posted on 03 February 2011 |
Cardinal Corman Murphy-O'Connor is to visit India to mark the Silver Jubilee of Pope John Paul II's visit. |
posted on 02 December 2010
The Graduate Presentation Ceremony took place at Imperial College on 1 December 2010
posted on 16 December 2009
Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor reflected on the importance of Christmas and said farewell to Sir Terry Wogan during Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2's Wake Up To Wogan breakfast program on Wednesday 16 December 2009.
posted on 30 October 2009
Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Cardinal Cormac
Murphy-O'Connor as a member of the
Congregation for Bishops and the Congregation for the Evangelisation of
Peoples.
Expert on 'just-war' theory, Sir Michael Quinlan was
Permanent Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Defence whilst Margaret
Thatcher was Prime Minister.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving in the private chapel of Archbishop's House.
A reception was held at Archbishops House, Westminster.
'The resurrection of Jesus is not just an historical fact - It is a continuing experience'
Archbishop Nichols will succeed Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, who has been Archbishop of Westminster since March 2000, becoming the 11th Archbishop of Westminster since the Restoration of the Hierarchy in 1850, when the diocesan structure was re-established.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor celebrated the annual Chrism Mass at Westminster Cathedral in the presence of over 300 priests and around 1000 people from the Diocese of Westminster.
In a Pastoral Letter for the fifth Sunday of Lent, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor reflects on his nine years as Archbishop of Westminster.
Speaking on Sunday 15th March, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor reflected on his time as Archbishop of Westminster.
posted on 09 February 2009
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor calls for the ecumenical journey to continue.
posted on 09 February 2009
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has written an article in The Times, entitled 'In praise of Darwin and the spirit of inquiry'.
posted on 05 February 2009
Cardinal Cormac joined seminarians from the Diocese to reflect on priesthood on the BBC Radio 4 programme last Sunday.
posted on 02 February 2009
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has celebrated a Catholic Mass in York Minster hosted to celebrate of Mary Ward's foundation of the Congregation of Jesus.
posted on 28 January 2009
The history and future of the Catholic Church in England and Wales are expected to be key themes of a lecture to be delivered by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor on Thursday 26 February at 7pm.
posted on 23 January 2009
The Service was attended by the Cardinal’s fellow co-presidents of CTE including Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury.
posted on 08 January 2009
Article by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor in the 'Daily Telegraph' of 8 January 2009.
posted on 28 December 2008
In his pastoral letter, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has stressed the importance of marriage and family life.
posted on 24 December 2008
Trust, community and love of neighbour key to creating a more human and hopeful society.
posted on 17 December 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor celebrated an Advent Mass at the end of the semester for students on the London Programme of the American Universityof Notre Dame, Indiana, on Saturday 13th December 2008.
posted on 08 December 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy- O' Connor recalled Patriarch Alexy II's 'deep commitment to the proclamation of the Gospel message.'
posted on 03 December 2008
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has joined other Christian leaders in calling for an end to humanitarian crisis.
posted on 01 December 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor conducted the installation of Bishop Tom Burns as the 11th Bishop of Menevia during Mass in St Joseph’s Cathedral, Swansea, on Monday 1 December 2008 at 11.30am.
posted on 27 November 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has spoken about the role of art in the development of Christianity in a lecture at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.
posted on 24 November 2008
Catholic students, staff and chaplains from the London Universities gathered on Sunday 23rd November 2008 for the Annual Academic Mass at Westminster Cathedral, celebrated by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor.
posted on 21 November 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor celebrates Mass on the second day of the international SECAM-CCEE conference on migration taking place in Liverpool.
posted on 18 November 2008
The meeting, chaired by the Archbishops of Westminster and Canterbury, took the form of a spiritual retreat reflecting on the office and ministry of bishops.
posted on 18 November 2008
The Crucifix, which is over 2 metres tall, was blessed by Cardinal Cormac on Sunday 16th November 2008.
posted on 29 October 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor celebrated a Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of John Joseph Benedict Hunt, Baron Hunt of Tanworth on 29th October 2008 in Westminster Cathedral.
posted on 27 October 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor marked the 50th anniversary of the Papal Encyclical, ‘Fidei Donum’ with a Mass at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 25th October.
posted on 16 September 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor this week called for a day of prayer and fasting this Friday September 19 in support of next week’s United Nations Summit on the Millennium Development Goals.
posted on 12 September 2008
On Friday 12th September the Cardinal launched an 18 year old pilgrim’s book on Lourdes before joining Pope Benedict XVI at the Marian shrine.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor joined other faith leaders in a walk and rally in the centre of London on Thursday 24 July 2008 to challenge governments across the world to reach targets on tackling poverty.
Ahead of Pope Benedict's first visit to Australia for World Youth Day, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor met with the Acting Australian High Commissioner, Frances Adamson.
In the lead up to the G8 summit in Japan, presidents of nine Catholic Bishops' Conferences have called on G8 nations to honour their commitments to reduce global poverty and tackle climate change.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has celebrated Mass in Westminster Cathedral in support of Iraqi Christians and all those still suffering violence in the country.
Community, dialogue and a personal spiritual life can all give hope to young people.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor met with the Dalai Lama at an inter-religious meeting hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Article by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor in the Daily Telegraph, 23 May 2008.
Cardinal comments on last night's vote on the abortion time limit.
In an interview with BBC Television, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has said that the breakdown of marriage is 'one of the greatest evils of our day'.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has called for improved dialogue between believers and non-believers to establish the shared values that sustain Britain’s plural society.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor and Archbishop Peter Smith have welcomed the announcement of a free vote on parts of the HFE Bill and called for the setting up of a bio-ethics committee.
Suffering and doubt is part of what it is to be human, but Jesus rising from the dead shows us that is not the end of the story
'To try to become holy is to try to become more like Christ' - Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has offered his prayers to the friends and family of Chiara Lubich following her death last night.
Two day visit to Warsaw included discussions with Polish Bishops on the pastoral care of Polish migrants in England and Wales
posted on 19 February 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has encouraged Catholics to write to their MPs about the “profound questions of human life and dignity” posed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
posted on 11 February 2008
The Judeo-Christian heritage and values cement society in this country.
posted on 06 February 2008
'Through our observance of Lent help us to understand the meaning of your son’s death and resurrection and teach us to reflect it in our own lives.'
posted on 05 February 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has called for all to join in prayer and solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe as they seek justice and peace in their country.
posted on 01 February 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has concelebrated Mass in Harare at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in the centre of the city.
posted on 30 January 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor and Bishop Crispian Hollis visit Zimbabwe.
posted on 25 January 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and Bishop Crispian Hollis are visiting South Africa to meet their brother Bishops and to support the mission of the local Church.
posted on 24 January 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor will visit the Polish Bishops' Conference in March.
posted on 21 January 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor's article in The Times, Monday 21st January 2008.
posted on 15 January 2008
Mark Thompson (Director General of the BBC), The Archbishop of Canterbury and William Hague M P are amongst the leading figures taking part in 'The Cardinal's Lectures' at Westminster Cathedral.
posted on 15 January 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor will celebrate the 100th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at a service in Westminster Abbey on Friday 18th January.
posted on 10 January 2008
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has made clear that Polish migrants are making a positive contribution to the Catholic faith in England and Wales.
posted on 28 December 2007
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has highlighted the needs of the excluded in our society and the importance of Christian compassion towards the less fortunate.
posted on 11 December 2007
Archbishop Piero Marini, Master of Papal Ceremonies from 1987 – 2007, will visit London later this week during which his book on liturgical renewal, A Challenging Reform, will be launched.
posted on 19 November 2007
Letter from Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, to The Times, 19 November 2007.
posted on 19 November 2007
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the Archbishop of Westminster, sends sincere greetings to HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh on the occasion of their diamond wedding anniversary.
posted on 08 November 2007
Archbishop Tutu was made an Honorary Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians in Westminster Cathedral on 7th November 2007.
posted on 22 October 2007
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor and Cardinal Keith O'Brien have issued an Open Letter on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 Abortion Act.
posted on 18 October 2007
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has paid a pastoral visit to the Island of Jersey.
posted on 17 October 2007
The head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop Sean Brady, is to be made a Cardinal.
posted on 01 October 2007
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has celebrated the annual Red Mass at Westminster Cathedral for the legal profession.
posted on 25 September 2007
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has praised the work of women@thewell a new charity set up by the Sisters of Mercy.
posted on 24 September 2007
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has emphasised the importance of caring for the environment.
posted on 11 September 2007
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has called upon Europe to acknowledge its shared Christian birthright.
posted on 03 September 2007
Catholics are asked to reach out to people who have been baptised but very rarely, if ever, attend Mass.
posted on 02 September 2007
On behalf of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England & Wales, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor and Archbishop Patrick Kelly have issued a Pastoral Letter on Catholic schools.
Profile of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has paid tribute to Cardinal Jean Marie Lustiger, who died on Sunday 5th August 2007, aged 80.
Joint statement from the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, and the Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien.
Catholic scouts attend the Centenary Mass of the World Scout Jamboree.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has welcomed the largest ever Pilgrimage from the Diocese of Westminster to Lourdes.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has welcomed the publication of an independent review into the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has written to the Bishops, Priests and Deacons of the Diocese of Westminster.
Mass according to the Missal published by Pope John XXXIII in 1962.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor at the NHS Confederation Conference.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor interview on Vatican Radio, July 2nd 2007.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has spoken about the importance of continuing open and honest dialogue between Christians and Muslims.
Presidents of the Catholic Bishops’ Conferences have urged G8 leaders to take “bold action on global poverty” ahead of the June 2007 G8 summit in Germany.
The Catholic Church in England & Wales will celebrate its annual Day For Life on 1 July.
The President of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, is to facilitate the presence of the family of Madeleine McCann at an audience with Pope Benedict XVI as soon as is feasible.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has celebrated Mass for the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Company of Mary Our Lady.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor comments following resignation of Tony Blair.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor leads delegation to ask the G8 nations to double aid to Africa.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, President of the Bishops’ Conference, and Archbishop Faustino Sainz Muñoz, the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, have celebrated a special Mass to give thanks for Pope Benedict XVI’s 80th birthday.
Cardinal's statement and letter marking Pope Benedict's 80th birthday and second anniversary of his election.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor's Homily and audio Message for Easter 2007.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has celebrated the Chrism Mass.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has called for the freedom to believe and the freedom to serve the common good.
Pope Benedict: “What the world needs is God’s love'.
