Features
Faith Sense: Suffering and natural disasters
22 January 2010
All over the world, at some time or another, people are suffering. From viewing images of the impact of earthquakes and tsunamis, to hearing about a friend or relative having a terminal illness, it can all seem not to make any rational sense. Many people find themselves asking: "How can a loving God allow suffering and natural disasters to happen? What possible purpose could there be to suffering and surely it all makes for a grim vision of our existence on earth?"
Dr James Hanvey SJ, a Catholic priest who is also a member of the Society of Jesus (otherwise know as ‘the Order of Jesuits’), offers reflective responses to these questions.
Haiti earthquake: They are not alone
15 January 2010
The earthquake in Haiti, following five hurricanes in ten years, has turned the lives of Haitians upside down. Yet in the midst of their suffering people have held on to their faith.
Father Donald Chambers lived in Haiti for a year. He knows how poor the people are and has seen the Catholic Church active in the country amidst limited resources. He is now the National Director of Missio Jamaica. Earlier today, he said: ‘Why these things happen is a mystery. But the faith of the people of Haiti is tremendous. You don’t see that reported in the media.
Fears for the lives of hundreds of church workers and seminarians remain, following the deaths of so many already including Catholic Archbishop Serge-Miot. Fr Chambers cannot reach Missio’s National Director in Haiti and does not know if he is alive.
Sixth World Congress on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees
December 2009
The Sixth Congress for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees took place in Rome (November 2009), under the auspices of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.
The gathering attracted over 300 delegates representing Episcopal Conferences, Religious Orders, international Catholic organisations, and global organisations including the United Nations. Representing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales’ Office of Migration Policy (OMP) were Bishop Patrick Lynch (Chair) Canon James Cronin (member of the Advisory Group) and Cecilia Taylor-Camara (Senior Policy Adviser).
National celebration marking 25 years of the Catholic Association for Racial Justice
The Changing Face of Britain
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Over 400 people attended the national day of celebrations at Westminster Cathedral to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ). Also joining the celebrations were several bishops from the Dioceses of England and Wales, the Archbishop of Westminster, Ethnic Chaplains and Clergy.
Archbishop Nichols challenged CARJ to keep building bridges.
Roman Catholic Prison Chaplains
30 November 2009
Many people in prison need more help and support, at this time in their lives, than at any other.
Roman Catholic Chaplains work to ensure the Sacramental and Pastoral needs of Roman Catholic prisoners are met. As a Chaplain you will carry out faith specific and generic duties, within a multi-faith team, taking part also in a range of resettlement activities including engaging with the local faith communities.
Exhibition: The Sacred Made Real
‘The Sacred Made Real’ is an exhibition at The National Gallery - the Sainsbury's Wing - presenting religious art from the Spanish Golden Age (1600-1700).
The religious artists of 17th century Spain pursued a quest for realism creating works to inspire devotion among believers.
Polychrome wooden sculptures and paintings, including masterpieces by Diego Velázquez and Francisco de Zurbarán, are displayed together for the very first time.
Features a special video commentary from Archbishop Vincent Nichols.
Study programme in Leadership for Family Ministry and Faith Formation
Ten diocesan workers from around England and Wales are currently being sponsored through the Bishops' Conference Faith in the Future fundraising initiative to undertake post-graduate studies in Leadership for Family Ministry and Faith Formation.
This three year part-time programme, offered by Dominican University just outside Chicago, USA, is delivered through online learning, intensive residentials and private study, enabling individuals to participate wherever they live as well as to combine their studies with their work and home life.
Audio: An interview with Mgr Richard Moth, Bishop-elect of the Forces
Pope Benedict XVI has announced that Monsignor Richard Moth, currently Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Southwark, will be the next Bishop of the Forces.
In this downloadable audio interview, we discuss his personal feelings ahead of the Ordination, the challenges ahead and how he's looking forward to working with the Forces' chaplains and service personnel and their families.
Fr Federico Lombardi SJ on Vatican communications
Fr Federico Lombardi is a Jesuit priest with an enormous job on his hands.
Not many people start the day with prayer and Mass before heading out to oversee the output of a major television channel and a world-renowned radio station - not to mention making sure things are running as they should in a busy press office.
That's exactly the calling Fr Lombardi works hard to fulfill as director of Vatican Radio, CTV - the Vatican's television channel, and the Holy See's press office.
What is the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission?
The National Catholic Safeguarding Commission (NCSC) is the independent body that sets the strategic direction of the Church's Safeguarding policies for children and vulnerable adults. It's also responsible for monitoring compliance with these policies.
In this audio feature, we speak to Bill Kilgallon OBE, the Chair of the Commission. Bill talks about the independent Commission, its new website and the difference between the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission and the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service.
Meet Bishop Tom Williams
Bishop Tom Williams is an Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool. He's also Chair of the Bishops' Conference Healthcare Reference Group.
This feature originally released on The World Day of the Sick helps us get to know Bishop Tom a little better and take a closer look at his healthcare role and the need to support Catholics working in the healthcare sector.
Interview: Bishop Andreas Abouna
Auxiliary Bishop of Baghdad
At the start of 2009, the spotlight on the Middle East honed in on the crisis in Gaza and the re-building after Hamas and Israel agreed a ceasefire to end a three-week long conflict.
However, it wasn't so long ago the on-going instability in Iraq dominated the headlines.
In this interview from the archives, Bishop Andreas Abouna, Auxiliary Bishop of Baghdad, spoke to journalist Greg Watts about what life's like in Iraq for the country's Christians.
This interview was given in August 2008 when Bishop Andreas visited London.
A Glimpse of Heaven
A Glimpse of Heaven is a breathtaking collection of photographs of more than 100 Catholic Churches in England and Wales and was published by English Heritage in collaboration with the Patrimony Committee of the Catholic Bishops' Conference in 2006.
Author Christopher Martin delves into Catholic architecture and has produced, with architectural photographer Alex Ramsey, a fantastic collection of images.