Global Warming or Global Cooling?

Now here's an interesting article on "Global Cooling" Are we getting too warm or not? I have long suspected that the warnings about Global Warming were not only exaggerated but actually wrong. This takes me back to the 1970's when I was in major seminary. I was alone one Friday evening in the T.V. room watching a frightening documentary on what was going to happen to the world in the 1980's. I took it to heart, and actually began a prayer group (four of us) to pray and study around this coming catastrophe. I bought books on the environment and took an interest in people like the late Barbara Ward and the ex-priest Ivan Illich. I studied Anthropology at Durham (as part of a General Arts course) and as I did so, the environment was part of my thinking.


Later, after I was ordained, I lost interest in all of this (although I was still concerned about rain forests etc - and got there before Sting, I might add). Nothing much happened in the '80's, and then we were told that the computer models were wrong! I know all about the dangers of crying wolf and not being open to new possibilities, but I never really believed that so-called global warming was that bad. I read up on it a little and I am aware that the number of scientists now disagreeing with the concept has actually doubled. This article sheds some light on the alternative theories which have not gone away and are still worth considering. At the moment in Britain we are having a relatively mild October, but I understand this will not last. Don't throw your wellies away yet, and keep that snow-shovel handy.

A Case of very Bad reporting

It seems that the Bishop of Chichester has been misquoted and misunderstood by the Telegraph. This has caused much embarrassment. I was careful to say of the report, "If this is true". It is not true. I was alerted to this example of very bad reporting by Atonement Online At this very sensitive time we can do without this kind of thing. I don't know which reporter is responsible but I hope he has the humility to apologise and correct his mistake (some hopes!)

Bishops' About to Move?

Apparently (according to the Sunday Telegraph), the Bishop of Chichester (above) and the Bishop of Fulham have declared their willingness to become Roman Catholic priests. If this is really true, and it happens, it will mark a historic turning-point in the history of Christianity in Great Britain. These two men, and particularly the first, have a substantial following amongst Anglican clergy and we could expect a reasonably large number of them to follow the bishops. Just how much this would affect lay people is far too early to say, but these are extraordinary times and we could be watching something momentous.

Early Anglican Responses

The Bishop of Chichester's speech at the Forward in Faith Conference is worth a listen. Some ex-Anglican (now Catholic) blogs are expressing disappointment, but as the Bishop says, these are "very early days", and we shouldn't expect a mass movement of Anglo-Catholics to Rome, certainly not at this stage. The full text of the provision has not been seen yet! People need time to catch their breath. One of the problems for Catholic Anglicans is that some arrangement is "on the table" to allow them greater freedom under the Anglican umbrella. As the Bishop says, it is not enough, but neither does he think the Vatican's response is enough, but then, as he says, he has not seen all the details.

However discussions continue (and quite a few Anglicans are no doubt on the net, sending emails and phoning each other), it has to be said that The Roman Catholic Church is not going to change those dogmas defined either by Council or by the Popes as "infallible". Some non-Catholics think that certain dogmas are negotiable. They are not. having said that, it is important to understand them correctly. One of the least well-understood is precisely that of Papal Infallibility. A good bit of history, as well as theology, is needed for a balanced and mature grasp of what it means. We have to shove aside much anti-Catholic propaganda and many half-truths. What many Anglicans need are good, well-informed Catholic friends who can answer questions. Above all they need space and our prayers.

The Pope of Christian Unity?

I was at the new Carmelite Monastery (new building that is) at Thicket Priory near York, when I heard the news about the Anglican provision offered by Pope Benedict. I was deeply moved and thank God for this wonderful grace. I saw on one "Anglican Use" blog (from the U.S.A.) that this Pope is being called "The Pope of Christian Unity". What a wonderful thought, and how fitting it is that this should be his special mission following Pope John Paul the Great. What could be a better or more fitting follow-up to the last pontificate?

Of course, not to be too starry-eyed, there is still much work to do with the Russian Orthodox and with some other Eastern Christian communities, but the great work begun by Pope Paul VI, the Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, and the much revered Archbishop Michael Ramsey, and especially taken up by the late JP11 and others such as the Romanian Patriarch, is bearing much fruit in our own day. My prayer, regularly, is, "Lord, grant Christian Unity in our day". Deo Gratias.