Statement by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor.
posted on 26 February 2007
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor and other Church leaders welcome the 'More Than Gold' initiative.
posted on 22 February 2007
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has celebrated a special Ash Wednesday Mass at Canary Wharf.
posted on 31 January 2007
Catholic Church disappointed that no exemption made to adoption agencies in 2006 Equalities Act regulations.
posted on 23 January 2007
A portrait of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor forms part of a new exhibition of photographs of British faith leaders by Don McCullin.
posted on 22 January 2007
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has written to the Prime Minister explaining why Catholic adoption agencies be exempted from the Equalities Act, 2006.
posted on 22 January 2007
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor is to meet with the priests of the Diocese of Westminster.
posted on 18 January 2007
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has met with the Speaker of the Polish Parliament, Mr Marek Jurek.
posted on 05 January 2007
Catholics are urged to deepen their faith through a revival of spiritual practices rooted in tradition.
posted on 25 December 2006
In his Christmas homily, the Archbishop of Westminster has said that the key to a peaceful Middle East is peace in the Holy Land, and has asked for a ‘conversion of heart’ of everyone involved in the conflict in Israel and Palestine.
posted on 22 December 2006
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has broadcast from the Holy Land for the BBC 's Thought for the Day.
posted on 12 December 2006
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has attended a ceremony held at Heythrop College, London, to present Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks with an honorary doctorate of divinity.
posted on 07 December 2006
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor spoke at the National Poverty Hearing on Wednesday 6th December, about the duty of all people to help tackle poverty in the UK.
posted on 05 December 2006
Christian leaders have called for prayers throughout Advent for Christians in the Holy Land as they prepare for a pilgrimage to the birth place of Jesus Christ.
posted on 05 December 2006
On Sunday 3rd December, Andrew Marr interviewed Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, Head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales.
posted on 05 December 2006
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has paid a special visit to the Polish Church of Our Lady Mother of the Church in Ealing, west London.
posted on 28 November 2006
'The great majority of people in our country do not want the erosion of a culture that is ultimately rooted in Christianity and its values.'
posted on 24 November 2006
Pope Benedict XVI and the Archbishop of Canterbury have signed a Common Declaration in the presence of Catholic representatives led by Cardinal Cormac Murphy- O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster.
posted on 22 November 2006
Over three hundred Parishioners of St Michael's Catholic Church in Ashford welcomed the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor on Sunday (19th November) on his visit to Ashford.
posted on 15 November 2006
The Church of England House of Bishops and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales are joining together for a bi-lateral meeting at Hinsley Hall, Leeds, on November 14 - 15th.
posted on 07 November 2006
The International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) has been launched at a ceremony held in London.
posted on 01 November 2006
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has blessed and opened a new Parish Hall at St. William of York in Stanmore.
posted on 27 October 2006
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has celebrated the 50th anniversary of his Ordination as Priest.
posted on 19 October 2006
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has unveiled a new portrait of Pope Benedict XVI..
posted on 18 October 2006
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said a prayer of rededication for Mount Carmel school in Ealing whilst celebrating Mass at the school which has recently opened its new building.
posted on 10 October 2006
Interview with Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, by Gerard O’Connell, a Rome based journalist.
posted on 05 October 2006
St Joseph’s Hospice has received £10,000 from collections raised during the 2005 ‘Day for Life’.
posted on 02 October 2006
Full text of letter sent by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor to Mr Mark Thompson, the Director General of the BBC.
posted on 28 September 2006
St Vincent's Nursing Home was officially opened and blessed by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor on 19 September.
posted on 21 September 2006
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor tells BBC’s ‘Today’ programme that he hopes recent clarification by Pope Benedict XVI of his Regensburg speech “will diminish and take away any offence”.
posted on 18 September 2006
Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor has called on Governments around the world to do all in their power to help end the suffering in Darfur. “The situation”, he said, “is catastrophic in terms of the violence, the murders, the displacement of people.”
posted on 18 September 2006
The following statement by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor was read at all Masses in the Diocese of Westminster on 16th - 17th September 2006.
posted on 04 September 2006
During a visit to Australia in his official capacity as Cardinal, Archbishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has said that the desolation of post-modernity is leading people back to God.
The President and Vice-President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales have written to Cardinal Sfeir of Lebanon.
Following the Holy Father's message at the Angelus on Sunday, 16 July Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has sent a message to the Diocese.
The Archbishops of Westminster and Liverpool have written to the Patriarch Michel Sabbah to express their solidarity with the Christians of the Holy Land.
The Archbishop of Westminster has paid tribute to Patrick Victory, for many years adviser to Cardinal Basil Hume, who died on Monday morning.
God can bring good even out of the “terrible evil” of the 7 July attacks, the Archbishop of Westminster said in a homily at a Requiem Mass for Anthony Fatayi-Williams at Westminster Cathedral.
The Archbishop of Westminster this afternoon met Patricia Hewitt to urge a wide ranging review of the abortion law and a new body to examine bioethics questions.
The Archbishop of Westminster says he is sad at the prospect that full Anglican-Catholic unity will be ‘out of reach’ following a decision by the Church of England to ordain women as bishops
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has welcomed the rise in the Living Wage announced by London’s Mayor, Ken Livingstone.
“Where Christians are being denied their rights, that is not a matter on which Muslims in Britain should remain silent”. The Archbishop of Westminster's comments were made at Oxford on 16 May. He added: “Where religious rights of minorities are disrespected in the name of Islam, the face of Islam is tarnished elswhere in the world.”
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor’s remarks are made in a speech spelling out the need for a close, respectful dialogue between Christians and Muslims.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has signed a joint letter with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Chief Rabbi, to urge opposition to the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has said that he is 'astonished that Ruth Kelly's Catholicism might be considered incompatible with her role as Equality Minister.'
The president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has added his voice to that of the Sri Lanka’s Catholic bishops calling for a stop to the violence and killings there.
Poverty in Britain is all the more “painful” because it is surrounded by plenty, the Archbishop of Westminster said last Saturday in a homily at Mass for the St Vincent de Paul Society.
London’s Catholic parishes need to embrace migrants whatever their legal status, the Archbishop of Westminster writes in an article published in The Tablet.
The President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has exchanged warm letters with Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her 80th birthday.
Even after record spending on welfare, contemporary Britain still has ‘extreme and shameful poverty’, the Cardinal told a Cambridge conference on 4 April.
The Secretariat of State of the Holy See has indicated to the Archbishop of Westminster that a papal visit to the UK will not be possible in 2007.
A revised Code of Ethics and a new “ethical governance framework” are the key demands contained in a letter from the Archbishop.
In today’s Europe of “believing without belonging”, where the family is fragile, monasteries teach the “art of belonging to each other”, the Archbishop of Westminster told monks gathered at Downside Abbey church.
The Catholic Church in England and Wales has invited Pope Benedict XVI to visit Britain.
Lent is not something you do but a way of being open to blessings, the Archbishop of Westminster says in his Ash Wednesday sermon.
posted on 09 February 2006
The Archbishop of Westminster has announced five “pastoral priorities” for his Diocese in the coming years which aim at deepening the togetherness and unity of the Church while responding to social changes.
posted on 31 January 2006
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has added his voice to those of Christian leaders in Sri Lanka urging a new impetus for peace with justice on the island, amidst fears of a resumption of full-scale hostilities there.
posted on 26 January 2006
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has sent a message to the organisers of Holocaust Memorial Day 2006
posted on 09 January 2006
Before returning to the UK, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor reflected on his visit to Sri Lanka.
posted on 04 January 2006
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor met the president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse, on 2 January 2006, for an hour-long discussion which focussed on the country’s faltering peace process.
posted on 28 December 2005
Mounting tension following politician's murder forces Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor to reschedule his visit to Batticaloa.
posted on 25 December 2005
The Archbishop of Westminster has pleaded in his Christmas homily for the town of Bethlehem, saying he deplores the exodus of Christians from Bethlehem and the current condition of the town of Christ’s birth.
posted on 24 December 2005
Text of Cardinal's 'Thought for the Day', broadcast at 0745 on BBC Radio Four, 24 December 2005
posted on 24 December 2005
Britain's first Catholic ambassador to the Holy See in 400 years presented his credentials to Pope Benedict on Friday - see texts of their addresses here.
posted on 19 December 2005
Wherever disaster has struck this year, faith-filled testimonies have quickly followed, the Archbishop of Westminster argued in an article in a British Sunday newspaper.
posted on 12 December 2005
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has brought to a close Westminster Diocese’s formal programme of spiritual renewal, promising to equip the faithful so that “together we can take responsibility for the values and the mission of the Church.”
posted on 12 December 2005
The Archbishop of Westminster has sent his congratulations to a woman who lost her legs in the 7 July suicide bomb attacks in London who marries tomorrow in St Etheldreda’s Catholic church.
posted on 08 December 2005
Contemporary society is promising for evangelisation because it values conversion and choice, the Archbishop of Westminster told a gathering of Catholic evangelists on Wednesday night.
posted on 06 December 2005
The Archbishops of Westminster and Canterbury have sent messages of support to Gianna Jessen who survived an attempt by her mother to abort her.
posted on 30 November 2005
The Congregation for Education’s Instruction contains guidance for bishops and others concerned with the selection of candidates to the priesthood, in order to help them to interpret and implement the law of the Church.
posted on 28 November 2005
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, will be travelling to Sri Lanka on Christmas Day to mark the anniversary of the tsunami and to inspect relief and reconstruction projects there.
posted on 22 November 2005
The Archbishop of Westminster last Friday launched the Catholic bishops’ new document on the Bible, The Gift of Scripture, describing it as “a companion” which brought together “the best of Tradition and modern scholarship to assist our penetration of the hidden mysteries embedded in the Word.”
posted on 15 November 2005
The Archbishop of Westminster has described the appointment of Francis Campbell as the new British ambassador to the Holy See as “imaginative” and says it puts to an end the notion that the post was reserved to non-Catholics.
posted on 15 November 2005
The Archbishop of Westminster has called for a new basis of coexistence in British society based on religious values.
posted on 15 November 2005
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has sent Abigail Witchalls and her husband Benoit his “warmest congratulations” on the birth of their son Dominic.
posted on 14 November 2005
The care and support of prisoners’ families is one of the vital factors in their rehabilitation, says the Archbishop of Westminster in his message for Prisoners’ Sunday.
posted on 28 October 2005
Three of Britain's principal religious leaders have paid tribute to the Second Vatican Council's declaration on the Church's relations with other faiths, Nostra Aetate, which was promulgated 40 years ago today.
posted on 25 October 2005
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor will this Thursday open a 40-hour devotion before the Blessed Sacrament at Westminster Cathedral. Lay people, members of religious orders, deacons and priests from all over the Diocese of Westminster will be at the Cathedral to pray together in the devotion to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
posted on 19 October 2005
A miracle cure in Boston could help clear the way for the canonisation of John Henry Cardinal Newman, whose cause is promoted in a book launched last night in the presence of the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor.
posted on 17 October 2005
The Archbishops of Westminster and Canterbury were among those paying tribute to the slain founder of Taizé during an emotional candle-lit service of thanksgiving at Westminster Cathedral last Friday night.
posted on 10 October 2005
Edward the Confessor would not have been surprised by the “spiritual humanism” proposed recently by the Archbishops of Westminster and Canterbury, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor told a gathering at Westminster Abbey last Friday evening.
posted on 09 October 2005
Transcript of interview with Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor on Sunday AM programme (BBC One, Sunday, 9am-10am) relating to Assisted Dying Bill which is being debated this afternoon in the House of Lords.
posted on 05 October 2005
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has told bishops meeting in Rome to discuss the Eucharist that they need to emphasise “communion” – the spiritual bond which ties the Church together.
posted on 23 September 2005
The Archbishop of Westminster has paid tribute to The Passage, the centre for the homeless near Victoria Station founded by Cardinal Basil Hume 25 years ago. Speaking on Thursday night at an ecumenical service of thanksgiving at Westminster Cathedral, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor described The Passage as “a powerful witness to the love of Christ” which contradicted the idea of London as selfish.
posted on 19 September 2005
A new portrait of the leader of English and Welsh Catholics by one of the country’s best-known portrait artists was formally unveiled last Friday in the presence of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor.
posted on 14 September 2005
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, has called on Britain to build a new spiritual humanism of peace in the wake of the 7 July bombings.
posted on 05 September 2005
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor has urged the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, to intervene in the drafting of the Iraqi constitution to remove a clause which could deprive Christians and other minorities of their basic rights as citizens.
