The Archbishop of Westminster said: “We have now less than 100 days to go before the London 2012 Olympics are upon us. Preparations are being made in many parts of London and elsewhere. Hopes and expectations are high, not least for some Team GB cycling medals.

“During 2004 I was so pleased to meet Tommy Godwin, a Great Britain double Olympic bronze cycling medallist at the 1948 London Olympic Games. At the time I was involved in 210-mile charity cycle ride in the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

“Tommy Godwin kindly gave me good advice when it comes to cycling, he said: Pedal don’t push!”

Archbishop Vincent Nichols added: “This cycling stamp sheet from the Isle of Man, inscribed to me by Tommy Godwin, marks both London Olympic Games and is rather special!”

Archbishop Vincent Nichols pictured in Rome holding the Isle of Man, London 2012 Olympic special first day cover.

Jesus Christ has risen from the dead as He said, alleluia

LUMEN CHRISTI – THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
The Paschal Candle pictured during the East Vigil on Holy Saturday, 7 April 2012, at the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham.

The 0.75c value Vatican City stamp shows a magnificent picture of the Risen Christ, and includes the words: “Surrexit Christus Alleluia MMXII”, together with the Keys of Peter.

The stamp, on a special pictorial first day cover, postmarked in advance with an Easter Sunday, 8 April 2012, pictorial handstamp,  is on sale to pilgrims and tourists at the Vatican Post Offices situated in St Peter’s Square. The stamp, the postmark and the cover each display the Risen Christ – three very different treatments of the defining event of Christian faith.

This particular Vatican stamp and commemorative cover will be prized by stamp collectors and non-collectors, Catholic and non-Catholic alike from around the world as a beautiful memento of Rome and Easter 2012.

During a memorable Colloquium “Britain and the Holy See: A Celebration of 1982 and the Wider Relationship”, organised by the British Embassy, and held at the Venerable English College, in Rome on Friday 30 March, I invited eight of the distinguished speakers to autograph one of these covers.

That makes it a unique philatelic item – signed by:  H E Nigel Baker, British Ambassador to the Holy See; Mr Mark Pellew, Ambassador to the Holy See 1998-2002; His Eminence Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland; His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster; the Most Rev Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales; The Rt Rev Bishop Edwin Regan, Bishop of Wrexham; The Rt Rev Bishop Christopher Hill, Anglican Bishop of Guildford; and Mgr Mark Langham of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.

Anglican bishops sign with their sees as their surnames, so we see “Christopher Guildford” written upwards to the left of the reproduced painting from the Vatican Museum.

The autographed Vatican Easter 2012 special commemorative stamp cover.

In the discerning world of philately the Holy See enjoys a good reputation for the design and production of its postage stamps, as also for its commemorative and first day covers.

 “I am shocked to learn of the terrible coach accident in Northern France involving the school group from Alvechurch, Church of England Middle School in Worcestershire – in the Archdiocese of Birmingham.”

 Archbishop Longley added: “I pray that God will give strength and comfort to the children’s anxious families and to those affected by the death of their teacher.”

The visit followed the statement made by Archbishop Longley at Cathedral House, Birmingham, on 7 February after Bede Walsh, a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, was convicted by a jury of 21 sexual offences against eight boys. The offences took place between the 1970s and the early 1990s. Bede Walsh is due to be sentenced on 9 March.

The Archbishop of Birmingham and Canon Timothy Menezes, the Vicar General, spoke to parishioners both before and after the 11.15am Mass.

During his homily, Archbishop Bernard Longley said: “When I was last with you in Coventry to celebrate Mass here at All Souls I came to bless your statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace in the parish garden. That was during September 2011 and I am grateful to the Parish Priest, Father Michael Brandon, for welcoming me back today.

“Many things have happened in the intervening months – many events and celebrations that will have brought great joy into the life of this Coventry parish community – and at the same time the unfolding of some events that have undoubtedly brought their share of confusion, sadness and suffering.

“I know that you will appreciate that I cannot enter here into great detail about all the events or news that have been so disturbing over recent days.  But neither can I simply ignore things which will have been before you on the television news or in the Coventry newspapers – because it is never helpful to our spiritual wellbeing to try to block such things out entirely from our prayers.  Along with the gifts of bread and wine that we offer in this Mass we need to bring all our concerns into the presence of God.

“As we prepare for the season of Lent beginning this Wednesday, today’s Gospel emphasises that Jesus Christ is the one who brings wholeness and healing into our lives and the lives of all those who suffer as individuals or as communities.  Sometimes a wound has to be exposed to the light of day before it can begin to heal.”

