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Welcome
to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford
| Welcome
Back Bishop Brain! |
Bishop
Brain came back from his 'ad limina' visit on
Thursday.
The ad limina visit is a five-yearly trip to see
the Pope made by the Bishops. It literally means
'to the thresholds' (of the Holy See). |
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Pope
Benedict XVI
and Bishop Terence Brain
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Photograph
© L'Osservatore Romano
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Mgr Mark Davies also went this time.
Pope Benedict met Bishop Brain and Monsignor Davies
personally.
The Bishops had prepared a report for the Pope
about the Church in Salford Diocese which the
Pope would have read and inwardly digested before
coming to his own final address which we have
here.
The Bishops also visited the various Vatican departments
and the Venerable English College, the seminary
in Rome. |
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Photograph
© L'Osservatore Romano
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Pope
Benedict XVI and Bishop-Elect Mark Davies
with Bishop Brian Noble of Shrewsbury Diocese
Bishop-Elect Mark Davies
is appoInted to serve as Coadjutor Bishop to
the
Diocese of Shrewsbury following his Episcopal
Ordination on February 22nd.
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The Question of Religious Freedom in
the Light of
Pope Benedict's Statement to the Bishops of England
and Wales
Religious freedom is under threat in the United Kingdom.
In recent days Pope Benedict XVI has been attacked from
many quarters after he suggested that the Equality Bill,
championed by the Labour MP Harriet Harman, would "impose
unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities
to act in accordance with their beliefs".
The Bill is defended on the grounds that it is simply
bringing together different elements of anti-discrimination
law into a single piece of legislation. One of its aims
would be to make it illegal not to employ someone on
the grounds of his or her sex, sexuality or sexual activity.
In the name of equality, all should be given an equal
bite of the cherry when it comes to employment.
But such legislation poses a threat to religious freedom.
It would impose an obligation on religious institutions
and religious believers to teach and act in ways which
contradict their understanding and their beliefs. Such
a position, as Benedict XVI rightly points out, is also
an affront to basic human rights, since it "actually
violates natural law". The natural law is a law
built into the human heart that discerns what is right
and wrong. Positive laws (laws produced by the State),
if they are to be truly just, must be rooted in the
natural law, otherwise disorder, both moral and social,
will eventually prevail. Some might even argue that
such disorder is already prevalent in the United Kingdom.
One extreme example of the imposition of State laws
on top of the natural law is the Nazi regime in Germany.
If a citizen of the Reich did not accept the state law,
even if such an acceptance would contravene his or her
conscience, then the consequences, as history has shown,
would be dire.
Although the Rt Hon. Miss Harman has since climbed down
on her intentions to reintroduce the legislation (which
was rejected by the Lords), the issue is very much a
live one, with the debate over religious freedom being
here to stay.
Catholics have the right and the duty to exercise their
faith with conviction. The more the State tries to engineer
society to suit its own ends, the more fragmented society
will become. Religious freedom is one of the pawns in
the drama. |
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Pope
Benedict XVI confirms
Visit to Great Britain
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In
his final address to the English Bishops on their 'ad
limina' visit to Rome, Pope Benedict XVI confirmed that
he would be making an Apostolic Visit to Britain. The
Holy Father said:
"Even amid the pressures of a secular age, there
are many signs of living faith and devotion among the
Catholics of England and Wales. I am thinking, for example,
of the enthusiasm generated by the visit of the relics
of Saint Thérèse, the interest aroused
by the prospect of Cardinal Newman’s beatification,
and the eagerness of young people to take part in pilgrimages
and World Youth Days. On the occasion of my forthcoming
Apostolic Visit to Great Britain, I shall be able to
witness that faith for myself and, as Successor of Peter,
to strengthen and confirm it. During the months of preparation
that lie ahead, be sure to encourage the Catholics of
England and Wales in their devotion, and assure them
that the Pope constantly remembers them in his prayers
and holds them in his heart."
