during creepers, or at the foot of a robin redbreast soon became linked insect food as well as disease are the winter. Ivy is also great, bush, but can also be found in to this tradition. However, there is always potential threats but luckily providing shelter and invertebrate gardens and hedgerows. Robins more to them than many of us Robins are fond of mealworms, the robin population is robust and food during winter and spaces for are well known for making nests might know. which are high in protein adaptable and can seem to cope robins to nest in spring. in a variety of places, such as old Their tuneful voices, along with with change well. But what small An open fronted nestbox placed kettles, old watering cans and their cheeky attitudes and bright red changes can we make in our own on a wall, shed or tree will give them shelves in sheds. Recorded nest breast, have endeared robins to the Robins sing through winter gardens to help the robin somewhere to nest and raise their sites include plant pots, a British public. In 1960 they were Robins sing nearly all year round population thrive? young during the spring and pigeonhole in a desk, and even in crowned the UK’s national bird. But and are often the only ones singing summer. Make sure you place the the engine of a Second World don’t be fooled by their cute appear- through the winter, usually under Provide food box out of the wind and rain, usually War plane! ance: they are aggressively territorial artificial lights or next to street The robin will a north-easterly direction is best. Robins are solitary birds, and can be quite vicious, quick to lights. Males and females look happily eat a range of Allow a clear flight path to the box sometimes fighting with each drive away intruders. This is because identical, but young birds have no seeds, suet or fat balls but make sure it isn’t in a too other over territory. They can they hold their territories all year red breast and are spotted with and are particularly fond of obvious place where it can easily be become very tame and have been round, warning off intruders with golden brown growing in their red mealworms, which are packed with found by predators or disturbed by known to take feed out of the song. Males may hold the same ter- feathers after their first moult. moisture and protein. You can also people. Robins will also nest in palm of a person’s hand. ritory throughout their lives, and These small but confident birds provide fruit, or morsels of fat such hedges so planting with wildlife in The robin is a member of the will even attack a bundle of red are also known for following the as crumbled cheese. mind is also extremely beneficial. thrush family, so is related to the feathers or their own reflection if gardener around as the soil is being blackbird and the nightingale. they mistake it for another individ- turned over, waiting for tasty Robins are short-lived; the ual. earthworms or other small record for longevity is held by a invertebrates to be revealed. This ringed bird that survived until it “These small but behaviour began in the ancient was over eight. Each robin has a forests of Europe where large unique breast pattern, and can confident birds are animals like wild boar were rooting be recognised individually. around in the mud and leaf litter Robins are omnivorous, eating also known for and the robin learned to hang everything from fruit to spiders. around to see what was unearthed. Given a choice of any food, most following the The robin is a common species in robins like mealworms best of gardener around as the UK; it is ‘green-listed’, meaning it all. is not a threatened species and they British robins will not enter the soil is being number six million. Indeed, their An open-fronted nest box, placed standard nest boxes with round numbers have been increasing since out of wind and rain, gives robins entrance holes, but they do like turned over.” the mid-1980s. Harsh and cold shelter in the winter months open-fronted boxes. winters can reduce their numbers The Catholic Universe | Friday 12th March 2021 41

