Pro-Life Chains

At the weekend I joined members and supporters of the SPUC Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire branch for the annual two hours of abuse.

As many of you are aware, the pro-life chains is an annual silent public witness in defence of the unborn carried out by branches of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) up and down the country. Participants stand at a busy roadside with placards saying "Abortion kills babies and hurts women" and "Women deserve better than abortion". It is done on the weekend closest to April 27, the anniversary of the 1967 Abortion Act's implementation. Since then, knocking on for seven million babies have been killed in their mothers' womb in the United Kingdom. The pro-life chains aims to highlight this tragedy to the general public, give a voice to the defenceless and help women come to terms with an abortion experience.

In nearly all branches the chains is on a Saturday lunchtime but, because we thought we could get more people (and it was more convenient for clergy), this year we had it on a Sunday afternoon at the usual place, the main road into Hull from the north. For the first time, Father William Massie (above) was able to join us.

As the dozen-strong group lined the edge of the 40mph stretch of the A1033, so the barrage of abuse started. Obscene hand gestures, swearing out the window and aggressive pointing are just some of the things likely to be directed towards you during the 120 minutes. One woman shouted "scum" to every single one of us as her friend drove slowly past. There were a few gestures of support, bibs, thumbs up and shouts of approval out of car windows. These were encouraging - but few and far between.

The most concerning look of all from our point of view, however, was that of emptiness, no reaction at all, or those who quite clearly wanted to ignore this message. Many young and middle aged woman in particular looked redundant.


Many quotations from the gospels about persecution came to mind and the experience is a stark reminder of how morally sapped our nation is. I personally hate doing it as I am generally a wimp when it comes to these things but it's a message that has got to be put across.

At the end of it, however, you feel quite good, genuinely satisfied that you've done something crucially important while many Catholics scoff their Yorkshire puddings and snooze off in front of the snooker for the afternoon.

Rough calculations by a couple of members concluded we'd got our message across to well over 1000 people and knocking on to 2000. So, minutes after people drove past us or came by on the bus, we hope that as they walked along the aisle with their trolley in Asda or went through the turnstile at Craven Park rugby league ground the issue of abortion sparked something in their conscience.

The Big Questions

Hats off to blogger and friend James Preece who, I'm sure you're all aware, appeared on the BBC's wishy washy, vaugley religious (at times) programme "The Big Questions" on Sunday.

In the 20 minute tirade against the Pope, he and Peter Jennings were the sole defenders of our beloved Benedict XVI. Since the broadcast, he has come up for quite a bit of stick on his blog (by the types of people that appeared in the show's audience) simply for doing his best in a very difficult and hostile environment to gently and calmly defend the Pope and 2000 years of Catholic teaching. I won't go through 20 minutes of analysis because that has been done by several bloggers (and I will get wound up). But I simply want to say that the reaction, and the vehement attack by various people on the show, is a significant reminder of the things to come for us (striving to be faithful) Catholics.

It's clear that the general public as a whole seems to be getting more and more agitated with the doctrines of the Catholic Church mainly because of moral relativism. Many think it is discriminatory to hold and communicate the position that a homosexual act is intrinsically evil. Basic Catholic teaching, but how long will we be able to profess that in public without getting arrested? If we can't predict an answer to that one just yet we can certainly be guaranteed that the onslaught against Catholic tradition will get stronger.

Wishy washy "God loves you" Christians say the Pope's "views" on condoms, homosexuality and even abortion are things that don't appear in the Bible. They are man made "rules". But deep down, in their heart of hearts, they must know that's nonsense. From Scripture, especially in the readings from Eastertide, we can clearly see that Christ founded the Church, the Catholic Church. Jesus gave St Peter, the first Pope, authority to be His vicar on earth. Here we have the Apostolic Succession and, 2000 years later, it's still there despite difficulties and the formation of countless Protestant Churches. When the Pope speaks on matters of faith and morals, in collegiality with his bishops, that's Christ's teaching. It's not rocket science.

Back to the programme. If you saw it, notice how many of the liberal times raised the voices when attacking the pope and appeared to be a little hysterical. As soon as Peter Jennings put his voice up a notch or two, the audience went "oooooo" - as if to say, "you're getting a bit tetchy".

