tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32045446170850703602024-03-14T07:34:52.504-07:00Pope Benedict in the UKChronicling Pope Benedict's Papal Visit to the United Kingdom, 16-19 September 2010.Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-54166116954228227322010-12-24T08:06:00.001-08:002010-12-24T08:09:34.766-08:00Pope Benedict's Message to the people of the UK<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9316000/9316977.stm" target=_blank>The Pope has addressed the people of the UK on Radio 4's Thought For The Day, the first time the pontiff has broadcast to the people of one country</a> (BBC News). Here is the text of the Pope's message to the UK (+ <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12072115">Video</a>):<blockquote>Recalling with great fondness my four-day visit to the United Kingdom last September, I am glad to have the opportunity to greet you once again, and indeed to greet listeners everywhere as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
<p>Our thoughts turn back to a moment in history when God's chosen people, the children of Israel, were living in intense expectation. They were waiting for the Messiah that God had promised to send and they pictured him as a great leader who would rescue them from foreign domination and restore their freedom.
<p>God is always faithful to his promises, but he often surprises us in the way he fulfils them.
<p>The child that was born in Bethlehem did indeed bring liberation, but not only for the people of that time and place - he was to be the Saviour of all people throughout the world and throughout history.
<p>And it was not a political liberation that he brought, achieved through military means; rather, Christ destroyed death forever and restored life by means of his shameful death on the Cross.
<p>And while he was born in poverty and obscurity, far from the centres of earthly power, he was none other than the Son of God.
<p>Out of love for us, he took upon himself our human condition, our fragility, our vulnerability and he opened up for us the path that leads to the fullness of life to a share in the life of God himself.
<p>As we ponder this great mystery in our hearts this Christmas, let us give thanks to God for his goodness to us and let us joyfully proclaim to those around us the good news that God offers us freedom from whatever weighs us down: he gives us hope, he brings us life.
<p>Dear Friends from Scotland, England, Wales and indeed every part of the English-speaking world. I want you to know that I keep all of you very much in my prayers this Holy Season.
<p>I pray for your families, for your children, for those who are sick and for those who are going through any form of hardship at this time.
<p>I pray especially for the elderly and for those who are approaching the end of their days.
<p>I ask Christ, the light of the nations, to dispel whatever darkness there may be in your lives and to grant to every one of you the grace of a peaceful and joyful Christmas.
<p>May God bless all of you!</blockquote>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-38555702872259977232010-11-21T18:30:00.000-08:002010-11-21T18:31:32.055-08:00Pope Benedict UK Roundup!<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/converting-anglican-bishop-says-papal-action-changed-the-landscape/" target=_blank>Converting Anglican bishop says papal action changed the landscape</a> Catholic News Agency. November 14, 2010. The Anglican Bishop of Richborough told his flock that he plans to become Catholic because Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic constitution “completely changed the landscape” for Anglo-Catholics and he now believes that he must lead the way to union with the Universal Church.
<p><li>On November 8, 2010, <a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30893" target=_blank>Five bishops of the Church of England announced their resignation from ministry in that church, and their intent to join a personal ordinariate for Anglicans wishing to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church</a>:<blockquote>The apostolic constitution "<a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_ben-xvi_apc_20091104_anglicanorum-coetibus_en.html" target=_blank><i>Anglicanorum Coetibus</i></a>" published a year ago, offered a way for groups of Anglicans to enter the Catholic Church through the establishment of personal ordinariates, a new type of canonical structure.
<p>The constitution outlines that these communities will be able to retain some elements of their liturgical and spiritual traditions while being unified under the Pope.</blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/10/28/papal-visit-inspires-catholic-humanist-discussions/" target=_blank>Papal visit inspires Catholic-Humanist discussions</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> October 28, 2010):<blockquote>Catholics and Humanists held groundbreaking talks this week about Aids, contraception, faith schools and same-sex adoption. ...<p>The discussions, which lasted for two hours, followed on from a public debate held at Conway Hall before the papal visit, at which Catholic speakers were heckled, and which Mr Sims described as “loud and rowdy”.<p>Following the Conway Hall meeting, both groups wished to organise a smaller, more respectful meeting.</blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/10/27/liturgists-tried-to-block-my-mass-setting-for-the-pope-says-macmillan/" target=_blank>Scottish composer James MacMillan has claimed that Church liturgists tried to stop his Mass setting from being performed for the Pope in September 2010</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> October 27, 2010):<blockquote>He said an “almighty row erupted behind the scenes” after he submitted the setting earlier this year and it was passed on to Church officials who disliked it.
<p>According to Mr MacMillan, they complained that the setting was “un-singable”, “not fit for purpose”, and “not pastoral enough”. They were unhappy that it required a competent organist.
<p>But they were overruled after Mr MacMillan contacted Scotland’s bishops, who had commissioned the setting, and all but one of them gave him their support.</blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/multimedia/2010/10/26/fr-robert-barron-on-the-popes-westminster-hall-speech/" target=_blank>Fr Robert Barron on the Pope’s Westminster Hall speech: says Benedict XVI vindicated the English martyr</a> [VIDEO] October 26, 2010.
<p><li><a href="http://beauty-in-education.blogspot.com/2010/10/pope-and-pavement.html" target=_blank>The Pope and Pavement</a>, by Stratford Caldecott (<i>Beauty for Truth's Sake</i> October 23, 2010):<blockquote>When Pope Benedict XVI visited the United Kingdom in September, one of the most striking images was of him sitting side by side with the Archbishop of Canterbury, trading polite speeches, on the Cosmati Pavement of Westminster Abbey. That pavement is worthy of some attention, especially if, like me, you are interested in the symbolic meaning of geometrial forms and their role in the great cathedrals of Christendom.</blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/10/18/chief-rabbi-my-meeting-with-the-pope-was-an-epiphany/" target=_blank>Lord Sacks, Britain’s Chief Rabbi, has described his meeting with Pope Benedict XVI during his visit last month as “an epiphany”</a> “Soul touched soul across the boundaries of faith, and there was a blessed moment of healing”. (<i>Catholic Herald</i> October 18, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/10/15/church-faces-3-5-million-shortfall-from-papal-visit/" target=_blank>Church faces £3.5 million shortfall from papal visit</a> The Church has raised £6.5 million for the papal visit so far, mostly from private donors, but the cost is estimated to be £10 million. (<i>Catholic Herald</i> October 15, 2010).
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-46339322162630001122010-10-13T06:39:00.000-07:002010-10-13T21:03:43.307-07:00Benedict in the UK - Post-Papal Visit Roundup<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=16893" target=_blank>Pope Benedict thanks Archbishop Nichols for 'fruitful' UK visit </a> - Following is the text (via <i>Independent Catholic News</i> October 12, 2010) of a personal letter from Pope Benedict XVI to Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference England and Wales:<blockquote>To the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
<p>I am writing to thank you most sincerely for all that you and your brother bishops in England and Wales did to make my first official visit in the United Kingdom such a success. Please extend my thanks to the civil and ecclesiastical authorities who worked so diligently to render my Visit to England so fruitful. I would ask in particular that you convey my affectionate greeting to the people of London who welcomed me so warmly.
<p>I am very conscious of the significance of the events of those days and the unprecedented opportunities afforded me, both by Her Majesty's Government and by the Church of England, to build new relationships and to strengthen existing ones, including with representatives of other religions. It was particularly moving for me personally to preside at the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman. Finally, I am grateful for Your Grace's hospitality at Westminster and for the welcome afforded me by the faithful of London, especially the young people and the elderly.
<p>Invoking the intercession of Saint George and Saint David, patrons of England and Wales, I willingly impart to you and to the bishops, clergy, religious and lay faithful in England and Wales my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of grace and peace.</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/First-Fruits-The-UK-One-Month-After-Benedict.html" target=_blank>The First Fruits: The UK One Month After Benedict</a> - Paul Burnell (<i>Patheos</i>) on the UK's "Benedict Bounce":<blockquote>Since the pope's mid-September visit here, there is a definite sense of English Catholics suddenly rediscovering their confidence (the Scots have never lacked this). This emboldened spirit even seems to be emerging from the normally reticent hierarchy. Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster (London) in a pastoral letter following the pope's visit urged his flock to make their faith more visible in daily life, by offering to pray for people, by openly blessing themselves with the Sign of the Cross, or by making such remarks to people as "God bless you."
<p>Now to some, especially in a country as in-your-face religious as the USA, this may seem pretty basic. But in one of Europe's most secular nations, where even an employee of British Airways was disciplined for wearing a cross, this is quite up-front and noteworthy. ...
<p>The Holy Father's visit began with media hostility and ended in tens of thousands of people -- not just Catholics -- lining the streets for him. Visiting several churches across different cities since his visit, one notes a sense of the foot soldiers in the pews feeling less inhibited about their faith. [<a href="http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/First-Fruits-The-UK-One-Month-After-Benedict.html" target=_blank>More</a>].</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11521166" target=_blank>A copy of the 1,200-year-old book which the Pope gave to the Queen ohas gone on display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh</a> (BBC News, October 12, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=16880" target=_blank>The Official Record of the State Visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Great Britain has been published</a>, launched with a special mass at Westminster Cathedral on the Feast Day of Blessed John Henry Newman, Saturday, 9 October.
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/10/01/hyde-park-vigil-was-beyond-words-says-archbishop/" target=_blank>Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster has said the silence of 80,000 people praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament at Hyde Park was “something beyond words”</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> October 1, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100056274/anglo-catholicism-crumbles-as-traditionalists-prepare-to-enter-the-ordinariate/" target=_blank>Anglo-Catholicism within the Church of England is dispersing like a cloud of incense rolling down the nave</a>, says Damian Thompson, as those Anglicans taking advantage of Benedict's historic invitation "are already constructing a network of Ordinariate communities that will bear fruit in new Catholic parishes." (<i>Telegraph</i> September 30, 2010).
<p><li>From the <i>Yorkshire Evening Post</i>, <a href="http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/businessnews/Holy-wood-stars-of-Popes.6558007.jp" target=_blank>an article on some of the ecclesial furniture, which has a link to craftsmen in Leeds</a> (September 30, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/09/richard-dawkins--co--paisley-20" target=_blank>Richard Dawkins & Co. = Paisley 2.0?</a> - George Weigel on the pope's UK critics (<i>First Things</i> September 29, 2010):<blockquote>The serious anti-Catholic antics prior to the Pope’s pilgrimage to Scotland and England came, not from Ian Paisley, but from “new atheists” like Richard Dawkins and Stephen Fry, their allies in the British media (generally vicious in the run-up to Benedict’s arrival), and their legal show-pony, Geoffrey Robinson, Q.C., a transplanted Australian seeking to export the joys of American liability law to the U.K., as a base from which to plunder the Vatican of what he imagines to be its Croesus-like wealth. These people came unglued in anticipation of the Pope’s arrival: Dawkins & Co. originally proposed having the Pope arrested as an abettor of child-rape, and the op-ed pages were filled with raucous anti-Catholic blather for weeks before Benedict XVI set foot in the United Kingdom.
<p>In the event, of course, it all came a cropper, to use a local phrase. ...</blockquote>
<p><li>Always looking for bad news, the BBC reports that <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11431844" target=_blank>Cofton Park's grass [is] still damaged after Pope's Mass</a> (September 28, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30482" target=_blank>Bridging the Anglican-Catholic Gap</a> Kevin M. Clarke examines the ecumenical impact of Pope Benedict XVI's September visit to the UK. (Zenit September 27, 2010). On Benedict's praise of John Henry Cardinal Newman as an ecumenical witness:<blockquote>The graceful mention of Newman’s fidelity to his conscience is an important one. All too often one hears personal conversion stories in which pastors from other communities desiring full communion with Rome were encouraged -- in some cases even by Catholics themselves -- to remain separate from the Catholic Church to achieve the greatest possible unity. But what is lost in such an approach is the pastor’s duty himself to follow his conscience.
<p>And this, of course, is why Blessed Newman’s example is so vital. Newman’s ecumenical witness brilliantly illumines the true path to union -- one in which followers of Christ achieve the real unity for which our Lord prays (cf. John 17) by following their consciences, and dialogue and friendship continue in charity and in truth. </blockquote>
<p><li>According to the <i>Irish Post</i>, <a href="http://www.irishpost.co.uk/tabId/60/itemId/5117/Cities-hail-Popes-visit-a-huge-success-in-terms-o.aspx" target=_blank>"the impact of the historic visit not only had a lasting spiritual effect ... but economically it brought financial success to groups including hotels, restaurants, bars, retail outlets and travel companies"</a> -- an estimated .£12.5million to Birmingham alone.
<p><li><a href="http://www.photovat.com/PHOTOVAT/VIAGGI%20BENEDETTO/UK2010WEB/26_UK2010ORATORIO/index.html" targe=t_blank>Some uplifting photos of the Holy Father’s private visit to the Birmingham Oratory</a> Sept. 19 after he beatified Blessed John Henry Newman. The photographs were taken by L’Osservatore Romano but not seen elsewhere. (<a href="http://www.ncregister.com/blog/photos-of-popes-private-visit-to-the-birmingham-oratory" target=_blank>Via Edward Pentin</a>, <i>National Catholic Register</i>).
<p><li><a href="http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/theanchoress/2010/10/13/benedict-the-first-fruits/" target=_blank>"Benedict & the UK; The First Fruits"</a> - another roundup from Elizabeth Scalia (<i>The Anchoress</i>) <i>First Things</i> October 13, 2010.
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-48008990921459003292010-09-26T09:03:00.000-07:002010-09-26T09:03:06.389-07:00Pope Benedict XVI's UK visit: further reactions and reflections<ul>
<li><a href="http://blog.acton.org/archives/18847-samuel-gregg-benedict%E2%80%99s-creative-minority.html" target=_blank>Benedict's Creative Minority</a> - Dr. Samuel Gregg of the Acton Institute, on the Benedict’s vision of the Catholic Church’s role in contemporary Europe (September 22, 2010):<blockquote>In the wake of Benedict XVI’s recent trip to Britain, we have witnessed—yet again—most journalists’ inability to read this pontificate accurately. Whether it was Queen Elizabeth’s gracious welcoming address, Prime Minister David Cameron’s sensible reflections, or the tens of thousands of happy faces of all ages and colors who came to see Benedict in Scotland and England (utterly dwarfing the rather strange collection of angry Kafkaesque protestors), all these facts quickly disproved the usual suspects’ predictions of low-turnouts and massive anti-pope demonstrations.
<p>Indeed, off-stage voices from Britain’s increasingly not-so-cultured elites—such as the celebrity atheist Richard Dawkins and others whom the English historian Michael Burleigh recently described as “sundry chasers of limelight” and products of a “self-satisfied provincialism”—were relegated to the sidelines. As David Cameron said, Benedict “challenged the whole country to sit up and think.” ...</blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.ncregister.com/register_exclusives/blessed-by-blessed-john-henry-newman/" target="_blank">Blessed by Blessed John Henry Newman </a> <i>National Catholic Register</i> September 22, 2010. Legionary Father Thomas Williams is a Michigan-born professor of theology and ethics at Regina Apostolorum University in Rome. He was in England to witness the papal visit there and beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman. He reflects on the visit, some of the controversy surrounding it, Blessed John Henry Newman and the priesthood.
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<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">A pilgrim wears decorated wellington boots as Pope Benedict XVI attends a beatification Mass for Cardinal John Henry Newman at Cofton Park in Birmingham, central England, September 19, 2010. . Source: <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/0bKa3Q61t08qx?q=Pope+Benedict+XVI" target=_blank>Reuters</a></div>
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<p><li><a href="http://clazcoms.blogspot.com/2010/09/celebrating-papal-visit-online-my.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ClazComs+%28Claz+Coms%29" target=_blank>Celebrating the Papal Visit online: My pilgrim social media journey</a> (<i>Claz Coms</i>) - Claz Gomez, papal pilgrim and blogger, shares her experience of the Pope's visit as accounted through Twitter, Youtube and her blog.
<p><li><a href="http://pblosser.blogspot.com/2010/09/mainstream-us-media-asleep-on-job.html" target=_blank>"Mainstream US media asleep on the job?"</a> asks the <i>Pertinacious Papist</i> (September 24, 2010):<blockquote>A friend of mine, a retired Hollywood actor, who rightfully prides himself on keeping up with the news, wrote me recently and included a newspaper clipping on the Pope's recent trip to Great Britain. The newspaper article featured a large photo of crowds of placard-bearing anti-Catholic demonstrators and was substantially devoted to only one subject: the Pope's meeting with sex-abuse victims and the outrage of Britons over the sex scandal. If one's news sources were limited to the mainstream print media and TV networks in the US, this is likely all he would know about the Pope's journey to Britain, if he knew about it at all.</blockquote>Likewise, Deacon Greg Kandra notes, <a href="http://blog.beliefnet.com/deaconsbench/2010/09/the-pope-and-the-greatest-story-never-told.html" target=_blank>One of the biggest surprises of Pope Benedict's historic trip to the United Kingdom may be how few people realize that it was, in fact, <i>historic</i></a>."
<p><li>Philosopher Roger Scruton on why, <a href="http://www.bigquestionsonline.com/columns/roger-scruton/missionary-to-the-multiculturalists" target=_blank>"for many Englishmen, I suspect, the Pope’s Westminster mass was the first inkling of what Christianity really means"</a>. (<i>Big Questions Online</i> September 23, 2010):<blockquote>The most positive effect of the Pope’s visit, however, was one that even the BBC could not prevent — and that was the public display of Roman Catholic ritual at its most gorgeous and replete. For many television viewers the mass at Westminster Cathedral was their first experience of sacramental religion.</blockquote>
<p><li>Edward Pentin asks: <a href="http://www.ncregister.com/blog/did-papal-visit-signal-an-end-to-the-english-reformation/" target=_blank>"Did Papal Visit Signal an End to the English Reformation?"</a> (<i>National Catholic Register</i> September 26, 2010):<blockquote>Here was a Pope coming to the United Kingdom at the invitation of Her Majesty, the supreme governor of a church that violently split from Rome 500 years ago. Yet she gave him free rein to address her subjects as he saw fit – even beatify one who left her church to come over to Rome.
<p>For the first time, a ruling English monarch allowed the Successor of Peter to address her Parliament, attend a liturgy in the church of her Coronation, and even to pray with her archbishop at the tomb of the Royal Family’s patron saint. Her government also hosted unprecedented formal bilateral talks with Holy See officials.
<p>It was a kind of surrender, a giving up of the Reformation and all it had stood for in terms of rebellion against the papacy. </blockquote>
<p><li>Finally, if it is possible to measure the Pope's success by the complete discombobulation of his critics, carreer atheist Richard Dawkins sputters: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/sep/22/ratzinger-enemy-humanity" target=_blank>"Ratzinger is an enemy of humanity!"</a>, displaying all the telltale symptoms of "Benedict Derangement Syndrome."
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-33797254613081594412010-09-22T21:44:00.000-07:002010-09-25T21:50:29.611-07:00Pope Benedict XVI reflects on his visit to the UK<a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/22/pope-recalls-trip-to-britain-at-general-audience-%E2%80%93-full-text/" target=_blank>During his General Audience this Wednesday, Pope Benedict XVI recalled his trip to the UK</a>. Here is the full text | <a href="http://www.romereports.com/palio/Pope-remembers-his-trip-to-UK-during-general-audience-in-the-Vatican-english-2789.html" target=_blank>Video</a>:<blockquote>Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
<p>As you know, I have just returned from my first Apostolic Journey to the United Kingdom, and I wish to send my affectionate greetings to all those I met and those who contributed to the visit through the media during four days, which have begun a new and important phase in the long-standing relations between the Holy See and Great Britain.
<p>Last Thursday, I was honoured by the warm welcome of Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in Scotland’s historic capital Edinburgh. Later that day, I celebrated Mass in Glasgow in the presence of many bishops, priests, religious and a great concourse of the faithful against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset at Bellahouston Park, within sight of the place where my beloved predecessor celebrated Mass with the Scots twenty-eight years ago.
<p>Upon arriving in London, I met thousands of Catholic students and schoolchildren at a very joyful celebration, reminding all of us of the excellent and essential work being done by Catholic schools and teachers throughout the land. I then had the pleasure of meeting the clerical and lay representatives of different religions and of discussing the search for the sacred common to all men.
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<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">Pope Benedict XVI waves during his weekly Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican September 22, 2010.. Source: <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/03lLgw53UX20a?q=Pope+Benedict+XVI" target=_blank>Reuters</a></div>
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<p>Later, I had the honour of calling upon His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury who has come on several occasions to meet me in Rome. Our meeting at Lambeth Palace, in the presence of the Bishops of the Church of the England, was very cordial and fraternal. I then crossed the river to Westminster where I was given the unprecedented opportunity to address both Houses of Parliament gathered in Westminster Hall on the importance of a fruitful dialogue between religion and reason, a theme as relevant in the time of Saint Thomas More as it is in our own day. Finally that day, I had the privilege of kneeling in prayer with the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Tomb of Saint Edward in Westminster Abbey, and of giving thanks to God with the Archbishop, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland and other British Christian leaders, for the many blessings God has bestowed upon our efforts to re-knit the fabric of our Christian fellowship.
<p>The next morning, I had the pleasure of greeting Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Ms Harriet Harman, leader of the Opposition, before celebrating Mass in Westminster Cathedral, with a liturgy evocative of the best of the English musical tradition in the celebration of the Roman rite. That afternoon, I was welcomed very cordially by the Little Sisters of the Poor and the elderly people they look after. There I also had the chance to thank and encourage those charged with the safeguarding of children in Britain. That evening I participated at a beautiful vigil of deep prayerfulness and stillness at Hyde Park with tens of thousands of the faithful.
<p>On Sunday morning, I travelled to Birmingham where I had the joy of celebrating the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman. Later that day, after a warm and fraternal meeting with all the Bishops of Britain, I was bidden farewell by Prime Minister Cameron during a very cordial speech at Birmingham International Airport on the Government’s wish to build a partnership for development with the Catholic Church and others.
<p>Sunday, then, was a moment of deep personal satisfaction, as the Church celebrated the blessedness of a great Englishman, whose life and writings I have admired for many years and who has come to be appreciated by countless people far beyond the shores of his native land. Blessed John Henry Newman’s clear-minded search to know and express the truth in charity, at whatever cost to his own personal comfort, status and even friendships, is a wonderful testimony of a pure desire to know and love God in the communion of the Church. His is surely an example that can inspire us all.</blockquote>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-85447741320989586892010-09-21T06:11:00.000-07:002010-09-21T22:19:55.483-07:00Catholics reflect on Pope Benedict's Visit to the UK<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30427" target=_blank>Benedict XVI in UK: Bold and Triumphant: Government and Vatican Hail Success of State Visit</a> (Zenit):<blockquote>Benedict XVI's four-day state visit to Britain defied doomsayers and the negative publicity that preceded it, bringing out an estimated 500,000 people in Scotland and England as well as countless others who heard his messages in the media and on the Internet.
<p>Both the government and the Vatican were delighted with how well it went. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said it was a “wonderful visit” and, above all, a “spiritual success.”</blockquote>
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<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">Pope Benedict XVI waves as he boards the Alitalia jet to Italy on September 19, 2010 in Birmingham, England. Source: <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/0fUN43gdAE5RE?q=Pope+Benedict+XVI" target=_blank>Getty Images</a></div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/articles.cfm?id=462" target=_blank>"The key to the Pope's success in Great Britain"</a>, by Phil Lawler (Catholic Culture):<blockquote>Most of the reporters writing about the papal visit are clearly surprised by this outcome, and more than a few are betraying their disappointment. A week ago the same reporters were predicting a debacle, and some of them were relishing that prospect. The Pope would face angry protesters wherever he turned, they said. The crowds would be small and subdued. There would be empty seats at the Pope’s public appearances. The staid, jaded secular world of Great Britain would listen skeptically, perhaps nod and clap politely, and then quickly move on to other things, dismissing the old man from Rome.
<p><i>But Pope Benedict didn’t follow that script</i>. ...</blockquote>
<p>
<li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/stoke/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_9016000/9016000.stm" target=_blank>
Pilgrims reflect on Birmingham visit by Pope Benedict</a> (BBC News. September 20, 2010)
<p><li>Francis Phillips exclaims <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/09/20/the-holy-father-should-put-his-feet-up-and-have-a-glass-of-whisky/" target=_blank>"The Holy Father should put his feet up and have a glass of whisky!"</a> The last few days have been stupendous. Here are some immediate impressions. (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/09/20/the-peoples-pope-made-one-thing-clear-he-wants-an-empowered-laity/" target=_blank>The ‘People’s Pope’ made one thing clear: he wants an empowered laity -- And, in some ways, Catholics in Britain have already risen to the challenge</a> Anna Arco (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<p><li>Bishop Crispian Hollis: <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/21/bishop-hollis-pope-benedict-spoke-to-the-nation/" target=_blank>Benedict had “gone out of his way to speak not simply to our Catholic community but to the nation”</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<p><li><a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/247111/pope-benedict-s-uk-visit-news-everybody-missed-raymond-arroyo" target=_blank>Pope Benedict’s UK Visit: The News Everybody Missed</a>, by Raymond Arroyo (<i>National Review</i> "The Corner"):<blockquote>The Pope saved the most important news of his visit to the United Kingdom for the end. Most people didn’t even hear or see it. But I imagine Thomas More and John Henry Newman were smiling . . .</blockquote>
<li>William Oddie: <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/09/20/routed-his-enemies-and-brought-joy-to-the-faithful/" target=_blank>The Pope has routed his enemies and brought joy to the faithful</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<p><li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11372428" target=_blank>Reflections on the Pope's visit: What will the lasting legacy be for the Pope's visit to the UK?</a> - That's the question posed by the BBC to a diverse array of citizens.