Archbishop Longley told the congregation that he was offering the Mass especially for their intentions at a most difficult moment in the life of their parish. He said: “Yet it is also a moment when your witness as a Christian community is more than ever important.  It is never easy to be under scrutiny or to know that we are being watched critically by others, and yet it is in these very circumstances that we can reflect most powerfully the love of God that we ourselves have received, and the faith that sustains us.

“This moment offers an opportunity to demonstrate our confidence in Christ’s healing power, our trust in his forgiveness and our own compassion for all those who suffer.

“It is important that we regularly hold in our prayers individuals, families and parish and local communities affected directly or indirectly by any betrayal of trust experienced in the Church.  I know that this is well appreciated by the Coventry’s Catholic communities.”

The Archbishop of Birmingham emphasised: “It contradicts the Gospel that anyone should look for the presence of Christ, among us as one who serves, only for their faith in his Church to be undermined.  It can be a long and difficult journey to find peace of mind and to build up sufficient confidence once again to approach the Church’s ministers in their search for understanding, spiritual guidance and support.

“It is only right that we expect those who are ordained to reflect the compassionate presence of Jesus among us.  I am grateful that the parish communities of Coventry are very rarely disappointed in this expectation.

“Our priests and deacons, together with those in formation at our seminaries wish to follow the Lord’s example by having compassionate feelings for others and by accepting and respecting people’s dignity as Jesus himself did.

“I ask you to pray today for those who have pastoral responsibility in the Church – especially the deacons and priests in the parishes of Coventry – that they may have the strength and wisdom to exercise it under the guidance of the Word of God.”

Archbishop Longley concluded his homily: “During the Papal Visit in September 2010 Pope Benedict XVI remembered the people of Coventry at the beatification of Blessed John Henry Newman. Recalling the seventieth anniversary of the Battle of Britain the Holy Father said: “For me as one who lived and suffered through the dark days of the Nazi regime in Germany, it is deeply moving to be here with you…, and to recall how many of your fellow citizens sacrificed their lives, courageously resisting the forces of that evil ideology. My thoughts go in particular to nearby Coventry, which suffered such heavy bombardment and massive loss of life in November 1940.”

“In the course of his homily the day before in Westminster Cathedral the Holy Father had offered some powerful words which are a comfort to us today and which enable us once again to feel united with him in his own witness to the love of Christ.

“Pope Benedict said: ‘I think of the immense suffering caused by the abuse of children, especially within the Church and by her ministers. Above all, I express my deep sorrow to the innocent victims of these unspeakable crimes, along with my hope that the power of Christ’s grace, his sacrifice of reconciliation, will bring deep healing and peace to their lives. I also acknowledge, with you, the shame and humiliation which all of us have suffered because of these sins; and I invite you to offer it to the Lord with trust that this chastisement will contribute to the healing of the victims, the purification of the Church and the renewal of her age-old commitment to the education and care of young people.’

“Pope Benedict concluded: ‘I express my gratitude for the efforts being made to address this problem responsibly, and I ask all of you to show your concern for the victims and solidarity with your priests.’

Archbishop Bernard Longley added: “May these wise words help us to move forward and witness over the coming weeks and months here in Coventry ever more effectively to the powerful presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of this parish community of yours which he loves and will always guide.”

]]> http://peterjennings.co.uk/2012/news/archbishop-bernard-longley-special-visit-to-all-souls-parish-coventry-following-the-conviction-of-bede-walsh/feed/ 0 http://peterjennings.co.uk/2012/news/pray-for-individuals-families-and-parish-affected-by-any-betrayal-of-trust-experienced-in-the-church-archbishop-bernard-longley/ http://peterjennings.co.uk/2012/news/pray-for-individuals-families-and-parish-affected-by-any-betrayal-of-trust-experienced-in-the-church-archbishop-bernard-longley/#comments Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:58:19 +0000 Peter Jennings http://peterjennings.co.uk/?p=4142 The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, made a special visit to St Giles’ Cheadle, Staffordshire, on Sunday 12 February.

The visit followed the statement made by Archbishop Longley at Cathedral House, Birmingham, on Tuesday, 7 February after Bede Walsh, a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, was convicted by a jury of 21 sexual offences against eight boys. The offences took place between the 1970s and the early 1990s. Bede Walsh is due to be sentenced on 9 March.

The Archbishop of Birmingham and Canon Timothy Menezes, the Vicar General, spoke to parishioners after the 10.30am Mass.

Archbishop Bernard Longley pictured during February 2012.

