From Jenni Russell in THE TIMES, 24 October 2019 Early this summer one of my friends caught a train to see her increasingly difficult and distant father. He is a proud and independent man in his eighties, a former successful businessman who has been living alone since his divorce 20 years ago. For months he…
Author: Fr. Michael Campion
The DUP’s answer is always the same: no
From Daniel Finklestein in THE TIMES, 23 October 2019 We have all been trying to find something in Brexit that can unite us, heal us, bring us all together. We haven’t done too well so far. But I’m excited to say that I think I’ve found a contender: we can all agree that we have…
Bishop Byrne: Newman would be surprised to be canonized a saint
From the Catholic News Agency by JD Flynn Vatican City, Oct 14, 2019 / 02:00 pm (CNA).- Cardinal John Henry Newman would be surprised by his own canonization as a saint, an English bishop said Monday, adding that Newman’s life offers an important witness of holiness for contemporary Catholics. “I am sure that no one would…
A tribute to Cardinal Newman on the occasion of his canonisation by HRH The Prince of Wales
Priests arrive in procession for the canonisation Mass for Newman and four other saints celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican When Pope Francis canonises Cardinal John Henry Newman tomorrow, the first Briton to be declared a saint in over forty years, it will be a cause of celebration not merely…
Homily, 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Today's homily comes from Fr Ronald Rolheiser, a Canadian priest, theologian and writer on spirituality. Here he reflects on the question put to Jesus in today's Gospel: 'Lord, increase our faith'. Several years ago, I was at a symposium at which we were discussing the struggle that many young people have today with their faith.…
Broken relationships and trauma are at the heart of homelessness
From Greg Hurst in THE TIMES, 2 September 2019 Living rough is inherently dangerous. People who sleep on the streets are physically vulnerable. They are also at the mercy of the elements and often lack easy access to healthcare: rough sleepers are much more likely to die of treatable conditions such as lung and heart…
Homily for St Mary’s Cathedral 175th Anniversary Mass
Text of the homily given by Fr Michael Campion at St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle on Monday 30 September 2019 When Newcastle’s first census was taken in 1801, the town had a population of just 28,000 people. Fifty years later, a few years after this church was built, it had trebled; and by the end of…
Bishops call for respect on all sides amid Brexit debate
The bishops of the Church of England have issued a call for respect on all sides amid growing acrimony over the debate on Britain’s withdrawal from the EU. A joint statement issued on behalf of the Church of England’s College of Bishops calls for a new tone of listening and respect in debates and describes…
Can atheists not get their head around the notion that God is the reason why there are teapots?
From Melanie McDonagh in THE TABLET, 19 September 2019 Our old friend, Richard Dawkins, is back in business, with a book called Outgrowing God, and at the age of 78, you can only salute his energy. It is intended, he says, especially to guard the young against the dangerous influence of religion. Lots of the…
The great thing about a death in Ireland is that people know what to do, how to behave
From Melanie McDonagh in THE TABLET, 5 September 2019 My mother died last night, a little before midnight. I am sitting beside her body. Last night I slept in the chair next to her. She died, to my annoyance, just as I was making tea in the kitchen, after she had been turned in her…