<p><li><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1313493/POPES-VISIT-If-Archbishop-Canterbury-spoke-authority.html?ito=feeds-newsxml" target=_blank>"If only the Archbishop of Canterbury dared to speak with a fraction of Benedict's authority!"</a> Stephen Glover (<i>Daily Mail</i>)
<p><li><a href="http://www.insidecatholic.com/feature/the-pope-in-great-britain.html" target=_blank>The Pope in Great Britain</a>, by Joanna Bogle. (<i>Inside Catholic</i>):<blockquote>The visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Britain brought so many extraordinary, magnificent, unforgettable moments. It was a time of grace, a time of healing, a time for an unprecedented gathering together of British history, a people somehow making peace with its past.</blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/opinion/20douthat.html?_r=1" target=_blank>"The Pope and the Crowds"</a> (<i>New York Times</i>):<blockquote>All in all, the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Britain over the weekend must have been a disappointment to his legions of detractors. Their bold promises notwithstanding, Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens didn’t manage to clap the pope in irons and haul him off to jail. The protests against Benedict’s presence proved a sideshow to the visit, rather than the main event. And the threat (happily empty, it turned out) of an assassination plot provided a reminder of what real religious extremism looks like — as opposed to the gentle scholar, swathed in white, urging secular Britons to look with fresh eyes at their island’s ancient faith. ...</blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2010/09/20/benedict-busts-stereotypes/" target=_blank>Benedict Busts Stereotypes</a> - Kathryn Jean Lopez (<i>First Things</i>):<blockquote>Leonie Caldecott is a Catholic writer living with her family in Oxford. She and her husband run the Centre for Faith and Culture and work with Thomas More College New Hampshire on a journal of faith and culture, Second Spring, as well as a regular summer school. They are also the U.K. editors of <i>Magnificat</i> is the author of <i>What do Catholics Believe?</i> This weekend, she was among the singers at the beatification Mass for now Blessed John Henry Newman. She talks about the experience and the controversy and where apostles of Christ might go from here ...</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=3319" target=_blank>C.S. Lewis, Pope Benedict and Blessed John Henry Newman</a>, by William Van Ornum (<i>America</i>):<blockquote>Lewis was a member of “The Inklings”, a group including J.R.R. Tolkien, best known for “The “Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings,” but also a translator for The New Jerusalem Bible, where his name may be found among the small group of translators. The Inklings met weekly to discuss their ongoing writing projects, their own lives, and politics and culture. So I think it is appropriate, and even valuable, to think about how C. S. Lewis might respond to events in Britain this week were ink still flowing from his pen. ...</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://catholicworldreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=209:benedicts-surprising-visit" target=_blank>Benedict's Surprising Visit</a> Michael Kelly (<i>Catholic World Report</i>):<blockquote>... It’s too early to tell what the legacy of the visit will be. The hope is that it will serve as a shot in the arm for all Britons and not just Catholics, for, as Prime Minister Cameron observed, the Pope’s message was for all of Britain. The visit has also given many Catholics an opportunity to express their faith in a public, unapologetic fashion. The sight of thousands of young Catholics carrying their rosary beads and papal flags as they marched past Tyburn, where their forefathers were martyred for refusing to renounce their faith, is surely a sign that, as Pope Benedict, “the Church is alive, and, yes, the Church is young.”</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otr.cfm?id=5387" target=_blank>"With Pope Benedict back in Rome, the Catholics of Great Britain are now left to rely on their own bishops for a powerful and unflinching presentation of the faith. <i>Good luck with that</i>."</a> - Diogenes (<i>Off The Record</i>)
<p><li><a href="http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/wrap-popes-uk-trip" target=_blank>Wrap up of the pope's UK trip</a> <i>National Catholic Reporter</i> senior correspondent John Allen traveled with Pope Benedict XVI during the Sept. 16-19 papal trip to Scotland and England. Other NCR contributors offered commentary and insight during the trip. Following is a complete list of NCR stories covering the trip.
<p><li><a href="http://www.insidecatholic.com/newsflash-benedict-isnt-the-angry-aloof-pope-we-keep-insisting-he-is.html" target=_blank>"Are we still acting surprised when, once again, Pope Benedict turns out to be nothing like the angry caricature so often painted of him?"</a> wonders Margaret Cabaniss (Inside Catholic)
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/21/papal-visit-2010-a-round-up-of-reactions/" target=_blank>Papal Visit 2010: a round-up of reactions</a> compiled by Rupert de Lisle (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
</ul>
<p><b>Additional News</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/21/every-parish-to-receive-image-and-candle-blessed-by-the-pope/" target=_blank>Every parish to receive image and candle blessed by the Pope</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>):<blockquote>Three thousand images blessed by the Pope will be distributed to parishes in England and Wales as a legacy of the papal visit, the bishops’ conference has announced.
<p>The images, copies of the pre-Raphaelite William Holman Hunt’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hunt_Light_of_the_World.jpg" target=_blank><i>Light of the World</i></a>, will be distributed to parishes in England and Wales, with 145 being sent to prison chaplains. The framed images are meant for use in prayer groups, as well as schools, prisons, and hospitals, and can be obtained through Catholic parishes.
<p>Also being distributed to parishes are a similar number of candles, also blessed by the Holy Father.</blockquote>
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-46308484270262224762010-09-19T06:30:00.000-07:002010-09-20T21:39:01.560-07:00Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Journey to the UK: September 19, 2010<div style="padding: 2px; background-color: #eaeaea; border: solid 1px #000000; font-width: normal; font-size: 11px;">This is an ongoing roundup of news, commentary and articles. It will be continuously updated throughout the day as content is made available.</div>
<br><br>
<b><i>What Happened Today?</i></b>
<br><br>
<b>London</b>
<ul>
<li>08:00 - Farewell to the Apostolic Nunciature in Wimbledon (London Borough of Merton)
<li>08:45 - Departure by helicopter from Wimbledon Park (London Borough of Merton) for Birmingham
</ul>
<b>Birmingham</b>
<ul>
<li>09:30 - Arrival at the heliport near Cofton Park of Rednal
<li>10:00 - Mass with the Beatification of Venerable Cardinal John Henry Newman at Cofton Park of Rednal | <a href="http://www.romereports.com/palio/The-Pope-beatifies-Cardinal-John-Henry-Newman-in-Birmingham-english-2777.html">Video</a>
<ul>
<li>Homily of the Holy Father
<li>Recitation of the Angelus Domini
<li>Words of the Holy Father
</ul>
<li>13:10 - Private Visit to the Oratory of St Philip Neri, Edgbaston
<li>13:45 - Lunch with the Bishops of England, Scotland and Wales and the Papal Entourage at the Francis Martin House in Oscott College
<li>16:45 - Meeting with the Bishops of England, Wales and Scotland in the Chapel of the Francis Martin House, Oscott College: Address of the Holy Father
<li>18:15 - Farewell Ceremony at the International Airport of Birmingham Address of the Holy Father
<li>18:45 - Departure from the International Airport of Birmingham for Roma | <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/multimedia/2010/09/20/pope-ends-trip-to-uk-thank-you-for-the-warmth-of-your-welcome/">Video</a>
<li>22:30 - Arrival at Ciampino Airport
</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_16.jpg" width="400" height="266" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">Pope Benedict XVI waves as he conducts a Mass to beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman in Cofton Park, in Birmingham. Source: <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/08s997K6Ny43p?q=Pope+Benedict+XVI" target=_blank>Getty Images</a></div>
</center>
<br><b>Addresses of the Holy Father (and Others)</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20100919_beatif-newman_en.html" target=_blank>Mass with the Beatification of Venerable Cardinal John Henry Newman at Cofton Park of Rednal</a> (Birmingham, 19 September 2010)
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/angelus/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20100919_regno-unito_en.html" target=_blank>Recitation of the <i>Angelus Domini</i></a> (Birmingham, 19 September 2010)
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2010/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20100919_vescovi-inghilterra_en.html" target=_blank>Meeting with the Bishops of England, Wales and Scotland in the Chapel of the Francis Martin House, Oscott College</a> (Birmingham, 19 September 2010)
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2010/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20100919_farewell_en.html" target=_blank>Farewell Ceremony</a> (International Airport of Birmingham, 19 September 2010)
</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_13.jpg" width="400" height="266" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">Pope Benedict XVI leads a beatification Mass for Cardinal John Henry Newman at Cofton Park in Birmingham September 19, 2010. Source: <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/022y3Yd8o1gmu?q=Pope+Benedict+XVI" target=_blank>Reuters</a></div>
</center>
<br><b>Coverage of the Day's Events</b><ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-11374858" target=_blank>Father Richard Duffield, Provost of the Birmingham Oratory, said the Pope had also given a blessing to the Oratory's cat</a> (BBC News)
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/sep/19/pope-benedict-xvi-catholicism" target=_blank>Photo Gallery:
Pope's UK visit culminates in beatification of Cardinal Newman</a> Pilgrims braved the early morning rain to join Benedict XVI at a beatification mass for the Victorian poet-priest Cardinal John Henry Newman, the first such ceremony on British soil. (<i>The Guardian</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/19/pope-lauds-britons-resisted-nazism" target=_blank>Pope pays tribute to Britons who resisted nazism</a> Benedict XVI lauds courage of Britons at Birmingham beatification ceremony for Cardinal Newman. (<i>The Guardian</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30414" target=_blank>Pontiff Marks Anniversary of Battle of Britain, Calls Nazis a Force of an "Evil Ideology"</a> (Zenit)
<li><a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30418" target=_blank>UK Jubilant Over Cardinal Newman's Beatification</a> Edward Pentin (Zenit):<blockquote>A rainbow appeared over Cofton Park as Pope Benedict arrived this morning for the beatification Mass of Cardinal John Henry Newman ...
<p>This was a particularly special beatification Mass: not only was it the only such Mass celebrated by Benedict XVI, but it was also the first beatification of an Englishman for centuries.</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/19/pope-benedict-beatifies-cardinal-newman/" target=_blank>Pope Benedict beatifies Cardinal Newman</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/benedict-finds-unlikely-ally-british-pm" target=_blank>Benedict finds unlikely ally in British PM</a> by John Allen Jr. (<i>National Catholic Reporter</i>): "All indications are that the message Benedict XVI came to the U.K. to deliver has been music in the ears of the Cameron government."
<li><a href="http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/hijacking-or-setting-him-free-benedict-loves-newman" target=_blank>Hijacking or setting him free, Benedict loves Newman</a>, by John Allen Jr. (<i>National Catholic Reporter</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/19/pope-visit-cardinal-newman-beatification" target=_blank>'Pope Benedict we love you': message from the faithful at Cofton Park</a> Service for Victorian cleric in front of 50,000 at windswept park in Birmingham. (<i>The Guardian</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30421" target=_blank>Benedict XVI took leave of the United Kingdom today, entrusting before he left two particular tasks to the bishops of England, Scotland and Wales</a> (Zenit):<blockquote>After thanking the bishops for their work in reviewing and approving the texts, he urged the prelates to "seize the opportunity that the new translation offers for in-depth catechesis on the Eucharist and renewed devotion in the manner of its celebration."
<p>Citing <i>Sacramentum Caritatis</i>, the Holy Father said, "The more lively the Eucharistic faith of the people of God, the deeper is its sharing in ecclesial life in steadfast commitment to the mission entrusted by Christ to his disciples."
<p>[...]
<p>"The other matter," Benedict XVI continued, is a request to "be generous in implementing the apostolic constitution 'Anglicanorum Coetibus.'"
<p>That November 2009 document provides for Anglicans to come in groups into full communion with Rome.</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/20/pope-gives-sniffer-dog-a-pat-of-thanks/" target=_blank>Pope Benedict XVI stopped to give a police dog an unexpected pat while thanking some of the 2,000 members of the West Midlands Police who had helped to protect him during his visit</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/8012422/Pope-visit-Benedict-XVI-says-goodbye-to-Britain.html" target=_blank>Pope visit: Benedict XVI says goodbye to Britain</a> Britain's historic papal visit has come to an end as Benedict XVI gave his final wave from the steps of his aeroplane. (<i>Telegraph</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/19/cameron-tells-pope-you-have-made-britain-sit-up-and-think/" target=_blank>David Cameron has told Pope Benedict XVI in a powerful farewell speech that his visit had made Britain “sit up and think”</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.zenit.org/article-30424?l=english" target=_blank>Benedict XVI Bids Farewell to Queen Elizabeth II</a> (Zenit):<blockquote>To the queen, he sent a telegram, stating, "As I leave the United Kingdom at the conclusion of my apostolic visit, I renew my deep gratitude to your majesty for the gracious welcome and the many kindnesses which you, your government and the British people extended to me during my stay."
<p>The Holy Father continued, "I ask Almighty God to guide the nation in accordance with his will and to confirm it always in the ways of freedom, justice and peace."
<p>He concluded, "Upon all I cordially invoke the Lord's abundant blessings."</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100054282/benedict-in-britain-personal-triumph-for-the-pope-humiliation-for-secular-fanatics/" target=_blank>Benedict in Britain: personal triumph for the Pope, humiliation for secular fanatics</a> Damien Thompson (<i>Telegraph</i>):<blockquote>... the papal visit has killed the myth of the “Nazi Pope” outside a tiny circle of professional Pope-baiters who from now on may find themselves marginalised even in secular liberal circles.</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i399yZzlQndOhF_77tHM7TeLAMEwD9IB3C880" target=_blank>Vatican declares Pope's visit to Britain a success</a> (Associated Press)
<li><a href="http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?entry_id=3315" target=_blank>Pope leaves UK charmed and challenged</a>, by Austen Ivereigh. (<i>America</i>)
</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_15.jpg" width="400" height="266" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">Pope Benedict XVI is surrounded by Bishops as they pose for a photograph at Oscott College seminary in Birmingham, central England September 19, 2010. Source: <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/07rf49V9Gzgnk?q=Pope+Benedict+XVI" target=_blank>Reuters</a></div>
</center>
<br><b>Blogging the Papal Visit</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/breaking/2010/09/19/papal-visit-2010-live-blog-birmingham/" target=_blank>Papal Visit 2010 live blog: Birmingham</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/8010599/Pope-visits-UK-Day-Four.html" target=_blank>Pope visits UK: Day Four</a> Pope Benedict XVI will carry out the beatification of John Henry Newman at a special Mass in Birmingham on the final day of his visit to Britain. (<i>Telegraph</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2010/sep/19/pope-visit-beatification-newman" target=_blank>Pope visits Britain: Cardinal Newman's beatification live</a> (<i>The Guardian</i>)
<li><a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2010/09/wdtprs-17th-sunday-after-pentecost-1962mr-tonic-for-anti-papal-protesters/" target=_blank>17th Sunday after Pentecost (1962MR): tonic for anti-Papal protesters</a> - Fr. John Zuhlsdorf (<i>What Does The Prayer Really Say?</i>)
</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_14.jpg" width="400" height="266" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">Pope Benedict XVI speaks with Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron (L) before boarding his plane at Birmingham airport September 19, 2010.. Source: <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/03HR9tH6WMgye?q=Pope+Benedict+XVI" target=_blank>Reuters</a></div>
</center>
<br><b>Additional Articles of the Day</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/reading/articles/2010/09/19/48404-pupils-star-roles-in-papal-ceremony/" target=_blank>Students from the country's only independent Catholic school for boys have starring roles in the Pope's beatification mass</a> (<i>The Reading Chronicle</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.wheatandweeds.com/2010/09/master-commander.html" target=_blank>"Master and Commander"</a> - <i>Wheat & Weeds</i> unpacks some fundamental points of Benedict's many addresses to the English people:<blockquote>There's a recurring line in Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey-Maturin series, in which Capt. Aubrey explains his military strategy, which he claims to have gotten from Lord Nelson. "Go straight at 'em."
<p>That is what I adore about Benedict's preaching. He is of course gentle and respectful, but he zeros in like a laser on the heart of the matter --because if we're not going to talk about what matters, why waste our time?</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://gkupsidedown.blogspot.com/2010/09/pope-and-protester-personality.html" target=_blank>The Pope and Protester Personality</a> Fr. Dwight Longenecker (<i>Standing on My Head</i>)
<li><a href="http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/09/19/one-protester-the-pope-would-have-liked/" target=_blank>One Protester The Pope Would Have Liked</a> Greg Burke (Fox News)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-confident-about-future-canonization-of-newman/" target=_blank>Vatican 'confident' about future canonization of Newman</a> Speaking to journalists less than an hour after Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman's beatification, Vatican spokesman Fr. Lombardi expressed confidence in his being canonized. There is a "concrete possibility," also, that he will be made a "doctor of the Church." (Catholic News Agency)
<li><a href="http://frjeffreysteel.blogspot.com/2010/09/beatification-of-newman-and-his.html" target=_blank> Beatification of Newman and His Submission to the Infallible Church</a> - Fr. Jeffrey Steele (<i>de cura animarum</i>) responds to the liberal spin that, were Newman alive today, he would have been at odds with the present Pope.
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/8011042/The-inside-story-of-Pope-Benedict-XVIs-visit.html" target=_blank>The inside story of Pope Benedict XVI's visit</a> Only a handful of journalists flew with the Pope to Britain and travelled around the country with his touring party. Jonathan Wynne Jones, The <i>Sunday Telegraph</i>'s Religious Affairs Correspondent, was one of them.
<li><a href="http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1003818.htm" target=_blank>"In terms of his primary objectives -- preaching the Gospel to his flock and defending the influence of religion in society -- Pope Benedict XVI can look at his four-day visit to Great Britain as a major success"</a> John Thavis (Catholic News Service)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/19/church-is-enjoying-a-benedict-bounce-cardinal-tells-pope/" target=_blank>The Church is enjoying a “Benedict bounce” following the Pope’s visit, Cardinal Keith O’Brien has said</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-88285454514142404092010-09-18T01:18:00.001-07:002010-09-19T10:35:12.491-07:00Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Journey to the UK: September 18, 2010<div style="padding: 2px; background-color: #eaeaea; border: solid 1px #000000; font-width: normal; font-size: 11px;">This is an ongoing roundup of news, commentary and articles. It will be continuously updated throughout the day as content is made available.</div>
<br><br><b><i>What Happened Today?</i></b>
<br><br><b>London</b>
<ul>
<li>09:00 - Meeting with the Prime Minister in the Archbishop's House (City of Westminster)
<li>09:20 - Meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister in the Archbishop's House (City of Westminster)
<li>09:30 - Meeting with the Opposition Leader in the Archbishop's House (City of Westminster)
<li>10:00 - Mass in the Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ (City of Westminster): Homily and Greeting of the Holy Father
<li>17:00 - Visit to St Peter's Residence for the elderly (London Borough of Lambeth): Address of the Holy Father
<li>18:15 - Prayer Vigil on the Eve of the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman, Hyde Park (City of Westminster): Address of the Holy Father
</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_9.jpg" width="400" height="266" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">Pope Benedict XVI conducts a mass in Westminster Cathedral in London, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010. Source: <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/0fRA56vbeh3MM?q=Pope+Benedict+XVI" target=_blank>Associated Press</a></div>
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<br><b>Addresses of the Holy Father (and Others)</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20100918_westminster_en.html" target=_blank>Mass in the Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ</a> (City of Westminster, 18 September 2010)
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2010/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20100918_st-peter-residence_en.html" target=_blank>Visit to St Peter's Residence for the elderly</a> (London Borough of Lambeth, 18 September 2010)
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2010/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20100918_veglia-card-newman_en.html" target=_blank>Prayer Vigil on the Eve of the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman, Hyde Park</a> (City of Westminster, 18 September 2010)
</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_10.jpg" width="400" height="266" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">Pope Benedict XVI addresses pilgrims gathered in Westminster Cathedral Piazza, in central London. Source: <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/0ajv2xSeHi4he?q=Pope+Benedict+XVI" target=_blank>Reuters</a></div>
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<br><b>Coverage of the Day's Events</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/18/pope-meets-david-cameron/" target=_blank>Pope meets David Cameron</a> It is the first time a Pope has met the head of a British government during a state visit, and concludes an emotional month for the prime minister. (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/8010796/Pope-Visit-UK-Cheering-young-Catholics-give-Pontiff-rock-star-welcome.html" target=_blank>Cheering young Catholics give pontiff "rock star welcome"</a> The Pontiff was treated to whistles and chanting from up to 2,500 youngsters from dioceses in England, Wales and Scotland gathered on the piazza outside Westminster Cathedral. (<i>Telegraph</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/18/pope-tells-young-people-in-silence-we-find-god/" target=_blank>Pope tells young people: ‘In silence, we find God’</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30402" target=_blank>Pontiff Underlines Christian Roots of Wales; Blesses St. David Mosaic</a> (Zenit)
<li><a href="http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-meets-sex-abuse-victims" target=_blank>Pope meets sex abuse victims</a> This afternoon in London, Pope Benedict XVI held a private meeting with a small group of victims of priestly sexual abuse. It was the fifth time Benedict met victims, after previous encounters during trips to the United States, Australia and Malta, and a meeting with Canadian "first nations" victims in Rome. John Allen Jr. (<i>National Catholic Reporter</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/breaking/2010/09/18/pope-shame-of-child-abuse-will-help-purify-the-church/" target=_blank>Pope expresses ‘deep sorrow’ at ‘unspeakable crimes’ of child abuse</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>) | <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IteA-tgjzlY&feature=player_embedded">Video</a>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/18/pope-meets-residents-of-st-peters-residence-vauxhall/" target=_blank>Pope meets residents of St Peter’s Residence, Vauxhall</a> Meeting with elderly residents of St Peter’s Residence in Vauxhall, London, the Pope emphasised the “unique gift” of life, “from conception to natural death”. (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Pope-Visit-Thousands-Gathering-In-Londons-Hyde-Park-For-Papal-Prayer-Vigil/Article/201009315734536?lpos=UK_News_Third_UK_News_Article_Teaser_Region__1&lid=ARTICLE_15734536_Pope_Visit%3A_Thousands_Gathering_In_Londons_Hyde_Park_For_Papal_Prayer_Vigil" target=_blank>"Tens of thousands of people have gathered in London's Hyde Park to take part in the prayer vigil led by Pope Benedict XVI"</a> (<i>Sky News</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/myriads-of-enthusiastic-catholics-join-pope-for-cardinal-newman-vigil/" target=_blank>Myriads of enthusiastic Catholics join Pope for Cardinal Newman vigil</a> (Catholic News Agency)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/18/christians-cannot-go-on-with-business-as-usual/" target=_blank>Pope: Christians cannot go on with business as usual</a> Addressing 80,000 people who had come to Hyde Park for evening prayer, Benedict said that Christians needed to “imbue temporal life with the values of the Gospel” and not ignore the “profound crisis of faith which has overtaken our society”. (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1313335/POPES-UK-VIST-Glastonbury-God-Banners-Pilgrim-Picnics-singing-dancing--80-000-flock-Hyde-Park.html?ito=feeds-newsxml" target=_blank>Glastonbury with God: Banners, Pilgrim Picnics and singing and dancing...as 80,000 flock to Hyde Park</a> (<i>Daily Mail</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/multimedia/2010/09/19/britains-got-talent-finalist-performs-at-hyde-park/" target=_blank>Britain’s Got Talent finalist performs at Hyde Park</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_11.jpg" width="400" height="266" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">Pope Benedict XVI visits St Peter's Residence for Older People during the third day of his State Visit on September 18, 2010 in London. Source: <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/09pN3aRdOT2gl?q=Pope+Benedict+XVI" target=_blank>Getty Images</a></div>
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<br><b>Blogging the Papal Visit</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/18/papal-visit-2010-live-blog-westminster-cathedral/" target=_blank>Papal Visit 2010 live blog: Westminster Cathedral</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/breaking/2010/09/18/papal-visit-2010-live-blog-hyde-park/" target=_blank>Papal Visit 2010 live blog: Hyde Park</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/8010599/Pope-Visit-UK-2010-Live.html" target=_blank>Pope Visit UK 2010: Live</a> (<i>Telegraph</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/sep/18/pope-benedict-xvi-london" target=_blank>Pope Benedict XVI's UK visit: Day three</a> The pontiff meets David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Harriet Harman and presides over a mass at Westminster Cathedral. (<i>The Guardian</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2010/sep/18/pope-visit-live-update" target=_blank>Pope visits Britain: protests and Hyde Park vigil</a> (<i>The Guardian</i>)
<li><a href="http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/polarized-opinion-pope-fills-london-streets" target=_blank>Polarized opinion on pope fills London streets</a> John Allen Jr. (<i>National Catholic Reporter</i>)
<li><a href="http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2010/09/pope-benedict-at-westminster-cathedral.html" target=_blank>Pope Benedict at Westminster Cathedral</a> (<i>Hermeneutic of Continuity</i>)
<li><a href="http://areluctantsinner.blogspot.com/2010/09/papal-visit-joy-of-being-at-westminster.html" target=_blank>"The joy of being at Westminster Abbey with the Successor of St Peter!"</a> Eyewitness account. (<i>The Reluctant Sinner</i>)
<li><a href="http://marymagdalen.blogspot.com/2010/09/london-gallery.html" target=_blank>London Gallery</a> Fr Ray Blake of Saint Mary Magdalen, Brighton, UK visits Westminster.
