Here is the video of the interview Cardinal Nichols gave to the press as he prepares to travel to Rome for the Extraordinary Meeting of Bishops for the Synod on the Family.
Category Archives: Papal News
A day of prayer for the Synod of Bishops on the Family 2014
Today, Sunday 28th September, has been marked out as a special day of prayer for the preparations of the Synod on the Family.
The Synod – a meeting of bishops – will take place from the 5th to the 9th October and will discuss the matters which were raised last year when the Church invited every member to fill out a questionnaire on family life. Pope Francis has asked for the following prayer to be recited by all the faithful during liturgical celebrations.
Prayer to the Holy Family for the Synod
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendour of true love,
to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer,
authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic Churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again
experience violence, rejection and division:
may all who have been hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and healing.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
may the approaching Synod of Bishops
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
graciously hear our prayer.
AMEN.
The bishops’ conference of England and Wales have more information which can be found here.
Do you want to be happy?
This post was originally placed on the parish Facebook page – it’s the most viewed article with 2127 individual views. By popular demand, here it is on the website too!
Follow this link to see what Pope Francis has to say about finding happiness!
Sorry Pope Benedict
Some years ago in 2006 when Pope Benedict gave a lecture on Faith and Reason at Regensburg, his words were quoted out of context and twisted. As such, many in the world attacked him when, in truth, he was trying to enter into an academic dialogue to help Christians and Muslims understand each other, and to learn together something of the nature of God. This interesting article offers a reflection on those words in the light of modern events, and how perhaps the world should have listened more.
http://blog.acton.org/archives/71814-dear-pope-benedict-sorry.html#.U_fBV-QOrKo.twitter
Crisis in Iraq
Rt Hon Stephen Crabb MP
Sir, over the past few days I have watched with horror at the events unfolding in Iraq. Only this morning I saw a video from the Iraqi parliament of a Yazidi MP making an impassioned plea for help for her community (link below).
The Yazidi and Christian populations, among others, are facing slaughter by IS (formerly ISIS).
Recently the Papal Nuncio issued a letter to Cardinal Vincent Nichols asking for him to offer assistance in spreading a request from Pope Francis that initiatives be undertaken to highlight the plight of these people, and to offer them help and support.
Mr Crabb, please, I urge you, speak out on their behalf in our parliament, that something may be done to rescue, protect or offer humanitarian support to these most vulnerable people.
Many of my parishioners are also duly concerned, and I am sure would welcome a statement from you on this matter.
I look forward to your reply and I offer you my prayers and support for your ministry of service.
I am, yours faithfully,
Fr Liam Bradley.
And here’s the reply:
Dear Father Liam,
Thank you for your recent email regarding the current situation in Iraq.
I too am appalled by the persecution of minority groups in the country and the desperate situation many of them face. The Prime Minister has strongly condemned the treatment of the minority Yazidi community who have been trapped on Mount Sinjar. The brutal events we have seen just in the last 48 hours underline again what an abhorrent force is at work in Iraq.
You may be aware that we are already providing humanitarian aid to the region. UK advisers have also been sent to cities under threat of occupation. We fully support the decision of the United States to agree to the Iraqi Government’s request for help in the form of targeted airstrikes. They have already destroyed some arms and equipment belonging to Islamic State, and have provided supplies to Kurdish forces who are opening a road for trapped Yazidis. While we are not joining the United States in a military capacity, we will be providing logistical support in terms of refuelling and surveillance.
Please be assured that my Ministerial colleagues will be monitoring the developing situation in Iraq very closely.
Thank you again for your email. If you would like to discuss this important matter further, please get in touch.
Kind regards
Stephen
St David and St Patrick Catholic Church 
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