During his homily, Archbishop Bernard Longley said: “It is a year since I was last with you to celebrate Mass here at St Giles and I am grateful to the Parish Priest, Father Sandy Brown, for welcoming me back today. Many things have happened in the intervening year – many events and celebrations that will have brought great joy into the life of this parish community – and at the same time the unfolding of some events that have undoubtedly brought their share of confusion, sadness and suffering.

“I know that you will understand and appreciate that it cannot be my purpose in the course of preaching God’s Word during this Mass to enter into great detail about all the events or news that have been so disturbing over recent days.  But neither is it helpful to our spiritual wellbeing to try to block such things out entirely from our prayers and our worship in God’s presence.

“Today’s Gospel emphasises that Jesus Christ is the one who brings wholeness and healing into our lives, and the lives of all those who suffer as individuals or as communities.  Sometimes a wound has to be exposed to the light of day before it can begin to heal.  The leper in St Mark’s Gospel had to come to Jesus and show himself to the Lord before he could be healed.  We are strengthened and re-assured when we see the compassion of Christ and his readiness to reach out with his healing touch: Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him.”

Archbishop Longley told the congregation that he was offering the Mass especially for their intentions at a most difficult moment in the life of their parish. He said: “Yet it is also a moment when your witness as a Christian community is more than ever important.  It is never easy to be under scrutiny or to know that we are being watched critically by others, and yet it is in these very circumstances that we can reflect most powerfully the love of God that we ourselves have received, and the faith that sustains us.

“This moment offers an opportunity to demonstrate our confidence in Christ’s healing power, our trust in his forgiveness and our own compassion for all those who suffer.”

The Archbishop emphasised: “It is important that we regularly hold in our prayers individuals, families and parish and local communities affected directly or indirectly by any betrayal of trust experienced in the Church.”

Archbishop Longley stressed: “It contradicts the Gospel that anyone should look for the presence of Christ – among us as one who serves – only for their faith in his Church to be undermined.  It can be a long and difficult journey to find peace of mind and to build up sufficient confidence once again to approach the Church’s ministers in the search for spiritual guidance and support.  It is only right that we expect those who are ordained to reflect the compassionate presence of Jesus among us.  I am grateful that our parish communities are very rarely disappointed in this expectation.

“Our priests and deacons, together with those in formation at our seminaries, are motivated by a desire to be like our Lord.  They wish to follow his example by having compassionate feelings for others and by reaching out as Jesus did. I ask you to pray today for those who have pastoral responsibility in the Church that they may have the strength and wisdom to exercise it after the mind of Christ himself.”

The Archbishop concluded by quoting from the words given by Pope Benedict XVI during his homily in Westminster Cathedral during the Papal Visit in September 2010, and on the day before he came to Birmingham to beatify Blessed John Henry Newman.

Pope Benedict said: ‘I think of the immense suffering caused by the abuse of children, especially within the Church and by her ministers.  Above all, I express my deep sorrow to the innocent victims of these unspeakable crimes, along with my hope that the power of Christ’s grace, his sacrifice of reconciliation, will bring deep healing and peace to their lives.

‘I also acknowledge, with you, the shame and humiliation which all of us have suffered because of these sins; and I invite you to offer it to the Lord with trust that this chastisement will contribute to the healing of the victims, the purification of the Church and the renewal of her age-old commitment to the education and care of young people.’

Archbishop Bernard Longley added: “May these wise words help us to move forward and to witness, ever more effectively, over the coming weeks and months to the powerful presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of this parish community of yours, which he loves and will always guide.”

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, was the principal celebrant and more than 18 bishops and 30 priests concelebrated Mass. Among then was Archbishop Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, and  Bishop William Kenney CP, Auxiliary Bishop of  Birmingham.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, was present on the sanctuary for the joyful, memorable and important occasion in the history of CAFOD.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, pictured with Bishop John Arnold, Chair of CAFOD Trustees and Mr Chris Bain, CAFOD Director, before Mass in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 28 January 2012. Exclusive picture by Peter Jennings.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood was packed to capacity with CAFOD workers and supporters from throughout England and Wales, together with representatives of Caritas agencies across Europe. Mr Chris Bain, Director of CAFOD, warmly welcomed everyone present during a short address before Mass started at 2pm.

In the service booklet, Mr Bain wrote: “Thank you for being with us here today and for the tremendous support you have given CAFOD throughout the last 50 years. I hope we can recommit ourselves to building a just, peaceful and sustainable world.”

Bishop John Arnold, Chair of CAFOD Trustees, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, preached a challenging homily about the work of CAFOD. He said: “The work of CAFOD is founded on the Gospel, from which are drawn the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. CAFOD’s work with partners is based on those core values of Compassion, Dignity, Hope, Partnership, Solidarity, Sustainability and Stewardship.”