</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_12.jpg" width="400" height="266" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">Pope Benedict XVI attends the prayer vigil at Hyde Park during the third day of his State Visit on September 18, 2010 in London, England.. Source: <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/037q7YXdlbdcZ?q=Pope+Benedict+XVI" target=_blank>Getty Images</a></div>
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<br><b>Additional Articles of the Day</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/jennymccartney/8010999/Papal-visit-Is-Richard-Dawkins-turning-into-Ian-Paisley.html" target=_blank>Is Richard Dawkins turning into Ian Paisley?</a> In his criticisms of the Pope, Richard Dawkins is sounding suspiciously familiar, says Jenny McCartney. (<i>Telegraph</i>)
<li><a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/09/17/cardinal.newman/" target=_blank>Cardinal Newman: The man behind the pope's visit</a> Brief Q&A from CNN.
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/sep/18/newman-offers-church-candle-in-dark" target=_blank>Newman offers church a candle in the dark</a> "Everything about modern Anglicanism bears the marks of Cardinal Newman's teaching." Eamon Duffy. (<i>The Guardian</i>)
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-12345828308716720072010-09-17T08:00:00.000-07:002010-09-20T19:58:10.979-07:00Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Journey to the UK: September 17, 2010<div style="padding: 2px; background-color: #eaeaea; border: solid 1px #000000; font-width: normal; font-size: 11px;">This is an ongoing roundup of news, commentary and articles. It will be continuously updated throughout the day as content is made available.</div><br><b><i>What Happened Today?</i></b>
<br><br><b>London</b>
<ul>
<li>08:00 - Private Celebration of Mass in the Chapel of the Apostolic Nunciature in Wimbledon (London Borough of Merton)
<li>10:00 - Meeting with the world of Catholic Education in the Chapel and Sports Arena of St Mary’s University in Twickenham (London Borough of Richmond): Greeting and Address of the Holy Father | <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/multimedia/2010/09/17/pope-to-children-among-you-there-are-the-future-saints-of-the-21st-century/">Video</a>
<li>11:30 - Meeting with Religious Leaders in the Waldegrave Drawing Room of St Mary’s University College in Twickenham (London Borough of Richmond): Address of the Holy Father | <a href="http://www.romereports.com/palio/Speaking-before-Muslims-and-Hindus-Pope-asks-for-right-to-change-religion-to-be-respected-english-2762.html">Video</a>
<li>16:00 - Courtesy Visit to the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace (London Borough of Lambeth): Address of the Holy Father | <a href="http://www.romereports.com/palio/Pope-meets-Anglican-leader-Rowan-Williams-Archbishop-of-Canterbury-english-2755.html" target=_blank>Video</a>
<li>17:10 - Meeting with representatives of civil society, academic, cultural and entrepreneurial world, diplomatic corps and religious leaders at Westminster Hall (City of Westminster): Address of the Holy Father | <a href="http://www.romereports.com/palio/Pope-to-British-politicians-Religion-is-not-a-problem-but-a-vital-contribution-to-national-life-english-2763.html">Video</a>
<li>18:15 - Ecumenical Celebration at Westminster Abbey (City of Westminster): Address of the Holy Father
</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_8.jpg" width="400" height="266" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">A school girl holds a decorated crucifix and a Papal flag as she watches Pope Benedict XVI at The Big Assembly gathering at St Mary's University College. Source: <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/0eQ7epY5Bh45Y?q=benedict+twickenham" target=_blank>Getty Images</a></div>
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<br><br>
<b>Addresses of the Holy Father / Others</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2010/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20100917_mondo-educ_en.html" target=_blank>Meeting with the world of Catholic Education in the Chapel and Sports Arena of St Mary’s University College in Twickenham</a> (London Borough of Richmond, 17 September 2010)
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/17/papal-visit-2010-bishop-mcmahon-welcomes-the-pope-to-the-big-assembly-full-text/" target=_blank>Bishop McMahon welcomes the Pope to the Big Assembly - Full Text</a>
</ul>
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2010/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20100917_altre-religioni_en.html" target=_blank>Meeting with Religious Leaders in the Waldegrave Drawing Room of St. Mary’s University College in Twickenham</a> (London Borough of Richmond, 17 September 2010)
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/17/papal-visit-2010-archbishop-kelly-welcomes-the-pope-to-the-interreligious-gathering-full-text/" target=_blank>Archbishop Kelly welcomes the Pope to the Interreligious Gathering – Full Text</a>
</ul>
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2010/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20100917_arciv-canterbury_en.html" target=_blank>Fraternal Visit to the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace</a> (London Borough of Richmond, 17 September 2010)
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/17/papal-visit-2010-archbishop-of-canterburys-speech-full-text/" target=_blank>Archbishop of Canterbury’s speech – Full Text</a>
<li><a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30384" target=_blank>Joint statement on meeting between Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury</a>
</ul>
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2010/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20100917_societa-civile_en.html" target=_blank>Meeting with representatives of civil society, academic, cultural and entrepreneurial world, diplomatic corps and religious leaders at Westminster Hall</a> (City of Westminster, 17 September 2010)
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2010/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20100917_celebrazione-ecumenica_en.html" target=_blank>Ecumenical Celebration at Westminster Abbey</a> (City of Westminster, 17 September 2010)
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/17/papal-visit-2010-archbishop-of-canterburys-evening-prayer-address-full-text/" target=_blank>Archbishop of Canterbury’s Evening Prayer Address – Full Text</a>
</ul>
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<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_7.jpg" width="400" height="266" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;"> The pope visited about 4,000 school pupils and young people at St Mary's University College, Twickenham. Source: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/sep/17/pope-benedict-xvi-catholicism#/?picture=366797677&index=13" target=_blank>Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images</a></div>
</center>
</ul>
<b>Coverage of the Day's Events</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/17/five-arrests-pope-terror-threat" target=_blank>Five arrested in alleged terror plot</a> (<i>The Guardian</i>):<blockquote>Scotland Yard arrested five street cleaners today over an alleged terrorist threat to the pope.
<p>The men were arrested by armed officers in central London at 5.45am on the second day of the pope's visit.
<p>Sources say the men are believed to be Muslim and that some of them are Algerian. ... They were taken to a nearby police station, where they will be interviewed by detectives.
<p>An assessment of the intelligence judged it to be so severe that police needed to disrupt the alleged plot immediately.</blockquote><a href="http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1003763.htm" target=_blank>The Vatican said the arrest of terrorist suspects would not affect Pope Benedict XVI's schedule of events and hat the pope remained "calm" and happy with the visit</a> (Catholic News Service).
<p>UPDATE: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11360568" target=_blank>Police release 'Pope threat' men without charge</a> BBC News reports that, having found "no credible threat", all six suspects have been released. (9/19/10)
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/sep/17/pope-benedict-xvi-catholicism" target=_blank>Pope Benedict XVI's UK visit: Day two</a> Photo Gallery (from <i>The Guardian</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/17/pope-urges-children-to-grow-in-holiness-at-first-papal-event-in-england/" target=_blank>Pope urges children to grow in holiness at first papal event in England</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/17/pope-urges-states-to-respect-freedom-of-religion/" target=_blank>Pope urges states to respect freedom of religion</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/holy-father-addresses-question-of-existence/" target=_blank>Holy Father addresses 'question' of existence</a> Following the recent claim by U.K. physicist Dr. Stephen Hawking that the universe “created itself from nothing,” the Holy Father spoke about “the most important question” of existence in an address to interfaith leaders. (Catholic News Agency)
<li><a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30382" target=_blank>Pope to Anglicans: Proclaim Uniqueness of Christ</a> Greets Anglican Leader, Maps Guidelines for Dialogue. (Zenit)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/17/pope-reason-and-faith-need-one-another/" target=_blank> Pope: reason and faith need one another</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>) "In one of the major speeches of his Pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI today spoke to the assembled members of civil society about the proper place of religious belief within political process."
<li><a href="http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100054166/the-pope-in-parliament-and-westminster-abbey-a-day-that-shook-the-foundations-of-britains-protestant-myth/" target=_blank>The Pope in Parliament and Westminster Abbey: a day that shook the foundations of Britain's Protestant myth</a> Damian Thompson. <i>Telegraph</i>:<blockquote>... if you want evidence of the self-confidence of our Catholic national identity, look no further than Westminster Abbey and Westminster Hall. For at least the first 500 years of its existence – we can’t be sure when it was founded – the Abbey was obedient to Benedict’s predecessors. So for the Pope to enter it today was an affirmation of its own “foundational act”. Not for nothing did he point out in his address that the church was dedicated to St Peter. Even Catholics who would never be so crude as to say “the Abbey belongs to us, not to you” sensed that history was being re-balanced in some way. They realised that the Pope had as much right to sit in that sanctuary as the Archbishop of Canterbury.
</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1313353/Miracle-Gordon-Cherie-kiss-make-Pope-makes-address-Westminster.html?ito=feeds-newsxml" target=_blank>Pope Benedict XVI worked a minor miracle while on his state visit to Britain by getting Tony and Cherie Blair to kiss and make up with Gordon Brown</a> <i>Daily Mail</i>
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/8010064/Pope-shakes-hands-with-woman-priest-in-historic-service-at-Abbey.html" target=_blank>The Pope publicly shook hands with a woman priest for the first time last night as he joined the Archbishop of Canterbury in an ecumenical service at Westminster Abbey</a> crows Heidi Blake (<i>The Telegraph</i>). (From which we can conclude that, despite differences in convictions, the Holy Father is not above extending the hand of friendship).
</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_5.jpg" width="400" height="266" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">The Achbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams supports the arm of Pope Benedict XVI as he leaves after addressing a meeting of Anglican and Roman Catholic Diocesan bishops of England, Scotland and Wales at Lambeth Palace . Source: <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/04aw29Z0o071x?q=Pope+Benedict+XVI" target=_blank> Getty Images</a></div>
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<br><b>Blogging the Papal Visit</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/breaking/2010/09/17/papal-visit-2010-live-blog-central-london/" target=_blank>Papal Visit 2010 live blog: Central London</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/17/papal-visit-2010-live-blog-st-marys-twickenham/" target=_blank>Papal Visit 2010 live blog: St Mary’s, Twickenham</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/17/papal-visit-2010-live-blog-central-london/" target=_blank>Papal Visit 2010 live blog: Central London</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2010/sep/17/papal-visit-live" target=_blank>Pope visits Britain: day two live</a> (<i>The Guardian</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/09/17/what-boris-said-to-the-pope-and-the-pope-said-to-boris/" target=_blank>What Boris said to the Pope and the Pope said to Boris</a> The Holy Father met the Mayor of London last night. (Stuart Reid, <i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/borisjohnson/8012873/Popes-visit-Blimey.-What-to-say-to-the-Pope-A-good-joke-ought-to-clinch-it.-.-..html" target=_blank>Pope's visit: Blimey. What to say to the Pope? A good joke ought to clinch it. . .</a> Waiting to meet Benedict XVI, Boris Johnson feels his sense of humour rising to the occasion. (<i>Telegraph</i>)
<li><a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2010/09/benedict-goes-to-westminster/" target=_blank>“Benedict goes to Westminster”</a> Fr. John Zuhlsdorf:<blockquote>The phrase that comes to mind is "Nixon goes to China".
<p>Day 2 Benedict’s trip has blown John Paul II’s trip out of the water. I don’t mean that John Paul’s trip wasn’t important or that the crowds weren’t as big. But we have to consider who the players are, and what is taking place and where. What John Paul did was great, but what he did, didn’t matter as much as what Benedict is doing. John Paul’s effort was a continuation of what Paul VI and John XXIII had done. Benedict builds on that, but his project is something quite different. ...</blockquote>
<li>Phil Lawler couldn't help but notice <a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otn.cfm?id=709" target=_blank>Pope Benedict's personal invitation to the Anglican bishops</a> (Catholic Culture):<blockquote>when he spoke to a group of Anglican (and Catholic) bishops, and offered Cardinal Newman as a model for ecumenical actions, the Pope was making his point clearly enough. Any Anglican prelate who takes that suggestion seriously, and models his actions after those of Cardinal Newman, will very soon run up against an immovable fact. Cardinal Newman became a Catholic. If you want to follow him, you'll have to follow him to Rome.
<p>The Pope stressed that Cardinal Newman made his move gently, politely, without breaking friendships, without recriminations, without renouncing his heritage—the same way other Anglicans might take the step today, under the provisions of <a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_ben-xvi_apc_20091104_anglicanorum-coetibus_en.html" target=_blank><i>Anglicanorum Coetibus</i></a>.</blockquote>
</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_6.jpg" width="400" height="266" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">The pope arrives to attend a service of prayer at St Mary's University College chapel in Twickenham. Source: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/sep/17/pope-benedict-xvi-catholicism#/?picture=366794745&index=8" target=_blank>Toby Melville. Reuters</a></div>
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<br><b>Other Articles of The Day</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/09/17/pope.history/" target=_blank>Martyrs and messy divorces: 500 years of Anglo-papal antagonism</a> (Paul Willis, CNN):<blockquote>When the pope gets up to speak in London's historic Westminster Hall today we might forgive him a few nerves.
<p>In agreeing to visit Britain he has, as some observers have noted, entered the lions' den. </blockquote>
<li><a href="http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/benedict-britain-we-get-it-weve-got-it-lets-share-it" target=_blank>Benedict in Britain: We get it, we've got it, let's share it</a> - an assessment of the first two days by John Allen Jr. (<i>National Catholic Reporter</i>)
<li>Luke Coppen: <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/09/17/coppen.catholic.pope.support/" target=_blank>"The pope's trip to Britain is worth the money"</a> (Special to CNN)
<li><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1312857/POPES-UK-VISIT-Speakers-wife-Sally-Bercow-attacks-Benedict-XVI-Twitter.html" target=_blank>Embarrassment for Commons Speaker as wife uses Twitter to join attacks on Pope hours before Benedict goes to Parliament</a> (<i>Daily Mail</i>)
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-47478815333619333272010-09-16T06:36:00.001-07:002010-09-18T01:47:56.176-07:00Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Journey to the UK: September 16, 2010<br>
<div style="padding: 2px; background-color: #eaeaea; border: solid 1px #000000; font-width: normal; font-size: 11px;">This is an ongoing roundup of news, commentary and articles. It will be continuously updated throughout the day as content is made available.</div><br><b><i>What Happened Today?</i></b>
<br><br><i>Rome</i>
<ul>
<li>08:10 - Departure from Ciampino Airport for Edinburgh
</ul>
<i>Edinburgh</i>
<ul>
<li>10:30 - Arrival at Edinburgh International Airport | <a href="http://www.romereports.com/palio/Pope-arrives-in-United-Kingdom-english-2732.html">Video</a>
<li>State welcome at Edinburgh International Airport
<li>11:00 - Welcoming Ceremony in the Palace of Holyroodhouse
<li>Courtesy Visit to Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, in the Palace of Holyroodhouse | <a href="http://www.romereports.com/palio/Queen-Elizabeth-greets-the-Pope-in-Holyrood-Palace-english-2735.html">Video</a>
<li>11:40 - Meeting with State Authorities in the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse Address of the Holy Father | <a href="http://www.romereports.com/palio/Before-the-Queen-Pope-stresses-the-danger-of-a-society-without-God-english-2739.html">Video</a>
<li>13:00 - Luncheon with Papal Entourage at the Archbishop's House
</ul>
<i>Glasgow</i>
<ul>
<li>17:15 - Mass at Bellahouston Park: Homily of the Holy Father | <a href="http://www.romereports.com/palio/Pope-in-Glasgow-More-than-60000-welcomed-him-before-Mass-english-2742.html" target=_blank>Video</a>
<li>20:00 - Departure from Glasgow International for London
</ul>
<i>London</i>
<ul>
<li>21:25 - Arrival at Heathrow International Airport (London Borough of Hillingdon)
</ul>
<b>Addresses of the Holy Father / Others</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2010/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20100916_interv-regno-unito_en.html" target=_blank> Meeting of His Holiness Benedict XVI with journalists during the flight to the United Kingdom</a> (Papal Flight, 16 September 2010)
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2010/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20100916_incontro-autorita_en.html" target=_blank>Meeting with state authorities in the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse</a> (Edinburgh, 16 September 2010)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/16/papal-visit-2010-queens-speech-to-pope-benedict-full-text/" target=_blank>Queen’s speech to Pope Benedict – Full Text</a>
<li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20100916_glasgow_en.html" target=_blank>Mass celebrated in Bellahouston Park</a> (Glasgow, 16 September 2010)
</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_4.jpg" width="400" height="262" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">Queen Elizabeth II and Pope Benedict XVI (R) walk through the gardens at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland. Source; <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/067Ie3o6X46ja?q=pope+benedict+xvi" target=_blank>Getty Images</a></div>
</center>
<br><b>Coverage of the Day's Events</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2010/sep/16/pope-benedict-visit-uk-day-one" target=_blank>Pope Benedict's visit to the UK: day one</a> Video | <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/sep/16/pope-visit-benedict-arrives-scotland">Gallery</a> - Highlights from the first day of the pope's state visit to the UK, as he arrives in Edinburgh and is greeted by the Queen. <i>The Guardian</i>
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/8005854/Pope-Visit-what-is-on-board-the-Papal-plane.html" target=_blank>What is on-board the Papal plane?</a> (<i>Telegraph</i>) - Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Britain this morning on board the ‘Papal plane’ – an ordinary Alitalia Airbus A320 chartered for the trip.
<li><a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30373" target=_blank>Pontiff Not Concerned by Pre-Trip Polemics: Notes Point of Union for Anglicans and Catholics</a> (Zenit)
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/8004864/The-Pope-Anita-the-Greeter-meets-the-Pope.html" target=_blank>Anita the Greeter meets the Pope</a> Iain Hollingshead meets Anita The Greeter, Heathrow's VIP services manager, who will be the first person to welcome the Pope to England when he lands for his papal visit. (<i>Telegraph</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/16/pope-church-has-not-been-vigilant-enough-on-child-abuse/" target=_blank>Pope: Church has not been vigilant enough on child abuse</a> On board the papal plane the Pope told journalists that the Church “had not been vigilant enough” on the issue of paedophile priests. (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/16/queen-welcomes-pope-benedict-at-palace-of-holyrood-house/" target=_blank>Queen welcomes Pope Benedict at Palace of Holyroodhouse</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>) - The Queen this morning welcomed the Pope to the palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, her official residence in Scotland. | <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/multimedia/2010/09/16/queen-elizabeth-greets-the-pope-in-holyrood-palace/">Video</a>
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/16/popes-visit-benedict-queen-text" target=_blank>Benedict gives Queen copy of rare text</a> - "In a symbolic gesture, the pope has given the Queen a copy of <i>The Codex Aureus of Lorsch</i>, a priceless manuscript." (<i>The Guardian</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30364" target=_blank>Queen Notes Common Heritage, Concerns of Pope; Stresses Opportunity to Deepen Anglican-Catholic Relations</a> (Zenit)
<li><a href="http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?entry_id=3297" target=_blank>Pope reminds Britain of its greatness</a>, by Austen Ivereigh (<i>America</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1312531/POPES-UK-VISIT-Benedict-XVI-lands-face-storm-German-aides-attack-Britain.html" target=_blank>Pope likens the rise of atheism in Britain to the Nazis as he admits his 'shock and sadness' over abuse scandal</a> (<i>Daily Mail</i>) - Some great photos as well.
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11332515" target=_blank>Row after Pope's remarks on atheism and Nazis</a> (BBC). The Pope's remark about "the sobering lessons of atheist extremism of the 20th century" has prompted a hissy fit among "humanist" organizations.
<li><a href="http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/benedict-battles-dictatorship-relativism" target=_blank>Benedict battles the 'dictatorship of relativism'</a> John Allen Jr. (<i>National Catholic Reporter</i>): "If there were any doubt that the battle against a secular “dictatorship of relativism” would be Benedict XVI’s top priority during his Sept. 16-19 trip to the United Kingdom, the pontiff has swiftly removed it."
<li><a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30368" target=_blank>Scots Line Streets to Welcome Benedict XVI: Pontiff Completes 1st Day of UK Trip</a>, by Edward Pentin. (Zenit)
<li><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1312763/POPES-UK-VISIT-Susan-Boyle-70-000-drown-cynics.html?ITO=1490" target=_blank>70,000 (and Susan Boyle) drown out the cynics: Amid the crowds and the pageantry only a sea breeze troubles the Pope</a> (<i>Daily Mail</i>)
<li>Nick Squires (<i>The Telegraph</i> profiles <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/8006581/Pope-visit-Gorgeous-Georg-Ganswein-the-Popes-right-hand-man.html" target=_blank>'Gorgeous' Georg Ganswein, the Pope's right-hand man</a> - bringing "an unlikely touch of sex appeal and glamour to the Pope's visit to the UK."