All I'm concluding is that this is a sign of things to come. More intense criticism and persecution is on the cards. After all, that's what Christ said would happen. It's time to remain faithful and have courage to defend the Faith whenever it's challenged.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan

On Saturday night I saw one of the worst and one of the best pieces of television this year - and they were both on EWTN.

I was genuinely embarrassed to switch over on Saturday to find some of the worst acting I've ever seen in my life displayed on the worldwide Catholic channel. It was a part-dramatisation of G K Chesterton's message. I wouldn't even call it drama. I think some of our 6th Form house drama nights were even better than this effort - and by quite some distance. It was a stark reminder of how little money and budget EWTN has to produce quality programmes.

Then, on the same channel on the same night, the excellent live World Over programme blew me away - or rather the night's interviewee did. It was Archbishop Timothy Dolan, the new Archbishop of New York. I'd never heard of him before.

During Raymond Arroyo's wide ranging interview, I was taken-aback by Archbishop's clarity, faith, down to earth nature, humility, humour, happiness, optimism, willingness to share deeply personal things... (and the list goes on). He answered questions eloquently in detail on his priorities, Catholic schools, the formation of priests and laity etc. One of his main points was that the energy of diocesan priests will be the key to passing on the faith and evangelisation. He also called Catholic politicians who are openly pro-abortion a "scandal".

Then, if the interview wasn't enough, EWTN showed highlights of his spectacular inauguration last week including his stunning homily. Luckily, the Archdiocese of New York's website has the video in full for your enjoyment. The excitement and joy you can see expressed on his face throughout the Mass, and his facial expressions illustrating his piety and humility, are worth a watch alone.

The fact the Mass was in the Octave of Easter makes it an especially uplifting occasion to watch, particularly with triumphant Easter hymns. And then, after the Gospel, the Archbishop opens his mouth.

He is forthright, loud, colloquial at times and highly amusing at others. He comes across as a fabulous leader and father and also as a mate. His variety of words is a craft.

It is tempting to carry the whole homily on the blog because it's that good. But here are a few snippets:

...this is not all about Timothy Dolan, or all about cardinals and bishops, or about priests and sisters, or even about family and cherished friends.

Nope . . . this is all about two people: Him and her . . . this is all about Jesus and His Bride, the Church. For, as de Lubac asked, "What would I ever know of Him without her?"

The Resurrection of Jesus is so central to our faith that we celebrate it every Sunday at Mass. On my first day as your archbishop I dream that we can reclaim Sunday as the Lord's Day, anchored in our faithfulness to Sunday Mass, our weekly family meal with the risen Jesus.

The most moving part of the whole Mass is the point when the Archbishop states:

Conscious are we of former Mayor Ed Koch's observation that the Catholic Church is the glue that keeps this city together . . . and, and . . . the Resurrection goes on, as His Church continues to embrace and protect the dignity of every human person, the sanctity of human life, from the tiny baby in the womb...

...There follows an immediate irruption and standing ovation. What a message to those watching. And then he continues:

to the last moment of natural passing into eternal life.

He then continues:

Yes, the Church is a loving mother who has a zest for life and serves life everywhere, but she can become a protective "mamma bear" when the life of her innocent, helpless cubs is threatened. Everyone in this mega-community is a somebody with an extraordinary destiny. Everyone is a somebody in whom God has invested an infinite love. That is why the Church reaches out to the unborn, the suffering, the poor, our elders, the physically and emotionally challenged, those caught in the web of addictions.

On the Gospel of the day, the Road to Emmaus, he said:

For three weeks in July, 1992, I was on pilgrimage in Israel. I had a wonderful Franciscan guide who made sure I saw all the sacred places in the Holy Land. The day before I departed, he asked, "Is there anything left you want to see?"

"Yes," I replied, "I would like to walk the road to Emmaus."

"That we cannot do," he told me, "You see, no one really knows where that village of Emmaus actually was, so there is no more road to Emmaus."

Sensing my disappointment, he remarked, "Maybe that's part of God's providence, because we can now make every journey we undertake a walk down the Road to Emmaus."

