Underlying these five priorities is the call in Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte (At the Beginning of the Third Millennium) to mission and communion. The two are closely related: if we are to evangelise, namely, to witness to Christ in word and deed, then we need above all to be in communion with each other in the Spirit of Christ. It means that we think about each other as brothers and sisters in faith. At every level of diocesan life there needs to be a spirituality of communion, such that we acknowledge the diversity of gifts and vocations within the Diocese, and encourage everyone to assume an active responsibility in the Church’s life.

“Let us go forward in hope!” These are the words which end Pope John Paul II’s millennium letter. In the coming months I will set out in more detail how each of the five priorities in the ‘White Paper’ is to be implemented. But the real responsibility for fulfilling this plan lies with you, the People of God in Westminster. It is my fervent hope and prayer that all of us in the Diocese will move forward confidently into the next stage of our journey. We know that this is not our effort alone. The grace of God, and the assurance of His presence amongst us, are our strength.