<li><a href="http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2010/09/16/factbox-planned-protests-during-popes-visit-to-britain/" target=_blank>Planned protests during pope’s visit to Britain</a> - Reuters' <i>Faithworld</i> provides an outline of some of the main protests likely to take to the streets. (Let's counter them with LOVE!)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/16/pope-urges-scotland-dont-exclude-believers-from-public-life/" target=_blank>Pope urges Scotland: don’t exclude believers from public life</a>, by Anna Arco (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-spokesman-pleased-with-crowd-of-100000-in-edinburgh/" target=_blank>“We couldn't desire a better start” for the Pope's visit to the U.K., said Fr. Federico Lombardi, referring to the great crowd of 100,000 in Edinburgh</a> (Catholic News Agency)
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/sep/18/pope-scotland-ian-jack" target=_blank>Pope Benedict and the St Ninian revival</a> "Catholicism and Scotland have a long and complex past. Did the papal visit change anything?" - Ian Jack. (<i>The Guardian</i>)
</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_3.jpg" width="400" height="262" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">Pope Benedict XVI's kisses infant Maria Tyszczak of Poland, as he arrives for mass at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Source; <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/09W62yp25W6PP?q=pope+benedict+xvi" target=_blank>Reuters</a></div>
</center>
<br><b>Blogging the Papal Visit</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/8005684/Pope-Visit-UK-2010-Live.html" target=_blank>
Pope Visit UK 2010: Live</a>, liveblogging with Andrew Hough, Heidi Blake and Alastair Jamieson (<i>Telegraph</i>)
<li><a href="http://clazcoms.blogspot.com/2010/09/start-of-pilgrim-journey-with-holy.html" target=_blank>Claz Coms: The start of a pilgrim journey with the Holy Father: My Itinerary</a>, by Claz Gomez (Papal Pilgrim)
<li><a href="http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/theanchoress/2010/09/16/a-running-thread-on-benedict-in-uk/" target=_blank>A Running thread on Benedict in UK</a> Elizabeth Scalia (<i>The Anchoress</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/breaking/2010/09/16/papal-visit-2010-live-blog/" target=_blank>Papal Visit 2010 live blog: Edinburgh</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/16/papal-visit-2010-live-blog-bellahouston/" target=_blank>Papal Visit 2010 live blog: Bellahouston Park</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://whosoeverdesires.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/a-jesuit-shout-out-from-the-pope/" target=_blank>A Jesuit shout-out from the Pope</a>, by Anthony Lusvardi, SJ (<i>Whosoever Desires</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.wheatandweeds.com/2010/09/pope-to-british-press-youre-not-so.html" target=_blank>Pope To British Press: You're Not So Tough</a> (Translation: "ain't you scared?") Answer: "nope." (<i>Wheat and Weeds</i>)
<li><a href="http://saltandlighttv.org/blog/?p=15901" target=_blank>What would a guest of honour in Scotland be without a tartan?</a> Pope Benedict XVI donned a specially designed Papal tartan over his shoulders as he traveled from Holyroodhouse Palace to the Archbishop of Edinburgh’s residence. (<i>Salt + Light</i>)
<li><a href="http://scecclesia.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/ticking-the-boxes-in-scotland/" target=_blank>"Ticking the Boxes in Scotland"</a> David Schütz (<i>Sentire Cum Ecclesia</i>)
<li>Fr. Tim Finigan: <a href="http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2010/09/papal-visit-first-day-roaring-success.html" target=_blank>"Papal visit - first day a roaring success!"</a> (<i>Hermeneutic of Continuity</i>)
<li><a href="http://clazcoms.blogspot.com/2010/09/scotland-you-did-yourselves-proud.html" target=_blank>Scotland, you did yourselves proud</a> (<i>Claz Cloms</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2010/09/16/a-graceful-and-elegant-geginning/" target=_blank>A Graceful and Elegant Beginning</a> Fr. George W. Rutler. (<i>First Things</i> "First Thoughts")
</ul>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_2.jpg" width="400" height="266" border="1"><div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful upon his arrival at Bellahouston park to celebraste an open-air mass in Glasgow, Scotland. Source; <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/0dzr8CV5bQ8Lq?q=pope+benedict+xvi" target=_blank>Associated Press</a></div>
</center>
<br><b>Other articles of the day</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://the-american-catholic.com/2010/09/16/the-pope-of-christian-unity-pope-benedict-xvi-is-in-the-uk/" target=_blank>The Pope Of Christian Unity, Pope Benedict XVI Is In The UK</a>, by David Hartline. "Many in the mainstream media have failed to see the obvious concerning Pope Benedict XVI’s trip to the United Kingdom, the truth of the Catholic Church has won out." (<i>The American Catholic</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otr.cfm?id=5381" target=_blank>Another “gotcha” for the British press ... and another episcopal fumble</a> Diogenes (<i>Off The Record</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otn.cfm?id=706" target=_blank> What to expect from the Pope's visit to Great Britain </a> by Phil Lawler (Catholic Culture)
<li><a href="http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/all-people-cardinal-kasper" target=_blank>Of all people, Cardinal Kasper?</a> John Allen Jr. <i>National Catholic Reporter</i>
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/8006562/Pope-visit-Cardinal-Walter-Kasper-wont-apologise-for-Third-World-comment.html" target=_blank>Cardinal Walter Kasper won't apologise for 'Third World' comment</a> (<i>Telegraph</i>)
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/09/16/well-done-mark-dowd-you-did-the-pope-justice/" target=_blank>Well done, Mark Dowd. You did the Pope justice</a> Francis Phillips reviews Mark Dowd's BBC documentary, "Trials of a Pope" (<i>Catholic Herald</i>)
<li><a href="http://news.scotsman.com/news/John-L-Allen-jnr-Visit.6534437.jp" target=_blank>"Visit is a chance for the Pope to show Britain his human side"</a>, says John Allen Jr. to the <i>Scotsman</i>. He relays the following anecdote:<blockquote>There's a tradition in the Vatican press corps that when one of us writes a book about the Pope, we make sure he gets a copy. Thus when my volume <i>The Rise of Benedict XVI</i> appeared shortly after the papal election of April 2005, I made an appointment to deliver an inscribed copy for the new pontiff. ...
<p>To be honest, I had always assumed the Pope never sees these books. To my surprise, a few weeks I received a call from the Vatican spokesperson, at the time the Spaniard Joaquin Navarro-Valls, who was with the new Pope at his summer vacation chalet in northern Italy.
<p>Navarro-Valls told me Benedict had come down to breakfast that morning with my book in his hands, and wished to relay a message.
<p>"Please thank Herr Allen for having written this book," Navarro-Valls quoted his boss as saying, "especially the last part about the future of my papacy … it has saved me the trouble of thinking about it for myself!"</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2010/09/16/modern-historians-on-pope-benedict/" target=_blank>Modern Historians on Pope Benedict</a> <i>First Things</i>' "First Thoughts" - William Doino (on <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/8003621/The-Pope-deserves-better-from-Britain.html" target=_blank>historian Michael Burleigh's defense of Pope Benedict XVI</a> in the <i>Telegraph</i>).
<li><a href="http://gkupsidedown.blogspot.com/2010/09/pope-to-use-sedia-gestatoria.html" target=_blank>Pope to Use Sedia Gestatoria</a>, by Father Dwight Longenecker (<i>Standing On My Head</i>). "Traditionalists the world over will be pleased to hear the news that has just come in that Pope Benedict XVI plans to bring back the <i>sedia gestatoria</i> during his upcoming visit to Britain." ;-)
</ul><br>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/b16uk_1.jpg" width="400" height="266" border="1">
<div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; width: 400px;">Pilgrims sing as hundreds of people wait for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI outside the Vatican's Apostolic Nunciature in London where the Pope is staying during his visit to Britain. Source: <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/09M7crC1Vfffh?q=Pope+Benedict+XVI" target=_blank> Associated Press</a></div>
</center>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-73709291813860372022010-09-15T07:03:00.001-07:002010-09-15T23:38:31.862-07:00Anticipating Pope's Visit to the UK - Roundup (September 14-15, 2010)<ul>
<li><img src="http://ratzingerfanclub.com/images/cardinal_kasper_100.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="1" vspace="4" hspace="4" align="right"><a href="http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/09/15/war-of-the-words-papal-aid-drops-out-of-uk-visit-after-criticizing-country/" target=_blank>Religious Showdown: Papal Aide Drops Out of Visit to 'Third World' UK</a>, by Nate Jones (<i>Time</i> September 15, 2010):<blockquote>Cardinals aren't allowed to make fun of Britain! Only Americans are allowed to make fun of Britain!
<p>In an interview with the German Magazine Focus, a close advisor to Pope Benedict XVI minced no words in criticizing the United Kingdom, site of an upcoming visit by the Pope.
<p>"When you land at Heathrow [airport] you think you are in a Third World land," Cardinal Walter Kasper told the paper. He also implied the Christians were at a disadvantage in Britain due to a system of "aggressive atheism" in the country, saying "If you wear a cross you are discriminated."
<p>[...]
<p>Today, Kasper backed out of the trip with the Pope. Vatican officials stated that this was due to illness.</blockquote><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/15/pope-benedict-xvi-aide-remarks" target=_blank>Papal spokesman Frederico Lombardi sought to put Kasper's remarks in the best light, while others distanced themselves</a> (<i>The Guardian</i>):<blockquote> Lombardi said Kasper "had meant to refer to the fact that from the moment of arrival in London airport – as happens in many big metropolises of the world today, but in London particularly because the unique role played over time by the UK's capital – you realise from the outset that you are in a country in which many human realities of the most diverse provenances and conditions meet and mingle; a crucible of today's humanity, with its diversity and problems".
<p>Lombardi added that, in speaking about atheism, the cardinal "was obviously referring to the positions of certain well-known authors who put themselves forward particularly aggressively and dress themselves up in scientific and cultural arguments, but who do not in fact have the value they show off".
<p>Last night the Catholic church in England and Wales distanced itself from the cardinal's comments, which a spokeswoman said "do not represent the views of the Vatican, nor those of bishops in this country". </blockquote>
<p><li><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/james_macmillan.gif" width="100" height="100" border="1" align="right"><a href="http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/jmacmillan/100046928/pope-benedict-xvi-is-the-worst-enemy-of-britains-vicious-secular-elites/" target=_blank>"Pope Benedict XVI is the worst enemy of Britain's vicious secular elites"</a> - James MacMillan, reknowned Scottish Catholic composer, goes to bat for the Pope in an editorial for the <i>Telegraph</i> (September 15, 2010):<blockquote>When he was elected Pope in April 2005, it was not just musicians who were cock-a hoop. Many had known about this distinguished academic theologian for decades. My first encounter with his ideas and writings was as an undergraduate at Edinburgh University when the then Catholic Chaplain and Dominican, Fr Aidan Nichols was talking about his influence. In those days many young Catholics like me were seduced by the cul-de-sac political romanticism of “Liberation” Theology. It was a huge mistake, and it took the power and charisma of John Paul II to shake us out of our self-indulgent, irresponsible reverie. Joseph Ratzinger too, was a potent voice in warning the Church of its dangers. ...
<p>[T]he Left, having lost the economic arguments are now channeling all their energies into “reforming” our culture, institutions, public manners and ethical norms. Ratzinger saw this coming when he was exposed to the rabid intolerance of the left-wing 68ers at Tubingen University, ... As has been well documented since, these campus Marxists have ascended to power and influence all over western Europe, and now form the secular elites who control governments, universities and what we read, see and hear in our media. This is why the reception of Pope Benedict in this country has been so vicious, one-sidedly negative and unfriendly. <i>They sense their worst enemy!</i> Literally.</blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/15/archbishop-crackpots-and-lunatics-could-still-disrupt-visit/" target=_blank>Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark has warned Catholic families that “crackpots and lunatics” could still disrupt the papal visit</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> September 15, 2010). Coincidentally, as if to validate his fears, <i>The Edinburgh Journal</i> reports that <a href="http://www.journal-online.co.uk/article/6846-protests-arranged-for-day-of-papal-visit" target=_blank>the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland and the Humanist Society of Scotland (HSS) have organised protests to coincide with the Pope’s visit</a>.
<p><li>Edward Pentin (<i>Catholic Herald</i>), on why <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/09/15/the-popes-address-in-westminster-hall-is-one-of-his-most-important-ever/" target=_blank>the Pope’s address in Westminster Hall is one of his most important ever</a>:<blockquote>Freedom of conscience, faith and reason, and the positive contribution to society of the faith are the expected themes of the speech the Pope will deliver in the ancient chamber, perhaps most famous for being the place where St Thomas More was tried and condemned in 1535.
<p>Westminster Hall has also been the site many other historical events, highly significant to British Catholics and to the nation as a whole. Originally constructed by William II (Rufus) in 1097, it was the venue for the coronation banquets of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Elizabeth I. Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot conspirators were tried there, as were Charles I and Sir William Wallace.
<p>More recently, it was where Edward VII, George V, George VI, Queen Mary, Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother all lay in state. It is also reserved for the most important addresses: Charles de Gaulle delivered a speech in the Hall on a visit to Britain in 1960, and Nelson Mandela did so in 1996.
<p>For the government, Westminster Hall will be a crucial event, ...</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/15/cameron-offers-warm-welcome-to-pope/" target=_blank>David Cameron has offered a “warm welcome” to Pope Benedict XVI and said his visit would be a “great honour” for Britain</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> September 15, 2010) | <a href="http://www.romereports.com/palio/British-premier-David-Cameron-sends-Pope-a-video-welcome-Your-visit-is-a-great-honour-for-our-country-english-2717.html" target=_blank>Video</a>
<p><li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11309357" target=_blank>More than 50 public figures have added their names to a letter in the <i>Guardian</i> newspaper opposing the Pope's visit</a> (September 15, 2010). Signatories include "Professor Richard Dawkins, Ken Follett, AC Grayling, Stewart Lee, Claire Rayner, Lord Foulkes, Lord Hughes, Professor Steve Jones, Sir Jonathan Miller, Lord Taverne, Peter Tatchell and Baroness Turner." (Any of those ring a bell besides Dawkins?) -- At any rate, they wish to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/15/harsh-judgments-on-pope-religion" target=_blank>"reject the masquerading of the Holy See as a state and the pope as a head of state as merely a convenient fiction to amplify the international influence of the Vatican."</a><br><br>By way of Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, <a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2010/09/catholic-league-on-some-brits-lecturing-the-pope/" target=_blank>The Catholic League responds to those lecturing the Pope</a>:<blockquote>Philip Pullman, of "The Golden Compass" fame, signed the letter. A few months ago, he said, "I hope the wretched Catholic Church will vanish entirely." Atheist fanatic Richard Dawkins, known for charging that the Catholic Church is "the greatest force for evil in the world," signed it as well. Gay activist Peter Tatchell, an organizer of "Protest the Pope," has said, "Several of my friends—gay and straight, male and female—had sex with adults from the ages of nine to 13. None feel they were abused. All say it was their conscious choice and gave them great joy."
<p>There you have it. The pope’s leading critics are imbued with hate and even associate with advocates of child rape. And they have the nerve to point fingers at the pontiff.</blockquote>
<p><li>As Pope Benedict prepares for his visit to the United Kingdom, speculation abounds as to what he might say. According to William Doino of <i>First Things</i>, <a href="http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2010/09/14/ratzinger-at-cambridge-a-preview-of-benedict-in-the-u-k/" target=_blank>clues can be found in a previous speech he delivered, which has been surprisingly overlooked</a>:<blockquote>In 1988, the-then Cardinal Ratzinger, travelled to England to give the annual Fisher Lecture at the Catholic Chaplaincy at Cambridge University. The Times of London said it was one of the best-attended theological lectures ever in contemporary England, and for ample reason: it was classic Joseph Ratzinger–Ratzinger at his scintillating best.
<p>Addressing what he called “the characteristic signs of our time,” he names them: an overwhelming sense of gloom, paradoxically alternating with a naïve sense of “progress;” a spiritual emptiness finding expression in sexual excess and drug abuse; a secular conformism which forbids serious criticism of social immorality (“whoever dares to say that…is put on the sidelines as a hopeless obscurantist”); and—most prophetically—a false and fanatical search for “liberation,” which spurs terrorism: “a real prevention of its root causes has not yet taken place….and, as long as this is so, it can erupt anew at any time.”
<p>Against this nihilism, Ratzinger proposes the Christian world view, ingeniously invoking that most British of British Christians ... <a href="http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2010/09/14/ratzinger-at-cambridge-a-preview-of-benedict-in-the-u-k/">more</a>]</blockquote>
<p><li>On the eve of the Pope's visit, <a href="http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1003702.htm" target=_blank>news of a possible second Newman miracle</a> -- Cindy Wooden reports for the Catholic News Service:<blockquote>Catholic officials are investigating claims that a severely deformed baby was born in a perfectly normal condition after the child's mother prayed to Cardinal John Henry Newman for a miracle.
<p>Andrea Ambrosi, the Vatican lawyer in charge of Cardinal Newman's cause for canonization, has revealed in a BBC program to be broadcast Sept. 18 that he hopes the inexplicable healing may be the miracle needed to canonize Cardinal Newman as Britain's next saint. ...</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30338" target=_blank>Francis Campbell, U.K. ambassador to the Holy See, speaks with ZENIT at length about the expected impact of the pope's visit -- the first state visit of a Pope to the United Kingdom</a> (September 14, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30346" target=_blank>"The expectations and interest of British society is growing," despite some "noisy but always marginal manifestations of dissent"</a> -- that's the word of Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, in an editorial in the weekly program "Octava Dies" of the Vatican Television Center. (Zenit. September 14, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/news/840922-popemobile-unveiled-to-the-public-ahead-of-uk-papal-visit" target=_blank>The Popemobile has been displayed ahead of the state visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the UK - and it's a Mercedes. </a> (Metro.co.uk September 14, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-11298684" target=_blank>Tyneside teenager Declan Stokle will be addressing a crowd of more than 80,000 people during the Papal visit to the UK</a> (BBC News, September 14, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/essex/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_8996000/8996965.stm" target=_blank>The man who was in charge of ensuring Pope John Paul II's safety during his visit to the UK in 1982 recalls his experiences to the BBC</a> (September 14, 2010):<blockquote>Being tasked with the role of keeping the leader of the Roman Catholic church safe, just over one year on from an assassination attempt in Rome, he was well aware of the responsibility on his shoulders.
<p>"In 25 years in the Special Branch it was the one morning that I got up and thought 'I don't want to go to work today,'" he said.<p>"It was the morning of the start of the Papal visit and I thought 'hell, what have I volunteered to do' because if it goes wrong it's down to me. ...</blockquote>(Please pray for those who occupy the same shoes providing security in the coming days).
<p><li>Breaking news from the <i>Richmond and Twickenham Times</i> -- <a href="http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/8388795.Protest_gathers_pace_ahead_of_Pope_visit/" target=_blank>Richmond’s LGBT forum has launched a last-minute campaign to demonstrate anger at the visit of Pope Benedict XVI</a> (September 14, 2010):<blockquote>“We hope that the Challenge HomoPopia campaign will allow all of those who are unable to attend the various physical demonstrations being organised to add their voices to the challenge and, simultaneously, to make a small donation, leaving a tangible legacy to help the victims of HomoPopia.”</blockquote>HomoPapia?!?
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-90425685528089929532010-09-13T22:38:00.000-07:002010-09-19T22:49:21.895-07:00Getting acquainted with John Henry Cardinal Newman<img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/newman.jpg" width="227" height="285" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" hspace="4">It goes without saying that the opportunity to personally beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman was a major enticement for the pontiff's journeying to England at this particular time. What follows is a brief selection of links to get better acquainted with the Cardinal (more of which can be found <a href="http://cardinaljohnhenrynewman.blogspot.com/">here</a>).
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<b>Introductions</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henry_Newman" target=_blank>Wikipedia: John Henry Newman</a>
<li><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10794a.htm" target=_blank><i>Catholic Enyclopedia</i>: John Henry Newman</a> Barry, W. (1911). John Henry Newman. In <i>The Catholic Encyclopedia</i>. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
<li><a href="http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Sep2010/Feature1.asphttp://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Sep2010/Feature1.asp" target=_blank>Blessed John Henry Newman: Lover of Truth</a>, by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M. <i>Saint Anthony Messenger</i> September 2010.
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<b>Articles and Commentary</b>
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<li><a href="http://www.op-stjoseph.org/blog/cardinal_john_henry_newman?" target=_blank>Who was John Henry Newman?</a> - An Interview with Father Carleton Jones, O.P. The Dominican Province of St. Joseph. August 25, 2010. (Father Carleton Jones, O.P., wrote his Doctoral Dissertation on Newman while studying at the Angelicum University in Rome. Fr. Jones is also a graduate of Yale University. After fourteen years in the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Father Jones became a Roman Catholic in 1982, entered the Dominican Order, and was ordained in 1987).
<li><a href="http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1003700.htm" target=_blank>Feast day for Cardinal Newman has ecumenical implications</a>, by John Thavis (Catholic News Service):<blockquote>When Pope Benedict XVI beatifies Cardinal John Henry Newman in mid-September, he'll announce the new blessed's feast day as Oct. 9 -- not the date of his death, which is typical for feast days, but the date of Cardinal Newman's passage from Anglicanism into the Catholic Church.</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7995294/Cardinal-Newman-The-Victorian-celebrity-intellectual-who-brought-Benedict-to-Britain.html" target=_blank>Cardinal Newman: The Victorian celebrity intellectual who brought Benedict to Britain</a>, by Christopher Howse. <i>The Telegraph</i> September 11, 2010.
<li><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704111704575355321702751364.html" target=_blank>Beyond the Beatification of Cardinal Newman </a>, by C. John McCloskey III. <i>Wall Street Journal</i> September 10, 2010:<blockquote>Newman died in 1890 popularly considered a saint. Over a century later, the Church is vindicating this judgment of the people of the U.K. and the whole English-speaking world. Pope Benedict's decision to preside over Newman's beatification reflects his love and respect for a fellow theologian whose work he has studied from his seminary days, and whose influence on the Second Vatican Council made him perhaps the most influential theologian on the council, even though it was meeting more than 70 years after his death.</blockquote>
<li>Conrad Black (<i>National Review</i>) on <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/245706/honoring-cardinal-newman-conrad-black" target=_blank>Honoring Cardinal Newman</a>: "... in the 120 years since his death, Newman has carried the British colors in his spheres of endeavor with a brilliance, panache, and durability that has put him in, or close to, the company of history’s most distinguished Englishmen, the exalted realm of Shakespeare and Churchill." September 7, 2010.
<li><a href="http://whosoeverdesires.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/countdown-to-newman-on-the-danger-of-accomplishments/" target=_blank>Newman on "the danger of accomplishments"</a> Aaron Pidel, SJ (<i>Whosoever Desires</i>) blogs on a single sermon that Newman preached—while still an Anglican—on the Feast of St. Luke: “The Danger of Accomplishments.” ("It might be aptly retitled today, 'The Danger of Higher Education.'") September 4, 2010.
<li><a href="http://www.catholicleader.com.au/news.php/features/extolling-newmans-brilliance_59934" target=_blank>What could a soon-to-be-beatified 19th century English cardinal and Catholic convert possibly have to say to people living in modern Australia?</a> - Father Rod Strange has the answer. <i>Catholic Leader</i> August 22, 2010.
<li><a href="http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?s=newmania" target=_blank>Newmania!</a> - Joseph A. Komonchak (<i>Commonweal</i>): "as a preparation for the beatification of John Henry Newman in September, I might send in from time to time favorite excerpts from his writings, in the hope also of attracting new readers to the man who saved my intellectual soul when I was in college."
<li>James Martin asks <a href="http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/05/07/whose_saint_is_john_henry_newman/" target=_blank>"Whose saint is Cardinal Newman?"</a> <i>Boston Globe</i> May 7, 2009:<blockquote>Admired by conservatives and liberals, cradle Catholics and converts, as well as anti-clericalists and gays, Cardinal John Henry Newman is destined to be a popular but controverted saint. Who is the "real" Newman? It's a bit like the popular quest for the "historical Jesus." Which one you find depends a great deal on which one you're searching for.</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://zenit.org/article-24027?l=english" target=_blank>Cardinal Newman: Doctor of the Church? - Father Ian Ker on the Priest’s Cause, Teachings</a> Zenit News. October 22, 2008.
<li><a href="http://zenit.org/article-23550?l=english" target=_blank>Cardinal John Henry Newman Faithfully Celibate</a> Oxford Professor Ian Ker Responds to Media Rumors. Zenit News. September 4, 2008. An article by Ian Ker, an Oxford University professor, regarding rumors circulating in the British press about Cardinal John Henry Newman. The article by the Newman scholar appeared Sept. 3 in <i>L'Osservatore Romano</i>.
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<i>John Henry Newman: His Inner Life</i>
<br>Father Zeno O.F.M. Cap. (Author). Ignatius Press; Second edition (January 2010)
<div style="font-size: 11px;">This book is a culmination of Father Zeno's life work. With the cooperation of the Oratorian Fathers, he was given full access to all of Newman's letters, diaries, and complete published and unpublished sermons. From all this he has drawn together the interior struggles Newman faced from childhood until his death. Zeno allows Newman to speak through his work and writings, an exceedingly rich source. This is a landmark work considered one of the best spiritual biographies of John Henry Newman ever written.
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<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0898701120?ie=UTF8&tag=christopsweb&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0898701120" target=_blank>Purchase in the USA</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=christopsweb&l=as2&o=1&a=0898701120" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> | <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0898701120?ie=UTF8&tag=thecardinarat-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0898701120">Purchase in the UK</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thecardinarat-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0898701120" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
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<i>John Henry Newman: A Biography</i>
<br>By Ian Ker. Oxford University Press, USA; Reissue edition (August 2009)
<div style="font-size: 11px;">
This full-length life of John Henry Newman is the first comprehensive biography of both the man and the thinker and writer. It draws extensively on material from Newman's letters and papers. Newman's character is revealed in its complexity and contrasts: the legendary sadness and sensitivity are placed in their proper perspective by being set against his no less striking qualities of exuberance, humour, and toughness.
<p>This book attempts to do justice to the fullness of Newman's achievement and genius: the Victorian 'prophet' or 'sage', who ranks among the major English prose writers; the dominating religious figure of the nineteenth century, who can now be recognised as the forerunner of the Second Vatican Council and the modern ecumenical movement; and finally, the universal Christian thinker, whose significance transcends his culture and time.</div>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/019956910X?ie=UTF8&tag=christopsweb&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=019956910X">Purchase in the USA</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=christopsweb&l=as2&o=1&a=019956910X" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> | <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/019956910X?ie=UTF8&tag=thecardinarat-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=019956910X">Purchase in the UK</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thecardinarat-21&l=as2&o=2&a=019956910X" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
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</table>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-52851761595129872612010-09-13T19:13:00.000-07:002010-09-13T19:14:24.112-07:00Pope Benedict XVI in the UK - Daily Roundup - 9/13/10<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/tvandradioblog/2010/sep/13/peter-tatchell-trouble-with-the-pope" target=_blank>Peter Tatchell congratulates himself on his journalistic integrity in his documentary on the Pope</a>:<blockquote>Early on, I decided to deviate from what might be expected of me. Instead of a ruthless Christopher Hitchens-style evisceration of Benedict XVI, I opted for a more subtle approach – and a degree of open-mindedness. I was ready to confound my own preconceptions. And I did, in some respects. I discovered that when he was plain Joseph Ratzinger ...</blockquote><a href="http://frjeffreysteel.blogspot.com/2010/09/catholic-bishop-of-paisley-and-peter.html" target=_blank>Although judging by Fr. Jeffrey Steele's review, Tatchell's performance was somewhat wanting</a>:<blockquote>After watching the channel 4 programme tonight by Peter Tatchell all I could think about with my children who viewed it with me was that Tatchell became the best apologist for the Catholic Faith and our present Holy Father than I could have ever dreamed about. To see and hear my older children argue with the ignorant on the screen was priceless to me. It brought laughter from the children at how ridiculous and lacking in logic Tatchell is. My 13 year old daughter asked, 'how can you stand to watch any more of this rubbish?'</blockquote>
<li>The <i>Catholic Herald</i> provides a name-by-name introduction to <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/09/13/all-the-popes-men/" target=_blank>"the seguito" -- the papal entourage of Vatican diplomats, secretaries, and curial officials accompanying the Pope</a> (September 13, 2010). See also <a href="http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1003652.htm" target=_blank>John Thavis's profile of "the mini-Vatican"</a> (Catholic News Service. September 10, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11186584" target=_blank>The BBC News profiles Jack Sullivan, who credits John Henry Newman with a "miracle cure"</a> (September 12, 2010):<blockquote>Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Robert Banco explained the back and leg pain was due to severe stenosis, or compression of the spinal cord and nerves.<p>The Boston doctor later told Vatican investigators it was "a miracle itself" his patient had been able to walk pain-free, let alone complete his religious studies, during the previous nine months.<p>He recommended a laminectomy to remove a part of the spinal bones that was causing the problem.