My new friends of this great archdiocese, would you join your new pastor on an "adventure in fidelity," as we turn the Staten Island Expressway, Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, Broadway, the FDR, the Major Deegan, and the New York State Thruway into the Road to Emmaus, as we witness a real "miracle on 34th street" and turn that into the road to Emmaus?

For, dare to believe, that:

From Staten Island to Sullivan County, from the Bowery, to the Bronx, to Newburgh, from White Plains to Poughkeepsie... he is walking right alongside us.

An example of his humour:

And I'm so glad Mom is here this afternoon . . . especially because there's a sale on at Macy's!

Take a watch yourself. I think the Archdiocese of New York has just got a fantastic leader.

Happy Easter

A very Happy Easter to all readers.



(Pictured above is my brother-in-law Lee, sister Kate with Oliver and Fr Michael Marsden, my uncle)

Fittingly, on Easter Sunday, my nephew Oliver was baptised at Our Lady of Lourdes in Hessle by my Uncle Michael. After celebrating the Lord's Resurrection the night and morning before, the Baptism on Sunday afternoon was a great occasion.



Oliver was a little restless but seemed to be calmed when the two oils were placed on his forehead with the sign of the Cross and during the Baptism itself. There were four Godparents, including myself, and we all had hold of Ollie when he was being Baptised. This made me realise the important responsibility of a Godfather in praying for him and helping to bring him up in the Faith.



After the ceremony we went into the Hall for a delicious buffet lunch with sandwiches, pork pies, pizzas, crisps and dips, buns and booze (although I was driving so didn't have any of that).

Over Holy Week and Easter I was impressed (as ever) with the Pope's addresses and homilies. The Chrism Mass homily was particularly outstanding. In it he talked about sacrifices and particularly those men make when being ordained to the priesthood.

Consecration is thus a taking away from the world and a giving over to the living God. The thing or person no longer belongs to us, or even to itself, but is immersed in God. Such a giving up of something in order to give it over to God, we also call a sacrifice: this thing will no longer be my property, but his property.

In the Old Testament, the giving over of a person to God, his "sanctification", is identified with priestly ordination, and this also defines the essence of the priesthood: it is a transfer of ownership, a being taken out of the world and given to God. We can now see the two directions which belong to the process of sanctification-consecration. It is a departure from the milieux of worldly life -- a "being set apart" for God. But for this very reason it is not a segregation. Rather, being given over to God means being charged to represent others. The priest is removed from worldly bonds and given over to God, and precisely in this way, starting with God, he is available for others, for everyone. When Jesus says: "I consecrate myself", he makes himself both priest and victim.

Speaking about the importance of the Mass, he said:

...it is important that we constantly learn to pray by praying with the Church. Celebrating the Eucharist means praying. We celebrate the Eucharist rightly if with our thoughts and our being we enter into the words which the Church sets before us. There we find the prayer of all generations, which accompany us along the way towards the Lord.

Pope Benedict also shared a personal experience he had before entering the priesthood:

On the eve of my priestly ordination, fifty-eight years ago, I opened the Sacred Scripture, because I wanted to receive once more a word from the Lord for that day and for my future journey as a priest. My gaze fell on this passage: "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth". Then I realized: the Lord is speaking about me, and he is speaking to me. This very same thing will be accomplished tomorrow in me. When all is said and done, we are not consecrated by rites, even though rites are necessary. The bath in which the Lord immerses us is himself -- the Truth in person. Priestly ordination means: being immersed in him, immersed in the Truth. I belong in a new way to him and thus to others, "that his Kingdom may come".

Oliver's Baptism

My nephew Oliver (about five months old now) will be baptised on Easter Sunday. My sister Kate has asked me to be one of his Godparents which I have agreed to. I'm told it's an important role, particularly in terms of praying for him.

Please pray for us on the Day of the Lord's Resurrection as we welcome little Oliver into Catholicism.

Holiday

Every so often I apologise for not blogging for a week or two. Usually I make up excuses to do with me being too busy to post anything (and this applies to the last three days if I'm honest). But this time I have a more legitimate reason - I was on holiday last week.

