Media spotlight on Vatican to highlight Madeleine's case - but BBC cocks it up - again

There was a fascinating spectacle in Vatican City today as the world’s media flocked to the Pope’s Wednesday audience to follow the horrific plight of the parents of Madeleine McCann, who went missing on the Algarve, Portugal, four weeks ago.

It’s not often that British television news channels carry live coverage of the Pope’s address in English to the thousands of pilgrims that flock to the Vatican every week. But that’s what happened today on Sky News.

Both Sky and BBC News 24 carried live pictures of Benedict XVI arriving in the Popemobile, bits and bobs of the audience, and, of course, pictures of the Pontiff briefly meeting with the Gerry and Kate McCann.

But as usual – the BBC cocked it up, living up to their usual lack of knowledge and understanding of the workings of the Catholic Church. Their presenters appeared buffoon-like as they described the General Audience as “MASS” at least ten times.

It was terribly frustrating to hear the two News 24 presenters make such a blatant error - so frustrating, that I sent the following email to the corporation:

In your coverage of the Pope's GENERAL AUDIENCE this morning, you have, at least 10 times, referred to it as a Mass. IT IS NOTHING OF THE SORT. If it was a Mass, the Pope would be celebrating the Holy Eucharist at an altar and be dressed in vestments, along with several hundred concelebrants.

The weekly Wednesday Audience is simply that - a General Audience with the
Pope.

Your inaccurate coverage is yet another example of how the
BBC is completely out of touch with how the Catholic Church and the Vatican
functions.

Needless to say I didn’t get a reply.

But it just goes to show how they can get the simplest of things wrong.

I watched a lot of it uninterrupted on EWTN (Channel 769 on Sky), which streams coverage live from CTV, the Vatican’s television network. My Italian is virtually non-existent (although I’m trying to pick up a bit via one of those “take off in Italian” book and CD packs). But it was good enough to notice that the Italian commentator mentioned on several occasions Madeleine’s disappearance, the fact that her parents were Catholics and that they were present at today’s audience.

Indeed, that was exactly the main reason for Gerry and Kate’s visit, to raise the profile of the case amongst the media. They were well aware of the popularity of the audience in predominantly Catholic countries - and the European media responded. At the press conference hosted by the British Embassy and in St Peter’s Square prior to the Audience, there were numerous journalists from European nations covering the story. Undoubtedly, the story will be prominent in the Italian press tomorrow.

Vatican Radio were also given prominence as the local media by Ambassador Francis Campbell at the news conference. This is good as Vatican Radio stretches internationally across the world. (Incidentally, you can listen to English World news at 17:15BST every day on the Vatican Radio website)

Of course, the other reason they went to the Vatican was to seek comfort from the Holy Father and ask for his continuing prayers and support. The couple commented on his touching words of comfort, support and assurance for prayers. They said they had found strength from their faith, not least from the Catholic community. Gerry McCann said one evil act had brought out so much good in the way of prayers and support for the family and spoke of how these experiences had helped his own faith.

Hats off to Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor and to Francis Campbell for organising the trip at such short notice (on Sunday). Let’s hope and pray that someone’s memory will be jogged today or that whoever is responsible for the kidnapping were watching today and their conscience was challenged.

What newspaper does the Pope read?

I forgot to blog last Sunday about this one.

Last week was World Communications Sunday. My Parish Priest, or Administrator to be precise (Fr John Bane), speculated in his homily about which newspaper the Holy Father reads. On return to the sacristy I said surely it would be l'osservatore romano Father? He rather jokingly said "I think he reads the Daily Mail personally!"

What do you lot reckon?

Incidentally, it was announced at Mass this morning that Fr John Bane would be sadly leaving us in September for Scarborough. Our new parish administrator/priest (for both St Francis and St Mary Queen of Martyrs) will be Fr Bill Surplus, currently at St. Thomas More, Middlesbrough.

I'm sure he will receive a warm welcome from parishioners of both parishes.

Hull Faith Forum: June Programme

The next Hull Faith Forum series is a quick fire, month long set of talks on "What teenagers ask about sex".

It's a topical subject and we've got some excellent speakers coming.

Here's the line up:

4th June: What does the Church say about sex and loving?
Fr David Barrett, Chaplain to the Bishop of Northampton

11th June: Is abortion always wrong?
Bernie Smith, Director of Precious Life in Northern Ireland

18th June: Catholic teaching on homosexuality: 'Compassionate and true'?
Fr Dominic Rolls, Lecturer at Wonersh Seminary, Surrey

25th June: 'No contraception' - you can't be serious?
Danny and Annemarie Holmes, parents of Middlesbrough Diocesean Youth Officer, Sarah

All talks take place at the Endsleigh Centre, Hull. See here for map. They are all on Mondays at 7:30pm.

The format is talk, refreshments, then questions and discussion concluding with night prayer in the chapel. Then we go down to the Olde Grey Mere pub, Cottingham Road, opposite the main University of Hull Campus.