uuniverse Gardeners: it’s time to get out there again Broadcaster and horticulturist David Shrubs to Add Interest Keep your garden looking glorious Domoney says the garden is essential in with these shrubs that provide colourful flowers, foliage and fruit helping us with our physical and mental and different times of the year. wellbeing. With plenty of evergreens in the Keeping Busy mix, your garden will have There are many plants, jobs, and constant structure and plenty of activities will keep families busy greenery and colour. GARDEN over the winter period such as 1. Skimmia japonica (Japanese skimmia) Gardening helped many to live planting colourful bulbs. As Create a garden 2. Gaultheria procumbens through the social isolation that im- gardeners we love looking ahead (checkerberry) pacted many people through lock- and planning for the flowers and 3. Viburnum tinus (laurustinus) down, and David advises that we fruits of the following year. If you 4. Winter jasmine #DontStopGardening and says that have ever looked at other people’s for your dog 5. Winter flowering pansies “It’s a hobby that keeps giving, for 12 borders in springtime, bursting with 6. Winter flowering heather months of the year. As we move into blooms and wanted the same, yours 7. Daphne winter there’s no need to stop gar- can be like that too. So, plant Use these tips to ensure your garden dening, instead there’s plenty of some hope for spring and plants, fun tasks, and activities to get the kids involved too is a safe place for your dog to enjoy get you right through to spring and as flower bulbs are Growing your own beyond.” really easy to plant Growing your own food to add without the risk of poisonous plants. David is the gardening champion and they can then have flavour and nutrition to your for mental health charity SANE and the joy of watching dishes doesn’t mean you need Poisonous plants and chemicals said that engaging with and getting their own flowers bloom a huge veg patch. In fact, you GARDEN The PDSA warns that common in spring and know they closer to nature is one the best can grow produce all year round, Spending time in the garden at any garden chemicals can be helped to make it things we as humans can do for our both indoors and outdoors. time of year is great for many peo- dangerous and should be stored happen. health and wellbeing, and gardening Your windowsill can be used to ple, particularly if they have their safely out of the way of children enables us to do that regularly. 1.) Daffodils grow sprouting mung beans in dog by their side. However there and pets. Liquids such as white The shorter days of wintertime 2.) Tulips jars by soaking them in water, are some dangers facing our pet spirit and barbecue lighter fluids can be difficult for many us, particu- 3.) Crocus draining them and leaving pooches that pet owners are being can cause serious poisoning if larly for anyone suffering from Sea- 4.) Snowdrops them to sprout in a dry jar, and advised to consider. swallowed, licked off fur, absorbed sonal Affective Disorder (SAD). 5.) Hyacinths you can also grow cress, basil, Notoriously nosy, our dogs can through the skin, or inhaled. Weed chillies and many more inside your easily get themselves into trouble, killers and pesticides also pose home. In your garden you can still tangling with everything from bar- problems and owners should grow winter crops like kale, beques in the summer to poison- carefully read and follow usage perennial spinach, as well as ous plants at any time of year. instructions. Some weed killers can planting onion and garlic. Dustbins are a magnet for dogs harm dogs if accidentally who are likely to swallow anything swallowed, so it is vital to keep pets Children’s activities they can get their paws on. Bins away from treated areas. Plants The season may be a little less should be kept out of the way with treated with some weed killers may sunny, but there’s plenty that can the lids closed as pets can easily rip also be poisonous if eaten, while keep the kids busy. These activities open the contents, resulting in some pets are able to absorb are fun, creative, and educational stomach upsets or worse. Likewise, chemicals through the skin, either too, so their minds will be working. barbecues prove irresistible to dogs but the PDSA warns that scraps of “There are Make your own fat balls undercooked food can cause vom- Making fat-balls as food for birds iting and diarrhoea. However, the alternatives, such Broadcaster and gardener, is a great activity for the kids to most common barbecue-related David Domoney get hands on and make something problem seen by the charity’s vets as pet-proof slug whilst learning about wildlife in are pets that have eaten corn on traps or a the garden. the cob cores which cause serious You’ll only need a few things to get blockages and need to be surgically chemical-free started: lard, bird seed, mixing removed. Just like humans, ani- bowl and an old, clean yoghurt mals can also suffer from heat- organic approach pot. stroke and sunburn, so it is essen- 1) Mix the lard and seeds together tial to ensure your four-legged to gardening.” friend has access to shade and to bind them and use the pot as a directly through spills or indirectly container to fill with the mixture. fresh water. Pets with white fur or damaged skin should also be treated when walking through treated 2) Use string to tie the pot to a plants. There are alternatives, such branch and hang it on its side. with pet sun creams as they can re- act badly to human sunscreen. as pet-proof slug traps or a chemical-free organic approach to Watching wildlife gardening. Get comfy and see which birds are Unfortunately, one of the gar- paying your garden a visit. You’ll dener’s greatest joys - plants - can likely see robins which are considered also be hazardous to hounds. an icon of the winter. Starlings, blue Some of the UK’s most popular are tits, and sparrows may be spotted potentially poisonous to pets. The too. Gathering twigs and leaves PDSA advises owners to seek advice together and placing them in your before buying new additions for border can provide a safe and cosy the garden. space. With activities to keep the Daffodil, Cherry Laurel, Laburnum family gardening and engaging with and Yew are all highly dangerous. nature over the cooler months, you Lily of the Valley flowers and leaves won’t be short of things to do. So, contain a toxin that can cause join David and “don’t stop gardening.” Lily of the Valley vomiting, diarrhoea in pets. 42 The Catholic Universe | Friday 12th March 2021 43 44