<p>Although successfully performed in August 2001, this operation left Mr Sullivan in immense pain and he was warned he might not be able to walk properly for months.
<p>Having taken an excruciating few minutes, with a nurse's help, to get his feet to the floor, he said he leant on his forearms and recited his prayer to Newman. ... [<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11186584" target=_blank>more</a>]</blockquote>
<li>Now for a bit of history. Robert Barr (Associated Press) takes a look at <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jyCSoL8Y4siiRB1Vttb1HUrwif6AD9I5RA780" target=_blank>the repression of Catholics in England centuries after the Reformation</a> (September 12, 2010):<blockquote>In the turmoil and persecution that followed the break between King Henry VIII and Rome, noble families such as the Stonors clung to their faith, "in spite of dungeon, fire and sword," as the Victorian hymn "Faith of our Fathers" put it.
<p>"We're just stubborn, really," says Ralph Thomas Campion Stonor, the seventh Lord Camoys, a title bestowed on an ancestor for valor in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
<p>Pope Benedict XVI will recall the years of persecution during his upcoming tour of Britain Sept. 16-19. He will visit Westminster Hall, the medieval chamber within the Houses of Parliament where the Catholic Thomas More was tried and convicted of treason in 1535. More refused to swear an oath accepting the annulment of King Henry's marriage, thus becoming one of the first of the legion of English Catholic martyrs.
<p>The Stonor family's history mirrors the vicissitudes of Catholics, both noble and humble, who defied the law and risked death to preserve their faith through times of persecution until they regained full legal rights in the 19th century. ...</blockquote>On the other hand, the <i>Guardian</i>'s Stephen Bates takes a look at <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/13/pope-benedict-visit-britain-catholics" target=_blank>significant strides in England's reception of Catholics in the past 50 years</a> ("In the 1960s, when I was serving as an altar boy at mass, to be a Catholic was to be an outsider, a group outside the mainstream of British life, separate, slightly alien. ... <i>How different today</i>").
<p><li>Some more history -- Victor L. Simpson <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gfEc8AIUDCnVIdKF5uRlVhj91UMwD9I676FO0" target=_blank>considers Pope Benedict's visit next week with the experience of his predecessor</a>:<blockquote>The Falklands war was in full swing and John Paul II was in London as the first pope ever to set foot on English soil.
<p>Even as he snubbed Margaret Thatcher and prayed for peace in implicit criticism of Britain — whose troops were battling Catholic Argentines — the pontiff received a rapturous welcome and was described in glowing terms by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
<p>His successor, Benedict XVI, can expect a far cooler — if not at times downright hostile — reception in his upcoming state visit.
<p>It all underscores the contrasting public fortunes of the two leaders of the church. John Paul was an international superstar who could send a thrill even through non-Catholics and made many people forget how at odds he was with their personal views. Benedict seems to step into crisis and controversy at every turn when he ventures abroad on bridge-building missions. ... [<a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gfEc8AIUDCnVIdKF5uRlVhj91UMwD9I676FO0" target=_blank>more</a>].</blockquote>The <i>Catholic Herald</i> reminds us, <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/09/13/the-popes-trip-follows-two-state-visits-by-the-queen-to-rome/" target=_blank>"One fact that hasn’t so far emerged from the first ever state visit by a Pope to Britain is that it follows two state visits to the Vatican by the Queen."</a>
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<center><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AGNSw-bdNWc?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AGNSw-bdNWc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><div style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; width: 480px;">Benedict XVI asked Catholics of the whole world not to abandon him during his difficult trip to the United Kingdom. September 13, 2010.</div></center>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/7997093/Pope-launches-defence-of-religious-freedom-in-Britain.html" target=_blank>In a speech to political and religious leaders in Westminster Hall, Pope Benedict is expected to defend the religious freedoms of Christians against encroaching secularism</a> (<i>The Telegraph</i> September 12, 2010):<blockquote>Senior Roman Catholic sources said his message would be seen as a criticism of the introduction of equality laws that have impinged on the freedom of religious groups, although he will not directly refer to government policy.
<p>A number of Christians have lost their jobs or faced disciplinary action for practising their faith at work by wearing a crucifix or sharing their views on biblical teaching. </blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11274308" target=_blank>Almost six in 10 Catholics say that their faith is not "generally valued" in British society, according to a poll commissioned by the BBC</a>. However, the BBC reports, "70% of British Catholics polled expect the Pope's visit to help the Catholic Church in the UK." (September 12, 2010).
<p><li>"Seriously, don't these folks ever get tired of writing the same ol' stuff?" Carl Olson (<i>Insight Scoop</i>) asks the BBC. To save them the trouble, he generously provides <a href="http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/09/more-original-thoughtful-reporting-from-bbc.html" target=_blank>a template (which can be tweaked here and there, of course, depending on your level of laziness and bias) to be used in writing about Pope Benedict XVI</a>:<blockquote><li>Prominently mention that young Ratzinger served in the Nazi army. Don't provide any context—just let the association be made. After all, it's pretty hard to dig out of that hole!
<p><li>Immediately follow up with mention of the sex scandals. Imply that it is somehow the Pope's fault that certain priests are perverts and certain bishops are pathetic, or worse. Make it sound as though molestations and abuse are happening right now, rather than pointing out that vast majority took place over thirty years ago.
<p><li>Have plenty of quotes from those openly opposed to the Pope, as well as unnamed Catholics who question, doubt, or dislike the Pope and "his" positions. Anonymous priests, bishops, and nuns are best.
<p><li>Be certain to mention that as prefect of the CDF, Cardinal Ratzinger was the head of an office that is "the successor to the Inquisition." Let it hang out there, knowing it's a wonderfully negative (and misleading) buzzword. ...</blockquote>
<p><li>Midst the barrage of ridicule, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/7999186/Papal-visit-A-chance-to-show-tolerance.html" target=_blank>a refreshing call to tolerance from <i>The Telegraph</i></a>:<blockquote>In 1940, the British people fought not only to resist conquest but also to preserve their tolerant values. Today, this country permits and even celebrates many things of which the Catholic Church disapproves. But it should be stressed that this Pope, perhaps more than any other, is an admirer of British democracy. As a devotee of Cardinal Newman who speaks our language fluently, he appreciates our tradition of civilised discourse with people whose views we do not share.
<p>
In recent months, that tradition has been threatened by the anti-religious rhetoric of "defenders of the Enlightenment", who display an intellectual intolerance almost worthy of the Inquisition. That is a shame. By all means, let critics challenge the Pope's teachings while he is here. But this four-day visit is not an invitation to drown out the voice of the leader of a billion Christians with sneering and mockery. Visitors to these shores as well as British citizens have the right of free speech. Our distinguished guest must be allowed to exercise it. </blockquote>For the <i>Catholic Herald</i>, <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/09/13/our-moment-has-come/" target=_blank>the moment has come for English Catholics</a>:<blockquote>The reception that Pope Benedict receives as he drives through our streets will tell us much about our society. If the faithful fill the streets and greet the Pontiff with applause and cries of support then the watching world will see that the faith of those who gave up their lives hundreds of years ago is alive and well in Britain. It is easy to fall into the trap of blaming others for the difficulties of the Church. But we will only have ourselves to blame if the Popemobile speeds through thin crowds next week.
<p>We are confident that this will not be the case. We believe that, despite all the mishaps and difficulties along the way, Britain’s Catholics will rise to the occasion of the papal visit and give Benedict XVI the warm welcome he deserves.</blockquote>
<li>Zenit news provides further detail on the <a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30333" target=_blank>Scottish Tartan designed to commemorate the papal visit</a> (September 13, 2010):<blockquote>As with every tartan, colors will play a symbolic role in the St. Ninian plaid dedicated to Benedict XVI.
<p>Newsome explained: "The white line on blue field draws upon Scotland's national colors while the green reflects the lichens growing on the stones of Whithorn in Galloway. It was there that St. Ninian first brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Scottish shores over 1,600 years ago.
<p>"The white lines are also accompanied by a pair of red lines, reflecting the colors of Cardinal Newman's [who will be beatified by the Pope] crest. And finally, the thin yellow lines in the tartan, together with the white, reflect the colors of the Vatican."
<p>"In terms of the weaving, each white line on the green contains exactly eight threads, one for each Catholic diocese in Scotland," he continued. "There are 452 threads in the design from pivot to pivot, representing the number of Catholic parishes."</blockquote>
</ul>
<p><b>In Brief</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-11292162" target=_blank>People hoping to see the Pope leaving the UK at the end of his four-day visit have been urged not to go to Birmingham Airport</a> (BBC September 13, 2010).
<p><li>Storm warning! -- The <i>Daily Record</i> predicts that <a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2010/09/13/street-traders-bid-to-cash-in-on-pope-s-visit-to-scotland-with-flood-of-tacky-souvenirs-86908-22557964/" target=_blank>Scotland will be flooded with tacky papal visit merchandise this week - including bizarre Pope-on-a-rope souvenirs</a>. (Did we mention the <a href="http://www.cafepress.co.uk/benedictxvifc/581329" target=_blank>papal trucker caps</a>?)
<p><li>Reuters provides <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68C1R420100913" target=_blank>some interesting historical facts and statistics about Catholics in England</a>.
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-54871277005803334972010-09-13T18:05:00.001-07:002010-09-13T18:06:09.323-07:00Are you ready for the Pope's next gig?Preparing for Pope Benedict's journey to England and Scotland later this week, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1311182/The-Pope-star-headlining-gig-near-Catholic-bishops-cringe-making-guide-Papal-visit.html" target="_blank">Catholic bishops have likened the Pope to the headline act at a series of gigs in a ‘cringe-worthy’ guide</a>, exposing the Church to new heights of ridicule.<br><br>The <i>Daily Mail</i> reports (September 12, 2010):<blockquote>In a list of ‘useful terms’ in the official booklet, the three open-air Papal masses – the most solemn occasions of the historic trip – are referred to as ‘shows’ or ‘gigs’, terms normally associated with rock concerts.
<p>The document also compares the clergy who organise services – known as liturgists – to ‘performers’ or ‘artists’ ...
<p>The unusual glossary raises fresh questions over the handling of Pope Benedict XVI’s four-day visit, which starts on Thursday and has already been mired in controversy.
<p>The Church is distributing thousands of copies of the glossy, eight-page booklet produced by the Papal Visit Team, overseen by Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols. Its cover carries the official slogan of the visit – the first to Britain since 1982 – Heart Speaks Unto Heart.
<p>Insiders said the pamphlet is aimed at workers from companies arranging events, police officers, broadcasters and journalists who may not be Catholics and are unsure about the Church’s rituals and beliefs.</blockquote>
<center><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/uk_papal_visit_flyer.jpg" width="308" height="400" border="0"></center>
<br><br><a href="http://catholicvote.org/discuss/index.php?p=10222" target="_blank">Thomas Peters (<i>The American Papist</i>) puts the Bishop's phrasing in the most charitable light</a><a name='more'></a>:<blockquote>I read the glossary differently: I think the UK Visit Team is trying their best to educate media about what the proper terminology is to describe these things. For instance, reporters will often (mistakenly) describe the Eucharist as “Bread and Wine”, while the UK Visit Team is telling the media that it should actually be described as “Blessed Sacrament [or] Holy Communion.”
<p>In other words, the right column is listing words and phrases that reporters might be tempted to use, but the left column is telling them what words and phrases they should use if they want to be accurate. Certainly, reporters often make basic mistakes when trying to describe what they are seeing at a Catholic Mass or event, and its understandable that the UK papal visit team is trying to avoid these mistakes if possible.</blockquote><a href="http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2010/09/thomas-peters-is-nicer-than-me.html" target="_blank">Matthew Archbold (<i>Creative Minority Report</i>) disagrees</a>:<blockquote>While I believe their heart may have been in the right place, what the folks working for the papal visit produced is, I believe, silly. And on top of silly I see it as condescending to the press.</blockquote>And the <i>Telegraph</i>'s <a href="http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/andrewmcfbrown/100053269/papal-visit-bungled-planning-and-embarrassing-leaflets-expose-the-public-sector-mentality-of-church-bureaucrats/" target="_blank">Andrew M. Brown remarks</a>: "It baffles me how anyone could have thought publishing this was a good idea: it makes the Church, or its public relations department, look weird and disconnected from real life."
<br><br>For the record, I lean toward Matthew Archbold -- sure, the press is capable of botching its reporting on religious matters. (The blog <a href="http://www.getreligion.org/" target="_blank"><i>Get Religion</i></a> provides an ongoing corrective to their mistakes). At the same time, it's hard to see how this type of glossary can be received as anything other than an insult to the reader.Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-25439860904795097062010-09-11T17:23:00.000-07:002010-09-21T21:03:56.752-07:00Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal John Henry Newman<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1871217539?ie=UTF8&tag=thecardinarat-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1871217539" target=_blank><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/jhn/b16andjhn_jennings.jpg" width="125" height="179" border="0" align="right"></a>In 2005 a small book was published by Catholic journalist and broadcaster Peter Jennings, entitled, simply: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1871217539?ie=UTF8&tag=thecardinarat-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1871217539" target=_blank><i>Benedict XVI and Cardinal Newman</i></a>.<img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thecardinarat-21&l=as2&o=2&a=1871217539" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
<p>Zenit News ran a brief article at the time of its publication, <a href="http://zenit.org/article-14384?l=english" target=_blank>from which we gather the following description</a>:<blockquote>"Benedict XVI and Cardinal Newman" was presented to an audience of Curia members, journalists and pontifical university students during an upright English, yet relaxed Roman affair.<p>The glossy book is filled with select writings from both Church figures and other leading English clergy, and is edited by longtime religious commentator Peter Jennings.
<p>Produced in only six months (from the time of the papal election), Jennings' book clearly presents Benedict XVI's keen interest in this convert from Anglicanism which dates back to his seminary days.
<p>Declared venerable in 1991 for heroic virtues, the cardinal's effect on the current Holy Father is recognized throughout the writings in the new book.
<p>These include introductory addresses given by the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the symposium "John Henry Newman, Lover of Truth," to his address on conscience and truth, presented at a bishops workshop in Texas.
<p>Jennings told me how he tried to enhance the in-depth chronology of Newman's life by using previously unpublished pictures like that of Newman in his role as founder of the English Oratory of St. Philip Neri, from the archives of the Birmingham Oratory.</blockquote>Unfortunately, as far as I can tell the book is only available through various bookstores in the UK -- although some copies may be purchased through Amazon's UK website.
<br><br><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/peter_jennings.jpg" width="100" height="100" align="left" vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1">On August 26, 2010, it was announced that Peter Jennings was given the task by the Bishop's Conference of Wales & Scotland <a href="http://peterjennings.co.uk/2010/lead/peter-jennings-chosen-to-compile-official-record-of-pope-benedicts-visit/" target=_blank>of compiling the official record of the historic State Visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom</a>, to be published by the Catholic Truth Society in October:<blockquote>Peter Jennings said: “It is an honour and privilege to have been invited to compile the official record of this historic State Visit of Pope Benedict XVI, culminating as it does with the beatification of Cardinal Newman.”
<p>Mr Jennings added: “I was baptised by the eminent Newman scholar Fr Stephen Dessain in the Newman Memorial Church situated next to the Oratory of St Philip Neri, Edgbaston, where Cardinal Newman lived from 1852 until his death on 11 August 1890, aged 89. I have worked on the Newman Cause since the Holy Year of 1975, helping to raise the world-wide profile of Cardinal Newman not only as a great academic, theologian, writer and preacher but in particular as a holy pastoral parish priest who looked after the sick and poor in Birmingham.”</blockquote>
<p><b>See Also</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2010/09/16/3013343.htm?topic1=&topic2=" target=_blank> The Influence of John Henry Newman on Benedict XVI</a>, by Tracey Rowland. ABC Religion and Ethics | 16 Sep 2010. "Few English speakers seem to realise the extent to which Newman influenced German Catholic thought in the first half of the twentieth century, and particularly the theology of Joseph Ratzinger."
<li><a href="http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/06/newman-sophie-scholl-and-joseph-ratzinger.html" target=_blank>Newman, Sophie Scholl, and Joseph Ratzinger</a> - Carl Olson (<i>Insight Scoop</i>) observes a personal connection between Cardinal Newman, Joseph Ratzinger and German heroine Sophie Scholl, martyred for resisting the Nazis.
<li><a href="http://www.newmancause.co.uk/news/ratzinger-the-professor-the-influence-of-cardinal-newman.html" target=_blank>Ratzinger the Professor: the influence of Cardinal Newman</a> - The Cause for the Canonisation of Cardinal Newman reports on a new book by Gianni Valente, published in Italian: <i>Ratzinger Professore: Gli anni dello studio e dell’insegnamento nel ricordo dei colleghi e degli allievi</i> (1946-1977) (Milan: Edizioni San Paolo, s.r.l., 2008) [‘Ratzinger the Professor: the years of study and teaching as recalled by his colleagues and students’] -- which addresses Newman's influence on Ratzinger's theological development.
</ul>
<center><div style="width: 98%; background-color: #eaeaea; border: solid 1px #000000; padding: 2px;">
<table><tr><td>
<a href="http://cardinaljohnhenrynewman.blogspot.com/" target=_blank><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/Banners/johnhenrynewmanbanner.jpg" width="140" height="42" border="0"></a></td><td style="font-size: 12px;">See <a href="http://benedictintheuk.blogspot.com/" target=_blank>Cardinal John Henry Newman</a> online archive for news, articles and books on the thought of England's most renowned theologian.</td></tr></table>
</div></center>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-37904936409738371762010-09-10T18:05:00.000-07:002010-09-13T18:42:07.493-07:00Pope Benedict's Trip to the UK - Weekly Roundup 9/05-09/11<b>News</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-11277354" target=_blank>A TV presenter from Bristol has been chosen to lead a special prayer vigil during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the UK</a> (BBC News Bristol. September 12, 2010):<blockquote>This "mini-Vatican" is small enough to fit on his chartered jet, but diverse enough to respond to challenges in strategic areas -- including diplomatic crises, security breaches, liturgical snafus, reporters' questions and even medical emergencies.
<p>Many of the key players on the Vatican's traveling team are veterans with on-the-road experience going back decades. But the plane to Britain will also carry at least one "rookie" making his first papal trip. ...</blockquote>
<li><i>The Telegraph</i> has a photogallery of <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/uknews/7994866/Preparations-for-Pope-Benedict-XVIs-visit-to-the-UK.html" target=_blank>preparations for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the UK</a> (September 10, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h0FuKRwbCQHS0epbLymkr4AcKugQ" target=_blank>Pope Benedict XVI will be greeted by "large scale protests" next week</a> (AFP), but <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/europe/view/20100910vatican_is_not_worried_by_planned_anti-pope_protests_in_britain/srvc=home&position=recent" target=_blank>the Vatican is not concerned by a "hostile minority’s" plans to demonstrate</a> (<i>Boston Herald</i>):<blockquote>"It is not surprising because these (protests) have happened before," Father Federico Lombardi said at a Vatican briefing on Benedict’s Sept. 16-19 visit to England and Scotland.
<p>"Such demonstrations have always occurred, also during other (papal) travels, Lombardi said.
<p>In Britain, the issue of protests is "a broader one because in the United Kingdom there are atheist groups, some of them anti-papal in nature, but also this forms part of a plural society like the British one," Lombardi said.</blockquote>
<li>Among those scheduled to greet the Pope on behalf of England are <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/7985220/Atheist-Nick-Clegg-to-greet-Pope-Benedict-XVI.html" target=_blank>Nick Clegg, a confirmed atheist</a> and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/07/anglican-clergywoman-greet-pope-visit" target=_blank>Rev Jane Hedges, canon steward of Westminster Abbey</a> and a campaigner for women bishops in the Church of England. <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/09/09/tony-blair-could-accompany-the-pope-for-part-of-his-trip/" target=_blank>Tony Blair is scheduled to meet Benedict XVI next week to discuss interreligious dialogue</a> as well.
<p><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/sep/09/pope-glasgow-mass-pilgrims-sacrifices" target=_blank>The 100,000 Roman Catholics expected to attend the pope's open-air "great mass" in Glasgow have been urged by Cardinal Keith O'Brien to endure the "sacrifices" the event will entail</a> -- "Umbrellas have been banned, there will be no seating provided, and pilgrims will have to stay in the park for at least five hours on security grounds." (<i>The Guardian</i> September 9, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1910062?UserKey=" target=_blank>A tartan specially designed to commemorate the Pope’s visit to Scotland was unveiled at the Scottish Parliament</a> (<i>The Press and Journal</i> September 9, 2010):<blockquote>Cardinal Keith O’Brien is presenting the blue and green St Ninian’s Day Tartan to Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson and leading figures from the four main political parties. ... The new plaid was designed by Matthew Newsome, director of the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin, North Carolina, and made by Ingles Buchan, of Glasgow, and Clan Italia, of Falkirk.
<p>Mr Newsome said he was “thrilled” that his design was chosen as the official papal visit tartan. “The white line on blue field draws upon Scotland’s national colours while the green reflects the lichens growing on the stones of Whithorn in Galloway,” he said. “It was there that Ninian first brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to Scottish shores over 1,600 years ago.”</blockquote>
</ul>
<div style="border: solid 1px #000000; font-weight: normal; font-size: 11px; padding: 5px; background-color: #EAEAEA; width: 98%; text-align: center;">If you have a computer and an internet connection,<br><a href="http://www.thepapalvisit.org.uk/News-and-Media/Latest-News/Watch-Pope-Benedict-XVI-in-the-UK-live-on-your-computer" target=_blank>you will be able to watch the Holy Father’s visit to the UK live and in full online at thepapalvisit.org.uk</a>.
</div>
<ul>
<li>The <i>Irish Times</i> report that <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2010/0911/1224278638530.html" target=_blank>"tens of thousands of tickets for papal visit to UK unsold"</a> (September 8, 2010). The Church blames<blockquote>... major problems with the distribution, partly caused by security concerns, and a lack of demand from millions of Catholics.
<p>Individual applications for tickets had to be made before August 2nd – a date insisted upon by the security services and not the Catholic Church, but this caused difficulties because it clashed with the peak holiday season.
<p>Now parish priests are trying to distribute thousands of tickets to schools in a bid to use up their allocations for the pope’s Mass in Glasgow ...</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2010/09/08/pope-s-visit-expected-to-be-worth-12-5m-to-birmingham-s-economy-65233-27222221/" target=_blank>The Papal visit will be worth an estimated £12.5 million to the Birmingham economy, according to the city councillor co-ordinating event</a> (<i>Birmingham Post</i> September 8, 2010). The good news should blunt another report this week that <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/09/pope-visit-policing-costs-rise" target=_blank>policing costs for the papal visit could rise to £1.5 million</a>.
<p><li>The Catholic archbishop of Southwark, the Most Reverend Peter Smith, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/08/pope-britain-visit-protesters-assurances" target=_blank>met with protesters opposed to the papal visit, securing their promise NOT to disrupt events</a> (<i>The Guardian</i> September 8, 2010):<blockquote>After talks on issues including child abuse and homosexuality, the archbishop said he had been given a "very clear assurance" that the campaigners had no intention of disrupting any events. "We had an open and frank discussion on the issues of child abuse, homosexuality and the status of Pope Benedict's visit as a state visit," he said.
<p>"I undertook to report to my fellow bishops the particular concerns raised."</blockquote>Dashing Richard Dawkin's hopes, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/7989636/Pope-wont-be-arrested-in-UK-protesters-admit.html" target=_blank>leaders of the Protest the Pope coalition now concede that "the Pontiff cannot be arrested as Britain acknowledges him as a head of state, granting him sovereign immunity from criminal prosecution"</a> (<i>Telegraph</i> September 8, 2010).
