Weekly Record

The first Cathedral Record of the New Decade and with staff being snowbound it has been a struggle to have it printed for the weekend. Over the last few years we have been anxious to have some photographs of the Cathedral in the snow and this last week has provided the ideal opportunity. Once the initial shock of such a heavy snowfall had passed I was out in my boots and fleece snapping away to my hearts content. I was quite proud of my efforts until I downloaded them onto computer and discovered about 10% were of any decent quality. Anyway I think the slipping and sliding were worth the effort!

What can we look forward to this year apart from a general election – with party leaders already sinking to the level of trading petty insults and, worse case scenario, could be almost 5 months to go!

There are a number of important visitors this year. Archbishop Nichols will be here on 14th February for the Civic Mass and afternoon service in support of Marriage and Family Life.   Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity,  will be with us for Pentecost Sunday and the afternoon ‘Two Cathedral’s Service’.   But the major visit of the year will be that of Pope Benedict to this country in September. Sadly it doesn’t look as though he will be visiting the North of England nor this Cathedral – the focus will be on the beatification of John Henry Newman and with it being a state visit and inclusive of a foray north of the border into Scotland there will not be much time left. The Bishops of England and Wales travel to Rome for their five yearly ‘Ad Limina’ report this month so I’m sure details of the Popes Visit will be clearer following this.

At some stage during this next decade there will be a change of leadership with Archbishop Patrick due to retire in a few years time. We will want to give thanks for his ministry and leadership and be open to fresh challenges ahead as a Diocese. Not only will we experience continued challenges at parish level but we could also witness the re-organisation and rationalisation of the number of Dioceses throughout the country. There will be a growing need for lay leadership within the church but the challenge to the church community will be the same as it is today - where will these leaders come from and how will they be formed? Finally we as Catholics need to deepen our knowledge and love of our faith and communicate effectively the value and joy of this in a changing environment where the wider society is questioning our moral views, approach to education and our traditions. May it be a decade of hope and growth.

Canon Anthony O’Brien
Dean of the Cathedral