The Archbishop of Westminster, along with 21 bishops, is leading more than 2,000 young English and Welsh Catholics to World Youth Day in Cologne – the largest ever contingent from this country to a WYD.
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor's address at the conclusion of the Memorial Mass for Jean-Charles Menezes, the Brazilian shot dead at Stockwell station by police who suspected him of being a suicide bomber.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor is cutting short his pilgrimage to Lourdes in order to return for the Requiem Mass for the Brazilian shot by police last Friday.
In an article in this morning's Daily Telegraph, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor says Londoners need to listen to the experience of Lourdes - a place which celebrates 'vulnerability'.
The Cardinal is at the Marian shrine this week leading the Westminister Diocesan pilgrimage. He returns to London on Friday.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has paid tribute to the families of two of the 7 July victims, likening their mothers’ faith to that of Mary at the foot of the Cross.
At the funeral of Anthony Fatayi-Williams, the Archbishop of Westminster has praised his grieving mother as “a beacon of light to guide our response to terrorism”.
Message from the Archbishop of Westminster, H.E. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, to Mr and Mrs Fatayi-Williams, to be read on the occasion of the Requiem Mass of their son Anthony, a victim of the explosions in London on 7 July, held at Westminster Cathedral, midday 23 July.
The Archbishop of Westminster has praised the tact and dedication of the police in dealing with the bereaved relatives of London’s bomb victims.
The Cardinal at Westminster Cathedral yesterday led a two-minute silent commemoration of the 53 people killed by last week's bomb blasts. In the evening, he spoke at a mass vigil in Trafalgar Square.
“Stand beside these victims, with your gentle arm around them”
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, will join other faith and community leaders at 6pm in Trafalgar Square on Thursday to remember the victims of last week’s bombings and their grieving families.
The Archbishop of Westminster has this afternoon spoken of the need to stick firmly to peace to combat terrorism, while warning of the dangers of anger and scapegoating.
I am horrified at the news of this terrible attack on innocent people.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has brought to a close a four-day conference at Worth Abbey with a survey of the ‘signs of the times’ in modern Britain.
Britain’s two cardinals led a march of more than 220,000 people dressed in white on Saturday who were demanding that when they meet at Gleneagles on Wednesday the G8 leaders fulfill the pledges they have made on global poverty.
The Archbishop of Westminster has spoken to Terry Wogan on the eve of the Make Poverty History Rally in Edinburgh tomorrow of his hopes for next week’s meeting of G8 leaders at Gleneagles next week.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor will be leading the Rally with the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Cardinal Keith O’Brien.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has told The Times that President Mugabe’s expulsion of shanty-down dwellers is “deeply abhorrent” and has called for a moratorium on forced returns of Zimbabwean asylum-seekers to their country. He said it would be a “gross injustice” to return detainees to Zimbabwe as long as the situation there continues to deteriorate.
The Cardinal has joined senior religious leaders from three faiths – Christianity, Judaism and Islam – publicly to urge the Prime Minister to press for radical commitments on behalf of the world’s poorest people when he chairs the annual meeting of the world’s richest nations in Scotland next month.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has explained why he is leading the Make Poverty History march in Edinburgh next Saturday, which will put pressure on G8 summit leaders to fulfill the pledges they made in 2000 to halve world poverty.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor on Sunday (19 June) led a 1,000-strong pilgrimage to one of Britain’s most ancient healing wells, known locally as the “Lourdes of Wales”.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor is urging Catholics in England and Wales to join him at the Make Poverty History rally in Edinburgh on 2 July.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor on Sunday led a service broadcast on BBC Radio 4 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Church in the Modern World.
On 25 May Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor concluded a series of popular lectures at Westminster Cathedral with a broad outline of the future of the Church in Europe.
The Cardinal's Lectures: A series of six public lectures on 'Faith in Europe?' at Westminster Cathedral, Spring 2005
'The Church in Europe': Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor: 25 May 2005
Cardinal ends popular series of six lectures with broad vision of how Church can respond to challenges of contemporary Europe
Annie Maguire, the Irish woman who was wrongfully imprisoned in Britain for terrorism offences, yesterday received a papal honour from the Archbishop of Westminster.
Annie Maguire, one of the ‘Maguire Seven’ whose wrongful imprisonment came to an end in 1991, is set to receive a papal honour this Sunday (22 May) from the Archbishop of Westminster.
'It is exceptional to start the process of beatification so soon. But John Paul II was an exceptional man'
‘A breathaking, fragrant experience of heaven not to be missed’
A remarkable ecumenical service was held last week in commemoration of Carthusian monks put to death for refusing to recognise Henry VIII as head of the Church in England. Bishop George Stack, representing the Cardinal, and the Anglican Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, led the service.
Cardinal calls for support for World Communications Day on 12 May. In an interview with the Italian daily Avvenire, he discusses choices facing British electorate tomorrow.
Excerpts from this afternoon's (25 April) Press Conference with Archbishop Rowan Williams and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor at the English College in Rome following the visit this morning of Archbishop Williams to Pope Benedict XVI
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor will celebrate a Diocesan Mass of Thanksgiving for the Election of Pope Benedict XVI at Westminster Cathedral at 5.30 on Tuesday 26 April 2005.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor will celebrate a Public Mass of Thanksgiving on the Election of Pope Benedict at Westminster Cathedral at 5.30pm on Thursday 21 April.
The Cardinals of the Catholic Church last night chose Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to be the new Pope. He has taken the name of Pope Benedict XVI and will be officially inaugurated in a Mass at St Peter's Basilica in Rome on Sunday.
The Archbishop of Westminster has entered the Conclave to choose the successor to John Paul II. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor is one of 115 cardinal-electors who are expected this week to appoint the new pope.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has given thanks for the life of Pope John Paul II, and asked people to pray for the cardinals who will elect his successor.
Homily by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, at Solemn Vespers for the Dead in commemoration of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, held at Westminster Cathedral at 1630 on 4th April 2005.
Homily by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, at the Solemn Requiem Mass for His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, held at Westminster Cathedral at 1030 on 3rd April 2005
John Paul II was an extraordinary man, one of the greatest Popes in the Church’s 2000-year history.
The Church will miss him. The world will miss him. I will miss him.
We are all thinking and praying for the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, at this time. As far as we can tell, he is approaching the last days or hours of his long pontificate.
“The removal of Terri Schiavo’s means of nourishment has deliberately brought about her premature death”
EASTER SERMON, delivered at Westminster Cathedral at 10.30 am on Easter Sunday, by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster
The Cardinal today said he was 'deeply alarmed' at a report by Parliament's Science and Technology Committee. He is calling for a broadly-based National Bioethics Commission.
Notice to press concerning a call to be made later today by the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, for a broadly-based national bioethics committee. The call is partly in response to the publication of a controversial report today by Parliament's Science and Technology Committee.
Text of Cardinal's address to his priests at the Chrism Mass on Tuesday
Following the publication yesterday of the pre-election document of the bishops of England and Wales, and some of today’s news reports which suggested that he was endorsing the Conservative Party in the forthcoming election, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has spelled out his position.
Cardinal hosts six talks by leading figures in faith and politics on the theme of Faith in Europe.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has invited Mary McAleese, Sir Bob Geldof, Lord Patten of Barnes, Jean Vanier and Fr Timothy Radcliffe to join him in Westminster Cathedral on Wednesday evenings in April and May to explore the question: What is faith to Europe – and what is Europe to faith?
Workshops in mid-March organised by the At Your Word, Lord renewal programme aim to persuade people that the search for unity is key to being Catholic.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, visited the Gemelli Hospital in Rome this morning to leave a message for Pope John Paul II.
posted on 28 February 2005
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, is calling on political leaders to take to heart a major study by the Churches on poverty and wealth which was released this morning at the House of Lords.
posted on 15 February 2005
Massgoing is in decline, and the Catholic Church in Britain is shrinking. Those are facts few people question. But a Westminster Cathedral ceremony last Sunday suggests that in London, at least, those assumptions may need to be revised - along with the idea that Britain’s Catholics are almost always white.
posted on 10 February 2005
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has responded to the news of the Prince of Wales’s engagement to Mrs Camilla Parker-Bowles.
posted on 09 February 2005
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has welcomed an apology by the Prime Minister for the wrongful jailing of 11 people for IRA bomb attacks.
posted on 07 February 2005
“You should not try to do without something, but to get something done as if your eternal salvation depended on it … What we should give up is whatever stops us doing that extra thing.”
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, is calling on Catholics not just to give something up in Lent but to do something extra - as if their salvation depended on it.
Lent, he will tell his Westminster Cathedral congregation on Ash Wednesday, should not seem interminable because it is a time of dramatic focus.
posted on 01 February 2005
The Diocese of Westminster is this weekend launching the largest experiment in Christian dialogue ever carried out in England and Wales.
All over the capital city and Hertfordshire, thousands of Catholics in parish small groups are inviting local Christians to join them in a six-week Lenten course of Scripture reflection and discussion.
posted on 27 January 2005
We say “six million” now without catching our breath. But if it was happening now, to us, it is as if 100,000 murders had been committed every year since 1945. We say it could never happen again. But genocide, as the appalling case of Rwanda showed us, remains a feature of our modern world.
posted on 19 January 2005
In a joint statement published on Wednesday the Presidents of Churches Together in England (CTE) gave their joint backing to the Make Poverty History campaign. They want the European Union to take the lead in a crucial year of trade negotiations: “it can be a beacon of hope for the poorest countries and challenge others to follow its example.”
posted on 17 January 2005
Speaking at a special Mass at Westminster Cathedral on Sunday, 16 January for the victims of the Tsunami and the bereaved, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor praised the generosity of “countless millions of people” who had shown solidarity and comfort to those who “know that their sorrow is shared by the rest of humankind”
posted on 14 January 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, prayed together today for the victims of the Asia earthquake disaster.
Dr Rowan Williams was making his first official visit to Westminster Cathedral to open the exhibition “Anglicanism and the Western Christian Tradition”.
posted on 10 January 2005
After nine years in Swiss Cottage, Father Ian Dickie will be moving at Easter to take up another appointment as Parish Priest. The Cardinal and the auxiliary Bishops of the Diocese would like to thank him for his devoted work at St Thomas More parish.
Father Dickie will be replaced by Father Gerard Sheehan, whom many of you know well already. Fr Sheehan has taken an active role in the life of the deanery and has been deanery secretary over these past few years.
Father Sheehan is a priest of the Personal Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei and has worked for ten years at Netherhall House, the student residence run by Opus Dei. Opus Dei itself has had a presence in the parish for over fifty years.
posted on 21 December 2004
Speaking tonight on the BBC 6 o'clock television news, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor said he regretted that a play in Birmingham which has offended Sikhs was forced to close through violence.
posted on 13 December 2004
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor speaks on Posh and Becks 'Nativity' scene, whether Britain is still a Christian society, need for political leaders to speak out of moral conviction, state of family, gay marriage, war on terror, relations with Muslims, detentions without trial, euthanasia, stem-cell research, and the need for a bioethics committee....
posted on 11 December 2004
Is Britain still a Christian country? Why is there disrespect for Christian symbols? Views on Rocco Buttiglione, right of self-defence, requiem Mass for Margaret Hassan.