St. Paul of The Cross in The Year for Priests

St. Paul of The Cross is one of my favourite saints. His acceptance of the Cross meant experiencing severe internal sufferings. Added to that were all the practical difficulties that he faced in trying to establish a new religious order. The Holy Spirit gave him a great love for England and a desire to come here to preach the Gospel. He never came, but was consoled at the end of his life by a vision of the work that would be done here by his order. This mission was to be taken up especially by Blessed Dominic Barberi and then continued by others.

The days of the Passionists in Great Britain are now over. Such Passionists who remain are very few and unable to have much impact on the church. In the not too distant past we had some exemplary men giving missions and extending their ministry into other areas. I was privileged, whilst at seminary, to meet Fr. Austin Smith, one of those priests who had a mission to the "inner city". Unfortunately much of that work and the inspiration behind it has either been forgotten or quietly absorbed by groups like the Franciscans of the Renewal. I say "unfortunately" because there was a real radicalism about Austin Smith's vision. It would be a mistake to see it as a kind of "liberation theology" in action; it was not that at all, but it was fuelled by a real, heart-felt concern for the marginalised and the "masses" who found themselves sidelined in the supposedly optimistic 60's and 70's.

We owe a debt of gratitude to God for all the wonderful work done by the Passionist Fathers (and also by the Sisters of the Cross and Passion, inspired by the Passionist vision). Though they may not be seen again in strength, we should not forget them.

Vassula Ryden and Cardinal Napier of Durban

As I have said, there is still a lot of misinformation and confusion about Vassula on the net. This photo shows her with the Cardinal Archbishop of Durban when she was recently visiting South Africa.

What did he think of her? Here is a link to ZuluMissions.org, the blog of the Catholic Archdiocese of Durban, where the Cardinal shares his understanding of Vassula's relationship with the Holy See.

St. Damien in the Year for Priests

This is truly a time of many graces. To have this canonisation in the Year for Priests is a great gift. Fr. Damien has always been a favourite of mine. I wish I could have been at his canonisation. Since being a teenager I have been a devotee of this inspiring priest. he was a man of great courage and love. He was a man of prayer and action. When he went to Molokai he found bodies that had not been buried. He set about making coffins. As he began to tend the wounds of the lepers he found the stench unbearable and smoked a pipe to steady his nerves and his stomach. He is no "plaster saint", but a man of strong will and determination. What a wonderful model for priests in this pagan age. St. Damien pray for us and all priests.

St. Therese in the Year for Priests

On Wednesday I spoke to the children at the Primary School about St. Therese and the visit of her relic(s). I spoke for almost 30 minutes. The children were very well behaved, and I know many of them listened closely because a parishioner told me that her granddaughter came home saying that she had to go to see the relics and that Therese had a sister called Pauline. The little girl was told that this was wrong because "they didn't have names like that in those days". On Thursday, when I celebrated the school Mass in honour of St. Therese, I mentioned Pauline again and the grandmother was suitably chastened!

These are heady days. We are being graced. I know I am not the only one who has sensed something in the air. I find myself speaking of "presence" in reference to the saint. I have had some strange experiences in prayer, and from what others tell me, this is not unusual at the moment. I cannot go into too much detail because I am not sure how much I am allowed to say about others' experiences. But I will say this; two people who are in great need (one a sick child) have either been "invited" (and I mean this seriously) by the saint or have expressed a great determination, rather like that of the saint herself, to be near the relics. In one of these cases, the invitation is clearly supernatural (and I mean that).

For myself, I feel profoundly grateful that the relics are here in England in this special Year of Priests. As is well-known, Therese understood that a major part of her life as a Carmelite nun was her intercession for priests, and in a special way for those on the Missions. I understand the Carmelites have just restated that this is part of their vocation. When I was just beginning my preparation for the priesthood, it was suggested (by a fellow student) that I seek a "spiritual mother". I wrote the Carmelites at Kirk Edge, near Sheffield, and was given Sr. Mary of the Assumption. She has been praying for me for 34 years. She has done far more for me than I can ever do for her, and through her prayers, I believe I have been graced in ways I would not have been otherwise.

I was thinking today that this visit of St. Therese's relics could be a kind of preparation for the visit of the Pope, especially since he will beatify Newman. With all that has gone wrong (and is still going wrong) with the Church in England and Wales, it seems we are being greatly blessed - and perhaps it will bring much healing. As we know, we do not receive God's mercy (a key concept for Therese) because we are worthy of it, but because we desperately need it!