Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia and Mr Bill Ozanne pictured together after their Investiture as Knights of the Pontifical Order of Pope St Gregory the Great.

The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, invested the internationally known and respected Spiritual Leader and Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, based in the Handsworth area of Birmingham, with one of the highest Papal Awards.

The Order of St Gregory is normally bestowed on Catholics but in rare cases it is also conferred on non-Catholics in recognition of meritorious service to the Catholic Church and the exceptional example they have set in their communities and country.

More than 120 Sikhs, from Birmingham, London, Leeds, and some who had flown from Kenya and India were present in St Chad’s Cathedral for this unique and ground-breaking event in inter-faith relations involving the Catholic Church and the Sikh faith.

Some of the Sikh community who attended the Mass and the Investiture pictured outside the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham.

Mr Bill Ozanne, who has worked in the area of inter-religious dialogue locally, nationally and internationally for many years as a member of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales Committee for Other Faiths, has recently been appointed by Archbishop Longley as Chairman of the Archdiocese of Birmingham Commission for Interreligious Dialogue.

During the Rite of Investiture, which took place immediately after the homily, Bhai Sahib  Bhai, was escorted by Sewa Singh Mandla, and Mr Bill Ozanne by his two sponsors, Michael Hodgetts, KSG and Tony Flanagan KSG.

Canon Gerry Breen, Dean of St Chad’s Cathedral, read out the two Papal Briefs of “Benedict XVI Supreme Pontiff”, given at St Peter’s in Rome, signed and sealed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Cardinal Bertone.

Archbishop Bernard Longley invested  each of the knights elect In the name of the Holy Father  with the insignia of a Knight of the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great, pinning the Cross to the left breast of each and presenting them with their framed Papal Brief. The Archbishop also presented Bhai Sahib-ji with the sword of the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great.

Archbishop Bernard Longley pictured as he pins the Cross on Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia during the Rite of Investiture.

In his homily Archbishop Bernard Longley said: “This is a truly joyful day for it witnesses a moment of recognition and gratitude on the part of the Catholic Church for the dedication of two men of faith for whom our city of Birmingham is their home and the base for their work. This is also a unique and historical moment in the life of this Cathedral and in the experience of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and perhaps further afield.

Archbishop Bernard Longley pictured during his homily at the Mass of Investiture in St Chad’s Cathedral.

“It is very fitting that Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia and Mr Bill Ozanne are receiving Papal Knighthoods from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on the same occasion and in the same ceremony of investiture. Over a friendship of many years they have discovered not only within each other, but also within the faith traditions that they represent, an openness to dialogue and a desire to deepen understanding and co-operation for the common good.

“They have both personally committed considerable time and energy to the goals of interfaith understanding and of common witness to shared values. But they have also encouraged and enabled the Sikh and Christian traditions to make progress along the pathway from mutual respect towards the deeper insights that friendship brings. They have prompted us to work more closely together in service of others.”

The Archbishop continued: “I believe that it is the first time that a Papal Honour has been bestowed in this way on a spiritual leader from within the Sikh community. It represents the Holy Father’s recognition of Bhai Sahib Bhai’s deeply held desire for fruitful and lasting relations between Sikhs and Catholics and opportunities to witness together.

“We recall Bhai Sahib Bhai’s presence in Assisi for the international meetings of faith leaders at the invitation of Blessed Pope John Paul II and of Pope Benedict – and I am sure that he will long remember being present with Mandla-ji in St Peter’s Square at the funeral of Blessed John Paul II during April 2005.”

Archbishop Bernard Longley stressed: “Nothing could have given greater pleasure to Mr Bill Ozanne than to be receiving this Papal Knighthood alongside Bhai Sahib Bhai, for this moment becomes symbolic of Bill’s own vision for interfaith dialogue and witnesses to his long commitment to this important work of the Church.”

He expressed his gratitude to Bill Ozanne for taking the Chair of the Archdiocese of Birmingham Commission for Interreligious Dialogue.

He said: “Bill Ozanne has constantly emphasised the abiding significance of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council in its Declaration Nostra Aetate. The insights of this declaration are as relevant to our situation today as when they were written fifty years ago. It is the foundation for our friendship and collaboration at every level with men and women of faith. We are blessed in this city to have an active and committed Faith Leaders Group and I am grateful that so many of its members are here with us today.”

Archbishop Bernard Longley concluded his homily: “The faith communities in this city are often among the first to recognise emerging social needs within our local communities. We want to develop effective partnerships among ourselves and with other agencies wherever appropriate to help meet these needs. May today’s celebration encourage us to continue along the pathway of this commitment not only for the good of our own faith communities but for the common good.”

At the sign of peace  Archbishop Longley warmly greeted the two new Papal Knights and members of the families, his two co-Presidents of the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group, the Right Reverend David Urquhart, Anglican Bishop of Birmingham, and Major Samuel Edgar, Divisional Commander, Salvation Army, West Midlands.

St Chad’s Cathedral looked at its magnificent best and the Cathedral Choir, under its Director of Music, Professor David Saint, added to the splendour of an historic and memorable occasion with a wonderful rendering of the Franz Schubert Mass in G major. The great Pugin masterpiece was filled with echoes of joyful sound.

After the final hymn, “Christ is made the sure foundation”, members of the Sikh community sang a hymn of praise accompanied by two musicians playing traditional musical instruments. It was a deeply moving experience and in complete contrast to the ritual and ceremony of the Mass and Investiture.

The two Sikh musicians pictured playing their traditional musical instruments in St Chad's Cathedral.

Mr Sewa Singh Mandla then spoke on behalf of the Sikh community. At the lectern with the lighted 2012 Pascal Candle burning brightly beside him, he concluded: “Our two faiths respect each other. We pray that the relationship between us will grow and flourish.”

Mr Sewa Singh Mandla speaking on behalf of the Sikh community at the end of the Mass and the Investiture.

Archbishop Bernard Longley pictured after the Investiture Mass with left to right: Mrs Margaret Ozanne, Mr Sewa Singh Mandla, Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia, Mr Bill Ozanne, Bishop Philip Pargeter, Emeritus Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham and Canon Gerry Breen, Dean of St Chad’s Cathedral.

Archbishop Bernard Longley pictured after the Investiture with Mr Sewa Singh Mandla (left) and Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia.

Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia pictured with me after his Investiture as a Knight of the Pontifical Order of Pope St Gregory the Great.

MASS AND INVESTITURE – TEXT OF HOMILY

The Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham,

Sunday, 22 April 2012

Homily given by the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham

Have a care for justice, act with integrity…I will make them joyful in my house of prayer

 This is a truly joyful day for it witnesses a moment of recognition and gratitude on the part of the Catholic Church for the dedication of two men of faith for whom our city of Birmingham is their home and the base for their work. It is also a unique and historical moment in the life of this Cathedral and in the experience of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and perhaps further afield.

It is very fitting that Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia and Mr Bill Ozanne have expressed themselves delighted to be receiving Papal Knighthoods from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on the same occasion and in the same ceremony of investiture.

Over a friendship of many years they have discovered not only within each other, but also within the faith traditions that they represent, an openness to dialogue and a desire to deepen understanding and co-operation for the common good.

They have both personally committed considerable time and energy to the goals of interfaith understanding and of common witness to shared values. But they have also encouraged and enabled the Sikh and Christian traditions to which they belong to make progress along the pathway from mutual respect towards the deeper insights that friendship brings. They have prompted us to work more closely together in service of others.

Those words of the Prophet Isaiah which we heard in today’s first scripture reading find their echo in the beliefs that underlie the shared commitment of Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia and Mr Bill Ozarme.

Have a care for justice, act with integrity. Justice and integrity have deep spiritual roots and they are fruits that are highly prized within both our traditions of faith. They are valued not only for the impact that they have within our faith communities or on the world around us but above all for their intrinsic good as part of the created world which we cherish and for which we give thanks in this ceremony and in the Eucharist.

I have said that today’s celebration is unique for I believe that it is the first time that a Papal Honour has been bestowed in this way on a spiritual leader from within the Sikh community. It represents the Holy Father’s recognition of Bhai Sahib Bhai’s deeply held desire for fruitful and lasting relations between Sikhs and Catholics wherever they live and have opportunities to witness together.

That desire has borne its own fruit especially here in Birmingham but it has been expressed on other occasions and in other places. We recall Bhai Sahib Bhai’s presence on the papal train and in Assisi for the international meetings of faith leaders at the invitation of Blessed Pope John Paul II and of Pope Benedict – and I am sure that he will long remember being present with Mandla-ji in St Peter’s Square at the funeral of Blessed John Paul II during April 2005.

Nothing could have given greater pleasure to Mr Bill Ozanne than to be receiving this Papal Knighthood alongside Bhai Sahib Bhai, for this moment becomes symbolic of Bill’s own vision for interfaith dialogue and witnesses to his long commitment to this important work of the Church.

I am grateful to you, Bill, for recently agreeing to become the Chairman of our diocesan Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and I am pleased that other members of the commission are also here today.

Bill has worked in this area of dialogue for many years at national level as a member of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Committee for Other Faiths. He has constantly emphasised the abiding significance of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council in its Declaration Nostra Aetate. The insights of this declaration are as relevant to our situation today as when they were written fifty years ago. Pope Paul VI then wrote:

In our time, when day by day mankind is being drawn closer together, and the ties between different peoples are becoming stronger, the Church examines more closely her relationship to non-Christian religions. In her task of promoting unity and love among men, indeed among nations, she considers above all in this declaration what men have in common and what draws them to fellowship.

The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men. Indeed she proclaims, and ever must proclaim Christ “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14 :6), in whom men may find the fullness of religious life, in whom God has reconciled all things to Himself.

The Church, therefore, exhorts her sons, that through dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions, carried out with prudence and love and in witness to the Christian faith and life, they recognize, preserve and promote the good things, spiritual and moral, as well as the socio-cultural values found among these men.

That public declaration of the Catholic Church’s commitment to interreligious dialogue is the foundation for our friendship and collaboration at every level with men and women of faith. We are blessed in this city to have an active and committed Faith Leaders Group and I am grateful that so many of its members are here with us today.

The faith communities in this city are often among the first to recognise emerging social needs within our local communities. We want to develop effective partnerships among ourselves and with other agencies wherever appropriate to help meet these needs. May today’s celebration encourage us to continue along the pathway of this commitment not only for the good of our own faith communities but for the common good.

May Bhai Sahib Bhai and Bill Ozamie be blessed for many years to come as they share and live out this vision to the glory of God.

End of text

The Archbishop of Birmingham was the principal celebrant and preacher at this special mass, promoted and organised by the Catholic Men’s Society which has taken place each year since 1919.

The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, pictured in St Chad's Cathedral, Easter 2012.

In a challenging homily on Easter Monday, 9 April 2012, Archbishop Longley stated: “Marriage and family life go side by side in the Christian tradition. As you will know the Government is determined to change the meaning of marriage so that it is no longer the life-long, exclusive union between a man and a woman open to the gift of children.”

The Archbishop of Birmingham stressed: “Christian marriage respects and celebrates the difference between male and female as God-given, and sees a true equality in the way they complement each other.  We have a right to express this view forcefully in the public debate and we need to emphasise that we are not seeking to discriminate against anybody.”

Earlier in his homily, Archbishop Longley said: “Over the years the Men’s Mass has developed into a positive opportunity for succeeding generations of Catholic sons, fathers and grandfathers to be here at St Chad’s, and to witness to their faith in the risen Christ to one another. It is an important way of handing on our faith from one generation to the next, and the faith of the young never fails to strengthen and encourage the faith of their elders.”

The Archbishop added: “Faith in Christ is not disappearing – as this Mass clearly demonstrates – but we need to discover new ways of deepening and supporting the faith of our brothers and sisters.”

Archbishop Longley told the congregation: “As family members you are witnessing your faith to one another. As fathers you are taking up the responsibility to be the first teachers of your sons in the ways of faith. The family is central to the life of the Church and it is the fundamental building-block of our society.

“The family’s well-being and its ability to provide a stable foundation for life are also central to the well-being of the society in which we live. It has an influence on the quality of the contribution that we can make in our professional lives or in civic life. Family life also has its impact on our education and resources need to be dedicated in schools to understanding and dealing with the issues that arise from family life.”

Archbishop Bernard Longley concluded: “We are aware that some people today would prefer to hide our Christian faith as a private activity, to limit its impact and to stop it from playing any part in public affairs or in any of the debates about the future of our society or about how we want to see it develop. But that ignores something that is central to Christianity.