In his responding address to the
Holy Father,
Archbishop Vincent Nichols said:
"
... Most importantly of all, Holy Father, we wish to
express our joy at the prospect of your visit to our
countries. We are grateful to Her Majesty the Queen,
and to her Government, for the invitation extended to
you and for the manner in which preparations are being
undertaken. The entire Catholic community looks forward
to this much hoped-for visit and the encouragement you
will give not only to us but to all our fellow citizens.
There are, of course, great challenges facing the Catholic
community in our land, as we strive to be faithful to
the Lord in both word and deed. But there is also an
openness to the things of faith, not least in a time
of uncertainty and anxiety about many aspects of our
society. We are confident that your presence and teaching,
with its consistent and reasoned appeal to all people,
will be warmly received, as will you be personally.
The Beatification of the Venerable John Henry Newman,
who spoke so eloquently to our English tradition and
culture, is, we trust, the eagerly anticipated climax
of your proposed visit."
To
read Pope Benedict XVI's and Archbishop Nichols' addresses
in full, click on the link:
Pope
Benedict XVI confirms Visit to Great Britain
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Burial
Shroud of Jesus?
A
presentation on
the Shroud
of Turin
Emanuela
Marinelli
Doctor
in Natural Science and Geology
Expert in the study of the shroud
Monday
evening 15th February 2010
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The
Shroud of Turin
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A
Lenten Evening
'The
Gospel of Luke'
with
Fr
Denis McBride CSsR
Tuesday
23rd February 2010
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St
Luke
by
Simone Martini
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Pope
Benedict XVI signs his Encyclical letter Caritas
in Veritate.
at his studio on July 7, 2009 in Vatican City,
Vatican
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Celebrating
the 50th Anniversary of
Lent Fast Day
The Hallé Choir
Saturday
6th March 2010
At St Patrick's, Livesy Street
Full detail
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Pilgrimage to Walsingham
Led
by the Right Reverend Terence Brain
Saturday
1st May 2010
Everyone,
of all age groups, are invited to join us
on the
Day
Pilgrimage.
The Office for Youth Ministry invites Young
People (13-17)
to join them for the Youth
Pilgrimage Weekend
which runs from the Friday to the Sunday.
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Pilgrimage
to Lourdes
Led
by the Right Reverend Terence Brain
Friday
30th July - Friday 6th August 2010
You
are invited to join us on the
78th Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Full details
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Director of Education
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The
Diocese is seeking a Director for the Office for Education
which is responsible for the implementation of Diocesan
policy and strategy for Catholic schools and colleges.
Full
details (pdf)
For further information
or an application pack,
please contact:
Patrick
O'Dowd
Director of Administration
and Personnel
Tel: 0161 817 2222
Closing date for applications:
5th
March 2010
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"Travelling
Light
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...... Way of Being -
.............A Way of
Seeing"
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A talk by guest speaker Father Daniel O'Leary from the
Diocese of Leeds. He is the author of many books and
a regular contributor to The Tablet.
Saturday 27th February
(10.30am to 3.30pm)
Our Lady of Grace, Prestwich.
Full details
Organised by:
Katherine
House FCJ |
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| Catholic
Fellowship |
The
diocesan based Catholic Fellowship provides spiritual
and practical help to people of all ages with physical,
learning and sensory disabilities. The work is voluntary
and membership is open to all.
On the 6th March the Fellowship
will be holding a conference dealing with the legal
aspects involved in this arena of support and care.
Specialists will be in attendance presentig talks and
giving advice.
Full details
Booking / queries to:
Mrs
Jane Murphy.
Fellowship Secretary
Recent newsletter (pdf) |
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| Katherine
House FCJ |
Katherine
House has a number of Saturdays/Weekends from January-June
2010 available for day, or residential, bookings.
If you need a venue for, say, parish groups, e.g. retreat
days, PCC, prayer days, meetings etc., then please contact:
Sr.
Brenda Dorrian NDS
Katherine House
Tel: 0161 708 9744 |
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Copyright
© Salford Diocese - all rights reserved |
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