Interviewed by Edward Stourton.. Full transcript follows.
(The interview was preceded by an interview with Rocco Buttiglione following a story about attempts in Italy to take 'Christ out of Christmas'.)
ES: Just going back to Tamsin Smith's little report about what was happening in Italy in terms of what many people see as an attempt to eradicate the Christian element in Christmas, do you see similar things happening here?...
posted on 11 December 2004
Family and friends mourn murdered aid worker at Westminster Cathedral
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster today paid tribute to Margaret Hassan at a solemn service at Westminster Cathedral attended by family and friends of the murdered aid worker.
The service, which was led by the Archbishop of Westminster, was held at 12.30 pm today and lasted one and a half hours.
posted on 07 December 2004
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor this morning blessed a 650,000 square-foot glass complex opposite Westminster Cathedral which will open in Autumn 2005. The complex is called Cardinal Place and reflects the cathedral in its glass.
The blessing preceded an ancient 'topping-out' ritual led by Lord McAlpine, whose company has built Cardinal Place, and by Sir Ian Henderson, the outgoing chairman of the developers, Land Securities.
posted on 06 December 2004
In response to a number of articles and letters questioning the fidelity of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales to magisterial teaching following recent statements by the Catholic aid agency CAFOD, a letter has been sent today to one of those publications by Mgr Andrew Summersgill, General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference, on behalf of its President, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor. The letter reads in part:
The [bishops'] conference's position [has] been made clear in its 2004 teaching document, Cherishing Life, Section 170, which deals specifically with the question of Aids, and concludes that 'the only assured way to prevent passing on [sexually-transmitted diseases] is to express love in ways other than through sexual intercourse.'
In order to clarify any possible misunderstanding, the Cardinal would like to make clear:
- The Bishops oppose artificial contraception and do not advocate the promotion of condoms as a means of combating Aids. The way to combat Aids is through the Catholic sexual ethic of monogamy, fidelity and abstinence.
- The magisterium of the church always maintains the objectivity of the moral law, whilst also recognising the particular circumstances in which individuals endeavour to live her teaching.
It is therefore quite misleading to seek to portray the position of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales as being at variance with magisterial teaching on this question.
Finally, with reference to CAFOD, it is the development agency of the Bishops' Conference and cares devotedly for the poorest people in the world and does so in accordance with the teaching of the Catholic Church.
posted on 30 November 2004
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, has reacted to the news of the death of John Monckton.
'I am horrified at the news of the murder of an exceptional and faithful man. My heart goes out to his wife Homeyra and the whole family - they are assured of my thoughts and prayers.'
Canon Michael Brockie, parish priest of Our Most Holy Redeemer and Thomas More on Cheyne Row, said he had known the family for three years. He said he was in 'deep shock'.
'John was a very faithful and committed Catholic and a wonderful father and husband. His death is a great personal loss both to me and to the parish.'
John Monckton was a weekly Massgoer at the parish church, where he gave out Communion at the 10 am Mass there. He also served on the finance committee of its parish council.
Mr Monckton was also active in the Knights of Malta, a Catholic charity which helps the poor.
Canon Brockie said:. They are a very close-knit family, extraordinarily devoted to one another. And very private.'
He said this was the third incident of its kind in Chelsea in last 6 weeks.
A sacristan at the church, Robin McCarthy, was bludgeoned almost to death in the sacristy of the church in January 2003. Mr McCarthy was left brain- damaged and is now in care.
'Chelsea has become very dangerous. Many people are hiring night watchmen. The police have put more community support officers on the streets - but they can't be everywhere at once.'
posted on 22 November 2004
Cardinal plays guitar and sings to young people at a celebration for the Feast of Christ the King
When the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster began strumming on an acoustic guitar last Saturday night before an audience of 400 young adults, it looked for a moment as if he might be challenging Bono to the title of Christian king of rock.
But then it became clear that he was playing his one and only gospel song composition, the prize-winning 'Come ye blessed of my Father'. The song, with words from Matthew 25, later featured on an LP and in a hymnal, earning the future Cardinal a few hundred pounds in royalties.
Last Saturday - a celebration for the Feast of Christ the King organised by the At Your Word, Lord diocesan renewal programme - was the first time in many years that the song had been aired.
posted on 16 November 2004
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and Archbishop of Westminster has spoken of his 'sadness and horror' at the execution of the captive aid worker, Margaret Hassan.
Shortly after he heard the news, the Cardinal called her sister, Deirdre Manchanda, who is a parishioner living in the Archdiocese of Westminster.
'I can't tell you how sad I feel for you and your family,' he told her. 'Margaret is a martyr for goodness, truth and generosity. She dedicated her life to others; she will always be remembered for this.'
Describing the killing as 'a violation of the most basic value of Muslim mercy', he called for her body to be returned to her husband.
Last week the Cardinal appealed to Margaret Hassan's captors for mercy.
Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool, Vice-president of the Bishops' Conference and a leading member of its International Affairs Department, said: 'The people of Liverpool will be holding Margaret and all those to whom she is dear in their prayers.'
Both the Cardinal and the Archbishop were speaking in Cardiff, where the bishops of England and Wales are meeting this week.
posted on 08 November 2004
Speaking on Saturday at the Churches Together in England forum at Stoke Rochford Hall, near Grantham in Lincolnshire, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor pleaded with the captors of Margaret Hassan to set her free.
He said:
'I would like us to remember, at this point, Margaret Hassan, the charity worker who gave up her life in the service of the needy in Iraq, and whose fate at the hands of violent men remains today in the balance. I would like to add my voice and yours in an appeal to her captors to allow themselves to feel what she and her family must be now feeling, and practise the great Islamic virtue of mercy by setting her free.'
Prayers were said for Margaret Hassan at Masses throughout Westminster diocese last Sunday.
The director of CARE International in Iraq, Hassan, 59, was kidnapped on 19 October as she drove to work in Baghdad. Videos of Hassan in captivity have been released, but no group has claimed responsibility for her abduction. In two of the videos, Hassan pleads for her life, saying she fears she will be beheaded.
posted on 08 November 2004
In a speech setting out the challenges facing the next Pope and the future of Ecumenism, the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, has told Christian leaders that they must not ignore the hunger for religious truth in the hearts of their contemporaries.
posted on 03 November 2004
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster has told the Principal of the Muslim College and that he wants to offer the assistance of the Catholic community to the Muslim community 'in any way that is open to us'.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor made the remarks on 3 November as he welcomed Sheikh Badawi and five senior British Muslims leaders to Archbishop's House for the first formal meeting of its kind since he became Archbishop of Westminster.
He told Dr Badawi he wanted to deepen mutual understanding between the two faiths in Britain and to co-operate in areas of common interest.
posted on 26 October 2004
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, last week embraced 'Jodie', the conjoined twin who survived a dramatic operation in November 2000 to separate her from her sister 'Mary'. The operation caused the death of the weaker twin.
Doctors at the Manchester hospital where the six-week-old girls had been born argued that without the operation both twins would die. The twins' parents, Michaelangelo and Rina Attard, Catholics from the Maltese island of Gozo, opposed the operation, arguing that God's will should take its course. After the High Court found in the doctors' favour, the parents appealed.
posted on 14 September 2004
Between 2,500 and 3,000 people thronged the National Shrine at Walsingham for the Annual Dowry Pilgrimage in honour of Our Lady on Sunday, 12th September. Joining Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor in the celebration of Mass were the local Ordinary, Bishop Michael Evans of East Anglia, Bishop Tom Burns, the Ordinary to the Forces, and Bishop Alan Hopes, Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Westminster. In his homily the Cardinal recalled his first visit 51 years ago when, with fellow seminarians, he walked the Holy Mile barefoot praying the rosary for the conversion of England and for the spread of the Gospel.
The Cardinal also recounted the first national pilgrimage to the Shrine of Walsingham 70 years ago and the comment made in The Times which was, at that time, amazed at the crowds of people who came: To such Shrines as that of Walsingham, people brought the intenseness of their grief and their gladness, the bitterest of their repentance and the purest of their endeavour. Such ground cannot but be holy; and it is good to think that the holiness of the holy land of Walsingham is once more recognised and honoured. 'Today' the Cardinal said, 'we pray, too, for our Dioceses, caught up as each Diocese is in the new struggles, new efforts, for creativity, for new life, for new ways of living at a deeper level the Gospel of Jesus Christ….. The Church in our country has many challenges, but I am confident that if we face them together - bishops, priests, religious, lay people - then we need have no fear. Why do I say that? Because, the Lord is with you; the Lord is with us. It is not our work; it is His work and it is His path. It is His strength that we need in order to fulfil in our own discipleship the command of Jesus to follow Him, to follow His ways, to be open to His truths and to receive His life.'
This week (25-31 July) Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, accompanied by his four auxiliary bishops, will lead over 1,000 pilgrims on the Westminster Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Travelling by coach, train and plane, the pilgrims will converge on Lourdes for a week of prayer and retreat. Many of those travelling are invalids who come to Lourdes to pray especially for healing of body and mind. They will be accompanied by special carers to assist them during their visit to the Grotto of Our Lady as well as partaking in the many processions and Masses throughout the week.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor and Archbishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo, met this afternoon, 22 July. Archbishop Ncube described the plight of the people of Zimbabwe, particularly malnourishment of children, the use of violence by the state and the critical need to work for free and fair elections in 2005.
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor reaffirmed the commitment of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to support the people and the Church of Zimbabwe. He expressed his support of Archbishop Ncube's stance on behalf of human rights in Zimbabwe. The two archbishops agreed to explore ways in which the Catholic Church in this country can continue to play its part in helping to improve the human rights situation. The Bishops are grateful for CAFOD's continued work in helping to respond to the acute crises of hunger and HIV-AIDS.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor delivered the following message at a seminar organised by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace:
'All those of us who work in the churches, government or the NGOs or in the developed world know something of poverty at first hand. In the richest countries there are pockets of poverty and distress and we apply our compassion, our ingenuity and our resources to try to bring a basic minimum standard to our people.
Dear friends and supporters of the Margaret Beaufort institute,
Our readings today capture both the mission and the challenge of the teacher, when it comes to matters of faith. That is something that many of us will appreciate whether as parent, teacher, lecturer, spiritual director, theologian, even bishop. They have been chosen specially for our Mass of celebration today because they tell us something about what the Institute is striving to achieve in our midst and in its service to the Christian/Catholic community.
Poor St Paul writing only 30 or so years after the death of Christ is deeply concerned to warn Timothy of the dangers of false teaching. That warning has a curiously modern, or perhaps I should say post-modern, feel about it: 'The time is sure to come, he says, when far from being content with sound teaching people will be avid for the latest novelty and collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes: and then instead of listening to the truth they will turn to myths'.
Bishop George Stack:
'Each one gathered in Westminster Cathedral today will have a unique memory of Victor Guazzelli. For his family, a devoted brother, brother in law and uncle. They know that they were the solid foundation of his life and all that he could be to others. For his other family, the priests of the Diocese of Westminster, he was a dedicated priest and a compassionate bishop. The presence of so many of us witness to his unconditional love for priests and the priesthood. To the people of the Diocese at large, and the East End in particular, he was simply 'Father Victor'. Countless thousands of people saw him as the constant, caring face of the Church. And for the many organisations and institutions he served, the memory is a man of total commitment, willing to take risks, passionate for justice, his hand outstretched to those who were marginalized for any reason whatsoever.