“We have to live our faith in the risen Christ in the sight of others and we are called to evangelise, to allow faith in Christ to change others. So the values and beliefs that influence the way we live at home also guide the way we work and the way we vote.”

Easter Vigil Ceremony outside St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham.

Archbishop Bernard Longley pictured lighting the Paschal Candle 2012.

The Vigil was followed by the procession from the crypt door outside towards the altar. The great Easter “Exultet” was sung in English by Mgr Mark Crisp, Rector of St Mary’s College Oscott. The staff and students from the diocesan seminary were a most welcome addition to the Easter Triduum this year.  The Triduum is one service spread over Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Saturday.

The procession into St Chad's Cathedral.

After the Liturgy of the Word and the Gloria, Archbishop Bernard Longley solemnly intoned the great Easter Alleluia.   His beautiful tenor voice filled the Cathedral with the joyful sound of rejoicing; in contrast to the starkness of the previous six-weeks of Lent.

Students from St Mary's College, Oscott, the diocesan seminary, pictured during the Easter Vigil.

After the Litany of the Saints had been sung there followed the Celebration of Reception during which the Archbishop received and warmly welcomed three people (Peter Adcock, Angela Ashurst and Gary Turley-Finch) into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Archbishop Longley then processed to the Baptismal Font where he blessed the water and the three candidates for Baptism – Debbie Kim, Grace Morgan and Sabrina Drummond – made their baptismal promises. Their sponsors and members of the congregation joined in with the renewal of their own baptismal promises, a welcome to the new trio and an affirmation of their faith.

The newly baptised pictured holding candles from left to right: Debbie Kim, Grace Morgan and Sabrina Drummond.

The three candidates made their Profession of Faith and the Archbishop of Birmingham baptised them – pouring a liberal amount of water over the head of each. It was a short, simple but very beautiful ceremony that fully engaged every individual present.

Archbishop Longley then returned to the sanctuary where, standing at the foot of the steps, he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to the three people he had received, the three he had baptised, and seven others.

During his homily Archbishop Bernard Longley emphasised: “In our present life we have a foretaste of our risen life in Christ and we are called to live it day by day by responding to God’s grace at work within us, through the scriptures, in the sacraments, through the prayers of faith and in our good works.

The Paschal Candle 2012 pictured during the Easter Vigil at St Chad's Cathedral.

“We experience many passing moments of re-awakening, when glimpses of the goodness  and glory of God’s Kingdom break through the ordinary events of each day – when we catch a reflection of God’s Kingdom in the words and gestures of faith-filled people.”

Archbishop Longley continued: “One of those faith-filled people whose influence we continue to feel today is Blessed John Henry Newman. His beautiful poem The Dream of Gerontius depicts the re-awakening of a sinful yet faithful soul at the point of experiencing the risen life of Christ. Gerontius reflects:

I went to sleep; and now I am refreshed,

A strange refreshment: for I feel in me

An inexpressive lightness, and a sense

Of freedom, as if I were at length myself,

And ne’er had been before.

Archbishop Bernard Longley concluded his thoughtful homily: “Cardinal Newman helps us to see that when we rise to new life in Christ, through our baptism  into his death and resurrection, we only then begin to find our real identity and our true path ahead.

“Every Easter re-orients our pathway and casts its new light upon our footsteps. Then, re-awakening and adjusting our eyes to the brilliance of his light, we set our sights once again on him, the risen Lord.”

The Archbishop of Birmingham pictured with the concelebrants during the Easter Vigil Mass.

The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, welcomed the pilgrims, who this year were joined by the staff and students from St Mary’s College Oscott, the diocesan seminary, gathered at St Michael’s Catholic Church, Moor Street, near the famous Birmingham Bull Ring Shopping Centre.

Archbishop Bernard Longley read from the Gospel of St Mark and prayed that the Good News of Jesus might be proclaimed to the ends of the earth. The  Archbishop and the Right Reverend David Urquhart, the Anglican Bishop of Birmingham, led the Lord’s Prayer before the Oscott Schola sang: “Man of sorrows, wrapt in grief.”

The banks and building societies were closed but it was business as usual for the retail traders and the streets were crowded with people in the heart of Birmingham, a multi-cultural, multi-faith city, on this Good Friday morning, 2012.

The Archbishop of Birmingham and the Bishop of Birmingham walked side-by-side with the Deans of the Catholic and Anglican Cathedrals a pace or two behind them. The pilgrims sang traditional hymns as the Walk of Witness made its way slowly along High Street and then into New Street.

The Good Friday Walk of Witness pictured in New Street, Birmingham.

A number of people joined the procession along the way – some undoubtedly drawn by the large wooden cross carried in high honour at the head of it and others perhaps just from curiosity.

Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop David Urquhart holding flowers given to them by two members of staff at Specsavers in New Street, Birmingham.

People joined the Walk of Witness as it made its way slowly along New Street, Birmingham.

The Walk of Witness paused by the statue of Queen Victoria situated in front of Birmingham Council House, where it was joined by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Anita Ward, who read from the Gospel of St Mark.

Bishop David Urquhart, The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Anita Ward, and Archbishop Bernard Longley, pictured in Victoria Square, Birmingham.

Bishop David Urquhart led prayers for the citizens and City of Birmingham. The Oscott Schola sang “Glory be to Jesus” before the Walk of Witness continued along Colmore Row to St Philip’s Anglican Cathedral. Here, the Dean, the Very Reverend Catherine Ogle, read from the Gospel of St Mark and Bishop David Urquhart led prayers for peace in the world.

The Good Friday Walk of Witness pictured in Colmore Row, Birmingham, with the Town Hall in the background.

The Good Friday Walk of Witness pictured leaving St Philip's Anglican Cathedral.

The Walk of Witness then continued along Colmore Row and Snow Hill to St Chad’s Cathedral, where Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop David  Urquhart, brothers in Christ, jointly led the Stations of the Cross, with readings by members of Oscott College.

St Chad’s Cathedral was full well before the Fourteenth Station, the last – Jesus is laid in the Sepulchre – and the final deeply poignant response prayed by all each time before the short Gospel reading, again from St Mark: “We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you – because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.”

In previous years the procession had made its way, delightfully and haphazardly, the short distance from the crypt, outside and along the side and front of the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham.