uuniverse

Dubliners, The Chieftains and The Fureys and Davey Arthur, began to form and gain popularity through- out the 1960s and ‘70s. Since then Irish musicians have gained popularity worldwide, with acts such as Christy Moore, Red St Patrick’s Day: Hurley and Daniel O’Donnell span- ning decades in the public eye and fresh new faces shooting to critical acclaim, such as Rory and the Island Let’s celebrate Ireland’s and ‘Ireland’s newest rock band’, N.O.A.H, whose band members quit their day jobs to follow their musical journey on the eve of the Covid-19 rich musical heritage pandemic. Irish rock giants U2 formed in 1976 and have since become global icons. Hailing from Dublin, the band has released 13 studio albums and sold more than 170 million records worldwide. Their music ranges from the upbeat sounds of their highly successful Beautiful Day to overtly political tracks such as Sunday Bloody Sunday, which focuses on the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, fellow Dubliners Thin Lizzy are well-known for their highly recognisable take on popular Irish TempleBarPub,Dublin. ballad Whiskey In The Jar, which has Credit:LukasBischoff. also been covered by The Dubliners. There has also been a lot of Irish influence in popular and indie music, We may still be in lockdown but next week millions of people with acts such as The Cranberries, The Script, Boyzone, Westlife, The across the globe will come together in spirit to celebrate the Corrs and B*Witched remaining popular favourites over the decades. RoryGallagher.Credit:Eddie feast day of St Patrick in far from traditional ways. However, Meanwhile, as well as influencing Mallin/WikimediaCommons. genres, Irish music and Irish per- one ingredient remains ‘essential’ – Irish music… formers have had a major impact on other artists. NICK’S MUSIC PICKS For those who would like a little Irish traditional music began as The culture and Casual fans of Guns N’ Roses more of a challenge, why not try to an oral tradition that was passed music became may be surprised to find out that TheMusicScene learn the Gaelic language or have a down from generation to generation. popular as it guitarist Slash was inspired NickBenson read through the country’s incredi- The songs were not typically written spread worldwide by a legendary Cork gui- As we all know, the past year has and had its own in- tarist, Rory Gallagher. ble history? down but children were taught to U2 been a difficult one – and that’s a Then, there is the music! play the music by ear and learnt the fluence on different Born in Ballyshannon, major understatement. Friends and songs by heart. music genres in many Co Donegal, Gallagher With traditional drinking songs, The families have been unable to meet The first written record of Irish other countries. was a much-loved blues ballads and laments, as well as rebel Cranberries and celebrate significant milestones, songs, showband tracks and con- music was published in Dublin in Meanwhile, in Ireland, the and rock multi-instru- such as weddings and birthdays, temporary hits, Irish music has 1762, by legendary Irish musicians political frictions also resulted in mentalist, songwriter and and Easter and Christmas 2020 were something for everyone. the Neale Brothers. the emergence of Irish rebel songs, bandleader, recording solo al- far from normal. Traditional Irish music can be The history of Irish music has which described the hardships of bums throughout the 1970s and 80s, It has almost been a full year since traced back as far as 2,000 years ago been heavily influenced by political living under British rule, as well as and forming the Irish rock and blues lockdowns were imposed throughout when the Celts first arrived in Ireland. fluctuation within the country, the strong solidarity, loyalty, deter- band Taste in the late 1960s. the UK and Ireland and while mile- Established in Eastern Europe since which involved Ireland becoming a mination and praise of Irish heroes. Celtic punk band The Pogues is stones and celebrations were affected 500BC, the Celts were heavily influ- part of the United Kingdom from Amid a fall in popularity for folk also heavily influenced by Irish music. by these restrictions, they have still enced by music of the East. 1801 to 1922. music in the 1950s, Irish traditional Although the band was founded in managed to provide us with mo- Today when many people think of During Ireland’s time under British music made a re-emergence in the Kings Cross, London in the early ments of joy. traditional Irish music they may rule, Irish people were banned from mid 20th century with the establish- 1980s, the group is a predominantly On 17th March we are provided think of fiddles, flutes, pipes, the playing their music and speaking in ment of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Irish one, using traditional Irish in- with another of these moments, as bodhrán (a traditional Irish drum) their native Irish tongue, which Éireann – the largest group involved struments such as the tin whistle, millions of people throughout the and the most popular musical in- could have resulted in the loss of in the preservation and promotion banjo and accordion. world will come together in spirit to strument in ancient Ireland, the harp. Irish traditional music. of Irish traditional music. The Pogues and Irish music have celebrate St Patrick’s Day, as well as The harp featured in the earliest However, between 1845-1849, Ire- This coincided with the rise of The also influenced another Celtic Punk the entire country and culture of Ire- myths and legends and, as the Inter- land witnessed the Great Famine, Clancy Brothers; an influential Irish band, formed in Quincy, Massachu- land. national Harp Museum in Orlando, which saw the country suffer mass folk group who wore their trademark setts in 1996 – the Dropkick Murphys. For many it may be a very differ- Florida, notes, it is one of the oldest starvation and disease. It also served Aran jumpers and are credited with Meanwhile, in the pop world, ent celebration – as pubs remain instruments in the world, featuring as a great exodus of Irish people as popularising Irish traditional music singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has closed and parades will not be per- in the wall paintings of ancient they immigrated to countries, such in the US and revitalising it in Ireland. also been influenced by Irish music mitted. Egyptian tombs, dating from as early as America, taking their culture and Meanwhile, Irish rebel and folk and his Irish roots, with popular However, there are other ways to as 3,000 B.C. music with them. bands, such as The Wolfe Tones, The tracks of his including the upbeat celebrate, as many may like to con- Galway Girl and Nancy Mulligan, nect with their family and friends which tells the story of his grandpar- via Zoom over a pint of Guinness, a ents. glass of Tanora or red lemonade or a While traditional parties may be cup of Barry’s tea. off the table for St Patrick’s Day For those who would prefer a 2021, why not take the chance to en- quiet evening, Ireland has a vast joy some of Ireland’s traditions and treasure-trove of cultural customs even have some fun making your and traditions they can enjoy. own Irish-inspired playlist, as there Why not read a book by one of Ire- is no end to the plethora of enjoy- land’s popular authors, re-watch able Irish and Irish influenced music some of the country’s greatest sport- to pick soundtracks from. ing moments or films starring some If there is one country on earth of its most iconic actors, while en- TheDubliners.Credit:Les that knows good music, it is without joying some traditional Irish fare? Meloures/WikimediaCommons. a doubt the Emerald Isle. The Catholic Universe | Friday 12th March 2021 45 Feature Celebrating St Patrick’s Day Despite Ireland’s patron saint being one “Toward the end of his life of the world’s most he made a 40-day retreat in revered men of faith, Mayo that gave rise to the surprisingly few famous ongoing Croagh people know the Patrick pilgrimages.” whole story of his life, says Nick Benson

