As a diocesan family we have a double celebration of brothers today. We celebrate the lives and ministry of the brothers, Saints Chad and Cedd. We also celebrate the life and growing ministry of our brothers in formation for the diaconate, Ted and Jeremy. Supported in prayer, at today’s Mass, Ted and Jeremy take the…
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Inequality ‘embedded’ in Catholic Church says McAleese
by Sarah Mac Donald in THE TABLET, 13 October 2023 Professor Mary McAleese has criticised the Church for failing to reform its “out-dated internal structure of governance, teachings and laws” in which, she said, “inequality is embedded”. This, she said “routinely restricted” the human rights of members especially the fundamental intellectual freedoms of expression, opinion, conscience…
The Decline of Christianity in Britain Should Be Mourned
As faith wanes, other structures arise to fill the vacuum with conspiracy theories, political tribalism or health fads By Juliet Samuels, 30 August in The Times The bells still ring out on Sunday morning, just as they have for hundreds of years, at the church nearest my house. It’s one of the few in London…
Abuse survivors speak out at bishop’s installation
Steven Wright was installed as the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle on Wednesday, one month after he was appointed to replace Bishop Robert Byrne. Members of the hierarchy including Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Malcolm McMahon of Liverpool, apostolic administrator of the diocese since Bishop Byrne’s resignation in December, attended the Mass of Installation in St Mary’s…
The case for building more roads
Suella Braverman was completely wrong to ask her civil servants to investigate the possibility of arranging a one-on-one speed awareness course. This is not because this was in breach of the ministerial code. That aspect of the affair was one of the worst examples of contrived, sanctimonious outrage I have ever seen; it pains me…
Bishop appointments need more transparency, says safeguarding chair
By Catherine Pepinster in HE TABLET 12 June 2023 Reforms to the way bishops are appointed and managed and to disciplinary processes in the Church are needed, the chair of Catholic safeguarding has said, after a damning report into the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. The report shows how its former bishop ignored advice in…
Spears of Joy
We wait a long time for the British vegetable season to begin, which kicks off in May with – yes – asparagus, but what an entry. It’s a time to feel especially alive. Best of all, asparagus is an excuse to eat butter. Asparagus and butter are the Fred and Ginger of good food. This…
Pride at next generation’s audacity of hope
At my daughter’s wedding, I reflected on the life-affirming act of taking a chance on someone in an uncertain world by Gerard Baker in THE TIMES, 5 May 2023 “You must be very proud.” The kindly, repeatedly proffered observation to the father of a new bride is true, of course. There is nothing like the…
Executive Summary of Diocesan Investigation
At the request of the Dicastery for Bishops a thorough investigation has been made into the events leading to the resignation of Bishop Robert Byrne from the office of Bishop of the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. Bishop Byrne resigned from office because he felt unable to carry out the duties of his office. During…
Catholic Church can curb carbon emissions by returning to meat-free Fridays
Even a small dietary change by a minority of UK Catholics had significant environmental benefits, say researchers, who argue that a papal decree reinstating meatless Fridays across the global church would save millions of tonnes of carbon a year. If the Pope was to reinstate the obligation for meatless Fridays to all Catholics globally, it…
Sunday Mass: Saturday 4pm, Sunday 10am 