The particularly unseasonal spring weather also caused the cancellation, for the first time in many years, of the procession from Cathedral House by the Metropolitan Chapter, the auxiliary bishops and the Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Reverend Bernard Longley. This procession escorted by the Papal Knights, had been scheduled to go outside and in through the West Door of this magnificent Pugin gem, situated on the edge of the famous Birmingham Jewellery Quarter.

Spy Wednesday, as it was once known, is the one occasion in the year when all the priests from across the 224 parishes and many varied chaplaincies gather  together and are the central figures, filling much of the central part of their magnificent cathedral, with the deacons, religious and lay faithful there just in a supporting role.

Archbishop Bernard Longley presided in the warmth and beauty of St Chad’s. He asked the priests if they were ready to renew the vows they made at their ordination. They responded with a great “I am”. The word of each was the resolution of all. It was a poignant and powerful moment.  It always is, from year to year.

In the course of the celebration Archbishop Bernard Longley blessed the oil used for catechumens, for the sick and for those being confirmed.

During his  homily the Archbishop said: “Of all the wonderful ceremonies of this Holy Week, when we participate in the sacred drama of the Lord’s passion and resurrection, the Chrism Mass deserves to stand out for its unique focus on the Priesthood of Jesus Christ and on the way that he has chosen to make his priesthood available to the people of our own time and place.”

Archbishop Bernard Longley pictured with his priests during his homily at the Chrism Mass.

Archbishop Longley emphasised that priests and deacons, religious and lay-faithful are all united in the priesthood of Christ. He said: “That is why we must work ever more closely together to further the Church’s mission in our diocese and to face the demands of evangelisation as one body, clergy, religious and lay-faithful seeking a common vision for the future shape of that mission.

“Our common sharing in the priesthood of Christ offers a sure foundation for the fresh collaboration for which I have called in the recent Pastoral Letter (read on the Fifth Sunday of Lent 25 March).”

The Archbishop stressed: “At the heart of this fruitful co-operation is our fidelity as priests to our sacramental sharing in the priesthood of Christ.  Being together today we renew the promises of our priestly ordination, but we also remember that this is not the only reason or the most important reason for our coming together in this concelebration. Our first purpose is to be at one, bishop and priests drawn together to bless and consecrate the holy oils.

The Oils are carried in procession to be Blessed by the Archbishop of Birmingham.

The Archbishop of Birmingham pictured during the Blessing of the Oils.

Archbishop Bernard Longley concluded: “The Church calls us together on this one day of the year to exercise the priesthood of Christ in a moment of common witness for the good of the whole diocese as well as for the individual communities we serve.”

Wherever I am, my servant will be there too.

I am writing to you today about something that concerns all of us as members of the Church, the Body of Christ, in the deaneries and parishes that make up the Archdiocese of Birmingham.  As the Catholic Church serving a significant part of the Midlands we have received our mission to be the presence of Christ in the world today.  St John’s Gospel has just reminded us:  Wherever I am, my servant will be there too.  During this Lenten season of repentance it is appropriate to ask how we are going to undertake that mission now and in the future, not just as individual parish communities but as a diocesan family of 224 parishes, forming eighteen deaneries.  How can we best plan for our mission together?

The season of Lent has been calling us to repentance and offering us an opportunity to purify and refocus our lives through the traditional means of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  I want to invite you to join with our priests and deacons in a similar undertaking for the benefit of the Church across our diocese.  Prayer deepens our relationship with God in Christ and in this relationship we find our true identity.  Fasting enables us to assess our true needs and to recognise our dependence on God.  Almsgiving sharpens our awareness of our relationships with others, especially with those who are in greater need than ourselves.

These three ways of repentance and renewal can also assist us in reviewing the life and mission of our diocese.  Over the coming weeks I want to ask you, within each deanery, to consider how we might share our resources more generously with one another across existing parish boundaries, and to understand our parish communities as part of a network that is held together by faith and by a common mission.  I shall look to you to help me and those who advise me to make wise decisions about the future shape of our pastoral provision within each deanery.

I should first explain why I am asking these questions now and what has happened to make this a priority for me and for our diocese.  Every succeeding generation of Catholics has to become part of the life and mission of the local Church in its own way and for its own time.  We need to look carefully at our customs and practices to discern whether they are truly serving the Church’s mission in a way that is faithful to the Gospel and that meets contemporary needs.

At the same time I cannot ignore the diminishing number of priests we have to serve the present number of churches and parishes. These stand alongside those chaplaincies and other important ministries to which our clergy are dedicated.  It is my duty to see that the energy, talents and enthusiasm of our deacons and priests are used to best effect for the preaching of the Gospel, the sacramental care and the spiritual nourishment of the people.

Changing patterns for our diocesan mission may in future require a different deployment of our priests and deacons.  This may in turn mean that I cannot guarantee that every parish in the diocese will have its own resident priest.  To help us face these challenges with confidence we need to reflect on them together at deanery level.  I believe that this prayerful process of reflection will help me to fulfil my duty both to care for the wider mission and pastoral needs of the diocese and to appreciate and support the priests and deacons who are my closest co-workers in this task.

I am also mindful of the Religious Congregations of men and women who serve the Church in this diocese and of our network of Catholic Schools.  They bring the Gospel and an experience of Catholicism to families and communities that might otherwise remain untouched by the witness of faith.  The Religious who witness and work in each deanery and the leadership of our local Catholic schools have a significant contribution to make to this important discussion. At the same time, we are blessed with a number of parish and diocesan projects which reach out effectively and bring the love of Christ to those in most need.

Our priests and deacons have been reflecting for some time on the bonds of communion that hold us together and on our mission.  Those who have pastoral responsibility for our parishes and chaplaincies have begun exploring new ways of organising our mission and of providing pastoral care for all the faithful.  I am now asking them, under the leadership of each local Dean, to take this discussion to its next stage and to provide opportunities for you, as the lay faithful of the diocese, and sharers in its mission, to meet and to discuss these issues over the coming months.

In order to move this process forward a discussion document has been prepared, highlighting areas for reflection and offering some questions for you to consider.  The discussion document will be available on the diocesan website after Easter, and I would ask parishes to send their responses to the local Dean by the end of June.  I would suggest that existing parish groups and organisations could begin to use the document at their regular meetings as a way of preparing for the discussions across the deaneries. Some parishes may wish to set up a group specifically for this purpose.