Victor Guazzelli
Bishop
Born London - 19 March 1920
Died - 1 June 2004
Bishop Victor Guazzelli, former Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, died peacefully in his sleep during the night of Tuesday, 1 June 2004.
Many people, including some Catholics, misunderstand the nature and purpose of moral teaching. Moral living implies duties and obligations based on the difference between right and wrong. For Saint Thomas Aquinas, perhaps the greatest of all Catholic theologians, morality is rooted in the most basic and universal desire, the yearning for happiness and fulfilment. A responsible and truthful consideration of that desire gives rise to an ethic of human flourishing, which is rooted in human nature, rather than in a set of laws imposed from outside. In other words moral discernment is a response to the fundamental question: what kind of person am I called to become.
Archbishop Patrick Kelly met today with Ayatollah Mahmood Mohammadi Araqi, the president of the Organisation of Culture and Islamic Relations (OCIR) of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The meeting in Archbishop's House, Westminster continued a dialogue that Archbishop Kelly began with Ayatollah Araqi in February as part of a visit the Archbishop made to Iran when he was the guest of the Iranian Christian community in Tehran, Isfahan and Bam.
Archbishop Kelly and Ayatollah Araqi discussed interfaith relations as well as the humanitarian situation in Bam following the earthquake that devastated the city in December. It is hoped that the next meeting between the Bishops' Conference and the OCIR will take place in Iran during 2005.
Archbishop Kelly said: 'No-one can doubt at this time the complexity and the necessity of inter-religious conversation, dialogue and reflection if justice and so peace is to be secured not only across the Middle East but far wider afield. I am grateful that the Ayatollah Araqi chose to give time during his brief visit to this country to affirm the importance of our meeting in February and to make clear that such meetings must not only continue but go to ever-greater depths'.
For further information contact: Dr David Ryall on 0207 901 4865.
The more I thought about what I might say to you today, the more I became intrigued by the curious possibility that programme-makers and preachers, or evangelisers, face a similar challenge.
How do you, and how do we, speak simultaneously to the prevailing scepticism of our time, and to the sincerely held beliefs of men and women of faith? How do we speak, or help others to speak authentically of religious truth when our audience may be predisposed, consciously or merely subconsciously to resist, to refute or simply to ignore those truths?
'I am pleased that I have had the opportunity to meet monthly with many young adults of our diocese over the past year as part of the Renewal process. I am always greatly impressed by their enthusiasm and love of the faith. Our young adults are both the hope for the Church of tomorrow and a valued part of the Church of today. They have a vital role to play in the renewal of every parish and of the diocese at large.
Our Annual Diocesan Young Adult's Festival, Bright Lights, is a wonderful occasion to enable Young Adults to be renewed and re-energised in their faith. This year's weekend long festival has the theme of 'The Return of the King' and will provide opportunities, through prayer, liturgy, talks, workshops, music and socialising for our Young Adults to experience a real intimacy with Christ, our King. This renewal, through contact with Christ and other Young Adults of like mind will create the desire to live their faith more fully in their lives, and to return with great enthusiasm to their parishes. I sincerely encourage each parish to enable a group of Young Adults, 16-30, to attend Bright Lights this Summer at London Colney (July 9th-11th). I pray for its success and that each young person may welcome the return of the one true King into their lives'.
'I am conscious today that we gather to launch a new agency of the Bishops' Conference - the agency for Evangelisation. Mgr Keith Baltrop, its new director, and all who work with him are aware that there is really only one agent for Evangelisation - the Holy Spirit. So, firstly, today I want to ask the blessing of God's Spirit on this new agency, for without God our work would be in vain.
I am sure that many of you are aware that I have been meeting on a monthly basis with Young People from throughout my diocese. I have been struck by many things in the time that we have spent together but, in particular, today I am conscious of two things that I have learnt from those meetings. Firstly I have seen in those gatherings that young people today are searching and questioning. They are particularly searching for meaning and purpose in their lives. Many of them recognize their own inner poverty despite, in many cases, intellectual and professional success. They often speak of their need for God. Secondly, I have become more and more conscious that there is for many young people a renewed interest and fascination with the person of Jesus Christ. Despite the controversy, I sense that the film The Passion of the Christ touched a sensitive nerve in our society and certainly mirrors an interest in the person and work of Jesus for many today. In some ways this is surprising because this fascination with the person of Jesus is coupled with a significant ignorance about him.
Several weeks ago I returned to London from a visit to Rome the day after those horrendous bombings in Madrid. Here at the Cathedral, thousands of people, many of them Spanish, had gathered to pray for the victims and the injured and to be together during that terrible sense of loss. As I mingled with the young people who had gathered spontaneously on the piazza after that ceremony, I found it a most moving experience. Occasionally, one of them would shout out, 'Let us be silent' and for several moments there would be a hushed and reverent silence in the crowd. Many held lit candles and left them as a symbol of their prayer against the outside walls of the Cathedral. That silence was not only a dignified and authentic response to the evil which had confronted them but also, it seemed to me, an act of faith. It was a belief that terrorism could never conquer the human spirit, that death would not ultimately prevail and that, even in darkness, there is always light and hope.
Today, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor will preach at midday Mass at which the oil of Chrism used at baptisms and in the anointing of the sick, will be blessed. Traditionally, most of the priests of the Diocese attend this special Mass during which they renew their promises to serve the community of the faithful.
DARTON, LONGMAN & TODD are pleased to announce the publication of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor's book 'At the heart of the World'
PUBLICATION DATE: Now available
PRICE: £8.95
The Cardinal's vision for the future of the Church and its role in the revitalisation of society:
'The Church has often been in crisis, and is always in need of reformation. Through the ages the Church has lived, in a mystical sense, through a hundred deaths and a hundred resurrections. As I look at the Church in the world today, in particular the Western world, I see the same pattern of death and resurrection.'
Cormac Murphy-O'Connor's first book as Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster is part personal memoir and part reflection on the challenges that face the Church in the contemporary world. He looks back with affection and wry humour at his own personal faith journey, with its Irish Catholic roots, English upbringing, and training for the priesthood in Rome. He considers questions of authority and leadership in the church, shares his passionate commitment to the search for Christian unity, and urges the renewal of parish life through the small communities which, he believes, 'are the secret of the future'. A unique vision for the future of the church and its role in the revitalisation of society emerges, marked by joy and hope as well as realism, integrity and humility.
For further details please contact Eleanor Fletcher on 020 8875 0155 or e-mail: eleanorf@darton-longman-todd.co.uk
The Diocese of Westminster is pleased to announce that Jean Vanier is to give a talk entitled 'Working for Peace' on Wednesday, 31st March, at St. Martin's-in-the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2. The talk will commence at 19:00 hrs.
Jean Vanier is well known as the founder of the L'Arche and Faith and Light organisations. He is a person of great insight and this is a rare opportunity to hear him speak. All are welcome. Admission is free.
For information contact: St Martin's-in-the-Fields Parish Office - 020 7766 1100
The following message from Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor will be read by Bishop George Stack at the Special Mass for the Spanish community this evening in Westminster Cathedral. The Cardinal is in Rome attending a Plenary session of the Pontifical Council for Culture.
Dear friends,
I am sorry that I cannot be with you this evening. I want you to know that my prayers are joined with yours. I know how deep is the shock which the people of Spain, and you - the Spanish community in London have experienced in the past two days. I know because I am here in Rome with the Archbishop of Madrid. We all share a deep sense of shock and outrage.
You have come to the Cathedral to pray for the dead and the injured, the bereaved and the grieving, for loved ones who mourn, and for families who are in shock - some of whom may be known to you personally. Together we raise them up to the Almighty and ask his blessings upon them. Our faith is in the God of love. He alone can heal the terrible wounds which the men of violence wreak on the innocent. We pray for His healing now.
Moment of silent prayer
We make this prayer in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
For information contact: Tim Livesey, Public Affairs Office- 020 7798 9031
This morning (Friday 12 March) Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, wrote to the Archbishop of Madrid Cardinal Rouco Varela, in the wake of yesterday's terrorist outrage. He conveyed on behalf of the bishops of England and Wales and the people of the Diocese of Westminster his deepest condolences, as well as shock and outrage, at the terrible loss of life and devastation caused by these terrible attacks.
Today Solemn High Mass at 17:30 at Westminster Cathedral will be offered for the victims, their families and loved ones. Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor has asked that prayers for the dead and injured be said at Sunday Mass in every parish of the Diocese of Westminster.
A special mass for the Spanish-speaking community will be celebrated at 20:00 this evening at Westminster Cathedral. The Papal Nuncio, H.E. Archbishop Pablo Puente will be the Principal Celebrant. The Spanish Ambassador and members of the Spanish community in London will attend.
For information contact: Tim Livesey, Public Affairs Office- 020 7798 9031
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the Archbishop of Westminster addressed fellow Cardinals on 11 March 2004 at the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for Culture in Rome. His short address on his personal experience of dialogue with people who profess to have no faith focused on three areas: ethical goodness, aesthetic beauty and the role of community leadership.
posted on 25 February 2004
The question of what it means to be human, and to live the fullness of human life as God intends we should, is one of the most important challenges we face. The question takes on added urgency for all who are actively engaged with young people - in education, in intellectual and spiritual formation, and in family and community life. How do we help young people to contribute not only to their own happiness, but to the flourishing of our society and of our culture?
posted on 18 February 2004
Cardinal says Christians are called to live as émigrés within contemporary culture.
In an address to students and teachers of the University of Swansea, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor rejected the idea that young people are no longer interested in Christianity. The Christian faith had not only been a primary influence in the development of our culture over 2,000 years, it had also been the key to human flourishing. The living tradition of the Church still had an enormous amount of wisdom to offer.
posted on 17 February 2004
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales and Archbishop of Westminster, today (Monday, February 16) told a Treasury summit on globalization, including the Chancellor, the Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, that poverty is as big a scourge as terrorism.
posted on 17 February 2004
The Diocese of Westminster has launched, under the title 'Graced by the Spirit' a diocesan wide consultation concerning its future pastoral plan. This forms a second stage in the Cardinal's planning for the future of the Diocese of Westminster. The Cardinal wished the first stage to be open to everyone in the diocese and have, as its priority, the spiritual and pastoral renewal of the faithful. As a result of a consultation in the Diocese conducted during 2002, 'At Your Word, Lord' has already been initiated. That programme is now entering the second of five seasons and will conclude in Autumn 2005.
posted on 13 February 2004
This weekend the Diocese of Westminster begins its second Season of the 3-year process of renewal: At Your Word, Lord.
The theme for this Season is 'Conversion'. We celebrate the call that God makes to constantly assess how we live our life. We are invited to grow in love of God by making conversion to the message of the Gospel a part of our everyday lives.
posted on 06 February 2004
Today is Education Sunday. It is a time for us to give thanks particularly to the teachers and staff of our schools who give such an enormous amount to our children and our young people. Where would the Catholic community in this diocese be without the heroic efforts of countless members of our community who for the past 150 years have committed themselves to fundraising, building, and maintaining our schools and providing the moral and personal support which the teachers in our schools deserve. I would like you to pray today very specially for all of those who contribute to making our schools places of faith, hope, and love as well as sound educational institutions.
posted on 27 January 2004
Also carried in a letter to The Times of 28 January 2004
Since its inception sixty years ago during the darkest days of World War Two, the Council of Christians and Jews has continued to confront the evil of antisemitism with a message of healing and mutual respect between our communities.