Bishop Arnold added: “These principles guide and give shape to CAFOD’s work. These are the same principles that guide Caritas International, which now has 154 member organisations throughout the world, which when it pools its resources is second in size only to the International Red Cross.”

Details about a unique opportunity that CAFOD has during Lent Fast Day 2012 were included on the back of the service booklet.

In recognition of the generosity of CAFOD supporters the British Government has agreed, that through UK Aid Match funding, it will match a pound for pound every donation given to CAFOD to help some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in the world.

Father Gregory Winterton 1922-2012, pictured in Cardinal Newman's Room at the Oratory House, Edgbaston.

Bishop Terence Brain, Bishop of Salford and Bishop Philip Pargeter, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham, were present on the sanctuary, together with Fathers from the London and Oxford Oratories including the Oxford Provost, Father Daniel Seward.

Father Robert Byrne, Father Dominic Jacob and Father Richard Duffield, who left the Birmingham Oratory in September 1990 to found the Oxford house, were also here to say a last goodbye to their former Provost.

The Oratory Church is also the parish church and it was packed to its doors for the sung Latin Mass.  Members of Father Gregory Winterton’s family, including his nephew Michael Winterton, parishioners, and former parishioners, and priests from the Archdiocese of Birmingham were among the great company of mourners.

Also present were representatives of many of the organisations that Father Gregory had been involved with over the long decades since his ordination in March 1963 as priest of the Birmingham Oratory.  The Birmingham Oratory, along with the Oratory School, was founded by Blessed John Henry Newman.

After the welcome by Father Chavasse, a special message from the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, was read by the Vicar General, Canon Timothy Menezes.

Canon Timothy Menezes, Vicar General, pictured reading the message from Archbishop Bernard Longley at the Requiem Mass for Father Gregory Winterton, on 24 January 2012.

Archbishop Longley expressed himself in these thoughtful words: “As you gather today at the Oratory for Father Gregory Winterton’s Requiem Mass I wish to unite myself with you in prayer. I am sorry that a long-standing pastoral commitment in Staffordshire prevents me from being with you this morning.

“Father Gregory would wish us, above all, to pray that he may now be admitted to the company of the saints with all his sins forgiven through the death and resurrection of Our Lord. May we not also imagine the welcome awaiting him from Christ and entrusted to his brother Oratorian and his guide Blessed John Henry Newman?

“We offer a prayer of gratitude today for the way that God’s Providence led Father Gregory to work so assiduously for Cardinal Newman’s canonisation. We can be thankful that he had the great joy of taking part so recently in the Beatification ceremony at Cofton Park, close to the cemetery at Rednal where he will be buried today.”

Archbishop Longley concluded: “As we bid farewell to Father Gregory we know that it is only for a while, and we can be certain that he will be praying for the well-being of his home for so many years, the Oratory in Hagley Road, and for the Fathers and parishioners who have been so dear to him. Let us commend his soul to the loving-kindness of Our Lord and to the prayerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

By custom, no homily or panegyric is preached at the funeral Mass of an Oratorian Father. During the distribution of Holy Communion two of the great hymns by Blessed John Henry Newman, Praise to the Holiest in the Height, and Firmly I believe and truly were sung.

After Communion the pall was carefully removed to reveal the American light oak wooden coffin and the simple crucifix on the top. Bishop Philip Pargeter began the solemn prayers of the Final Commendation while Bishop Brain and the Fathers of the Birmingham, London and Oxford Oratories and other visiting clergy stood with lighted candles around the coffin.

Bishop Philip Pargeter retired Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham pictured during the Final Commendation at the end of the Requiem Mass for Father Gregory Winterton.

The Fathers and congregation sang the Song of Farewell - May the choirs of angels come to greet you, as the coffin containing the earthly remains of Father Gregory Winterton was taken in solemn procession out of the church and carried past the tablet dedicated to Blessed John Henry Newman and the deceased Fathers in the Cloisters.

The procession pictured at the end the Requiem Mass.

The funeral cars made their way solemnly along Hagley Road, at the start of their journey to the Oratory House at Rednal on the outskirts of Birmingham, where Father Gregory Winterton was buried in the small secluded community grave-yard.

The hearse pictured outside the Plough & Harrow Hotel as it made its way slowly to the community graveyard at Rednal.

That earlier drizzle had stopped and the sun was gently breaking through the late January clouds as Father Paul Chavasse said the final prayers. The coffin was lowered gently into the newly dug grave situated not far from where Blessed John Henry Newman had been buried on 19 August 1890.

The procession pictured as it entered the secluded Victoria graveyard at the Oratory House, Rednal.