These discussions will be vital, but I cannot expect them to provide all the answers.  Once they have taken place, the responsibility lies with me to make the best decisions I can for the good of all.  I realise that some decisions will not be popular with everybody but I know that you will do your best to support your priests and deacons as I ask them to implement plans which these discussions will have helped to shape.

As Archbishop I wish to learn from your insights about how we can shape our communion and mission today, so as to make Christ and his Gospel present in our multi-religious, multi-cultural and increasingly secularised environment.  Please pray for me, for the Assistant Bishops and for all our priests and deacons, especially during Holy Week, that the Holy Spirit will enable us to preach a crucified Christ…who is the power and wisdom of God.

Yours devotedly in Christ,

+ Bernard Longley
Archbishop of Birmingham

The Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham.

A grand official launch by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Len Gregory, took place in the crypt of St Chad’s Cathedral, the Pugin gem, situated on the edge of Birmingham city centre near the famous Jewellery Quarter.

The magnificent Pugin Exhibition captured the attention and imagination of the guests who also had the opportunity of hearing choral pieces sung   in the Cathedral  by the renowned St Chad’s Cathedral under its distinguished conductor Professor David Saint.

This Pugin exhibition was the result of a remarkable collaborative effort by Canon Gerry Breen, Dean of St Chad’s Cathedral and his team of dedicated staff, the St Chad’s Cathedral Association, the City of Birmingham, the Pugin Society, and English Heritage.

A number of the unique items on show had been generously lent by Neil Phillips owner of the John Hardman Studios, Birmingham; a Pugin devotee who worked tirelessly with Canon Breen for many months to bring the project to a successful launch.

Asked about the numbers of visitors, groups and schools that had already visited the Pugin Exhibition in the crypt of St Chad’s Cathedral, Canon Gerry Breen said: “The Bi-Centenary of  Pugin’s birth has without doubt greatly increased the number of organised group visits to St Chad’s, with many visiting for the first time.”

The Dean added: “It was interesting to note that the majority of our ‘local first timers’ had no idea of this architectural gem in the heart of their city. So we have a great challenge to  improve our outreach into the wider resident and business community and to further develop the educational side of our work here by more effective and attractive marketing.”

Augusts Pugin has the honour of being included in special set of 10 “Britons of Distinction” postage stamps issued Royal Mail on 1 March 2012. The stamp that received Royal Approval from The Queen shows the interior of the House of Lords, which he designed,  and the includes wording in two lines: “Augustus Pugin 1812-1852, Gothic revival architect and designer.”

His Excellency Archbishop Antonio Mennini, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain and Archbishop Bernard Longley, pictured in Archbishop’s House, Birmingham, holding the special Royal Mail Pugin postage stamp issued on 23 February 2012.

Meanwhile, during the afternoon, Friday 1 March, the Feast of St Chad, Patron of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, a special Chapter Mass was celebrated in St Chad’s Cathedral. Archbishop Bernard Longley was the Principal Celebrant and preacher on the occasion of the conclusion of a successful two-day visit by the His Excellency Archbishop Antonio Mennini, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain to the north and south of the Archdiocese.

During his homily the Archbishop of Birmingham spoke about the contribution that both of St Chad and Augustus Welby Pugin had made to the Catholic Church in the Midlands.

Archbishop Bernard Longley said: “The recollection of this great saint of the Midlands draws us for a moment away from the penitential character of Lent.  We thank God for the heritage of faith that we have received through St Chad. He laid the foundations of faith in the Midlands and others have built upon them.

“Very often these influential and creative people were the pioneers who helped re-establish the Catholic Church in the Midlands as Catholic Emancipation enabled Catholics to live their faith more openly again after the years of persecution.  We rightly count among them the bishops and priests who first gave shape to our diocesan life after its re-organisation in the mid-nineteenth century. They also include those remarkable women of faith who re-founded religious life so as to pray for and serve the growing Catholic communities of our cities.

“Bishop Walsh and those who worked with is to build this cathedral of St Chad in 1841 were conscious of their continuity in faith with the pre-Reformation saints and in particular here with St Chad.

Our own devotion to this tangible memory of St Chad emphasises our sense of continuity with his mission to the Midlands people.  Today as we prepare for the Year of Faith announced so recently by Pope Benedict we need to recapture something of St Chad’s enthusiasm as an evangelist and his confidence in the faith that he sought to share.

The same enthusiasm gave energy and direction to Blessed John Henry Newman and Blessed Dominic Barberi as they continued that mission and it is something to which we must aspire today.

“As we celebrate our Mass in this beautiful Cathedral and Basilica we might also spare a moment to recall the memory of the architect to whom Bishop Walsh turned for its design.  Yesterday was the bi-centenary of the birth of Augustus Welby Pugin and it was marked by the launch of the city’s new Pugin trail.

“Pugin was one of a number of prominent and visionary laypeople who were central to the development of the Church’s mission in and beyond Birmingham.  Alongside the enthusiastic patrons whose generosity underpinned the development of new parishes and schools were the artists and craftsmen who gave form to an emerging vision.

“St Chad’s Cathedral is one of Pugin’s early masterpieces.  It is a gem of architectural beauty in our city and at its heart lie the cherished relics of our patron saint but also the living witness of the community of faith that has inherited his mission.”

Archbishop Bernard Longley concluded: “Your Excellency, we are grateful for your presence with this community of faith as we recall St Chad and the precious heritage that has come down to us from him.  He was conscious of the bonds of faith and affection that held him close to the successor of St Peter.

Your presence among us these two days has made us more than ever conscious of those same bonds and of their ability to strengthen our faith today.  We pray for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict and we pray for the mission of his representative to the United Kingdom.  May our patron St Chad intercede for us and his prayers help prosper our mission.

The following morning, Saturday 3 March, the crypt of St Chad’s Cathedral was again packed with invited guests for the launch of “Gothic For Ever” – A W N Pugin, Lord Shrewsbury, and the rebuilding of Catholic England, by Michael Fisher, Pugin historian and archivist for John Hardman Studios, Birmingham.

The book, a masterpiece of scholarship, was most enthusiastically commended in short addressees given by Archbishop Bernard Longley, Canon Gerry Breen, Fr Brian Doolan, former Dean, Lady Alexandra Wedgwood, Neil Phillips, owner of John Hardman Studio, Birmingham, Ethan Anthony a leading architect from Boston, USA, who had flown over specially to be present at Pugin the celebrations, and Sarah Houle, Pugin’s great-great granddaughter.