<li>Tuesday, September 7, was the start of <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/07/novena-for-benedict-xvis-visit-to-britain-starts/" target=_blank>parish novenas for the Pope’s upcoming visit to Britain</a> (<i>The Catholic Herald</i>):<blockquote>The <i>Magnificat</i> booklet of liturgies and events recommends a brief time of silent prayer followed by the prayer of preparation after Mass for the success of the visit, nine days before the visit. There is a more extended version which suggests using readings taken from the lectionary and divine office sections for the Chair of Peter and the feast of St Peter and St Paul or to simply use readings from chapters 14 to 17 of the Gospel of St John.</blockquote><a href="http://www.thepapalvisit.org.uk/content/download/9844/63860/file/UK-Magnificat.pdf" target=_blank>Click here to download <i>‘Magnificat – Liturgies and Events of the Papal Visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom</i></a>.
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/popemobile-routes-for-uk-visit-highlight-catholic-churchs-history-and-future/" target=_blank>Popemobile routes for UK visit highlight Catholic Church's history and future</a> (Catholic News Agency, September 7, 2010). "Pope Benedict's routes will take him through Edinburgh and London, with several stops highlighting the rich Catholic heritage of Great Britain."
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/06/popemobiles-route-through-london-is-unveiled/" target=_blank>The police and the Church have jointly unveiled the Popemobile's route through London</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> September 6, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pope-chooses-rap-song-as-soundtrack-for-his-uk-visit-2071913.html" target=_blank>The committee overseeing Pope Benedict’s itinerary in Britain announced their selection of a hip-hop track to be the official youth anthem of the papal visit</a>: the lucky winner is “<a href="http://www.ooberfuse.com/heartscrylyrics.cfm" target=_blank>Heart’s Cry</a>” [<a href="http://soundcloud.com/360degreemusic/ooberfuse-hearts-cry" target=_blank>Audio</a>], by Catholic trio Ooberfuse (<i>The Independent</i> September 6, 2010):<blockquote>The band, who all live in London, sent their track to Father Andrew Headon, a member of the Papal Visit Organising Committee which chose the song to represent young worshippers. It will almost certainly be played to the faithful during the Pope’s prayer vigil in Hyde Park, an event which is specifically aimed at appealing to younger Catholics.
<p>Ooberfuse’s track bears a passing resemblance to Black Eyed Peas’ breakthrough single, “Where is the love?” and open with extracts of a speech by Pope Benedict proclaiming that “evil will never reign in the hearts of men again.” </blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/pope-s-glasgow-mass-in-latin-1.1053037?" target=_blank>A substantial part of the Mass to be celebrated by Pope Benedict at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow on September 16 will be said in Latin, the Vatican has confirmed</a> (<i>The Herald</i> September 5, 2010):<blockquote>In an interview with The Herald, published today, Monsignor Guido Marini, the Pope’s master of ceremonies, reveals the Canon and Preface – the most significant parts – will be said in the ancient language.
<p>Mgr Marini said: “For all the Masses said in the UK the Preface and the Canon will be said in Latin. What the Holy Father intends by using Latin is to emphasise the universality of the faith and the continuity of the Church.”
<p>The Canon is the most significant part of the Mass as it both precedes and follows the Consecration. It will be said in a Latin translation of the modern English liturgy, and will be viewed as a sign of Benedict XVI’s desire to return to the solemnity of the traditional liturgy.
<p>Mgr Marini also revealed a new English translation of the Mass, to be introduced next year, will be truer to the original Latin used by the Church for 1500 years before the Second Vatican Council of the 1960s. Parts of it will be said at Bellahouston for the first time.</blockquote><a href="http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100052595/papal-visit-the-vatican-puts-it-foot-down-the-pope-will-celebrate-the-main-part-of-all-the-masses-in-latin-says-marini/" target=_blank>Damian Thompson crows</a> (<i>The Telegraph</i> September 6, 2010):<blockquote>Having already stopped liturgical philistines from subjecting the Pope to various musical horrors, he is now sending a clear – and, one suspects, deeply unwelcome – message to English, Welsh and Scottish bishops who actively discourage the celebration of Mass in Latin.
<p>There’s particular fury among the diehard modernisers of Scotland, I gather, who have waged a sneaky battle to banish traditional worship from the Bellahouston Mass. They are now reduced to quibbling about the number of candles on the Glasgow altar, protesting at the Pope’s wish for six or seven on the grounds that… actually, I don’t know. Too Popish, perhaps?</blockquote>At any rate, news of a (substantially) Latin mass was <a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/macmillan-applauds-decision-to-include-latin-in-the-papal-mass-1.1053326" target=_blank>welcomed by Scotland’s leading composer, James MacMillan</a> (<i>The Herald</i> September 7, 2010):<blockquote>“There’s an element among the priesthood of a certain age who got the wrong end of the stick and assumed Latin, as well as the Gregorian chant, were finished. Why they thought those things I have no idea, but it is now clear they have lost their argument. The Church is moving forward through the nurturing of its long and historic tradition.”</blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/09/05/secrets-of-pope-s-visit-left-in-a-pub-115875-22538585/" target=_blank>Secret plans for the Pope's visit to Britain were left in a pub by event organisers who had lunch there</a> -- "The five-page document gives detailed information about the Pope's movements during one of the biggest events of his four-day trip later this month." (<i>Daily Mirror</i> September 6, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11191992" target=_blank>Cardinal Keith O'Brien of Scotland has accused the BBC of "institutional bias" against the Catholic Church</a>, in an interview with the <i>Sunday Times</i>. The BBC reports:<blockquote>The cardinal said that senior news managers had admitted to the Catholic Church that a "radically secular mindset and socially liberal mindset" pervaded newsrooms.
<p>He added: "This is utterly at odds with wider public attitudes and sadly taints BBC news and current affairs coverage of religious issues, particularly matters of Christian belief."
<p>The cardinal also voiced concern that a forthcoming BBC documentary titled <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/comingup/benedict-trials-of-a-pope/" target=_blank>"Benedict - Trials of a Pope"</a> will be a "hatchet job" on the Vatican.</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11191386" target=_blank>Archbishop Nichols asserted his position that UK taxpayers should assist in funding the papal visit</a> (BBC, September 5, 2010):<blockquote>Critics are angry that up to £12m is to come from the public purse.
<p>But Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols told the BBC it would be a "sad day" when the UK "closes its doors and says we can't afford state visits".</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/09/05/uk.pope.abuse/?hpt=T2#fbid=-PPSGyGy5QS&wom=false" target=_blank>Pope Benedict XVI is likely to meet victims of child abuse when he visits the United Kingdom next week</a> - so said Archbhishop Nichols (CNN International. September 5, 2010):<blockquote>"The pattern of his last five or six visits has been that he has met victims of abuse," Archbishop Vincent Nichols said on the BBC'S "Andrew Marr Show."
<p>"But the rules are very clear," he continued, saying there was no announcement in advance of such meetings, which are private and confidential.</blockquote>
</ul>
<p>
<center>
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hx93vIEGRrQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hx93vIEGRrQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br><div style="width: 480px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx93vIEGRrQ&feature=player_embedded" target=_blank> Pope video message to people of Britain: "I'm looking forward to my visit to UK"</a><br>Rome Reports. September 8, 2010.</div>
</center>
<p>
<b>Commentary</b>
<ul>
<p><li>In a lengthy interview, Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7995510/Archbishop-of-Westminster-Pope-Benedict-is-a-man-of-real-poise-with-an-inner-peace.html" target=_blank>challenges the prevailing stereotype of Benedict as a "reactionary"</a> (September 11, 2010):<blockquote>He is out there intellectually and spiritually. He engages with the contemporary world but retains an inner peace and a rooted spiritual life. He is a man of real poise, gentle and respectful.
<p>"His view is that the Church should not be a closed place, trying to preserve tradition, but that it should be a luminous place. And he believes the only way the Church can shine is by being deeply rooted. People try to construct him as a conservative pope, but he's not. What he's trying to say is that, as a society, we need deep roots from which to draw this luminosity." </blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/7996535/Pope-visit-A-man-of-deep-religious-courage.html" target=_blank>"Pope visit: A man of deep religious courage"</a> (<i>Telegraph</i> September 11, 2010). The real purpose of Pope Benedict’s visit is to beatify Cardinal Newman. Ann Widdecombe explains why he deserves to be Britain’s first saint since the Reformation.
<p>
<li><a href="http://hitchensblog.mailonsunday.co.uk/2010/09/who-said-not-all-sex-involving-children-is-unwanted-and-abusive-answer-the-popes-biggest-british-cri.html" target=_blank>Question - who said 'not all sex involving children is unwanted and abusive'?</a> -- <i>Christopher Hitchens has the answer</i> (September 11, 2010).
<p>
<li>Phil Lawler (Catholic Culture) observes a <a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otn.cfm?id=703" target=_blank>stunning statistic about UK Catholicism</a>:<blockquote>On the whole, the overall Catholic population is larger today than in 1982. The number of priests, nuns, parishes, and Catholic schools is roughly the same. The number of children baptized is up a bit; the number of adults received into the Church is down a bit.<p>And then there’s one statistic that jumps off the page ...</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/7995355/Cant-we-set-aside-old-hatreds-and-simply-welcome-the-Pope.html" target=_blank>Charles Moore wonders "can't we set aside old hatreds and simply welcome the Pope? "</a> -- and has some suggestions for the media (<i>The Telegraph</i> September 10, 2010):<blockquote>Next week, both the BBC and Channel 4 will run indictments of the present Pope. A huge to‑do has been got up against the cost of the visit to the taxpayer by people who never normally object to high public spending. Might there not be some more interesting things to consider? How about informing television viewers about the life of John Henry Newman (to be fair, Radio 3 managed a decent programme on the subject), whom the Pope will beatify? How about telling the story of British Catholicism? How about examining what this Pope teaches, and why the official reconciliation between the Papacy and the British state can at last be consummated?</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1310358/Those-oppose-Pope-Benedict-XVIs-visit-real-bigots.html?ito=feeds-newsxml" target=_blank>"The Devil himself could hardly have got a worse press,"</a> says the <i>Daily Mail</i>'s Stephen Glover, of Pope Benedict's reception from the British media. And, while he disagrees with the Pope's teachings, he believes "those who oppose Pope Benedict XVI's visit who are the real bigots." (September 9, 2010).
<p>
<li>Eamon Duffy is professor of the history of Christianity in the University of Cambridge, weighs in on Pope Benedict's UK visit, <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0908/1224278447741.html" target=_blank>recommending that the Holy Father "should seek inspiration from the engaged spirit of Cardinal Newman"</a> (<i>Irish Times</i> September 8, 2010).
<p>
<li><i>The Guardian</i> takes a photographic look at <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/sep/06/pope-uk-visit-1982" target=_blank>"the <i>last</i> papal visit to England</a> - by John Paul II in 1982 ("It was the first time that a pope had visited Britain in more than 400 years. His successor is due to visit this month").
<p><li>Local BBC stations are profiling papal pilgrims --- <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/leicester/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_8972000/8972716.stm" target=_blank>BBC Leicester profiles 16 year old papal pilgrim Bernadette Durcan</a>; BBC Birmingham likewise <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/birmingham/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_8976000/8976993.stm" target=_blank>will be following Catholics who plan to make the pilgrimage to see the Holy Father</a>: Miz Gannon, an 18 year old Catholic from Kings Northon; Beata Kobic, "a member of St Michael's Polish Catholic Church since the day she was born"; and Miriam Wilcher, another "cradle Catholic" from Kings Heath. And BBC Nottingham profiles <a href="" target=_blank>former Anglican David Palmer and Nottinghamshire grandfather Ron Lynch</a>.
<p><li><a href="http://scecclesia.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/attacking-the-pope/" target=_blank>"What a strange thing it must be to be a Catholic in Great Britain at the moment,"</a> says David Schütz (<i>Sentire Cum Ecclesia</i>). "It seems like every opinion about the Catholic Church under the sun is coming home to roost in the expectation of the holy father’s imminent arrival." Indeed. From the <i>Guardian</i> <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/05/pope-benedict-xvi-channel4" target=_blank>Sinead O'Connor fulminates</a>: "Benedict is in no position to call himself Christ's representative. The pope should stand down, the Vatican should stand down ... they're incredibly arrogant, they're anti-Christian. They don't have the remotest relationship with God." Next, we have <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/05/catholics-think-pope-fallible" target=_blank>the Right Reverend Richard Palmer, who in 1999 became the Bishop of what is known as the Reformed Liberal Catholic Church</a>: ""Rome has gone on a side road, which is now a motorway ... we are the continuation of Roman Catholicism as it was prior to Papal Infallibility." Hans Kung has yet to make an appearance -- is he on vacation?
<p><li>Cristina Odone wonders: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/7981937/Will-we-be-converted-by-the-Popes-visit.html" target=_blank>"Will we be converted by the Pope’s visit?"</a> (September 5, 2010): :<blockquote>... Can Benedict XVI transform the image of the Catholic Church in Britain in his four days here? A poll published this week shows the notion is not as risible as it may seem. People were asked to comment on whether they agreed or disagreed with a series of statements contained in the Pope’s third encyclical letter, Caritas in Veritate. Twelve representative statements, taken directly from the letter, were tested and a significant majority agreed with 11 of them – from “Investment always has moral as well as economic significance” to “An overemphasis on rights leads to a disregard for duties”. A majority even agreed with Catholic teaching about sexuality: 63 per cent felt that it is “irresponsible to view sexuality merely as a source of pleasure”.
<p>Ed Stourton, a lifelong Catholic and the BBC broadcaster who will anchor much of the Corporation’s coverage of the visit, is not surprised by these findings. “People are looking for an alternative to the moral relativism that has become the ideology of today. Benedict is one man who really challenges the status quo: the disillusioned can’t help but be drawn to his words.” </blockquote>
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-90353788170014121622010-09-10T17:43:00.000-07:002010-09-10T17:46:15.365-07:00Papal Trucker Cap!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.cafepress.co.uk/benedictxvifc/581329" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt7Q22A_PokAchJqCP6tL2u4g5AyOP3jjoFmUtae4kreWVxOlB7XnV3WkkvdgRHJ7q33y4V5s-k01Yyqm22QWmrgn1-8nXY-FYBZl3VsIfjkzsEZrPyVdN-h7sZ4dULEsvLik89JeDDM/s200/papal_trucker_cap.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
Attention Papal Pilgrims!
<br /><br/>
The <a href="http://www.papalvisitstore.com/" target="_blank">official souvenirs of the Papal UK visit</a> just not doing it for you? Find it difficult to muster the enthusiasm for the <a href="http://www.papalvisitstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=234" target="_blank">silicone wristband</a> or the <a href="http://www.papalvisitstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=197">electronic "flashing candle"</a>?
<br><br>Consider our very own line of products, featuring our own line of <a href="http://www.cafepress.co.uk/benedictxvifc/581329" target="_blank">Pope Benedict XVI Trucker's Caps</a>. The very ones that <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article106245.ece"><i>The Sun</i> raved about</a> in April '05!Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-60016113574717776382010-09-08T22:00:00.000-07:002010-09-12T21:57:03.515-07:00Pope Benedict XVI's message to the United Kingdom<a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30282" target=_blank>Following is the message Benedict XVI read today after the weekly general audience on the occasion of his Sept. 16-19 trip to the United Kingdom</a>:<blockquote>I am very much looking forward to my visit to the United Kingdom in a week’s time and I send heartfelt greetings to all the people of Great Britain. I am aware that a vast amount of work has gone into the preparations for the visit, not only by the Catholic community but by the Government, the local authorities in Scotland, London and Birmingham, the communications media and the security services, and I want to say how much I appreciate the efforts that have been made to ensure that the various events planned will be truly joyful celebrations. Above all I thank the countless people who have been praying for the success of the visit and for a great outpouring of God’s grace upon the Church and the people of your nation.
<p>It will be a particular joy for me to beatify the Venerable John Henry Newman in Birmingham on Sunday 19 September. This truly great Englishman lived an exemplary priestly life and through his extensive writings made a lasting contribution to Church and society both in his native land and in many other parts of the world. It is my hope and prayer that more and more people will benefit from his gentle wisdom and be inspired by his example of integrity and holiness of life.
<p>I look forward to meeting representatives of the many different religious and cultural traditions that make up the British population, as well as civil and political leaders. I am most grateful to Her Majesty the Queen and to His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury for receiving me, and I look forward to meeting them. While I regret that there are many places and people I shall not have the opportunity to visit, I want you to know that you are all remembered in my prayers. God bless the people of the United Kingdom!</blockquote>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-36377076620319161572010-09-04T17:18:00.001-07:002010-09-09T21:29:19.753-07:00Pope Benedict's Trip to the UK - Weekly Roundup 8/29-9/04<b>News</b>
<ul>
<li><i>The Scotsman</i> provides in-depth coverage of <a href="http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/comment/Roman-in-the-Gloamin39-with.6513523.jp" target=_blank>Scotland's fevered preparations for the papal visit, and the unique roles of those involved</a> -- among them Monsignor Michael Regan ("carrying the bones of St. Andrew") and liturgical director Father Andrew McKenzie (ensuring the distribution of communion to 70-80,000 in 30 minutes) to the 800-strong choir. (September 4, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/03/pope-to-bless-mosaic-with-holy-water-from-wales/" target=_blank>Pope Benedict XVI will bless a mosaic of St David with holy water from Wales during his visit to Westminster Cathedral</a> (<i>The Catholic Herald</i> September 3, 2010):<blockquote>The Pope will sprinkle the mosaic – which has only just been completed – with water from St Non’s well in Pembrokeshire. The water is believed to have healing properties.
<p>Canon Christopher Tuckwell, administrator of Westminster Cathedral, said it was part of the Holy Father’s “outreach to Wales and to the people of Wales”. </blockquote>
<li>The <i>Scotsman</i> predicts that drivers will face <a href="http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/news/Mass-disruption-warning-on-Pope.6510688.jp" target=_blank>"widespread chaos" across central Scotland during Pope Benedict XVI's visit</a>:<blockquote>More than 200 roads will be closed or have parking restricted in Edinburgh and Glasgow as part of the one-day tour, with rolling closures of sections of the M8 as the papal motorcade makes its way west during the evening rush hour.
<p>An expected 100,000 people will turn out to see the Popemobile travel through Edinburgh, with a further 85,000 anticipated for a Mass at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow.</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/09/02/no-thought-for-the-day-from-pope-on-uk-visit-115875-22530700/" target=_blank>The Pope has refused to broadcast on Radio 4's Thought for the Day during his UK visit</a>, complains the <i>Daily Mirror</i>'s Kate Mcmahon. CatholicCulture's Phil Lawler <a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otn.cfm?id=697" target=_blank>reveals the bias</a>:<blockquote><i>Notice how the report is worded</i>: not that the Pope “was unable to” address the radio audience, or “could not find time” to make the appearance, or even “declined” the invitation. No; he “refused.” The choice of that word suggests that Radio 4 had a right to the Pope’s presence; that the Vicar of Christ was rude to turn down the invitation. Or maybe he had some ulterior motive for declining the opportunity to address the radio audience? What is he trying to hide?!</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/sep/01/lesbian-gay-christian-pope-visit" target=_blank>Gay and lesbian Christians have criticised secularists planning to protest during the pope's visit to Britain for their "unhelpful and counterproductive" tactics</a> <i>The Guardian</i> September 1, 2010).
<p><li>BBC unveiled <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/aug/31/papal-visit-bbc-blanket-coverage" target=_blank>unveiled more details of its extensive plans for coverage of the forthcoming UK visit by Pope Benedict XVI, with more than 10 hours of live broadcasting on BBC1 and BBC2</a> (<i>The Guardian</i> August 31, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/editor-s-picks/hospitals-go-on-high-alert-for-pope-visit-1.1051411" target=_blank>Hospital staff across central Scotland will be placed on high alert during the papal visit</a>, prompted by concerns over the pontiff's health (<i>Evening Times</i> September 5, 2010)<blockquote>Pope Benedict takes medication for a heart condition following a mild stroke in 1991.
<p>A year later he suffered haemorrhaging after he cut his head in a fall, also believed to have been caused by a stroke.
<p>Last December, traditional Christmas midnight Mass was held two hours earlier than scheduled because he was tired. The Pope also recently broke his wrist after slipping.
<p>Concern has been raised that congestion on Glasgow’s Kingston Bridge could put his life at risk in an emergency.</blockquote>
<li>Organisers of the papal visit have put online <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/01/images-of-cofton-park-sanctuary-put-online/" target=_blank>three computer-generated images of the sanctuary for the beatification Mass at Cofton Park</a>, prompting the <i>Telegraph</i>'s Damien Carlson to wonder <a href="http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100051986/the-sanctuary-for-newmans-beatification-the-english-bishops-go-for-the-scientology-look/" target=_blank>whether the English bishops were going "for the Scientology look"</a>, and Ignatius Press' Carl Olson to proclaim: <a href="http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/08/nobody-can-do-ugly-quite-like-catholics-.html" target=_blank>"Nobody can do ugly quite like Catholics!"</a>. Meanwhile, the blog <i>Wheat and Weeds</i> <a href="http://www.wheatandweeds.com/2010/09/which-altars-when-it-altaration-finds.html" target=_blank>offers a comparison of what the altars looked like in similar situations</a> ("my takeaway is that the US did the best of anyone in coming up with something that looked Catholic. A tent still looks like a tent").
<p><li><img src="http://saltandlighttv.org/images/apostolic_journeys_uk1.jpg" align="right" vspace="4" hspace="4" width="170" height="237" border="0"><a href="http://saltandlighttv.org/apostolic/1009_uk.php" target=_blank>Salt + Light Television reveals its exclusive page devoted to the UK visit</a>:<blockquote>Our full coverage of Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Journey to the United Kingdom begins September 16th at 5:30am ET with the arrival of Pope Benedict in Scotland, and wraps up four days later on September 19th when the Holy Father departs from Birmingham for Rome.
<p>Among those joining host Matthew Harrison will be Salt + Light Vatican Correspondent Alicia Ambrosio in London, and Catholic News Service’s Vatican Bureau Chief John Thavis, who is traveling with the Holy Father in the UK.
<p>Follow our <a href="http://saltandlighttv.org/blog/?s=%22Pope+in+UK%22" target=_blank>blog</a> in the lead up to the trip, and for addresses and homilies during the trip, and keep in touch on our facebook page too.
<p>Watch our <a href="http://www.saltandlighttv.org/live_flash.php" target=_blank>live coverage online</a>, or on your iPhone 3Gs/4G.</blockquote>
</ul>
<b>Commentary</b>
<ul>
<li>John Allen Jr. (<i>National Catholic Reporter</i>) asks <a href="http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/four-questions-about-popes-trip-uk" target=_blank>Four questions about the pope's trip to the UK</a>:<blockquote>1. Is this the most challenging trip of Benedict's papacy?<p>2. Overall, what do you expect?<p>3. Will the sex abuse crisis overshadow the trip?<p>4. What's Benedict's agenda for the trip?<p>In the spirit of feeding the media beast, I'll present my answers to the four most common questions I've received about the trip. By no means does this add up to a comprehensive analysis of the most important points. Instead, it's a window into the questions reporters are asking, which may preview themes likely to loom large in media coverage.</blockquote>Read his insightful column.
<p><li><a href="http://thetablet.co.uk/article/15202" target=_blank>The Pope, the Church and the visit – what Britons really think</a> - <i>The Tablet</i> posts the results of an exclusive poll. The results?<blockquote>... the Catholic Church in Britain has so far failed to generate interest in the papal visit among the population at large. Two-thirds of respondents neither support nor oppose the visit even though they firmly acknowledge their Christian heritage and believe that religion is a force for good. Nor have the campaigning opponents to the visit won them over. And with thousands of places still not allocated for the three major gatherings in Scotland and England, it would appear the Church has also been unable to excite the vast majority of the British people about the opportunities to see the Pope in person. Despite that, one in 10 of all those interviewed said they would be likely to attend a papal public event.</blockquote>The statistics, however, were based "on face-to-face interviews with 996 British people over the age of 15." Which you have to admit is a pretty small sampling of "the population at large."
<p>Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g3g6IIzCCPuea2099VYx1Q_yTDPA" target=_blank>an online poll of 2,005 adults for public theology think tank Theos found that 77 percent did not agree that the taxpayer should contribute towards the September 16-19 state visit</a> (AFP, September 3, 2010).
<p>Archbishop Vincent Nichols, on the other hand, asserted this week that <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/03/archbishop-insists-that-papal-masses-will-be-packed/" target=_blank>the Masses for the papal visit will be “pretty well packed”</a> (<i>The Catholic Herald</i> September 3, 2010).