We believe the warm friendship between Britain's Christian and Jewish leaders - nourished by the work of CCJ at local level - has had an influence that extends beyond our two faiths. It has helped to set a tone for tolerance and respectful diversity across religious and ethnic boundaries in Britain.
posted on 19 January 2004
For some the story of the martyrs of sixteenth century England can still touch a sensitive nerve in ecumenical relations - four and a half centuries after they died. So I think it is appropriate to pay tribute to the generosity of spirit and imagination which lies behind today’s service.
posted on 16 January 2004
' I am delighted that this weekend Westminster Cathedral will be hosting two significant events as part of this year's Christian Unity week, with Bishop Basil of Sergievo leading Russian Orthodox vespers on Saturday and Archbishop Gregorios of the Greek Orthodox church delivering the homily at 10.30 am Mass on Sunday.
posted on 22 December 2003
“I send my warmest greetings to you and your family as we approach this wonderful season of Christmas.
' This year we celebrate this feast of peace at a time of continued insecurity at home and abroad. And yet it was into a world as violent and uncertain as our own that God sent His angels to announce His own unique gift – the birth of His Son, our Saviour, in that simple stable in Bethlehem
posted on 17 December 2003
A team led by Archbishop Patrick Kelly, representing Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, today held a meeting with representatives of the new Iraqi Governing Council in Archbishop's House, London. The meeting was arranged at the request of the Iraqi delegation and was facilitated by the UK Foreign Office.
posted on 12 December 2003
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor's Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of Westminster which will be read at Masses on the Third Sunday of Advent.
posted on 11 December 2003
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor entered hospital yesterday for hip replacement surgery. The procedure is routine and was carried out this morning. Commenting, a spokesperson for the Cardinal said:
“Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor went into hospital on Wednesday for a hip replacement operation. The operation is on his left hip and took place on Thursday morning.
'The Cardinal will remain in hopsital until just before Christmas and will return to public engagements at the end of January.
posted on 27 November 2003
' To have somewhere we call home is a fundamental part of our human dignity. Home is the place where we build our families and find the space to develop alongside friends and loved ones. To be deprived of such a basic necessity is to feel less than human.'
posted on 25 November 2003
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, held the last of this year's series of Masses for young adults in Westminster Cathedral on Sunday 23rd November, the Feast of Christ the King.
posted on 25 November 2003
Commenting on the death of Bishop Augustine Hornyak O.S.B.M, the first Apostolic Exarch for Ukrainian Catholics in Great Britain, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said:
' I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Bishop Augustine Hornyak. As the first Apostolic Exarch for Ukrainian Catholic in the British Isles, Bishop Augustine was a welcome and much admired member of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales.
“ He was closely attached to Westminster Diocese, and was a man who guided and inspired his Community with prayerful leadership and deeply held faith.
' I would like to extend my sympathy and condolence to all the clergy and people of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Great Britain. They can be assured of the prayers of the whole Catholic community in England and Wales at this time of great sadness.'
posted on 22 November 2003
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and Spiritual Leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England, has today sent a message of support to the England Rugby team as they prepare for the World Cup Final against Australia tomorrow.
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, who played rugby at a senior level in England and Italy, said:
“ As a life long rugby fan, I have followed the home nations' performances in this World Cup very closely and, like millions of others across the country, will be following every kick and tackle live on television tomorrow morning.
' We have seen some tremendous performances from the England team in this competition already and as we approach the climax of the tournament in Sydney, I know they will continue to do us all proud.'
posted on 21 November 2003
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said:
' It was with a profound sense of sadness that I heard of the terrorist atrocities in Istanbul and the many lives they have cost, including that of the British Consul General Roger Short.
' The thoughts and prayers of the whole Catholic community are with the families of all the victims and the Turkish people at this dreadful time.
“ Such indiscriminate violence is a terrible evil deserving of universal condemnation.”
posted on 19 November 2003
Delivering the opening remarks at the Vincentian Millenium Partnership and Zacchaeus 2000 Trust's Economic Injustice Seminar in Westminster Hall, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, will say:
“ May I first say thank you for inviting me to be with you at the start of your conference today. I consider it a privilege to be among you, and I am pleased that you are among us, the diocese of Westminster. Looking at the extraordinary diversity of organisations represented here today, it feels a bit like a gathering of the clans. I sense something of a warrior spirit in the room. I suspect you mean it when you say “Fighting economic injustice”. I am reminded of the Duke of Wellington – surveying the battlefield at Waterloo and particularly the serried ranks of the Guards regiments he remarked “They may not frighten the enemy, but by God they frighten me!!”...
posted on 12 November 2003
In this moving meditation, Cardinal Cormac invites us to gaze on the human face of Christ, and finds there suffering and forgiveness, as well as God’s desire for each of us to grow in compassion, trust and love.
To order a copy of The Human Face of God, please send a cheque for £2.15 made out to 'Westminster Cathedral Ltd' for the attention of Sian Davies at The Public Affairs Office, Archbishop's House, Westminster, London SW1P 1QJ. These booklets are otherwise available at The Westminster Cathedral gift shop, the CTS bookshop and other Catholic bookshops throughout the Westminster Diocese.
posted on 07 November 2003
Commenting today (Friday 6th November) in advance of services across England and Wales on Remembrance Sunday, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales, said:
“ We must never forget the sacrifice that so many men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safeguard peace.
“ It is right for us to come together as a community to remember those who have died in the service of their country, both in the World wars and in conflicts since.
' We pray for those who have died and those who have served. We keep them and their families in our prayers.'
posted on 06 November 2003
“ Archbishop Michael Bowen enters a well earned retirement after many years of faithful and joyous service on behalf of the church. He has led by example and contributed enormously to the work of the Catholic Church, both nationally and in this southern corner of the country. For over thirty years he has served as a Bishop, first in Arundel and Brighton, my own former Diocese and for the past 26 years as Archbishop of Southwark...
posted on 28 October 2003
Reflecting on the Ad Limina visit to Rome of the English and Welsh Bishops, which included an audience with His Holiness Pope John Paul II in his Jubilee week, the Beatification of Mother Teresa and the elevation of Cardinal O'Brien, Archbishop of Edinburgh, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said.
' The eyes of the world have been on Rome over the past two weeks and from the events to mark the Holy Father's Jubilee, including the Beatification of Mother Teresa, to the consistory where Cardinal O'Brien received his red hat, there has been a real sense of joy, with the worldwide church coming together in celebration.
posted on 16 October 2003
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England & Wales and Archbishop of Westminster, led the Bishops of England & Wales in their tributes to Pope John Paul II on his Silver Jubilee today (Thursday). Speaking on Radio 4's Today Programme, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, said:
' His whole life and mission, as priest, bishop, pope, has been to communicate to people worldwide that you will only be free if you order your life by what is true. In season and out, he has waged a battle against the moral confusion of these times.'
posted on 13 October 2003
Speaking in advance of the five yearly 'Ad Limina' visit of the Bishops of England and Wales to Rome, where they will hold a series of meetings with His Holiness Pope John Paul II and Vatican officials and participate in the events to mark the Holy Father's 25th anniversary and the beatification of Mother Theresa, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, President of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said:
'I am delighted that the English and Welsh Bishops are making their regular five yearly visit to Rome at such an important time for the Catholic Church.
posted on 12 October 2003
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, will this weekend celebrate Mass at Stockholm Cathedral to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese of Stockholm. The Cardinal is representing His Holiness Pope John Paul II at the celebrations.
posted on 29 September 2003
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales has expressed his 'delight' at the appointment of Archbishop Keith O'Brien as Scotland's third post-reformation Cardinal. Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said:
“ I was delighted to hear the news that Archbishop O'Brien has been named as a Cardinal. He is a man of strong faith and this announcement is a recognition not only of his own many years of service but also of the standing of the Scottish Catholic Church.
'His appointment is good news for the church, in Scotland, and throughout these Islands and I look forward to working closely with Cardinal O'Brien in the years ahead.'
posted on 25 September 2003
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, will this evening (Friday 26th September) celebrate Mass to mark the launch of At Your Word, Lord, the programme of spiritual and personal renewal in the Diocese of Westminster. The Mass, which will take place at Wembley Arena, will involve 12,000 people from parishes across London and Hertfordshire and will be the largest Mass of its kind in London since the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1982.
posted on 25 September 2003
“ I am very happy to be with you today on the occasion of the Catholic Women of the Year celebration especially as it is your 35th birthday. So – first a special word of congratulation to your Chairman Angela and all those who are so generous with their time and energy on your, indeed on all our behalves...
posted on 24 September 2003
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has today released details of his itinerary for the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury to Rome. The Cardinal has invited the Archbishop of Canterbury to use his Titular Church in Rome, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, for Evensong on Saturday October 3rd and will be joining the Archbishop for his audience with His Holiness Pope John Paul II earlier that day.
posted on 23 September 2003
Extracts from the Cardinal's Lecture at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst
posted on 12 September 2003
Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor speaking at the Catholic Association for Racial Justice Congress today (Friday 12th September) called for a redoubling of efforts by the church and society to address the issue of institutional racism. The Cardinal said:
'As Christians and Catholics we have a special responsibility to work for the transformation of attitudes in our homes, our workplaces and in our communities which will render that term (institutional racism) an anachronism.
posted on 05 September 2003
'My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
'What we hear, what we say, and how we hear, how we speak, determine to a great extent what we do – and eventually make us what we are. It is crucial, as Christians, that each of us has an ear that is attuned to Christ’s ceaseless call to leave other things and to follow Him.
'I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Metropolitan Anthony. He was a man of deep prayer and great spirituality who guided and influenced many Christians within and beyond these islands.
Speaking following his return from the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster said:
'This year's Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes was a time of great joy with the 900 pilgrims sharing a journey towards a deeper understanding of their faith. This was particularly true of the 200 young people who joined us as volunteers to assist the sick and infirm. '
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor today (Monday 28th July) urged the government to use its influence in the international community to bring stability to Liberia. The Cardinal's call follows meetings between the Bishop's Conference for England and Wales and Archbishop Francis of Monrovia and the recent announcement that US warships are being sent to Liberia
Commenting on the story in the Sunday Telegraph today, 'Cardinal is cleared over claims of child abuse cover up', (Sunday 20th July), a spokesperson for Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said:
“ I have spoken briefly to the Cardinal, who is on his way to Lourdes as part of the annual Diocesan Pilgrimage. He was, of course, pleased to hear this confirmation from the CPS.
' Sussex Police informed us on Saturday afternoon of their decision.
' I am happy to confirm that Sussex Police did not, at any stage, contact the Cardinal in connection with their investigation into the original claims.'
Attending the Bright Lights Youth Festival, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said 'I see our young people as Leaders in our society. They are called not to swim with the current but to swim against it'
Commenting on the apology in the News of the World on Sunday 13th July, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said:
“In January the News of the World published a wholly false story regarding myself and Bishop Howard Tripp.