Archbishop Bernard Longley and the Reverend Michael Fisher, the author (holding book) pictured (left to right): Sarah Houle, Pugin’s great-great granddaughter, Lady Alexandra Wedgwood, Fr Brian Doolan former Dean, Neil Phillips, owner of John Hardman Studio, Birmingham, Canon Gerry Breen, Dean of St Chad’s Cathedral and Ethan Anthony a leading architect from Boston, USA.

Michael Fisher explained something of the background to the book and ended: “Augustus Welby Pugin was a man of deep and profound Catholic faith who did everything for the greater glory of God.”

The Reverend Michael Fisher author of “Gothic For Ever” A W N Pugin, Lord Shrewsbury, and the Rebuilding of Catholic England”, pictured in the crypt of St Chad’s cathedral, Birmingham, during his book launch on 3 March.

*Born in London on 1 March 1812, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin was the son of a French Protestant draughtsman and designer who became well-known for his revival of Gothic designs. Pugin converted to Catholicism in 1835 and his work was appreciated by Lord Shrewsbury for whom he worked on the redesign of Alton Towers. In 1837 Lord Shrewsbury introduced Pugin to the President of Oscott College, on the outskirts of Birmingham where he subsequently taught Ecclesiastical Art and Antiquities. The following year Bishop Thomas Walsh received a substantial legacy and invited Pugin to design a new Catholic church, St Chad’s, in Birmingham. This is when Pugin met John Hardman, a leading Catholic, metal button and medal manufacturer in Birmingham’s jewellery quarter.

In 1838 John Hardman junior (1811–1867) started the firm of John Hardman & Co at Pugin’s instigation in order to manufacture all metal fittings and adornments to beautify the churches and buildings that Augustus Pugin was involved with during his life.

On behalf of Archbishop Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and Archbishop Bernard Longley, Chairman of the Department for Dialogue and Unity, I wish to convey to the members of the Coptic Orthodox Church in England and Wales, the most sincere condolences of all the members of the Bishops’ Conference on the death of His Holiness Shenuda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark.

During his long reign over 40 years as the spiritual leader of one of the world’s great and ancient Christian Churches, His Holiness demonstrated not only a profound desire to minister to the needs of Coptic Orthodox Christians but also a strong commitment to building up the spiritual bond of friendship and communion with the Catholic Church and other Christian Churches and communities.

Treasured as a dear brother in the Lord by Pope Paul VI and his successors, we recall that His Holiness Pope Shenuda III was the first Coptic Orthodox Pope to visit the Holy See in over 1500 years and signed a historic joint declaration with the Catholic Church on that occasion. We recall also the very special visit that Blessed Pope John Paul II made to Pope Shenuda in Cairo during the Year of the Great Jubilee.

Under the strong yet gentle leadership of Pope Shenuda III, the Coptic Orthodox Church has seen a remarkable revival and growth both in Egypt and throughout many countries in the world, including England and Wales. He courageously defended the rights of Coptic Christians and worked tirelessly for peace and justice. In this, his loss will be felt not only by his own Church but by Christians internationally.

We pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will welcome into his Kingdom of eternal peace perpetual light this faithful shepherd of His flock, and grant consolation and comfort to all those who mourn his passing.

The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, Chairman of the Department for Dialogue and Unity, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, pictured recently in the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham.

The first day of the visit, 1 March, was the bicentenary of the birth of Augustus Welby Pugin, 1812-1852 the great Victorian architect and designer, who was responsible for the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad Birmingham, and the interior of the House of Lords.

The Apostolic Nuncio was accompanied throughout by his host, Archbishop Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham. The thoughtfully planned programme included a visit to the south of the diocese on the first day and a visit to the north of the diocese the following day.

On his arrival at Blessed Dominic Barberi Parish, Littlemore, near Oxford, The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Mennini, accompanied by Mgr Vincent Brady, his Secretary, was warmly welcomed to the diocese by the Archbishop Bernard Longley.

Bishop William Kenney CP, Auxiliary Bishop, who has pastoral responsibility for Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Coventry, also added his welcome as did Fr John Hancock, Parish Priest, of Blessed Dominic Barberi, Littlemore. The Archbishop was accompanied by Mgr Canon Timothy Menezes, the Vicar General and Fr Dominic Cosslett, his Secretary.

After Midday Prayer, the Area Dean, Fr John Hancock, spoke about the work of the Deaneries of Banbury, Oxford North and Oxford South. He was followed by Area Dean Canon Garry Byrne, Parish Priest of St Osburg, Coventry, who spoke about the Deaneries of Coventry, Rugby and Warwick.

Archbishop Antonio Mennini (who was born in Rome) addressed the assembled priests during which he said: “It is good to be with you and to have this opportunity to meet and to reflect briefly on our calling as priests. As the representative of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, it is always a joy for me to be with you and to hear more about your lives and the ‘joys and sorrows’ of pastoral ministry today.

“Perhaps you will recall that, when the Holy Father instituted the ‘Year for Priests,’ he intended that it be a special year of prayer for priests, not simply for vocations to the priesthood, but also for the appreciation and sanctification of those who are priests already, many of whom really are ‘unsung heroes’ – those priests, the majority, who do not make headlines!”

Archbishop Mennini added: “Here, in this Archdiocese of Birmingham, we remember particularly the visit of Pope Benedict XVI, when he beatified Blessed John Henry Newman.”

After a buffet lunch in the parish hall, the Apostolic Nuncio visited the nearby The Spiritual Family The Work, in College Lane, where Sr Ingrid Swinnen FSO, showed Archbishop Mennini the Newman library where he had an opportunity to look at original letters written by the great English Cardinal, now Blessed John Henry Newman.

Archbishop Mennini looked at an original copy of The Times newspaper dated Tuesday, 12 August 1890, that contained a wonderful Obituary of Cardinal Newman, who had died the evening before in his room at the Birmingham Oratory, aged 89.

The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, pictured in the Newman Library at Littlemore, on 1 March, reading the Obituary of Blessed John Henry Newman in an original copy of The Times newspaper, Tuesday, 12 August 1890.