Myself and friend Ryan had a wonderful trip to the Royal English College in Valladolid. Our friend Philip Cunnah is currently out there studying in the Propaedeutic Year for our home Diocese of Middlesbrough. The College has a proud history and has some inspirational English and Welsh martyrs, some of whom I've already covered in my 40 martyr reflections.

The College was founded in 1589 and enjoys financial support from the Spanish Royal family. In June 1596, the Earl of Essex and Sir Waiter Raleigh's troops landed and desecrated a statue of the Madonna and Child that was the object of great devotion in Cadiz. The students of the College heard of the attack and asked if they as Englishman could make reparations. Their petition was granted, and on September 8 1600 the statue was brought to Valladolid and given the title of Our Lady Vulnerata. The statue, with both arms missing, stands above the altar in the college chapel today.

The institution's five saints are Ambrose Barlow, Thomas Garnet, John Lloyd, John Plessington, John Roberts and Henry Walpole. There are also 16 Blesseds and one Venerable among the glorious martyred priests of the college.

During our five day visit we spent quite a bit of time with the 20 or so lads there at the moment. As well as Phil, we knew another three guys fairly well. It was fantastic to catch up with them and meet the others.

They are an impressive year and all seem to get on well. You really got a sense of reassurance that these chaps will, God willing, be our next generation of priests. It was impressive to witness their faithfulness and devotion to prayer as well as their support for each other. The staff there were very welcoming and are obviously dedicated to helping the students grow spiritually and preparing them for seminary. I came away with a great sense of hope for the future of the Church in England.

The holiday itself was very relaxing. We were guests of Phil and ate with the community for most meals. We also enjoyed a couple of pub visits with them. It was strange walking into a smoke-filled establishment again, nearly three years after the smoking ban in the UK. We did very little apart from eat, drink, sleep, pray, got to Mass, watch films, read, play basketball, rugby and football.

Our only trip out was to the wonderful city of Salamanca. Fr Joe McGloughlan, a former Vallidolid seminarian who is currently on the college staff, is doing further studies at the Pontifical University in Salamanca and offered to give us a lift there and back as he was in lectures on the Tuesday morning of out visit. He is a University of Sheffield graduate. Having this is common, we had a lot to talk about.

Although absolutely freezing that day, Salamanca is a stunning city that was founded in pre-ancient Rome. It is nicknamed the golden city because of the spectacular glow of the standstone used to construct many of the buildings in the centre.

The main attactions are two fabulous cathedrals - the old and new cathedrals that are close together - and the Dominican Church of St Stephen.

The old Romanesque cathedral was founded in the 12th century. Catedral Nueva (or the New Cathedral) was constructed between the 16th and 18th centuries in the styles of late Gothic, Baroque and Plateresque.






The Dominican church and cloister was begun in 1524 and finished in 1693. The King's Cloister interior is Gothic and the exterior is plateresque. It was completed in 1544. Renaissance arches blend in with the plateresque. Medallions depicting the prophets are a feature in each corner.



The Church itself is Gothic and receives plenty of light. It is 85 metres long, 15.5 wide, 27 high at the nave and 45 at the transept. The chief architect was Juan de Alava, who also designed the new cathedral. The altarpiece is the work of Jose Churriguera and was completed in 1693. The choir stalls at the back can seat 118 monks and is looked over by a large fresco depicting the triumph of the Church being helped by the Dominican Order.



Another landmark in Salamanca is the main square, the Plaza Mayor. This is a bustling place that is frequented by tourists and students alike. In fact, the city is famous for its young students who love to look important carrying a folder (or several) under their arm. The Plaza Mayor was constructed by Andrés García de Quiñones at the beginning of the 18th century. It has a capacity of 20,000 people and is surrounded by shaded arcades. It was originally a venue for bullfights but is now used mainly for concerts. Here I am in the background:



After a look round we had a gorgeous ham omelette followed by a smooth pint of Guinness in one of the many decent Irish bars in this part of Spain. I'm not sure why these are so popular but the poison is arguably better then you'll get in many so-called Irish pubs in England.