“At the time and before publication of this claim I informed the News of the World that their allegation was totally false and without foundation.
“I am glad that the News of the World have now finally admitted that their claim was untrue and I welcome the fact that they have apologised without reservation to both Bishop Tripp and myself.
“I am pleased therefore to accept this apology and the confirmation that their allegation had no basis in fact.”
Cardinal condemns 'macabre experimentation on aborted hunam foetuses' and calls for a full public debate on the ethics of embryo research.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, has today (Friday 4th July) called on the Catholic Community to remember the unborn in their prayers this Sunday, the Day of Prayer for Human Life
'The Church draws her life from Christ in the Eucharist; by him she is fed and by him she is enlightened.'
(Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Introduction, Section 6)
Speaking following the National Vocations Forum on Saturday (28th June 2003), Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor highlighted the words of Pope John Paul II in his most recent encyclical 'Ecclesia de Eucharistia' (17th April 2003) where he states: 'The Church draws her life from Christ in the Eucharist; by him she is fed and by him she is enlightened.' (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Introduction, Section 6)
The maritime industry today (Wednesday) celebrated the relaunch of the 81-year-old Catholic seafarers' charity Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor
A century of growth built on the firmest foundations
Speaking following the mass to mark the centenary of the death of Cardinal Vaughan, which was celebrated at Mill Hill on Thursday 19th June 2003, and in advance of this Thursday's memorial mass in Westminster Cathedral, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, said:
“At heart Cardinal Vaughan was a missionary. He lived to spread the Word of God, and throughout his life he built many of the strong foundations that support so much of our work and make the Catholic Church the diverse and vibrant community it is today.
Speaking following Sunday’s Ordination to the Diaconate of two Westminster seminarians, Philip Dyer-Perry and Michael Dunne, the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has highlighted the importance of the
At Your Word, Lord Diocesan renewal programme as a means of promoting and encouraging future vocations to the Priesthood.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, will today (Wednesday 11th June) present the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust’s Building of the Year Awards 2003. The Cardinal will use his remarks to call for a greater awareness of the way building design impacts on the spirit and identity of a city and its citizens.
Speaking following yesterday’s mass for the young people of Westminster Diocese, the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, said:
' I was delighted that 400 young people from across Westminster Diocese were able to join me for our celebration mass for the Feast of Pentecost in the Cathedral on Sunday evening.
“ This was the first of a series of masses for young adults that we will be holding and I was honoured to witness the enthusiasm and commitment of the many young people of our Diocese who were able to attend. Together we explored the glory of the Holy Spirit as he descended on the Apostles that day and called for the same inspiration to fill us and guide us in our own daily lives.
“ The service, and our discussions afterwards in Cathedral Hall, showed clearly the different ways these young people are guided by the Holy Spirit. They face the many and diverse challenges of modern society but do so with hope and a confidence that can only come from knowing the Living Christ.
“ The Catholic Church in Westminster Diocese is blessed by the Faith of its young people. May they continue to grow in strength and determination and, with all of us, gain an even deeper understanding of the mysteries of our Faith.”
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, has today urged the people and parishioners of his Diocese to find time this week to pray for peace and justice for the people of Zimbabwe. The Cardinal, who made the call following reports on the continuing tense situation in the country and a Government crackdown on opposition protests
Issued by:
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster
The Free Churches Moderator, Revd David Coffey.
The Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks
Shaikh Dr Zaki Badawi, Chairman of the Council of Mosques and Imams UK
Reverend Esme Beswick, Co-President of Churches Together in England
We have gathered against the backdrop of military action in Iraq involving British forces. They, their families and everyone caught up in this conflict are in our thoughts and prayers-especially those whose lives or loved ones have been lost.
As religious leaders from several faiths, we are here to signal the common ground on which we stand and to reaffirm the values we share at this time of tension, conflict and discord.
We pray that almighty God will grant wisdom, judgement and compassion to the political and military leaders who carry the immense burden of responsibility for the way this war is prosecuted.
Respect for every human being in times of armed conflict, as set out in the Geneva conventions and protocols, must be guaranteed on all sides. The rights and needs of civilians innocently affected by the conflict must be fully protected.
This is a conflict neither about religion nor between religions. We completely reject any attempt to misrepresent it in this way. As Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders in this country, we believe that it is vital, amid so much uncertainty and turmoil, to resist any attempt to drive our communities apart.
We commend the continuing efforts being made in Britain to build a society in which different faith communities can flourish side-by-side in mutual respect and harmony.
We urge all communities to maintain their commitment to this goal, at a time when it may come under strain. We commit ourselves fully to strive to that end, for the sake of our shared well-being and as a mark of our commitment to a more harmonious, less conflict-ridden world.
Although, sadly, the diplomatic road is currently blocked, military action can only be a limited means to an end. We pray that early efforts to achieve a just, lasting and secure peace both in Iraq and throughout the Middle East may follow swiftly in the footsteps of war. We urge those with the power to help make real this vision, to remain true, amid the clamour of conflict, to that noble and vital purpose.
It is a vision which we commend in the confident belief that by so doing we are acting in the true interests of our God given humanity.
A Statement on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales from the Chairman of the Bishops' Department of International Affairs
The Iraq Crisis<
It seems efforts to find a peaceful diplomatic solution to the Iraq crisis have not succeeded and military action is now imminent. The arguments surrounding the use of force have been discussed exhaustively and profound disagreements remain among people of good will as to the right course of action. Yet it is important at this time of great fear and tension to look at what brings us together â€' our common humanity and our shared faith. Whatever our beliefs about the crisis, praying together is our first duty. This is an expression of our faith, and is a true act of service. We pray all those caught up in the horror of war, above all the innocent civilians of Iraq, will be touched by God's mercy. We pray for our leaders that they will recognise that reconciliation and justice are the only grounds for true and lasting peace. We must show our solidarity with those most affected by the consequences of military action, whether they be members of the armed forces and their families, or those groups in this country who might be the victims of prejudice.
Finally, in the midst of preparation for war we remember our true vocation is to be builders of peace: in other words that tranquillity of order - based on truth, justice, freedom and love - to which the Gospel calls us.
posted on 20 February 2003
Following a recent private meeting, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Cormac Murphy-O'Connor and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, have issued the following statement concerning Iraq.
War is always a deeply disturbing prospect; one that can never be contemplated without a sense of failure and regret that other means have not prevailed, and deep disquiet about all that may come in its train.
posted on 03 February 2003
DIOCESE MOURNS THE DEATH OF AUXILIARY BISHOP, THE RT REV PHILIP HARVEY (1915 - 2003)
Bishop Harvey - 'gave enormous service to the Diocese'
Bishop Philip Harvey, auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, died on Sunday 2nd February 2003 after a long illness. He was born on 6th March 1915 in Richmond, Surrey, one of three children of William and Elizabeth Harvey.
posted on 20 January 2003
The Cardinal's tough stand on abuse - Murphy-O'Connor warns bishops.
Britain is a pagan society, says Cardinal - The Roman Catholic leader says he believes the Church can survive its crisis.
A good and honest man - Editorial Comment
posted on 12 January 2003
Cardinal to file formal complaint with Press Complaints Commission
The claim made in the News of the World today that Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor through an intermediary, Bishop Howard Tripp, offered Michael Hill, a prisoner in Belmarsh Prison, a £50,000 bribe to keep silent and disappear after he is eventually released from prison is totally false and without foundation whatsoever. This was made clear to the newspaper concerned prior to publication.
Prison visiting is an important part of the ministry of the Catholic Church in this country. Bishop Tripp has made pastoral visits to prisons in the Archdiocese of Southwark, including Belmarsh Prison, for over twenty years. No conversation as recorded in the News of the World has ever taken place between Bishop Tripp, in the carrying out of his pastoral duties, and Michael Hill.
The decision to print such a fabricated and defamatory story leaves the Cardinal and Bishop Tripp no alternative but to file a formal complaint with the Press Complaints Commission.
posted on 06 January 2003
Pope John Paul II has appointed two new auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Westminster.
The new Bishops are Fr. Bernard Longley, an expert in ecumenism and currently an Assistant General Secretary at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. The second appointment is Fr Alan Hopes, an Anglican convert who was received into the Catholic Church as recently as 1994 and who was appointed Vicar General in the Westminster Diocese by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor in 2001.
posted on 05 December 2002
The transcript of Jeremy Paxman's interview with the Cardinal on BBC2's Newsnight programme.
posted on 15 November 2002
The statement agreed by the plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales the week of 11 November.
posted on 24 September 2002
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor initially responded to the Government's Dossier on Iraq's Weapons of mass Destruction saying:
'Along with my fellow Catholic bishops in England and Wales I welcome the publication of the Government's dossier. We will be listening carefully to the debate in Parliament today. We will study the dossier carefully and listen both to the public's reaction, and that of the Catholic community, before responding.
'I warmly welcome the appointment of Rowan Williams to succeed George Carey as Archbishop of Canterbury.' says Cardinal...
It was announced today that the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has appointed Bishop Arthur Roche, presently an Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, as Coadjutor Bishop of Leeds with right of succession to the present Ordinary, Bishop David Konstant.
On hearing of the death of the Duke of Norfolk, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said:
'It was with the greatest sadness that I learnt of the death of Miles, Duke of Norfolk. He was a true Christian gentleman in the real sense of those words. His faith permeated his whole life and he was extraordinarily generous in the time and effort he gave to charitable work.
The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has spoken out about the Church's obligation to act justly and to love tenderly when dealing with refugees.
To mark Refugee Week, which begins on Sunday 16 June, a letter has issued to all priests of the Westminster Diocese encouraging them to ensure that the pastoral needs of refugees living in parishes in the diocese are met generously, and with a commitment that reflects the Gospel.
The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, has endorsed a new initiative to encourage Christians to play their role in the political life of our nation, saying:
I am delighted to endorse the Christians in Politics initiative. Our faith can never be a private affair. God's call to each one of us is a call into the fullness of our humanity, into a life of love. That means, at least in part, a life of service to our fellow human beings. Whatever our individual gifts, and whatever our vocation, each one of us has so much to give.
Like you I hope that people of Christian faith, as well as other faiths, will consider very seriously whether they have a calling to a life of service within our democratic political system.
Like any system it needs people of the highest integrity and ideals to bring to fruition the principles on which it is based - principles of fairness, freedom, mutual respect, democratic accountability.
As Christians we can and do make a difference in our society. We are a force for the common good. Standing for elected office is a brave and potentially deeply rewarding way to live out the Christian calling and, in the process, to underline the value of politics to the well being of our society.
The text of the personal covenant signed by the four presidents of Churches Together in England; the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey; the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor; the Revd Tony Burnham, Moderator of the Free Churches Group and the Revd Esme Beswick, representing the smaller churches.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, President of the Catholic Bishops'Conference of England and Wales, today condemned the escalation of violence in the Middle East and called on political leaders to help bring about peace.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, President of the Catholic Bishops'Conference of England and Wales, today condemned the escalation of violence in the Middle East and called on political leaders to help bring about peace...
On hearing of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said:
'The whole nation and beyond will mourn a great and gracious lady. The Queen Mother bore the virtues so beloved by the British people of courage and steadfastness, and especially throughout the Second World War in her role as Queen Consort. She will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathy and prayers, and those of the whole Catholic community, are with Her Majesty the Queen and all the royal family. I will be offering Mass for the repose of her soul.'