<p><li>Paul Donovan (<i>The Guardian</i>) wonders: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/aug/30/pope-benedict-media-team-britain" target=_blank>Is Pope Benedict's media team up to the challenge?</a>:<blockquote>The consistent strand that runs through 10 years of changes in official Catholic communications is a lack of people involved who have worked as journalists. The approach of the Catholic Communications Network (CCN) has been, on the whole, professional but reactive. It never seeks to set the agenda.</blockquote>
<li>Peter Stanford, former editor of the <i>Catholic Herald</i>, examines <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/29/pope-benedict-britain-visit-critics" target=_blank>the rising tide of criticism of Pope Benedict XVI leading up to his visit -- and the alleged reluctance of Catholics to confront his attackers</a> (<i>The Guardian</i>, August 29, 2010). "To stand up publicly and be counted as a Catholic in Britain right now can be to invite a tirade."
<p><li>"One profoundly important aspect of the Pope’s visit, one nevertheless hardly spoken of yet, is that for its central event, the beatification Mass, texts from the resonant and accurate new English translation of the Mass will be used for the first time." So, muses <i>The Catholic Herald</i>'s William Oddie, <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/09/01/why-have-our-bishops-done-nothing-to-prepare-us-for-the-new-mass-translation/" target=_blank>"Why have our bishops done nothing to prepare us for the new Mass translation?"</a>
<p><li><a href="http://www.eppc.org/publications/pubid.4249/pub_detail.asp#8-31-2010" target=_blank>"Britain can benefit from Benedict"</a>, asserts George Weigel (<i>Standpoint</i> Magazine. September 1, 2010):<blockquote>The man who comes to Britain as the 264th successor of St Peter is many things. Britons who rely on media imagery to form their impressions of public personalities will find some of those things surprising. Those who expect to meet "God's Rottweiler" (as his theological enemies caricatured Cardinal Ratzinger decades ago) will find instead a shy, soft-spoken man of exquisite manners. Those determined to portray Pope Benedict as the central figure in a global criminal conspiracy of child-rapers and their abettors will, it may be hoped, discover the man who did more than anyone else in the Roman Curia to compel the Church to face what he once called the "filth" marring the priesthood. Those looking for a hidebound clerical enforcer will meet instead a man of deep faith, a gentle pastor who has met, wept with, and apologised to the abused victims of his brother priests and bishops.
<p>Joseph Ratzinger is also a man of ideas: a world-class European intellectual with an intriguing analysis of contemporary Europe's present circumstances and bold proposals to make about Europe's future. During the Pope's visit to Britain, those who ignore those proposals because of their fixation on scandal <i>are depriving themselves of an opportunity to think seriously about the moral and cultural condition of the West</i> - and indulging that intellectual anorexia at a moment when the West's future seems anything but secure demographically, economically, fiscally, strategically or morally. ... [<a href="http://www.eppc.org/publications/pubid.4249/pub_detail.asp#8-31-2010" target=_blank>more</a>].</blockquote>
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-43063932074743980862010-08-27T21:14:00.000-07:002010-08-29T19:49:41.146-07:00Pope Benedict's Trip to the UK - Weekly Roundup 8/22-8/28<ul>
<a href="http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1003469.htm" target=_blank>Catholic News Service profiles Francis Campbell, the British ambassador to the Vatican</a>, regarding his preparations for the papal visit (Cindy Wodden, August 27, 2010):<blockquote>Campbell said he expects the event will attract a lot of attention in Great Britain, but he also thinks the pope could make a big impact when he speaks Sept. 17 in London's historic Westminster Hall, a building completed in 1099 and once used for coronation festivities and as a venue for courts of law. In fact, St. Thomas More was condemned to death at Westminster Hall in 1535. . . .
<p>Campbell said the fact that the pope was invited to speak in the same place where Thomas More was condemned -- for not siding with King Henry VIII in his debate with the Roman Catholic Church at a time of extreme church-state tensions -- "symbolizes a rapprochement" between British society and the papacy.</blockquote>As if to illustrate such a "rapprochement", the article points out that Campbell is "the first Catholic to serve at British ambassador to the Vatican <i>since the Reformation</i>."
<p><li><a href="http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Churchs-dismay-at-the-popes.6498346.jp" target=_blank>Free Presbyterian Church leaders have taken a letter of protest to 10 Downing Street telling of their "dismay and abhorrence" that the pope is being afforded a state visit to the UK</a> (August 27, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.thisissuttoncoldfield.co.uk/news/Pope-visit-priest-training-college-chapel-UK-tour/article-2575001-detail/article.html" target=_blank>The Pope is to recreate a historic 150-year-old painting when he visits Sutton's training college for priests</a>. Nick Horner reports for the <i>Sutton Coldfield Observer</i>:<blockquote>Pope Benedict XVI will pose for a photograph with the bishops of England and Wales at St Mary's College in Oscott on the final leg of his September visit.
<p>The image will echo a scene from the college's past when, in 1852, leading figures in English Catholicism gathered at the site to be painted by James Doyle and the painting remains at the college to this day.
<p>Doyle depicted the first Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman and Cardinal John Henry Newman who gave his famous Second Spring sermon to the bishops on the return of English Catholicism. ... [<a href="http://www.thisissuttoncoldfield.co.uk/news/Pope-visit-priest-training-college-chapel-UK-tour/article-2575001-detail/article.html">more</a>]</blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/08/26/official-cardinal-newmans-feast-day-will-be-october-9/" target=_blank>Cardinal John Henry Newman’s feast will be celebrated on October 9, the date of his conversion in 1845</a>. Pope Benedict will make the formal announcement during his visit (<i>Catholic Herald</i> August 26, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/24/rival-catholic-groups-papal-visit" target=_blank>A Catholic speakers' bureau calling themselves "Voices for Reform" will provide "alternative" [re: dissenting] views on controversial church issues</a> (<i>The Guardian</i> August 24, 2010):<blockquote>Catholic Voices for Reform will go head to head with Catholic Voices, an established group which has recruited and trained 20 media-friendly "ordinary" Catholics to articulate traditional church positions before and during Benedict XVI's four-day tour.
<p>The new organisation, unlike its older and more conformist counterpart, will call for a wholesale transformation of the papacy and the Vatican. </blockquote>Got something to say? -- <i>The Guardian</i> is <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/aug/25/pope-benedict-papal-visit" target=_blank>"looking for three or four – or more – ordinary Catholics to offer their views of the papal visit: their hopes, their concerns, their feelings, in 200 words"</a> about the papal visit.
<p><li>For reknowned Scottish singer Susan Boyle, <a href="http://scobserver.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/susan-boyle-singing-for-the-pope-is-greatest-dream-come-true/" target=_blank>singing for the Pope is ‘the greatest dream come true’</a> (<i>Scottish Catholic Observer</i> August 25, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/aug/22/pope-visit-catholic-prejudice" target=_blank>Padraig Reidy may be an atheist, but "this anti-Catholic rhetoric is making me nervous"</a> (<i>The Guardian</i> August 22, 2010):<blockquote>Modern Britain is a country founded in large part on anti-Catholicism. This is obvious in establishment bedrocks such as the succession, which bars Roman Catholics from becoming head of state or even being married to the head of state. But it is not just the establishment that distrusts Roman Catholics.
<p>Catholicism is viewed with suspicion by significant sections of the British left. While some of this stems from European anti-clericalism, there is a deeper motif, a part of the patriotic left espoused at various points by Tom Paine and George Orwell that draws on notions of the "free-born Englishman". The Catholic, owing his allegiance to Rome, rather than this green and pleasant land, does not fit this narrative.<p>With Benedict on his way, the chorus rises ... [<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/aug/22/pope-visit-catholic-prejudice">more</a>]</blockquote>
<li>Archbishop Vincent Nichols, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, believes that Benedict's visit <a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30126" target=_blank>"marks a new phase in the long and complex history of relations between the monarchs of this land and the papacy,"</a> (Zenit. August 23, 2010).
</ul>
See also:
<ul>
<li>The Pope's visit to Birmingham will be accompanied by <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-11053418" target=_blank>"draconian" security</a> (BBC); Britons are being told to <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h0uijtt_WEcBmJCpPLloJpQIwVQwD9HP7NF80" target=_blank>"bring a picnic, but no booze"</a> (Associated Press), nor <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67M40T20100823" target=_blank>"musical instruments and steel cutlery"</a> for that matter (Reuters).
<p><li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/birmingham/hi/tv_and_radio/newsid_8949000/8949349.stm" target=_blank>Parishioners of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Rednal have been asked to prepare and participate in Pope Benedict XVI's open-air Mass in Birmingham</a> (BBC News. August 27, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/school-choir-given-dream-chance-to-sing-for-pope-1.1051005" target=_blank>Pupils from Our Lady of the Missions (OLM) Primary School in East Renfrewshire will sing in the events leading up to the Papal Mass in Bellahouston Park</a> (Scotland - <i>Evening Times</i> August 27, 2010).
<p><li>Richard Palmer of the Daily and Sunday <i>Express</i> reports that <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/195726/Pope-s-visit-will-spark-an-invasion-of-Irish-travellers-" target=_blank>the pope's visit has sparked "an invasion of Irish travellers"</a> (6/27/10):<blockquote>The warning came after a group who said they had come to Britain from Ireland especially for the papal visit arrived <i>a month early</i>. Residents were horrified after about 15 families in a convoy of caravans and trucks moved on to land next to their homes in Birmingham on Tuesday.
<p>They set up camp in fields near the picturesque Sarehole Mill, which inspired JRR Tolkien to use it as a setting in his books The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit.</blockquote>Who will save us from the <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3112958/Gipsy-threat-to-Popes-UK-visit.html">"swarms of gipsies"</a>? bewails <i>The Sun</i> (6/26/10). Scott Phillips of the Irish Travellers Movement in Britain retorts: <a href="http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2010/08/26/travellers-should-have-been-worked-into-plans-for-pope-s-birmingham-visit-97319-27139070/" target=_blank>the desire of the travelling community to attend the papal mass at Cofton Park should have been planned for</a> (<i>Birmingham Mail</i> 6/26/10).
<p><li><a href="http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/In-the-name-of-God.6493373.jp" target=_blank>An unholy row is brewing after the Catholic Church demanded that the tram be moved off Princes Street for the Pope's visit next month to Edinburgh</a> (<i>Edinburgh Evening News</i>, August 25, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/08/24/scotland-unveils-marble-chair-and-altar/" target=_blank>Scottish stonemason Neil Reid is putting the finishing touches to the chair, altar and lectern to be used by Pope Benedict XVI</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> August 24, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11071553" target=_blank>Teachers in Coventry have designed and made furniture which will be used for Pope Benedict XVI's special Mass in Birmingham</a> (Video - BBC News. August 24, 2010).
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-61202879807068300822010-08-21T22:40:00.000-07:002010-08-27T20:40:36.896-07:00Pope Benedict's Trip to the UK - Weekly Roundup 8/15-8/21<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.romereports.com/palio/Catholics-pray-thousands-of-rosaries-ahead-of-the-Popes-visit-to-the-UK-english-2606.html" target=_blank> The Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need is helping prepare for the Pope's visit to the UK with 31,000 decades of the Rosary</a> (RomeReports.com August 21, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/7956204/Popes-visit-could-be-overshadowed-by-exile-of-Birmingham-priests.html" target=_blank>The Pope’s historic visit to Britain is in danger of being overshadowed by a growing row over the exiling of three members of the Birmingham Oratory</a>. Martin Beckford reports (<i>Telegraph</i> August 21, 2010):<blockquote>Father Philip Cleevely, Father Dermot Fenlon and Brother Lewis Berry – <a href="http://freethebirminghamoratorythree.blogspot.com/" target=_blank>known as the “Birmingham Three” by supporters</a> – have been told “to spend time in prayer for an indefinite period”.
<p>It comes less than a year after Father Paul Chavasse, the Oratory’s Provost who had been in charge of the Cause to canonise Cardinal Newman, was sent to America by the Vatican representative who is investigating the Oratory following a “chaste but intense” relationship with a young man.
<p>The Oratory has refused to explain why the three priests have been sent away – one is now in America, another in Canada and the third is going to South Africa – prompting worshippers to write an open letter to the church authorities. </blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/national-news/blairs_to_attend_pope_speech_in_westminster_hall_1_811474" target=_blank>Tony and Cherie Blair will attend a speech by the Pope at the Houses of Parliament</a>, though "it is not known whether the Blairs, who are both practising Catholics, will meet Pope Benedict XVI in person." (<i>Evening Telegraph</i> August 21, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/08/20/teachers-make-papal-chair/" target=_blank>The chair that Pope Benedict XVI will sit on during the beatification Mass of Cardinal Newman has been completed by teachers in Coventry</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> August 20, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/08/20/choirs-prepare-for-papal-masses/" target=_blank>Choirs across England, Wales and Scotland are rehearsing the new setting of the Mass composed for the papal visit by James MacMillan</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> August 20, 2010).
<p><li>Damian Thompson on the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/7956602/Comic-carry-on-of-the-papal-visit-is-no-joke.html" target=_blank>"almighty mess the Bishops’ Conference has made of organising the papal visit"</a> (<i>The Telegraph</i> August 20, 2010):<blockquote>Having been forced to change venue from Coventry to Birmingham as a result of their own bungling, members of the “papal visit team” are now wondering how on earth they are going to fill Cofton Park. It’s a much smaller venue than Coventry Airport: it can hold only 65,000 people as opposed to 200,000. But with tickets priced at £25, and the prospect of queuing for hours at the crack of dawn, “pilgrims” (as the Church has decided to call attendees) are proving thin on the ground. “Without a frantic reallocation of tickets and cutting of corners, the park is going to be half empty,” says my source.
<p>Don’t get me wrong: I want the Pope’s visit to be a thrilling success, but my mobile phone keeps ringing with reports of fresh ineptitude on the part of the Church. And I’m going to pass them on, because the only thing Catholic bureaucrats respond to is public embarrassment. ... [<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/7956602/Comic-carry-on-of-the-papal-visit-is-no-joke.html">more</a>]</blockquote>
The S+L Blog (<i>Salt & Light</i>) points to a <a href="http://saltandlighttv.org/blog/?p=15368" target=_blank>Tolkien-Newman connection</a>:<blockquote>No, we’re confident the Holy Father will not be quoting portions of Lord of the Rings in any homilies or addresses. ... [<a href="http://saltandlighttv.org/blog/?p=15368" target=_blank>more</a>]</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1304330/Pope-Benedict-XVI-series-afternoon-catnaps-UK-visit.html?ITO=1490" target=_blank>A series of catnaps have been scheduled into Pope Benedict XVI's state visit to England and Scotland</a>, reports the <i>Daily Mail</i> (August 19, 2010): "The Pontiff's packed itinerary, disclosed yesterday by the Vatican, will be punctuated every afternoon by breaks of several hours to allow the 83-year-old to catch up on his sleep."
<p><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/19/pope-benedict-meet-abuse-victims" target=_blank>Church source involved in drawing up pontiff's itinerary for September visit to UK would be 'surprised if it didn't happen', given gaps in schedule</a>. Tom Kington reports from the <i>Guardian</i> (August 19, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1003362.htm" target=_blank>People attending Pope Benedict XVI's Masses in Scotland and England will hear and sing a few of the newly translated Mass texts</a>, according to Msgr. Guido Marini, papal master of liturgical ceremonies (Catholic News Service, August 19, 2010):<blockquote>Although the new translation of the Order of the Mass, which contains the main prayers used at Mass, was approved by the Vatican two years ago, bishops' conferences in English-speaking countries decided to wait to introduce the prayers until the entire Roman Missal was translated and approved.
<p>The new translation of the Mass was designed to follow more closely the text in the original Latin.</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/08/19/debate-are-the-pope-protestors-anti-catholic/" target=_blank>Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, insists that the Protest the Pope campaign was <i>not</i> "anti-Catholic"</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> August 19, 2010):<blockquote>He attempted to distinguish between “modern Catholics”, who, like everyone else, “want to live in the modern world” and “the old men in Rome” who are holding them back.<p>On the other hand, much venom on the internet is directed at Catholics in general, not just the Pope. The clothing company Catholics with Attitude, for example, <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/08/12/firm-selling-papal-visit-hoodies-calls-police-over-anti-catholic-abuse/" target=_blank>did not receive abusive messages about the Pope, but about Catholics</a>.
<p>And Britain has a long and disturbing history of anti-Catholic prejudice. The National Secular Society is selling T-shirts with the slogan “Pope Nope”. Some Catholics see in this an unconscious echo of the old sectarian cry: “No popery.”</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/08/19/newmans-belongings-to-go-on-display-in-birmingham/" target=_blank>An exhibition of items from the life of Cardinal Newman will go on display at the Birmingham City Museum in September</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> August 19, 2010):<blockquote>Councillor Alan Rudge, the Birmingham City leader for the papal visit, described the exhibition as an “extraordinary opportunity for people to visit and appreciate these rarely seen items”, and a “unique display” that will “draw visitors from far and wide to see the significant contribution that Cardinal Newman made to our city”. He added that the beatification of Newman by the Pope was “a huge honour for our city”.<p>The exhibition was announced alongside a programme of Newman-themed events in Birmingham unveiled for the papal visit, including a conference on Newman with talks by Fr Ian Ker and Dr Sheridan Gilley, and a performance of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius on September 18, the day before the beatification.</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100050938/the-poor-pope-first-he-has-to-meet-harriet-harman-then-listen-to-shine-jesus-shine/" target=_blank>Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled a "courtesy call" with Acting Leader of the Labour Party, Harriet Harman</a>, during his visit to the UK -- an encounter which Harman may find a tad awkward due to <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7128379/Pope-Benedict-XVI-criticises-unjust-effects-of-Harriet-Harmans-Equality-Bill.html" target=_blank>his criticism of her "unjust" anti-discrimination legislation back in February</a>:<blockquote>In an address delivered on Monday to the 35 Catholic bishops from England and Wales who had made the five-yearly ad Limina pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Rome, the pope attacked the implications of the Equality Bill.
<p>He said: "Your country is well known for its firm commitment to equality of opportunity for all members of society. Yet as you have rightly pointed out, the effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs. In some respects it actually violates the natural law upon which the equality of all human beings is grounded and by which it is guaranteed."
<p>"I urge you as Pastors to ensure that the Church’s moral teaching be always presented in its entirety and convincingly defended. Fidelity to the Gospel in no way restricts the freedom of others - on the contrary, it serves their freedom by offering them the truth."</blockquote>This past week, the <i>Telegraph</i> reported that <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7952526/Last-Catholic-adoption-agency-faces-closure-after-Charity-Commission-ruling.html" target=_blank>the last remaining Roman Catholic adoption agency to resist Labour’s equality laws is facing closure</a>.
<p><li>Speaking for the Vatican, Fr Federico Lombardi <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/08/18/vatican-spokesman-stringent-security-means-pilgrims-must-pay-to-attend-papal-events/" target=_blank>has denied that the Church had imposed the charges on tickets to papal events during Benedict XVI’s visit to Britain</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> August 18, 2010):<blockquote>He said: “It is not the Pope who single-handedly organises a trip to England. So, first thing: the Vatican did not establish any rules in this regard. These are organisational methods dealt with on the spot by the local Church, but taking into account all the many organisational constraints imposed by civil authority.”
<p>Papal events in Britain are unusual, Fr Lombardi said, because “people cannot move freely on foot to where the three major public events will be taking place: they must use arranged transportation and all the seats must be allocated to an extremely precise number”.
<p>He said the unusual constraints were “dictated by the security needs of civil authorities”.</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ewtn-to-air-popes-historic-uk-visit-live-100915359.html" target=_blank>EWTN Global Catholic Network will provide live coverage of every public event during Pope Benedict XVI's historic visit to England and Scotland Sept. 16-19</a>:<blockquote>Special live coverage will be provided by EWTN News Anchor Raymond Arroyo, who has covered more papal events than anyone in the industry and who obtained the only English language interview in existence today with the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. (Contact EWTN to arrange an interview.)
<p>"To my mind, this visit to the U.K. is to Pope Benedict XVI's papacy what Pope John Paul II's visit to Poland was to his," said "World Over" Host Raymond Arroyo, who will anchor EWTN's coverage. "Not enough attention is being paid to the historicity of this seismic moment."</blockquote>
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-49061789060233131512010-08-17T21:00:00.000-07:002010-08-17T21:00:17.091-07:00"Reading Pope Benedict XVI in the UK"<a href="http://booksbypopebenedictxviuk.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://www.popebenedictxvifanclub.com/images/readingb16uk_screenshot.gif" width="250" height="183" border="0" align="right" hspace="4"></a>The Pope Benedict XVI Fan Club is pleased to announce the launch of a new page on our website: <a href="http://booksbypopebenedictxviuk.blogspot.com/">Reading Benedict (in the UK)</a>, a lasting resource to accompany our special blog devoted to <a href="http://benedictintheuk.blogspot.com/">Pope Benedict XVI's September 16-19 2010 visit to the UK</a>.<br><br><a href="http://booksbypopebenedictxviuk.blogspot.com/">Reading Benedict (in the UK)</a> is an ongoing compilation of books by (<i>and about</i>) Pope Benedict XVI available for purchase in the UK via Amazon.co.uk.Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-7496730520875827842010-08-14T09:02:00.000-07:002010-08-14T09:06:13.415-07:00Pope Benedict's Trip to the UK - Weekly Roundup 8/08-8/14<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/7943108/Campaigners-may-try-to-block-road-when-Pope-visits-London-college.html" target=_blank>The "Protest The Pope" activist group may attempt to block a road when Benedict visits the campus of St Mary’s University College in Twickenham</a> (<i>The Telegraph</i> August 14, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/08/13/cor-ad-cor-loquitur-what-does-the-papal-visit-motto-really-mean/" target=_blank>"<i>Cor ad cor loquitur</i>: what does the papal visit motto really mean?"</a>? - Hew Twiston Davies thinks that it’s time to end the dispute over the meaning of Cardinal Newman’s tag. (<i>Catholic Herald</i> August 13, 2010).
<p><li>Writing in the <i>Catholic Herald</i> (August 13, 2010), Jill Duchess of Hamilton thinks <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/08/13/benedict-xvi-should-address-the-papacys-treatment-of-robert-the-bruce/" target=_blank>Benedict XVI should address the papacy’s treatment of Robert the Bruce</a>, without whom Scotland would not exist as an independent country:<blockquote>Year after year, the papacy remained adamant that Scotland should be subservient to England. Scotland’s nationalistic clergy, plus the hundreds of thousands of Scots who followed Robert, refused equally steadfastly. All were excommunicated (Robert in 1306).
<p>Nothing better illustrates the passion of the Scots for self-determination than the ceremony of Robert’s crowning by four bishops at Scone on Palm Sunday in the same year, which took place openly in defiance of the Pope – and the English. [<a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/08/13/benedict-xvi-should-address-the-papacys-treatment-of-robert-the-bruce/" target=_blank>more about Scotland's fascinating founding</a>]</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/catholic-church-struggles-to-raise-funds-for-popes-visit-2052311.html" target=_blank>With just over a month to go before the Pope arrives in Britain, the Catholic Church is facing a £2.6m shortfall in donations needed to pay for the visit</a>, reports the <i>Independant</i> (August 14, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/storm-after-pope-allows-bishops-to-retain-jobs-14905030.html" target=_blank>The pope's decision to reject the resignations of Dublin Auxiliary Bishops Eamonn Walsh and Raymond Field has met with criticism from victims of clerical abuse</a> (<i>Belfast Telegraph</i> August 12, 2010). For in-depth analysis as to why the Pope made this decision, see Michael Kelly's <a href="" target=_blank> Two Resignations, Rejected</a> (<i>Catholic World Report</i>).
<p><li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/the-pope/7937390/Pilgrims-at-Papal-Visit-gatherings-to-receive-CD-of-Britains-Got-Talent-singer.html" target=_blank>Pilgrims attending open-air gatherings during the Papal Visit will receive <i>Pilgrim Journey</i> CDs that feature a Britain’s Got Talent finalist singing the Lord’s Prayer</a>:<blockquote>Liam McNally, a 14 year-old schoolboy, will also perform the traditional musical version of Our Father at the start of the prayer vigil in Hyde Park next month. ...<p>The commemorative Pilgrim Journey CD includes spoken messages from the head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, and Lord Patten of Barnes, who is overseeing the historic trip for the Government.