When we think of March, one of the Photo: Gregory A. Shemitz first things that comes to mind is St Patrick, the great ‘Apostle of Ireland’. He is remembered as the leader who March, the supposed date of his fought crime and injustice in this death and it is celebrated in Ireland land, not with anger and vengeance, and all over the world as both a reli- but with love – and led the people to gious and cultural holiday. faith in God. St Patrick’s Breastplate, a popular St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in prayer attributed to the saint, is a more countries around the world shield for Divine Protection and can than any other national festival. be called upon today during our However, as his feast day on 17th great time of need, amid the Covid- March approaches, some may be 19 pandemic. surprised to know that St Patrick, ‘Christ with me, Christ before me, patron saint of Ireland, wasn’t Christ behind me, Christ in me, named Patrick, wasn’t from Ireland Christ beneath me, Christ above and is said to have actually worn the me, Christ on my right, Christ on colour blue, not green! my left, Christ when I lie down, Despite being one of Christianity’s Christ when I sit down, Christ most widely known figures, the truth when I arise, Christ in the heart of about St Patrick’s life is little know. Pope Celestine I consecrated him a als who were recognised as being ex- However, this is completely untrue. every man who thinks of me, He was born sometime around bishop and sent him to Ireland. ceptionally holy during their lives. St Patrick is a saint and is venerated Christ in the mouth of everyone 387AD as Maewyn Succat to a Chris- Still known by his birth name of Some have previously pointed out as one in the Catholic Church and who speaks of me, Christ in every tian family, though exactly where is Maewyn Succat, he changed his this fact and claimed that it means many other Christian Churches. eye that sees me, Christ in every a mystery. In his Confessio he says name to Patricius, or Patrick, which St Patrick is not officially a saint. His feast day is observed on 17th ear that hears me.’ he was born in a settlement called derives from the Latin term for ‘no- Bannavem Taburniae, but it’s loca- bleman’, when he became a priest. tion is lost in time. Some believe it For nearly 30 years he preached could be Banwen in Neath Port Tal- tirelessly, made countless converts, bot, Wales, where every year a serv- founded monasteries and estab- ice is held in his honour, while oth- lished the primatial see at Armagh. ers say he was born in Kilpatrick, Toward the end of his life he made a Scotland, or Birdoswald in Cumbria. 40-day retreat in Mayo that gave rise One point that is agreed on is that to the famous ongoing Croagh he was not born in Ireland, but was Patrick pilgrimages. captured by pirates when he was 16, Early medieval tradition credits and it was they who took him to the him with being the first bishop of land that would become synony- Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland mous with his life. and regards him as the founder of Today, St Patrick is recognised as a Christianity in the country. victim of what we now call human Stories of him using the shamrock trafficking. Issues such as people to explain the Trinity and driving trafficking, war, famine and dis- snakes from the island are legend placement of people are not unique but remain much more widely to the 21st century, and this is evi- known than facts such as his birth dent from St Patrick’s early life. name. He was enslaved and held captive Although green dominates St for six years in Ireland, where his life Patrick’s Day celebrations today and was one of hardship and migration. many images of the saint show him Many believe his captivity took predominantly wearing green, it was place on Mount Slemish in County actually the colour blue – a shade Antrim. However, others claim that known as St Patrick’s blue – that was it was actually in County Mayo near first associated with him. The earli- Killala. During this period St Patrick est depictions of St Patrick show him worked as a shepherd and, lonely in blue garments and the colour also and afraid, he turned to God for sol- appears on ancient Irish flags. ace, becoming a devout Christian. Another surprising fact is that, al- In his Confessio, St Patrick recalled though he is the much-loved patron hearing a voice while he slept, which saint of Ireland, St Patrick was not encouraged him to escape and re- formally canonised by the Catholic turn to his home country. Church in terms of today’s procedure. Upon his return to Britain, St This was due to St Patrick living Patrick continued to study Christi- prior to the current laws of the anity and in his Confessio, he re- Church in these matters, as there called a vision in which a man called was no formal canonisation process Victoricus implored him to return to in the Church during its first millen- Ireland as a missionary. nium. His dream of converting the Irish Instead, during the early years of pagans propelled him to priestly the Church, the title saint was be- studies in Gaul (now France), and stowed upon martyrs and individu- 46 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Classified/Crossword/Sudoku