The transcript of the interview with John Humphries covering the Middle East, Iraq, Child Protection and the Church.
The transcript of the Today Programme interview with John Humphries and the Cardinal covering the situation in the Middle East, Faith Schools and the Present State of the church.
Comedian Frank Skinner today presented a cheque for £125,000 to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, President of the Catholic Children's Society (Westminster). The cheque is the result of Frank Skinner's winning partnership with fellow comedian David Baddiel on the Boxing Day 2001 Celebrity edition of 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire'.
Reacting to news of the murder of Archbishop Isias Duarte Cancino, Archbishop of Cali, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said:
'I was deeply and profoundly shocked to hear of the brutal murder of my fellow Archbishop Isias Duarte Cancino outside the Cathedral ...
posted on 09 February 2002
The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, has written to The Queen to express his sadness and deepest sympathy at the death of her sister, Princess Margaret. His thoughts and prayers and those of the whole Catholic community are with all the members of the Royal Family and especially Viscount Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto at this very sad time.
posted on 04 February 2002
Following the appointment of Oxford-educated child protection specialist Eileen Shearer to oversee the Catholic Church's child protection policy in England and Wales, the Catholic Diocese of Westminster under the leadership of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has appointed another seasoned professional, former Detective Inspector Peter Turner, to the new post of Child Protection Officer for the Diocese.
posted on 29 January 2002
Commenting on Lord Lester of Herne Hill's civil partnership bill, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said:
'Good marriages and strong family life must both be at the heart of any healthy society. The witness of faithful married couples in our society is vital to the common good and resilient marriages are crucial in providing the best possible upbringing for our children.
'Marriage is based on the public promise of mutual obligation between husband and wife, with the aim of a life-long commitment to each other and to their children. Our society should acknowledge on the basis of experience that co-habitation, notwithstanding any legal definition, may and frequently does involve a dilution of that life-long commitment and the obligation to provide a stable long-term basis for the healthy development of any children in that relationship.
'Clearly we all need to study in detail the possible consequences of civil partnerships but I would be deeply concerned about any proposal that might appear to undermine in any way the status of marriage. No society can afford to neglect the health of the family.
'I hope this paper will stimulate a soul-searching debate throughout our society on the vital importance of the place of marriage and on parental commitment to children. We need also to examine wider structural and cultural influences which may contribute to an undermining of the sanctity of marriage and of the efforts of individual families to stay together.'
posted on 28 January 2002
Tim Livesey joins Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor's team of personal staff coming to Archbishop's House on loan from the Foreign Office where he has worked since 1987. Following postings in Morocco, Nigeria and Paris, where he was head of Press and Public Affairs, Tim has spent the last eighteen months on secondment to the Downing St Press Office.
Aged 42 he is married with five children.
posted on 14 January 2002
The Catholic Church in England and Wales today announces the appointment of a senior child protection specialist to oversee a national strategy for child protection.
Oxford-educated Eileen Shearer has been appointed after a thorough and exhaustive search for a high calibre specialist in this field.
posted on 08 January 2002
On hearing the news that Dr George Carey will retire as Archbishop of Canterbury later in the year, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said:
'Archbishop George Carey and I are good friends and I have appreciated very much our collaboration in ecumenical endeavour...
posted on 13 December 2001
Speaking at a breakfast seminar at No. 11 Downing Street to unveil a new Government paper on domestic child poverty, heralded in the Chancellor's pre-budget statement, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, welcomed the published document.
posted on 26 November 2001
On hearing of the creation of the first human embryo clone in the USA, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said:
'I am very saddened by this grave development. I am not against scientific research but it must always be done in an ethical context. I believe there are grave dangers for our society if we allow the cloning of human embryos. This first step on a downward spiral may seem very clever, but is it really wise?'
posted on 26 November 2001
On hearing of the death of Mrs Mary Whitehouse, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said:
'Mary Whitehouse was an outstanding figure who ceaselessly championed for public morals. She is to be particularly esteemed for her campaign against indecency in many aspects of the Media and it is entirely right that the Media should be challenged in this way. She cared deeply about family values in society and most people were glad of her uncompromising stance.'
posted on 23 November 2001
The transcript of the Today Programme interview with the Cardinal and Sarah Montague
posted on 16 November 2001
At their November meeting, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales discussed at length the current situation in Afghanistan. Their reflection paper is offered primarily to the Catholics of England and Wales, with the hope that it will be of use to our political leaders, and deserve the attention of the Muslim communities in our countries.
posted on 08 October 2001
Speaking on behalf of Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and the other Catholic bishops of these countries, Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool, Vice-President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, met the Prime Minister this afternoon with other religious leaders. Following the meeting, the Archbishop said:
'At today's meeting, we recalled the events of 11 September and their continuing legacy of grief and confusion. There must be unqualified condemnation of the evil deeds of that day. I am grateful that many people have clearly stated that Islam is not our enemy. Conscious of the restraint which has been shown in the past three weeks by the international community, I have found a sense of worry and fear, especially among young people, when the talk is of war.
posted on 05 October 2001
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor and Bishop Malcolm McMahon OP (Bishop of Nottingham) are the representatives from England and Wales at the aforementioned international meeting, which is on 'The bishop: servant of the gospel of Jesus Christ for the hope of the world'.
posted on 20 September 2001
The transcript of the Today Programme Interview with sue McGregor, the Cardinal and dr Badawi.
posted on 17 September 2001
On the publication of the final report by Lord Nolan's independent Review on Child Protection, 'A Programme for Action', Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said:
'I and my fellow bishops are most grateful to Lord Nolan and his independent, voluntary committee, and I would like to take this opportunity of passing on to them our warmest thanks for their reports.
'The First Report was considered by the bishops at our Low Week meeting and all the recommendations were unanimously accepted. This Final Report, published today, is clearly a thorough and comprehensive document and will be discussed by the bishops at our November meeting.
'It is the aim of all of us that the Catholic Church in England and Wales will come to be seen as an example of best practice in the prevention of child abuse, and in responding to it.'
The Cardinal asked Lord Nolan to chair the independent review in summer 2000. After the review's First Report was published in April, the Catholic bishops agreed to implement its recommendations in full, and asked Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Birmingham to chair an implementation team to begin work immediately on implementing those recommendations requiring action at national level. The bishops' next meeting is 12-15 November in Leeds.
posted on 12 September 2001
Today (12th September 2001) at 5.30pm, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, is offering Mass and prayers in Westminster Cathedral for the many victims and all those affected by yesterday's horrific and tragic events in the United States.
In his sermon the Cardinal said that 'Terrorism is a wicked thing. Acts of terrorism are crimes against our common humanity. Such violence creates not justice but greater injustice, further violence and hatred.'
posted on 11 September 2001
On hearing of the disasters in New York and Washington, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, said:
'These tragic events in New York and Washington have shocked us all. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the dead and injured.
'I am asking that we remember in our prayers all those who have died, those who were injured, and those who are grieving, as well as those who have been left to cope with the aftermath.'
On hearing of the death of Cardinal Thomas Winning, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said:
'I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Cardinal Thomas Winning. He was an outstanding leader of the church in Scotland and beyond. His humour, dedication, utter loyalty, and unstinting defence of the Catholic Church will long be remembered.
On the news that Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue, titular Bishop of Tulana, has been appointed the new Bishop of Lancaster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, said:
'I welcome the appointment of Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue as the next Bishop of Lancaster. He will be greatly missed in the Archdiocese of Westminster but we wish him well.
Today at All Saints Pastoral Centre and tomorrow in Westminster Cathedral Hall, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor will meet with clergy to announce a major new development in the Diocese of Westminster.
The principal change will be the gradual replacement of the five geographical areas with four key areas of responsibility, each one under the supervision of a different auxiliary bishop. These areas are as follows:
• Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations (Bishop James O'Brien)
• Clergy and Consecrated Life (Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue)
• Education and Formation (Bishop George Stack)
• Pastoral Affairs (Bishop Arthur Roche)
Today at All Saints Pastoral Centre and tomorrow in Westminster Cathedral Hall, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor will meet with clergy to announce a major new development in the Diocese of Westminster.
The principal change will be the gradual replacement of the five geographical areas with four key areas of responsibility, each one under the supervision of a different auxiliary bishop. These areas are as follows:
• Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations (Bishop James O'Brien)
• Clergy and Consecrated Life (Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue)
• Education and Formation (Bishop George Stack)
• Pastoral Affairs (Bishop Arthur Roche)
On the publication of the new magazine, 'married life', a guide to couples considering married, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, the Archbishop of Westminster, said:
'I welcome the publication of the magazine, married life.
On the publication today of the First Report of the independent Review on Child Protection in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, chaired by Lord Nolan, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said:
'I am extremely grateful to Lord Nolan and his committee for their extremely constructive and helpful independent report, which will form a major item for discussion by all the bishops of England and Wales at our meeting next week. I would also like to thank all those who have contributed to the work of the Review in their submissions.
'We are committed to ensuring the Catholic Church becomes the safest place for children, and I am sure that this First Report, and the ongoing work of the Review, will help us to achieve this.'
The Bishops' Conference of England and Wales meets in London from 23 to 27 April. The customary news conference is expected to take place on 27 April. Further details on this will be sent out on 26 April.
The Cardinal asked Lord Nolan to chair the independent Review in summer 2000. The Review's Final Report is expected in summer 2001.
posted on 28 September 2000
Archbishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor made the following comment in response to the announcement made today by Laurence Oates, the Official Solicitor, that he would not appeal the Court of Appeal's decision to the House of Lords:
'I can well understand that the parents of Mary and Jodie feel unable to continue what has become an arduous and protracted legal process, and one which they did not initiate. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their two children at this difficult time.'
posted on 14 September 2000
A submission by Archbishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor to the Court of Appeal in the case of Central Manchester Healthcare Trust -v- Mr and Mrs A and re A Child...
posted on 12 September 2000
Last month I invited Lord Nolan to chair a Review Committee to examine arrangements made for child protection and the prevention of abuse within the Catholic Church in England and Wales. He very kindly agreed to do this. As an introduction to today's proceedings, I wish to say something about the background and the reasons for establishing such a committee.
posted on 12 September 2000
Last month I invited Lord Nolan to chair a Review Committee to examine arrangements made for child protection and the prevention of abuse within the Catholic Church in England and Wales. He very kindly agreed to do this. As an introduction to today's proceedings, I wish to say something about the background and the reasons for establishing such a committee.
Child abuse, whatever form it takes whether physical, sexual or emotional, is an evil to be utterly condemned. It often leaves deep and life-long scars on its victims and on their families. Our hearts go out in compassion to those who are the victims of child abuse.
posted on 01 January 1900
In a major lecture reflecting on his ministry as Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor sets out his vision of the Catholic Church in Britain today.
The lecture “Gaudium et Spes (Joy and Hope ) - The Shape of the Church : Past, Present and to Come..” looks at how the Church has responded to the various challenges since the restoration of the Hierarchy 150 years ago.
posted on 01 January 1900
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has emphasised the fundamantal importance of the family to human society.
posted on 01 January 1900
In his Christmas homily, the Archbishop of Westminster has said that the key to a peaceful Middle East is peace in the Holy Land, and has asked for a ‘conversion of heart’ of everyone involved in the conflict in Israel and Palestine.