It was a deeply emotional but memorable moment as this last in a long-line of much-loved “old-style” Birmingham Oratory Fathers, going back to Blessed John Henry Newman, was laid to rest.

The grave of Father Gregory Winterton is to the right of the green covering and near to where Blessed John Henry Newman was buried in August 1890 (centre of the picture).

Fr Gregory Winterton was born on 9 July 1922. He was Provost of the Birmingham Oratory 1971-1992 (except for six month). He died in the care of the Little Sisters of the Poor at their home in Harborne, on Wednesday 18 January. Like his father Major-General Sir John Winterton and Blessed John Henry Newman, he was aged 89.

*NB All pictures are my copyright but be used provided they are acknowledged: Picture by Peter Jennings.

The coffin containing the earthly remains of Father Gregory Winterton pictured in the hearse outside the Oratory Church, Edgbaston in Birmingham.

The simple plain coffin made of light American Oak (English Oak is not good for coffins because it warps too quickly) with a crucifix on top and six Oxy Silver handles (made up until the 1960′s), was gently lifted from the hearse under the supervision of Undertaker, Andrew Taylor of A B Taylor Funeral Services Ltd in Birmingham.  Father Chavasse sprinkled the coffin with holy water.

Then accompanied by the Fathers and Brother of the Birmingham Oratory community, visiting priests, and Archbishop Bernard Longley, the Archbishop of Birmingham, the coffin was carried slowly through the darkened cloister leading to the Church and past the tablets on the wall to the memory of the departed Fathers. In the centre is the tablet to Blessed John Henry Newman 1801-1890, who composed its Latin inscription: Ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem  (Out of shadows and images into the Truth).

The coffin was placed on the catafalque under the dome in front of the sanctuary and then covered with a purple pall. Father Gregory’s beretta, purple stole from his confessional and chalice were then carefully put on the top.

The coffin containing the earthly remains of Father Gregory Winterton.

The Parish Church was full including former parishioners who had travelled long distances to be present at the Solemn Vespers of the Dead, sung in Latin.  It was a deeply moving and prayerful occasion that concluded with the words: “Requiescant in pace. Amen.”

Archbishop Bernard Longley was among those present in choir who sang the Solemn Vespers of the Dead in Latin.

Father Gregory Winterton Memorial Card.

*Please note that all the pictures included are my copyright but may be used with due acknowledgement: “Picture by Peter Jennings.”

Father Gregory Winterton pictured in the Cloisters at the Birmingham Oratory.

I had the privilege as a teenager of attending the Ordination of Father Gregory to the priesthood in the Newman Memorial Church, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, Edgbaston, on 9 March 1963. I then worked closely with him on the Newman Cause from the mid-1970′s.

I saw Father Gregory Winterton for the last time at about 10.55am in his room at the Little Sisters of the Poor in Harborne, on Saturday 7 January 2012. His body was frail but his  memory was remarkably good as he recalled events from the past. I gently held his right-hand for a moment. I said “goodbye” knowing it would be the last time that I would see him alive. Father Gregory replied: “Goodbye and God Bless You.” It was a deeply poignant and memorable moment.

I was in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia on Wednesday 18 January when I received the text from Father Paul Chavasse with the news that Father Gregory had died peacefully  a few hours earlier.

Father Gregory Winterton and me pictured by Cardinal Newman's Grave, at the Oratory House Rednal, on 11 August 1990 - the Centenary of Newman's death in 1890.

I plan to publish a full Obituary including personal memories of Father Gregory Winterton.

Father Gregory Winterton pictured in Cardinal Newman's Room, in the Oratory House, Birmingham.

Monday 23 January: 6.30pm Reception of Father Gregory’s body into the Oratory Church followed immediately by Solemn Vespers of the Dead sung in Latin.

The Oratory House and entrance to the Parish Church, Edgbaston.

Tuesday, 24 January, Feast of St Francis de Sales, Bishop, Patron Saint of  Writers and Journalists.

8am Matins & Lauds of the Dead.

11.30am Funeral Mass of Father Gregory Winterton – Principal Celebrant Father Paul Chavasse.

According to a very old custom, no sermon or panegyric is given at the Requiem Mass of a Father of the Oratory.

Father Gregory Winterton and Father Paul Chavasse pictured at the end of Mass on St Philip's Day, 26 May 2011,

Following Mass Father Gregory Winterton will be buried in the small secluded community graveyard at the Oratory Retreat, Rednal.

The community graveyard at the Oratory House, Rednal, where Father Gregory Winterton will be buried on Tuesday, 24 January 2012..

*Please note that all the pictures included are my copyright but may be used with due acknowledgement: “Picture by Peter Jennings.”