“I want diplomacy to be more efficient”
“I want diplomacy to be more efficient” It is always good for a diplomat to be reminded that his job is to make a difference. The public image of diplomats too often remains that of the stereotypical cocktail party, and the focus on protocol for its own sake. I am glad to say that that is largely outdated. British ambassadors are appointed for their resilience, their strategic sense, their ability to react fast in tough circumstances, their analytical skills and their readiness to roll up their sleeves on behalf of the British public, British business, and British interests and values, not the deftness of their social small talk. But the stereotype dies hard, which is why it was so good to read the interview that Archbishop Parolin, the newly appointed Holy See Secretariat of State, gave to the...
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UK and Holy See: It’s Time to Act Together
UK and Holy See: It’s Time to Act Together One of the highlights of the United Nations General Assembly in September will be an event hosted by Foreign Secretary William Hague and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to launch a high level political and ambitious declaration on the need to keep up the international momentum on tackling sexual violence in conflict. This event follows the powerful G8 declaration in April 2013 committing G8 countries to act, and the subsequent warm support from Pope Francis in June for this British initiative. The declaration at the UN will be action orientated and substantive. We welcome the support of international “Champions” on this issue from countries as diverse as Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Liberia and Jordan. We hope to demonstrate a clear commitment by the global community, including the Holy See, to...
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Evening of Catechesis, Prayer and Fraternity
Vocations to the Priesthood — Evening of Catechesis, Prayer and Fraternity — As part of the Glasgow Diocesan Vocations programme a monthly evening of recollection will be introduced for those who are in the early stages of discerning a vocation to the priesthood. These evenings will take place on the 2nd Friday of each month beginning in September, 2013. Each evening will consist of a period of catechesis followed by some guided meditation before the Blessed Sacrament, finishing with some social time. If interested contact Fr John Keenan (rcchaplaincy@gla.ac.uk 0141 339 4315) or Fr Ross Campbell (rosscampbell81@gmail.com 0141 776 1063). If you have an inquiry about priesthood, please contact your local parish priest or the national agency, Priests for Scotland, at www.priestsforscotland.org.uk...
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“Women, Church, World”.
Article by Foreign Secretary William Hague for L’Osservatore Romano publication “Women, Church, World”. This is the full version in English British Foreign Secretary William J Hague In conflicts in nearly every corner of the globe, rape is used systematically and ruthlessly as a weapon of war. It destroys lives, causes physical and psychological trauma to the victims, undermines communities and adds to ethnic, sectarian and other divisions. Perpetrators are confident that they will not be prosecuted, and the majority of survivors never receive justice or support. I have made preventing sexual violence in conflict central to UK foreign policy, which should always set out to improve the human condition as well as to deal with urgent crises. As a global community we reached agreement on an historic Arms Trade Treaty regulating the international trade in weapons. But rape and...
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NIGHTFEVER – Glasgow – 7th September 2013
Nightfever is organised by young Christians whose faith is central in their lives and who seek to bridge between individuals, parishes and communities. Everyone that shares the same ideas as the Nightfever is welcome to be part of it. With our initiative we would like to address young people that have stayed away from the church and to draw them closer to faith again. All should happen without any obligations; as it is said in the gospel of John “Come and see!” (John 1,46) We invite you to spend some time in Adoration, quiet, listening to some music, praying, chatting to a priest, asking questions about your faith, receiving a blessing, lighting a candle. Nightfever has spread from Germany to over thirty cities world wide. And so we bring you NIGHTFEVER GLASGOW! Nightfever is for everyone, so why not...
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Day of fasting and prayer on the eve of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady
ANGELUS His Holiness Pope Francis Saint Peter’s Square Sunday, 1st September 2013 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Hello! Today, dear brothers and sisters, I wish to make add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family which is humanity: it is the cry for peace! It is a cry which declares with force: we want a peaceful world, we want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that peace break out! War never again! Never again war! Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected. There are so many conflicts in this world which cause me great suffering and worry, but in...
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From red to white…
The origin and the symbolism of the Pope’s attire From red to white A change commonly and incorrectly attributed to Pius V Widespread opinion has it that the white cassock the pope wears every day was introduced by Pope Pius V (1566-1572) recalling his life in the Dominican Order prior to his election to the Chair of Peter. This tale has no reliable source (not even the well documented Gaetano Moroni includes it in his dictionary of historical eclesiastical learning). Nevertheless it recurs regularly — even in the Pius V entry on Wikipedia — whenever the colours of the pope’s clothing spark public interest. This was the case from the very first day of the Pontificate of Pope Francis who has chosen to continue to wear the traditional white cassock while abandoning the red mozzetta, or elbow-length cape. That...
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St Wilfrid’s, York
St Wilfrid’s, York The Fathers of the Oxford Oratory announced that they have accepted an invitation from the Bishop of Middlesbrough, Rt. Rev. Terence Drainey, to come to his diocese. Bishop Drainey has entrusted the care of the Parish of St Wilfrid in the centre of York to the Fathers of the Oratory. St Wilfrid’s is the mother church of the City of York. The parish also has the care of the Shrine of St Margaret Clitherow, martyred for her Catholic faith in 1586 during the English Reformation. The Congregation of the Oratory was founded by St Philip Neri in Rome in 1575 and brought to England by Blessed John Henry Newman in 1848. There are already three Oratories in England, in Birmingham, London and Oxford, and a fourth being set up in Manchester. All the English Oratories have...
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Pope asks Augustinians to keep St. Augustine’s restlessness to help others
Pope asks Augustinians to keep St. Augustine’s restlessness to help others Augustinians from across the world are in Rome to choose their prior general for the next six years, and set their agendas. The Pope accepted their invitation and celebrated the Mass to start of the Chapter General for the Order in the Basilica di Sant’Agostino in Campo Marzio, Roma. The Pope asked them to live with the same restlessness that led St. Augustine, despite his sins, to find God. POPE FRANCIS “Look into the depths of your heart, look deep within yourself, and ask yourself: Do you have a heart that desires something great, or a heart that is put to sleep by material things? Has your heart has kept the restlessness of searching or have you let it suffocate, so that it wastes away?” ...
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