BOOKING IS AS EASY AS 1,2,3 ... 1) Choose your style – A, B or C 2) Compose your wording etc Classified 3) Book your advertisement ... uLinking you to your Catholic Community By phone: call 07984 616950 (We’ll need your wording, images, special instructions, date/ dates ad is to run, and a phone number we can contact you on,to arrange proof and payment.) By post: Please send your cheque or PO, made out to:- Universe Media Group Ltd, to: Classifieds, Universe Media Group Ltd, FUNERAL DIRECTORS 2nd Floor, Oakland House, 76 Talbot Road, Manchester M16 0PQ.

STYLE A Please call 07984 616950 CATHOLIC STUDY GUIDES: We have a wide for special prices on larger sizes, selection of Catholic books and pamphlets bulk bookings and inclusion in aimed at deepening your knowledge of the our other Catholic titles Catholic Faith. Suitable for Catechism classes, adult study groups, and individual learning. STYLE C Written by leading experts in their field. Please call 020 000 000 for latest catalogue and prices. Catholic family run Funeral Up to 70 words Heading of your choice Two column wide, fully designed, with £24 per week Up to 100 words frame FREE design service, Directors for over 230 years £30 per week Heading of your choice £72 per week £180 for 3 weeks Remembering STYLE B £336 for 6 weeks PERSONALISED MEMORIAM CARDS, BOOKMARKS AND Personalised Stationery •Funeral Mass sheets•Wedding Order of Service ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, •Cards•Party invites•Thank-you cards NOTELETS ? ALL STYLES Fully designed ad Remember pictures are the best memories Samples / Information Heading of your Bernie O’Brien - Photo-journalist KENNEDY PRINTERS choice £42 per week 07962 100 872 BANTRY, CO. CORK, IRELAND 7 St David’s Close, Sale, Cheshire M33 7DL Tel: 00353 (0)27 50102 [email protected] www.kennedyprinters.ie www.BernieOBrien.co.uk email: [email protected]

