Fr John writes

Dear Readers of Oremus

I write as the Cathedral prepares for the liturgical onslaught which the last week of June brings. In this edition you will see images of those who have recently passed milestones in the sacramental life, although the priestly ordinations are just a few days too late for inclusion. I hope that Fr Francis Thomas, our former Intern, will write for us in September as he looks back on his own journey to priesthood, now completed.

Fr Gerard Skinner of Notting Hill parish makes two appearances in this edition. The cause for the canonisation of the Cathedral’s former Fifth Sacristan, John Bradburne, proceeds apace and Fr Gerard describes how the Head Sacristan, Cardinal Godfrey and Mgr Worlock all sought in their different ways to relate to John; not, one realises, always a straightforward mission. Meanwhile I have gratefully added to my shelves Fr Gerard’s new book, detailing the lives and martyrdom of the 159 priests collectively referred to as the Douai Martyrs; my review of it is on page 17.

I also include, rather unusually for Oremus, an external film review, simply because the Jesus Revolution sounds highly entertaining, at least for those of us who can remember the word ‘hippy’, with all its connotations of guitars, sandals and (such terrible) unkempt long hair. Disconcerted small-town American Protestantism meeting radical Jesus people may not be our natural area of interest, but the film also raises a perennial question: What happens when slightly tired religious orthodoxy encounters a rising and questioning younger generation?

A few years ago a friend reported to me on a local initiative in which fathers were encouraged to take their daughters into work with them as an incentive for the girls to look for a job. ‘They’ve got it the wrong way round’, he said, ‘the girls will look for work in any case. It’s the boys who need the encouragement.’ Something of this view seems to have been held by the Cathedral Chronicle a hundred years ago; I reproduce its rather scathing comments on the bringing up of young men, which are entitled ‘Our Baby Boys’.

Bishop John Sherrington has kindly allowed me to publish his submission on The Dignity of Life to the Parliamentary Select Committee (a second part of it follows next month). Hardly had it been sent to Oremus’ designer, than news came of Canada relaxing more of its few remaining safeguards against impose assisted dying. And they say that there isn’t a slippery slope!

On that note, I wish you all a refreshing and life-enhancing summer break, rejoicing in God’s goodness to us.

Westminster Cathedral

Cathedral Clergy House

42 Francis Street

London SW1P 1QW

Telephone 020 7798 9055

Email chreception@rcdow.org.uk www.westminstercathedral.org.uk

Cathedral Chaplains

Fr Sławomir Witon´ , Administrator

Fr Brian O’Mahony, Sub-Administrator

Fr Michael Donaghy

Fr Hugh MacKenzie

Fr Mike Maguire, Precentor

Fr Vincent Mbu’i SVD

Fr John Scott, Registrar

Also in residence

Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Victories: Sr Angelina, Sr Jesuina and Sr Umbellina

Music Department

Simon Johnson, Master of Music

Peter Stevens Obl. OSB, Assistant Master of Music

Carolyn Craig, Organ Scholar

Cathedral Manager

Peter McNulty

Estates Manager

Neil Fairbairn

Finance Manager

Awaiting appointment

Fundraising Manager

Marie-Louise Edwards

Chapel of Ease

Sacred Heart Church

Horseferry Road SW1P 2EF