See you there!

"Men in Black" Act

It was a big night at O'Sullivan's, Hull's Irish centre, last night, as a reunion for all who have been to Catholic secondary schools in the city over the years doubled up as a fundraiser for the restoration of St Charles Borromeo Church, central Hull.

It was a talent show with some great performances such as the Irish dancers and the singing MICE (Men in Charitable Endeavor). But by far the highlight of the night was the St Charles' priestly double act of Canon Michael Loughlin and Father Stephen Maughan. They did "Danny Boy" and "Mud glorious mud" amongst others. The duo captured the attention of all in the packed out club and received a rapturous round of applause.

It was a fantastic evening, raised about £1000 for the beautiful "basilica" of St Charles. It is the oldest post reformation Catholic Church in Hull and is included in the 100 finest Catholic churches in the country in the recently published book, "A Glimpse of Heaven".

London...again

Once again, I was in London this week covering a story for the Universe in parliament on "A Woman's Right to Know" -about what the abortion procedure involves and possible physical and psychological consequences. The two hour conference was hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Pro-Life group, and Ann Winterton MP (Con) in particular. The speakers provided some interesting analysis on research done into the psychological effects of abortion on women. There's also an interesting study in the making showing that countries which have to give information to women by law about the alternatives and medical and psychological risks have a much lower rate of abortion than the UK, which has no informed consent requirements.

Then on Thursday, it was on to the Faith Council meeting at Willesden Green (see The Hermeneutic of Continuity).

But beforehand, I managed to have a quick reckie around the Westminster village. It was just an hour before Mr Blair announced the date of his resignation and there was a world media carnival atmosphere on College Green.

I hope to blog about "Anthony's legacy" in due course.

Beverley

Just got back from Beverley. We had a great pub lunch at the Rose and Crown (next door to St John of Beverley RC Church).

We had half an hour to spare and I went for a brisk walk across to the Minster. We were told at Mass this morning at St Charles that St John's remains were buried in the Minister. On arrival, one of the guides pointed me in the right direction. There's a stone on the approach to the main altar which marks the spot. I told the guide it was his feast day today but she didn't know.

Anyway, many thanks for the birthday wishes already received.

7th May

Today is a joyful day. Not only is it a Bank Holiday and also my birthday, it's also the feastday of St John of Beverley.

He is, geographically, the nearest saint to me (apart from St John Fisher, who of course was born in Beverley). He is also one of the patrons of the Diocese of Middlesbrough.

St John was Bishop of Hexham and, later, of York. He was born in the village of Harpham, East Yorkshire. At a young age, he moved to Cantebury to be educated by St. Theodorus, the archbishop, and St Adrian.

He then went to St. Hilda's, Whitby, where he became a Benedictine monk. He became the Bishop of Hexham in 687.

He liked to take time out for long periods of contemplation, especially durng Lent. He would take a poor person with him each time and would serve them each day. On one occasion at the beginning of Lent, he took a dumb young person, who couldn't say a word and who had scabs and scales on his head, without any hair. On the second Sunday of Lent he made the sign of the cross on his tongue, and loosed it. Then he taught him to say "Gea", which meant "yes" in Saxon, followed by the letters of the alphabet and so on. The youth miraculously obtained his speech. This story is why he is the Patron Saint of the deaf. He is also attributed with several other miracles, involving the blessing of Holy Water.

John became the Bishop of York in 703. He had a monastary built at Beverley which he used as his retreat centre. He was present at the synod of the Nidd in 705. In 1717, he retired there and died on 7th May 721. His relics are at the magnificent Beverley Minster.

His shrine was for centuries one of the most popular pilgrim centers in England. He was canonized by Pope Benedict IX in 1037.

King Henry V's victory at Agincourt was attributed to the aid of him and Saint John of Bridlington.

I'm off to Beverely today with mum and dad for lunch. If you've never been to the market town, make sure you do. It's a great little place.

Saint John of Beverley, pray for us.

Seminarian Phil

I can confirm today that Philip Cunnah will be going to the Venerable English College in Rome in September to begin his studies. He received a letter of confirmation from the Diocese of Middlesbrough yesterday.

We were treated to a visit of the magnificent college by former seminarian and our good friend Father William Massie whilst in Rome last summer. Phil will be delighted to be going back there on a permanent basis.

I know which city I'm going to on holiday for the next six years!

I thought this would be a good opportunity to put this fantastic picture up of myself, Phil and famous TV cook and Catholic convert Delia Smith. It was taken over a year ago now when Delia very kindly invited us to join her in the Directors Box at the Kingston Communications Stadium on the occasion of Hull City v Norwich last season. For those of you who don't know, Delia is a Director of Norwich City. She did invite us to join her at the same fixture this season, but unfortunately it was at 3 O'clock on Good Friday, creating obvious problems!