<p>Other songs on the album are performed by a pair of trainee priests called The Seminarians and a composer called Alessandro Cherin. </blockquote>
<p>Unfortunately, curmudgeonly columnist Damien Thompson heard two tracks from the album and deems it <a href="http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100050288/papal-visit-cd-musical-atrocities-that-make-the-birdie-song-sound-like-mozart/" target=_blank>"musical atrocities that make the Birdie Song sound like Mozart"</a> (<i>Telegraph</i> August 11, 2010):<blockquote>I’ve just played “Urban Pilgrim (Reprise)” by Alessandro Cherin and “Deus Tuus Deus Meus” by Fr Gerard Bradley to my colleagues in the Telegraph newsroom. And they’re keeling over in embarrassment. “Urban Pilgrim” is described by a friend as “the stuff they play on planes when they switch off your in-flight movie as your prepare to land”. As for Fr Bradley, his vocation does not lie in the area of composition – and the singer has the upper register of a deputy accounts manager on a karaoke machine. [...]<p>It doesn’t give me any pleasure to make fun of this crap, because it proves that the Church in England and Wales is still in the grip of philistines.</blockquote>
</ul>
<center><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/catholiclife/2010/08/13/newman-and-papal-visit-receive-stamp-of-approval/" target=_blank><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/isle_of_man_stamps.jpg" width="440" height="205" vspace="4" border="0"></a><br><div style="font-size: 10px; width: 440px;"><a href="" target=_blank>Newman and papal visit receive stamp of approval: Isle of Man Stamps and Coins commemorates papal visit</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> August 13, 2010)</div></center>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-10935504" target=_blank>A further 5,000 tickets have been made available for those wanting to attend the Papal mass and beatification of Cardinal Newman in Birmingham</a> (BBC News, August 11, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/08/11/firm-selling-papal-visit-hoodies-calls-police-over-anti-catholic-abuse/" target=_blank>A company selling papal visit T-shirts and hoodies has sought the help of police after receiving anti-Catholic abuse online</a> (<i>The Catholic Herald</i> August 11, 2010):<blockquote>They said they were particularly worried because one message referred to a specific member of staff by name.
<p>A spokesman said: “We took one look at it and thought: cops. It was not quite a threat, but it definitely had the intention of causing alarm.”
<p>The messages, he said, referred to Catholics as “brainwashed” and “nutters”.</blockquote>(<i>Seriously? -- you should see the hate mail the "Cardinal Ratzinger Fan Club" used to get</i> -- Editor).
<p><li>Shawn Tribe <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/08/11/we-should-not-forget-newmans-dublin-connection/" target=_blank>reminds us of John Henry Newman's <i>Dublin connection</i></a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> August 11, 2010):<blockquote>we quite often make reference to Oxford and Birmingham, but as one of our readers kindly reminded us, we should not neglect to mention the <a href="http://www.universitychurch.ie/" target=_blank>University Church in Dublin, Ireland, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom</a>, which was founded and designed by none other than John Henry Newman himself, in his capacity as rector of the then newly founded Catholic University of Ireland.</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/all-eyes-on-the-pope-as-he-visits-lsquoprotestant-britanniarsquo-14902914.html" target=_blank>All eyes on the Pope as he visits ‘Protestant Britannia’</a> (<i>Belfast Telegraph</i> August 10, 2010):<blockquote>On a global scale, Britain, the foremost Protestant nation through the rabid religiosity of the English and the Scots, mobilised its empire in aggressive opposition to papal power, while Catholic Ireland spawned its own spiritual diaspora by exporting generations of priests and people to the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
<p>In the perspective of this fire and dungeon history, it is a stunning turnaround that Pope Benedict has selected 'Protestant Britannia' ahead of 'Catholic Ireland' for an official state visit next month.
<p>Even more remarkably, Pope Benedict will meet his host, Queen Elizabeth, the head of the Anglican Church of England, in Edinburgh, the capital of Presbyterianism.</blockquote>
<p><li>Mgr. Andrew Summersgill, coordinator of Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit to the United Kingdom, maintains that <a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/church-in-england-asking-for-solidarity-not-fee-to-attend-papal-events-in-the-uk/" target=_blank>pilgrims attending major open air events with the Holy Father will not be paying "a charge to go to Mass," but a <i>contribution of solidarity</i> to cover the cost of transportation for fellow pilgrims</a> (Catholic News Agency, August 10, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/ulster-to-get-just-2500-tickets-for-popersquos-visit-14901895.html" target=_blank>Just 2,500 tickets have been allocated to Catholics in Northern Ireland to attend events during Benedict's papal visit</a> according to the <i>Belfast Telegraph</i> (August 9, 2010): "<i>None</i> have been allocated to believers in the Republic — despite the Catholic Church being an all-Ireland institution."
<p><li><a href="http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2010/08/08/pope-visit-could-cost-jobs-of-west-midlands-police-officers-65233-27023142/" target=_blank>The number of police officers on the beat in Birmingham may have to be slashed in a bid to foot the soaring cost of policing the Pope’s visit</a> (<i>Birmingham Post</i> August 9, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2010/08/08/police-forces-to-swap-pope-benedict-at-service-station-to-avoid-m8-closure-86908-22473375/" target=_blank>SCOTLAND'S two biggest police forces are planning a "handover" of the Pope at Harthill to ensure the M8 remains open during his visit</a> (<i>Daily Record</i> August 8, 2010).
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-82596820133094917862010-08-07T05:57:00.000-07:002010-08-11T20:14:28.949-07:00Pope Benedict's Trip to the UK - Weekly Roundup 8/01-8/07<ul>
<li><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/john_milbank.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" hspace="4">In an August 2 interview with <i>Asia News</i>, <a href="http://www.speroforum.com/a/37512/Great-Britain--Vatican---Anglican-Theologian-Popes-visit-crucial-for-relations-between-two-Churches" target=_blank>John Milbank, Anglican theologian and professor of Religion, Politics and Ethics, at the University of Nottingham, perceives the papal visit as a chance to revitalize the Pope's image</a> in the eyes of the British media and fostering goodwill between Catholics and Anglicans.
<br><br>However, I expect Milbank's spin on things may raise a few eyebrows in disbelief. For instance, he heralds <i>Anglicanorum Coetibus</i> -- which provides <a href="http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2009/11/anglicanorum-coetibus.html">a canonical framework to integrate groups of disaffected Anglicans seeking to swim the Tiber into the Roman fold</a> -- as "a new recognition by the Papacy of the <i>validity</i> of the Anglican tradition, beginning to equate it more with Eastern Orthodoxy", creating "a fluidity between the two communions that will help to lead to full intercommunion in the future." Likewise, Milbank welcomes Benedict's beatification of the Anglican convert to Catholicism, as a "positive development":<blockquote>Anglicans by no means feel that Newman ‘betrayed’ them by becoming a Catholic. On the contrary, they are very proud of Newman’s double contribution to both modern Anglicanism and to modern Catholicism. Newman is a sign of unity: he belongs to both Churches and I am sure that our prayers to God through him will aid us in the cause of Church unity, as in the revival of a Christian Britain.</blockquote>William Oddie takes issue with Milbank in the <i>Catholic Herald</i> (<a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/08/06/sorry-professor-milbank-newman-was-no-ecumenist/" target=_blank>"Sorry, Professor Milbank, Newman was no ecumenist"</a> August 6, 2010):<blockquote>The “cause of Church unity”, however, was hardly one ever espoused by Newman, and I fear that Professor Milbank’s mellifluous sentiments are part of a general movement towards setting him up as a somewhat anaemic “plaster saint”.
<p>The fact is that Newman was the very opposite of an ecumenist: he was, in his very bones, a controversialist in such matters. To say that “Newman belonged to both Churches” is absurd: the Catholic Newman didn’t believe that the Established Church was a Church at all, but a mere national institution.
<p>This is how he addressed those of Catholic mind within the Church of England (Difficulties of Anglicans, lecture 4): “You can have no trust in the Establishment or its Sacraments and ordinances. You must leave it, you must secede; you must turn your back upon, you must renounce, what has—not suddenly become, but has now been proved to you to have ever been—an imposture. You must take up your cross and you must go hence.” </blockquote>
<li>Blogger <i>A Reluctant Sinner</i> has <a href="http://areluctantsinner.blogspot.com/2010/08/countdown-to-hyde-park.html" target=_blank>details on some of the "warm up acts" for the Papal Prayer Vigil in Hyde Park</a> (August 7, 2010) and asks: <a href="http://areluctantsinner.blogspot.com/2010/08/papal-visit-policing-costs-where-do.html" target=_blank>papal visit policing costs - where do the figures come from?</a> (August 7, 2010)
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/uk-ambassador-highlights-poignancy-of-events-during-papal-visit/" target=_blank>The U.K. ambassador to the Holy See, Mr. Francis Campbell, spoke to the Catholic News Agency about the Pope's visit</a> (August 6, 2010):<blockquote>In the state's perspective, the Sept. 16-19 appointment is "a visit to the Church and to wider society," observed the ambassador. "This is our oldest diplomatic relationship," he said, recalling that state-to-state relations go back to the year 1479 when the papal envoy was sent by the British monarchy.
<p>"It hasn't always been an easy relationship," he said, "and here is the Pope coming on a state visit as a guest of the Queen and there are some very poignant moments in that visit that speak of rapprochement, that don't say anything, but speak to it."
<p>Ambassador Campbell cited an example of this in Pope Benedict's speech to 1,800 members of civil society in Westminster Hall, "the very same Hall where Thomas More was condemned to death." [<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/uk-ambassador-highlights-poignancy-of-events-during-papal-visit/" target=_blank>more</a>]</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/08/06/bishops-and-pope-will-pose-for-historic-photograph-at-oscott/" target=_blank>The bishops of England and Wales will pose with Pope Benedict to recreate a historic painting of the restoration of the hierarchy in Britain</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> August 6, 2010).
<p><li>The <i>Telegraph</i> makes the case for Britain: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/7931295/The-success-of-the-Popes-visit-matters-to-all-of-us.html" target=_blank>The success of the Pope's visit matters to all of us"</a> (August 6, 2010):<blockquote>... Both the BBC and the Government set great store by "celebrating other cultures". Benedict XVI's arrival is an opportunity to celebrate a culture that planted our Christian roots; for it was a Pope who sent St Augustine to Britain.
<p>This state invitation does not require Anglicans and other Christians to recognise papal authority. But, as the Archbishop of Canterbury recognises, if Benedict XVI is greeted with hostility and manufactured scandals, then British Christianity as a whole will be weakened. And, in the eyes of hundreds of millions of Catholics around the world, our national reputation will be damaged. The Pope's visit is more than a great event for Catholics: it is a test of Britain's professionalism, hospitality, tolerance and maturity. </blockquote>
<p><li>Andrew Brown announces <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/andrewbrown/2010/aug/04/religion-catholicism-benedict-tshite-competition" target=_blank>the winners of "Comment Is Free"'s papal visit T-shirt competition</a> (<i>The Guardian</i> August 4, 2010).
<p><li>The BBC heralds the visit of Pope Benedict XVI ... <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/aug/03/bbc-papal-visit" target=_blank>with a documentary about the Catholic clerical abuse scandals</a>. (<i>The Guardian</i> August 3, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/08/02/official-papal-visit-merchandise-goes-on-sale/" target=_blank>The organisers of the papal visit unveiled the official merchandise for the Pontiff’s trip to Britain on Monday</a>(<i>Catholic Herald</i> August 2, 2010):<blockquote>Papal visit souvenirs include papal flags inscribed with the visit’s date and logo, baseball caps, a Swarovski bracelet, rosaries with pictures of the Pope, prayer cards, tote bags and branded T-shirts. An electric flashing candle is also among the items advertised.
<p>T-shirts include a beatification T-shirt with a retro-style picture of John Henry Newman, as well as a black-and-white Pope Benedict T-shirt which features the Pontiff in profile.</blockquote>The offerings include some rather atrocious examples of "Catholic kitsch": "Glow-in-the-dark rosaries, alarm clocks shaped like Our Lady of Lourdes which sing Aves, T-shirts sporting saints and Madonna-shaped USB-sticks", which in turn prompted this week's debate: <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/08/04/debate-does-catholic-merchandising-trivialise-the-faith/" target=_blank>"Does Catholic merchandising trivialise the faith?"</a>. Meanwhile, Milo Yiannopoulos proclaims <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/08/04/no-one-does-hideous-tat-quite-like-us-catholics/">"No one does hideous tat quite like us Catholics!"</a>
<p><li>The <i>Catholic Herald</i> reports that <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/08/03/cost-for-pilgrim-passes-are-reduced-for-hyde-park/" target=_blank>costs for “pilgrim passports” to the papal prayer vigil at Hyde Park have been reduced by half the original price</a>.
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-newmans-official-beatification-biography-set-for-september-release/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews-europe+%28CNA" target=_blank>The biography written as part of Cardinal John Henry Newman's cause for canonization will be released at a conference in Birmingham, England this September</a>. Catholic News Agency (August 2, 2010):<blockquote>The International Convention Centre of Birmingham will be the venue of the Sept. 18 all-day conference, "J. H. Newman by his Biographers," announced through local Church's website for the papal visit.
<p>The event, they say, "is an important opportunity to hear four world-class Newman scholars and biographers talk about the man, the message and his enduring significance."</blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/pope-mass-briefs-are-returned-1.1045294" target=_blank>Thousands of Scotland’s Catholics are returning tickets for the first papal visit in three decades to Church headquarters in Glasgow</a> (Scotland's <i>The Herald</i> August 2, 2010):<blockquote>Just days ago it emerged some Catholics were being asked to pay to see Pope Benedict XVI in Glasgow, despite the Church insisting there would be no individual fees for the visit.<p>Priests have cited various reasons for the low uptake, including costs, suitability of the venue and the lack of time they have been given to apply for tickets.
<p>With the deadline now passed, the Papal Visit office will today be counting how many returns they have received.</blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/aug/02/musical-priests-pope" target=_blank>The Priests, a trio of clerics from Northern Ireland, are to headline a key event during Pope Benedict XVI's state visit to the UK</a> (<i>The Guardian</i> August 2, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/aug/03/bbc-papal-visit" target=_blank>The BBC is to air a documentary about the Catholic clerical abuse scandals -- planned to coincide with the first papal visit to the UK for 28 years</a> (<i>The Guardian</i> August 2, 2010):<blockquote>Benedict: Trials of a Pope features film-maker Mark Dowd going in search of what the BBC calls "the real Joseph Ratzinger".
<p>Dowd travels to Pope Benedict XVI's homeland of Bavaria and the programme includes a rare interview with his brother, Georg Ratzinger, who reveals how he has been affected by the abuse scandals.
<p>The hour-long BBC2 documentary also looks at how the Catholic church has tried to "fashion a positive message about Pope Benedict by training up an army of young religious spin doctors called Catholic Voices".</blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/190402/BBC-strike-to-black-out-Pope/" target=_blank>Staff at the BBC are plotting to disrupt live TV coverage of the Pope’s visit to Britain</a>, the <i>Sunday Express</i> (August 1, 2010):<blockquote>Thousands of workers want to boycott the Papal visit in September over plans to cut their pensions. ...<p>The proposed action during Pope Benedict XVl’s tour will be a huge embarrassment to the corporation. It is his first state visit to Britain and the country’s 7.5 million Catholics will be infuriated if the historic occasion is caught up in the BBC’s latest controversy.</blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/aug/02/musical-priests-pope" target=_blank>The Catholic Church in Birmingham said it is oversubscribed with parishioners wanting to go to the Papal Mass</a> -- About 14,000 of some 70,000 tickets have been allocated to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham for Pope Benedict XVI's visit. (BBC News. August 1, 2010)
</ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204544617085070360.post-3125105035021526962010-07-31T00:40:00.000-07:002010-07-31T00:40:20.951-07:00Pope Benedict's Trip to the UK - Weekly Roundup 7/25-7/31<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/019956910X?ie=UTF8&tag=christopsweb&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=019956910X" target=_blank><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/ker_newman_biography.gif" width="150" height="226" border="0" vspace="4" hspace="4" align="right" title="This full-length life of John Henry Newman is the first comprehensive biography of both the man and the thinker and writer."></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=christopsweb&l=as2&o=1&a=019956910X" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/07/30/archbishop-bernard-longley-beatification-of-jh-newman/" target=_blank>Archbishop Bernard Longley spoke with the <i>Catholic Herald</i> about the papal visit and Cardinal John Henry Newman’s legacy</a>.<blockquote><b>What are you looking forward to most about the beatification and the whole trip?</b><p>The beatification comes as the culmination of the four-day visit of the Holy Father and I think that the interest and excitement towards the beatification will build up inevitably within those four days. I think that’s right because, as far as I understand it, one of the things which has persuaded Pope Benedict to accept this invitation on the part of Her Majesty’s Government, to accept also the welcome from our own Catholic Church in England and Wales and Scotland is precisely because of the beatification of Cardinal Newman. His own interest in this – and it is significant that he has decided, has chosen to do something which is quite unusual today which is personally to beatify somebody. This indicates, I think, the significance for the Catholic Church internationally of Cardinal Newman’s legacy, of his teaching, but also his witness as a holy priest.<p><b>There was this idea that maybe Pope Benedict would declare Cardinal Newman a Doctor of the Church. Would you hope for that? Do you think that’s a possibility?</b><p>When you look at Cardinal Newman’s legacy and all that he has contributed to religious thought, linked with his own personal holiness, I think that must be a great aspiration on the part of anybody who is delighted to see him beatified. If the Holy Father is thinking of doing that I think quite wisely he’s keeping it very quiet but if such a thing came it would be – obviously there would be a tremendous joy, no doubt, but who knows when that might be? Maybe some time in the future. ... [<a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/07/30/archbishop-bernard-longley-beatification-of-jh-newman/" target=_blank>read the rest</a>]</blockquote>
<li><a href="http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/education/education-news/2010/07/30/liverpool-hope-university-to-host-conference-ahead-of-pope-s-uk-visit-92534-26960214/" target=_blank>Hope university is to host a Catholic conference ahead of the Pope’s visit to Britain</a>, reports the <i>Liverpool Daily Post</i> (July 30, 2010):<blockquote>The university has arranged the conference, “<a href="http://www.hope.ac.uk/newmanconference" target=_blank>The Idea of a University – Revisited</a>”, in association with The International Federation of Catholic Universities.<p>The conference which runs from September 16 to 19 will bring together leading education experts and theologians and salute the contribution to higher education of the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman.</blockquote><a href="http://www.hope.ac.uk/docman/education-deanery/idea-of-university-revisited/download.html">Click here to download a programme for the conference</a>.
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/07/30/catholic-schools-across-britain-will-follow-popes-education-event/" target=_blank>Hundreds of thousands of Catholic school children will be taking part in the Pope’s address to young Catholics remotely, via the internet</a> (<i>Catholic Herald</i> July 30, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/editor-s-picks/pope-s-scottish-visit-to-benefit-poorest-children-1.1044544" target=_blank>Mary’s Meals, based in Springburn, and Marie Curie Cancer Care have been chosen as the official charities of Pope Benedict XVI’s state visit to Scotland on September 16</a>. (<i>Evening Times</i> July 29, 2010).
<p><li>Lord Chris Patten, named by the British Prime Minister to be in charge of Benedict XVI's trip to the United Kingdom <a href="http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-30019" target=_blank>told Vatican radio that the Pope's visit will be "an incredible success."</a> (Zenit. July 28, 2010).
<p><li>Geoffrey Berg, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0954395662?ie=UTF8&tag=christopsweb&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0954395662"><i>The Six Ways of Atheism</i></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=christopsweb&l=as2&o=1&a=0954395662" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> recently <a href="http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?entry_id=3146" target=_blank>challenged Pope Benedict XVI to a public debate about the existence of God</a>, which Berg hopes will take place during Benedict’s upcoming visit to the U.K. (Source: Kerry Weber, "In All Things" / <i>America</i> July 28, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/07/28/faithful-are-urged-to-line-the-streets-to-greet-pontiff/" target=_blank>Faithful are urged to line the streets to greet Pontiff</a> After some confusion about whether Catholics would be encouraged to see Pope Benedict XVI as he made his way to events during his four-day stay in Britain, organisers have said they hope people will come out to see him. (<i>Catholic Herald</i>. July 28, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/12719" target=_blank>That purple Papal radio pitch in full...</a> (Ekklesia.co.uk July 27, 2010). Some weeks ago it was speculated that Pope Benedict might be invited to deliver a Radio 4 'Thought for the Day' during his state and pastoral visit in September. Neither the pontiff's schedule nor any leaks from the heart of the BBC suggest that this is now likely. Jonathan Bartley, however, has an idea as to what might have transpired:<blockquote>Pope: "Good Morning. When my predecessor arrived in Britain he famously kissed the ground and later declared: 'This fair land, once a distant outpost of the pagan world, has become, through the preaching of the Gospel, a beloved and gifted portion of Christ's vineyard.' Now it seems it is turning back to pagan ways … "
<p>Producer: Hold on. Could we think of an alternative to "pagan"?
<p>Pope: But that's what JP2 said …
<p>Producer: It's just that we don't want to run the risk of opening up the whole thing about whether religious minorities should be allowed to do Thought for the Day.
<p>Pope: What if I say the word in Latin?
<p>Producer: Great. Most of the Radio 4 audience did classics, and it'll sound more pious. It's a religious slot, after all. OK, do continue your holiness.
<p>Pope: "The forces of secularism … "
<p>Producer: Ah, we can't be seen to be bashing secularists.
<p>Pope: "Dark forces"?
<p>Producer: Could be misconstrued.
<p>Pope: "The enemies of Christianity"?
<p>Producer: Fine.</blockquote><a href="http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/12719" target=_blank>Read the rest!</a>
<p><li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/midwales/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_8856000/8856378.stm" target=_blank>The statue of Our Lady of the Taper will be taken to London to be blessed by the Pope</a> (BBC News, July 27, 2010):<blockquote>[Pope Benedict] will <a href="http://www.ourladyofthetaper.org.uk/" target=_blank>bless and light the taper candle in the hand of the Virgin Mother</a>.<p>The ceremony will take place at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 18 September 2010.<p>The idea for the statue's pilgrimage to London came from Rev Father Jason Jones, who is the Rector of the National Shrine. </blockquote>
<p><li><a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/papal-visit-s-8-5m-boost-for-city-1.1043610" target=_blank>The Pope’s visit to Glasgow in September will boost the city’s economy by £4.25 million</a> (<i>The Herald</i>, July 26, 2010). Adds Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau: " “While the visit will bring £4.25m into the city, the real benefit lies in perhaps a billion people seeing Glasgow on the television and seeing that we are a vibrant and welcoming city."
<p><li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-10761200" target=_blank>The Catholic Church in Scotland is defending the £20 "Pilgrim Pass" to attend the papal mass</a> (BBC News. July 26, 2010):<blockquote>The Pilgrim Pass includes a pack with information about the visit and a CD.<p>Scottish Catholic Church spokesman Peter Kearney insisted it did not mean people were being forced to pay to see the Pontiff.<p>"Any costs involved are to cover logistics like transport," he said.
<p>"We have negotiated with bus companies to make sure that people can travel on designated buses from every single part of the country.<p>"All people are being asked to do is make a contribution through their parishes to cover those obvious and real expenses."</blockquote>In a July 26 letter to all priests of the Diocese of Paisley, <a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/scottish-bishop-suggests-creative-fundraising-to-cover-costs-of-papal-visit/" target=_blank>Bishop Philip Tartaglia encouraged creative fundraising for those who couldn't meet the costs out of their parish budget</a> (Catholic News Agency, July 26, 2010).
<p><li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-10755169" target=_blank>Pilgrims at Pope's Birmingham Mass 'decided by draw'</a> Raffles and draws will be held by Catholic churches to decide who attends the Pope's Mass in Birmingham. (BBC News. July 25, 2010).
<p><li><img src="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/images/benedict_john_knox.gif" alt="" width="200" height="200" align="right" /><a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2010/07/25/john-knox-to-be-included-in-pageant-during-pope-s-visit-to-scotland-86908-22438842/" target="_blank">A lookalike of the Protestant Reformation leader John Knox will welcome Pope Benedict to Scotland</a>. Mike Merrit reports for the <em>Daily Record</em> (UK) July 25, 2010:
<blockquote>The actor has been hired by the Catholic Church to play the leader of Scotland's Protestant Reformation in a pageant of the country's historical figures. ...<p>Knox's surprise inclusion by Catholic Church leaders follows accusations that this year's 450th anniversary of the Reformation is being ignored by the Scottish Government.
<p>The Reformation of 1560 revoked the Pope's authority in Scotland and banned Catholic Mass. ...
<p>A Church of Scotland spokesman said: "It is a sign of a healthy nation that diversity within the Christian community is something to be celebrated as opposed to a source of division and struggle.
<p>"It is a gift to those of us of a Protestant persuasion that by including this figure, the Catholic Church is contributing to the celebrations of the Reformation."</blockquote><a href="http://news.scotsman.com/comment/Martin-Hannan-Dawkins-spouts-some.6441257.jp" target=_blank>"I can only think that someone in the Catholic Church has taken leave of their senses and clearly has no concept of Knox's theology"</a>, muses Martin Hannan (<i>Edinburgh Evening News</i> July 27, 2010):<blockquote>The man himself smashed "graven images" in churches across Scotland, and never sat for a portrait. He would find the prospect of a mummer playing him in a Papal cavalcade utterly offensive, and I suspect more than a few Protestants and not a few Catholics will be angered by this patronising gesture.
</blockquote></ul>Christopher Blosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08385159494196923575noreply@blogger.com0