Sister Ingrid showed Archbishop Mennini the study-bedroom that Newman lived in at Littlemore after he had resigned his living as a clergyman in the Church of England. The highlight of the visit was to the little adjacent chapel. It was here that Blessed John Henry Newman was received into the Catholic Church by the Italian Passionist, Blessed Dominic Barberi, on 9 October 1845.

Everyone present knelt down and Archbishop Bernard Longley led the prayer for the canonisation of Blessed John Henry Newman. It was a deeply prayerful, poignant and emotional moment during the visit of the Apostolic Nuncio to the Archdiocese of Birmingham, where Cardinal Newman spent most of his Catholic life, and where he was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI at Cofton Park, Birmingham on 19 September 2010. How appropriate too that Bishop William Kenney CP, like Blessed Dominic, is a Passionist.

Archbishop Bernard Longley and the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, pictured with Sr Ingrid Swinnen FSO, and Bishop William Kenney CP, Auxiliary Bishop, on 1 March, in the room at Littlemore where Blessed John Henry Newman was received into the Catholic Church by Blessed Dominic Barberi on 9 October 1845 - now the chapel looked after by The Spiritual Family The Work.

The Archbishop of Birmingham hosted a two-hour early evening reception in honour of the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Mennini, in the Synod Room, at Archbishop’s House, for more than 130 guests, including the Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Len Gregory, the Leader of Birmingham City Council, Councillor Mike Whitby and other civic leaders, Bishop David Urquhart, the Anglican Bishop of Birmingham, ecumenical and inter-faith guests. Afterwards, Archbishop Longley hosted a dinner party for a small number of guests in his dining room.

The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, pictured with the Little Sisters of the Poor from St Joseph’s Home in Harborne, during the reception hosted by Archbishop Bernard Longley, in Archbishop’s House, Birmingham, on Thursday 1 March.

The following morning, Friday, 2 March, Archbishop Mennini, visited St John Fisher’s Catholic College, Newcastle-under-Lyme, where he was warmly welcomed by Bishop David McGough, Auxiliary Bishop, with pastoral responsibility for Staffordshire and the Black Country.

After Midday Prayer at Holy Trinity, Newcastle-under-Lyme, hosted by the Parish Priest, Fr Philip Griffin, the Area Dean, Fr Peter Weatherby, spoke about the work of the Deaneries of North Staffordshire and Stafford. The Apostolic Nuncio then addressed the assembled priests from the northern part of the diocese.

During his meeting with the clergy, a gift of a Wedgwood Jasper Vase was made to Archbishop Mennini, on behalf of the Archdiocese of Birmingham – and was presented to him by Mark Downie, the former Company Secretary at Wedgwood.

The Apostolic Nuncio was presented with a Wedgwood Jasper Vase on behalf of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Picture by Sue Conway.

Later that day Archbishop Bernard Longley was the Principal Celebrant and preacher at a special 4pm afternoon Chapter Mass on the Feast of St Chad, in St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham.

Archbishop Bernard Longley and the concelebrants pictured during Mass.

Archbishop Mennini, Bishop David McGough, Provost of the Chapter, Bishop William Kenney CP, and Bishop Philip Pargeter, emeritus Auxiliary Bishop, together with the Metropolitan Chapter and more than 40 priests concelebrated the Mass. Appropriately the opening hymn was “Praise to the Holiest” by Blessed John Henry Newman.

Before the final blessing the Apostolic Nuncio give a short address during which he said: “As the Representative of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, I wish to thank each one of you for your warm welcome to the Archdiocese of Birmingham. I thank you for inviting me to celebrate the Feast of Saint Chad, your diocesan Patron, in this beautiful Cathedral which bears his name. I am aware that my stay has been all too brief, but I sincerely hope that this will be the first of many visits to you.”

The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, pictured during his address in St Chad’s Cathedral, on the Feast of St Chad, 2 March.

Archbishop Mennini continued: “As you know my first task as Apostolic Nuncio is to strengthen the bonds of love and unity between the Holy Father and the local Churches of this land and to make his pastoral care and solicitude visible to you.”

The Apostolic Nuncio added: “I wish to greet very warmly and fraternally the members of the other Christian Communities and ecclesial bodies in the Diocese of Birmingham, some of whom I met at the Reception yesterday evening. In a society where so many persons are searching for deeper values and for meaning in their lives, our united witness to Jesus Christ, true God and true man, is needed more than ever.”

Archbishop Mennini concluded: “It is as a brother too, that I greet our non-Christian brothers and sisters, and to express my hope, that together, we may continue to work toward our common goal of justice and peace, not only in Birmingham, but in the wider world too.”

After Mass the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Mennini talked to priests from the Worcestershire and Birmingham area of the Diocese informally over a cup of tea in the Grimshaw Room, before Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop Philip Pargeter thanked him for what had been an inspiring and memorable occasion in the life of the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

Archbishop Bernard Longley and the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Mennini (on his left) pictured after Mass at St Chad’s Cathedral on the Feast of St Chad, 2 March, with (left to right): Mgr. Vincent Brady, Secretary to the Nuncio, Bishop David McGough, Bishop Philip Pargeter, Bishop William Kenney CP, Canon Gerry Breen, Dean of the Cathedral, and Fr Dominic Cosslett, Secretary to the Archbishop of Birmingham

TEXT OF THE ADDRESS GIVEN BY THE APOSTOLIC NUNCIO, ARCHBISHOP ANTONIO MENNINI, DURING HIS MEETING WITH PRIESTS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BIRMINGHAM – at Blessed Dominic Barberi Parish, Littlemore, near Oxford, on Thursday 1 March and at Holy Trinity, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire,  on Friday 2 March 2012:

Dear Archbishop Longley,

My brother Bishops and priests,

Dear friends in Jesus Christ

It is good to be with you and to have this opportunity to meet and to reflect briefly on our calling as priests. I thank you, dear Archbishop Bernard, for your invitation and you, dear brothers, for your welcome. As the representative of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, it is always a joy for me to be with you and to hear more about your lives and the ‘joys and sorrows’ of pastoral ministry today.

Perhaps you will recall that, when the Holy Father instituted the ‘Year for Priests,’ he intended that it be a special year of prayer for priests, not simply for vocations to the priesthood, but also for the appreciation and sanctification of those who are priests already, many of whom really are ‘unsung heroes.’ Those priests, the majority, who do not make headlines!