The Catholic Universe Crossword No. 688 Experts in Worldwide Repatriation 24 Hour Service Across 6. Finely formed (7) 7. Wash (5) 020 7237 6366 or020 7313 6920 9. Droll (5) 10. Graceful (7) 12. Mix (11) www.albins.co.uk 14. News (11) 18. Flagrant (7) 19. Proverb (5) The Catholic Universe Sudoku No. 288 21. Concur (5) 22. Completely (7) Down 1. Pitch (5) 2. Choice (6) 3. Cunning (3) 4. Slang (6) 5. Loose pebbles (7) 8. Weather (7) 11. Abundant (7) 13. Resemblance (7) Every Sudoku has a 15. Vent (6) unique solution that 16. Severe trial (6) can be reached 17. Lithe (5) logically. Enter 20. Intimidate (3) numbers into the blank spaces so t hat each row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9. SOLUTION - Stuck? see page 47 see page 47 The Catholic Universe | Friday 12th March 2021 47 Classified/Crossword/Liturgical Calendars

CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION MEMORIAM CARDS PRIESTS & BROTHERS Crossword Solution (from p46) Special Offer! An opportunity too good to be Across: 6 Shapely; missed. We are not offering a job, career or even 7 Bathe; 9 Comic; a way of life. 10 Elegant; We offer an invitation to explore if you have 12 Intermingle; been invited by the Lord, to follow him in a 14 Information; special way as a priest or religious as an 18 Blatant; 19 Adage; Augustinian Recollect friar. 21 Agree; 22 Totally. We offer you the fellowship of our Down: 1 Throw; 2 Option; communities… the opportunity to share prayer 3 Sly; 4 Jargon; 5 Shingle; and spiritual growth… the challenge to know 8 Climate; 11 Teeming; MASS TIMES VOCATIONS yourself and your purpose in life… an 13 Analogy; 15 Outlet; opportunity to serve God as a missionary in 16 Ordeal; 17 Agile; remote parts of the world, or in an inner-city 20 Cow. Jesuit Church, Farm Street parish in London or New York. Sudoko Regular Mass & Service times: OUR LADY OF FIDELITY The need is always there and so is the invitation. The Church needs religious sisters URGENTLY Solution Our ‘ Special Offer’ is a lifetime opportunity to (from p46) SUNDAY: 6pm (Saturday Vigil); 8am; 9.30am (Family); (ministers of religion) to bring Christ to others by 11am (Latin); 12.30pm; 5.30pm. a life of prayer and service lived in the community follow the call of God to serve him as an WEEKDAYS: 8am; 1.05pm; 6pm. of Ignation spirituality. Daily Mass is the centre Augustinian Recollect friar. SATURDAY: 8am; 6pm (Saturday Vigil) of community life. By wearing the religious habit For more information: BANK HOLIDAYS: 1.05pm. we are witnesses of the consecrated way of life. Fr Gerald Wilson O.A.R., All Masses are currently livestreamed on our website. If you are willing to risk a little love and would St Rita’ s Centre, Ottery Moor Lane, Honiton, OPENING HOURS: like to find out how, contact Sister Bernadette. Devon, EX14 1AP. 01404 42601 ex 1 The church is open daily from 7.30am to 6.30pm. Mature vocations considered. CONFESSIONS: Mon-Fri: 12pm-1pm; Saturday: 10am-12 noon. CONVENT OF OUR LADY OF FIDELITY [email protected] Also by request. Please phone to make an appointment. 1 Our Lady’s Close, Off Hermitage Road, All Welcome. Upper Norwood, London. SE19 3FA. www.augustinian-recollects.org.uk Please phone 020 7493 7811 for more information. Tel: 0044 (0) 7760 297001 Visit us on Facebook or Linkedin. www.farmstreet.org.uk Email: [email protected] COLUMBARIUM SERVICES BOOKSELLERS

St Patrick’s Columbarium Redfield, Bristol

St Patrick’s Catholic Church in central Bristol is pleased to offer leases in our newly constructed Columbarium.

Located within The Chapel of the Resurrection, each vault can contain the cremated remains of two loved ones in an elegant and dignified setting.

Contact Tracy McNama at the Parish Ordinary Form Liturgical Calendar Office on 0117 955 7662 or for an Sunday Year B, weekday cycle 1 information pack or visit www.saintpatricks.co.uk March: Month of St Joseph Patronal Feast Day and ‘Alleluia’ in Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday, Gospel Acclamation Sunday, 14th March: 2Chr 36:14-16, St Patrick’s Church, Dillon Court, 19-23; Ps 136; Eph 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21 Thursday, 18th March: Ex 32:7-14; Netham Road, Redfield, Bristol, BS5 9PF Ps 105; Jn 5:31-47 St Patrick’s Church Altar Monday, 15th March: Is 65:17-21; Ps 29; Jn 4:43-54 Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Friday 19th Tuesday, 16th March: Ez 47:1-9,12; March: 2Sm 7:4-5,12-14,16; Ps 88; Ps 45; Jn 5:1-3,5-16 Rom 4:13,16-18,22; Mt 1:16,18-21,24 or Lk 2:41-51 Catholic journalism at its best... Feast of Saint Patrick, Bishop, Patron of Ireland, Wednesday 17th March: Jer 1:4- Saturday, 20th March: Jer 11:18-20; 9; Ps 116; Lk 10:1-12,17-20 N.B. omit Ps 7; Jn 7:40-52 ...Join us on the journey second reading (Acts 13:46-49) unless Extraordinary Form Calendar according to the Subscribe today to Roman Missal of 1962 (Tridentine Rite) The Catholic Universe Sunday, 14th March: Fourth Sunday Thursday, 18th March: Feria 12 month digital edition in Lent Gal 4:22-31; Jn 6:1-15 4 Kgs 4:25-38; Lk 7:11-16 Monday, 15th March: Feria Friday, 19th March: St Joseph 3 Kgs 3:16-28; Jn 2:13-25 Ecclus 45:1-6; Mt 1:18-2 On your smartphone, 12 page Catholic Tuesday, 16th March: Feria Saturday, 20th March: Feria Times supplement tablet, or computer Exod 32:7-14; Jn 7:14-31 Isa 49:8-15; Jn 8:12-20

https://thecatholicuniverse.com/product/ Wednesday, 17th March: Feria Compiled by Gordon Dimon, Senior MC universe-annual-digital-subscription/ Ezek 36:23-28; Isa 1:16-19; Jn 9:1-38 of the Latin Mass Society 48 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Sport (SWIFT) Like us on facebook - search Catholic Universe Newspaper Everybody loses without grassroots football