In his letter to priests, launching that year of prayer, the Holy Father wrote in this regard: “I think of all those priests who quietly present Christ’s words and actions each day to the faithful and to the whole world, striving to be one with the Lord in their thoughts and their will, their sentiments and their style of life. How can I not pay tribute to their apostolic labours, their tireless and hidden service, their universal charity? And how can I not praise the courageous fidelity of so many priests who, even amid difficulties and incomprehension, remain faithful to their vocation as “friends of Christ”, whom he has called by name, chosen and sent.”

That heroism, in the face of the secular mindset and the apathy of so many around us is not, as we know, easy to live. Also, I cannot help thinking of the recent murder of the Reverend John Suddards, our Anglican brother, which highlights the need, not only for courage in our service of others, but also for prudence. Perhaps such sad events make us feel concerned, but we have also been battered by the sins of a few of our brethren, publicised so widely over recent years. Inevitably, we are all affected by these events and we all, I have no doubt, wish to re-dedicate ourselves to the pastoral care and protection of those persons we serve, especially those sinned against in any way.

Yet, in the midst of all this, we are called to hope and to trust in the Lord. The Lord who drew His disciples together, around and with him, into a community of faith, serving one another and those persons they encountered, and it is this task which is entrusted to us, in union with the Bishops as their successors. We also see, even in Apostolic Times, that, even among those who worked closely with Christ during his earthly life, not all of them lived up to their high calling. And yet, in spite of the frailty and weakness of every human person, God does call us.

Just last week, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, led a scriptural reflection with the priests of the Diocese of Rome. He reminded them that: “The first call we receive is that of baptism… the second to be pastors at the service of Christ…”  He went on to affirm: “According to Saint Paul, the primary virtue that must accompany vocation is humility. This is the virtue of the followers of Christ who, ‘being equal to God, humbled himself, accepting the status of servant, and obeying even to the cross. This was the Son’s journey of humility, which we must imitate… the opposite of humility is pride, the root of all sin. Pride means arrogance, which above all seeks power and appearance… It has no intention of pleasing God… Being Christian means overcoming this original temptation, which is also the nucleus of original sin: being like God, but without God.”

The Holy Father continued: “Humility is, above all, truth, … recognition that I am a thought of God in the construction of his world, that I am irreplaceable as I am, in my smallness, and that only in this way am I great… let us learn this realism; not seeking appearance, but seeking to please God and to accomplish what he has thought out for us, and thus also accepting others… Only by accepting myself as part of the great divine tapestry can I also accept others, who with me form part of the great symphony of the Church and Creation… in this way, likewise, we learn to accept our position within the Church, knowing that ‘my small service is great in the eyes of God.” (Meeting with Priests. Rome, 23 February 2012)

We priests, certainly, are aware of how much we need to rely on God’s power, rather than our own. I have been told that Cardinal Hume, once said when speaking to his brother priests: “Deep down in every priest there is always a slight sense of unease… we discover we are in fact too fragile to carry the hopes of those we serve… I too have been less than adequate in my task which is to bring the good news.” And yet, the experience of the priesthood is also a wonderful and joyful way of life, and, I would ask you all, my brother priests, to please join with me in ensuring that the deep joy and peace that serving the Lord brings to us is not hidden from those persons entrusted to our pastoral care.

Here, in this Archdiocese of Birmingham, we remember particularly the visit of Pope Benedict XVI, when he beatified Blessed John Henry Newman. As you will know, Blessed John Henry wrote that, when he was about fifteen, he began to be influenced by a definite Creed and received into his intellect “impressions of dogma, which, through God’s mercy, have never been effaced or obscured.” He had begun to realise that Christianity is not some vague sentiment or empty feeling. It is a meeting with Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. We encounter him in the Scriptures, the teachings of the Church, in the Liturgy and in our personal prayer. This is where we learn to recognise the face of Christ and to rejoice that he has called us to serve him as his priests.

And so, as I conclude I wish to thank you for all that you do and are. I can assure you of the prayers of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, for you, and, now, together invoking the intercession of Our Blessed Lady, the Immaculate Conception and Saint Chad, let us continue to pray for one another.

The Archbishop of Birmingham was assisted by Bishop David McGough, Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop William Kenney CP, Auxiliary Bishop, and Bishop Philip Pargeter, retired Auxiliary Bishop.

Archbishop Bernard Longley pictured with (left to right) Bishop William Kenney CP, Bishop David McGough and Bishop Philip Pargeter, during the opening hymn.

Mgr Canon Timothy Menezes, the Vicar General was also present on the sanctuary in the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham which was packed to capacity for the occasion.

The opening hymn, “Praise to the Holiest”, the profound poem by Blessed John Henry Newman, set the tone for the service on the First Sunday of Lent.

The Rite of Election marks the beginning of the final period of preparation for the reception of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.

During his homily, Archbishop Bernard Longley, said: “There is for Catholics, a strong sense that what we’re doing here is replicated across the world and it unites us in a special way with our Holy Father, Pope Benedict.

Archbishop Bernard Longley pictured in a packed St Chad’s Cathedral during his homily.

“When we come together as a diocese we have the privilege of recalling that this is so recently a diocese that the Holy Father has visited.  We have the memory of Blessed John Henry Newman to thank for that, and we can feel assured of Cardinal Newman’s prayer for everyone here today.

“Last Tuesday, 21 February, was the anniversary of Cardinal Newman’s birthday in 1801, but I imagine a more significant day for him was the 9 October anniversary which is now his Feast Day, the day he was received into full communion with the Catholic Church by Blessed Dominic Barberi, in Littlemore near Oxford.

“Blessed Dominic made a difficult journey from Stone in Staffordshire the whole length of this diocese to Oxford to welcome Cardinal Newman into the Church, to hear his confession and to offer him Holy Communion for the first time as a Catholic.”

Archbishop Longley added: “This sense of communion with others who share our faith forged a powerful bond between Blessed Dominic of the Mother of God and Blessed John Henry Newman.  The same bonds of faith hold us together with them and with one another.  For those who are preparing to be baptised and received this Easter the bond of faith will be strengthened by the sacramental link that will forever hold you a part of the Catholic Church.”

A highlight of the Rite of Election was the moment when the Parish Priests accompanied the Catechumens, Candidates and sponsors to the foot of the sanctuary steps and introduced them to the Archbishop and one of his assistant bishops, who had a word for each person.

Bishop David McGough welcomes a Candidate, during the Rite of Election.