Dr Colm Hickey gyms have been forced to shut in re- and subsequent widening inequali- son officer, in other words the per- cent months. ties mean we urgently need a new son who represents the team on the Can you guess who this player is? However, with the return of chil- social contract with sport and physi- club committee and gives us all the David joined Panshanger FC in Wel- dren to school, staff will have to con- cal activity, focused on the wider so- information we need such as kick off wyn Garden City aged eight. He tend with the fact that many have cial outcomes that sport can de- times and location of matches quickly proved himself as an out- done no sport outside of PE lessons liver.” He continued: “We must wrote: ‘Hi all, Hope you and your standing footballer and played in since the start of November. Earlier expand understanding, recognition families are all in good health and several positions before joining Wat- this month, figures showed most and investment in the contribution moderately sane!’ He then explained ford’s academy. Even then there was young people failed to meet the rec- that sport can make beyond health that Saturday training would begin no real expectation that he would ommended 60 minutes of daily ex- and wellbeing, to addressing loneli- on 3rd April and matches on the 4th ‘make it’. After all, the success rate of ercise in the last academic year. Al- ness and social isolation, improving and informing us that matches can academies producing professional most a third of children were classed educational attainment and em- go on until June. footballers is a pitiful one per cent, as ‘inactive’ because of the first lock- ployability, to community cohesion, He continued: ‘I appreciate that so 99 out of 100 entrants will never down, not even doing 30 minutes. and reducing anti-social behaviour this might not be for all whether for ‘make the grade’, but David was dif- Another focus is the new ‘Uniting and entry into the justice system.” other commitments or balance of ferent. He was the one in a hundred the Movement’ strategy which will So, what will all this mean for you risk issues, no matter how small. and went on to have a glittering pro- mentally important.” Sport England tackle the long-standing inequalities and me? The very people who love Can I ask you all to reply?’. What do fessional career with Watford, Aston said it has awarded over £10.8m of within the sport sector which has grassroots football. We are the peo- you think the response was? From Villa, Liverpool and England. Have funding to 1,575 grassroots football been reinforced by the pandemic. ple who most probably played at one Dad: ‘Great news. Luke (name you worked out who he is? The an- clubs and organisations across Eng- Research has shown it has dispro- schoolboy, youth, and amateur level. changed) should be around all swer is David James. land since last March. Yet is it portionately affected people from A few, a very few of us might have months mentioned’, from another: enough to save the game? Only time lower socio-economic groups and been paid to play, but for the rest ‘Fab news. I cannot see us going will tell. BAME backgrounds, for whom there every match we played we had to anywhere so training and matches was already a clear pattern of low pay for. Not for us the fame and in May and June should be no prob- activity. The chief executive of Sport glory of Premier League football and lem’. A whole raft of parents sent the England, Tim Hollingsworth, said: the only World Cup we ever go to is same message saying that their son “This strategy comes at a critical watching it in the pub with our ‘was all in’. The best reply was from time. We have made significant mates, but we share one thing in one Dad saying that: ‘Same for John funding available, but many organi- common and that is a love for the (name changed) training, matches, Encouragingly, there has been an sations are struggling, and activity game and a desire to pass that love extra matches, team meetings any- extra £50m for grassroots sport after levels have taken a significant hit. At and joy to our children who have en- thing but home!’ a ‘significant hit’ to activity levels the heart of all this is a ruthless fo- dured a stunted sporting year. So, there you have it. The chances amid the coronavirus pandemic. cus on providing opportunities to So, when the news of the relax- of any of our team playing profes- Sport England – which has already people and communities that have ation of the sporting lockdown sionally are remote, even infinitesi- invested £220m since the start of the traditionally been left behind.” started with a message on my What- mal, but for all the boys, I know one crisis – announced the additional Elsewhere, Andy Reed, Chair of sApp for my son’s football team I thing for sure. By playing football, by money as part of a new 10-year the Sport for Development Coali- was thrilled. All the parents are on it. having fun friendship and fitness, strategy. Thousands of clubs, swim- tion, said: “The impact of the pan- It is a great way to communicate and they all undoubtedly and com- ming pools, leisure centres and demic, growing social challenges keep in touch. Neil, our parent liai- pletely have made it!

David James pictured with the England national football team in 2009. Football has given James every- thing a young player could want –a professional career at the highest- level, numerous trophies and inter- national recognition, but it all began at the grassroots at Panshanger FC. Yet today, like thousands of grass- roots football clubs, it could fold as result of coronavirus. A study, enti- tled The Final Whistle For Grassroots Football, found that 96 per cent of clubs in the UK have seen a reduc- tion in income in the last year. There are 43,000 active clubs in the UK and, according to the research, 12 per cent say closure is inevitable. James said: “This isn’t just about kids playing football, this is about the community. Without grassroots football, everybody loses. It is a fun- damental part of the development process for any football career, so it is important we maintain it and do not lose any more clubs.” James has launched a petition calling for subsided or free access to state-owned and council-run train- ing facilities. James said: “If I were to talk to a government official right now, I would say the mental health issues, physical health issues, social wellbeing are just three areas where grassroots football helps the govern- ment. Grassroots football is funda- A football coach gives a team talk to a group of young children. Credit: Highwaystarz-Photography (iStock photos)

Published by Universe Media Group Ltd, 2nd Floor, Oakland House, 76 Talbot Road, Manchester M16 0PQ. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office. Printed by Mortons Print, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR. All rights reserved.