Wonder and Adoration: the Synod

Pope Francis in his homily on the feast of Corpus Christi, said “We need to break out of our tiny self-enclosed space and enter the large room, the vast expanse of wonder and adoration. That is what we really need! It is what is missing in the many movements we create to meet and reflect together on our pastoral outreach.” 

In an off-the-cuff remark, Pope Francis added “If wonder and adoration are lacking, there is no road that leads to the Lord. Nor will there be the synod, nothing…”

A musical treat in Truro to end the G7 week

Truro locals were treated to a rare lockdown treat on Saturday when the Cathedral Choir performed to a capacity (socially distanced) crowd in the Cathedral.

Along with an eclectic mix of pieces designed to represent all the G7 countries and ranging from Allegri’s Miserere to Shenondoah, the performance included Gee7 the song written specially for the Cathedral Choir by Sir Tim Rice as well as music by Cornwall’s own Russell Pascoe, who both attended the concert.

It was a strange experience to be once again in a large public indoor event, but a good time was had by all.

CAFOD G7 interfaith live event at Truro Cathedral

On Thursday 10th June, the eve of the G7 conference, CAFOD hosted an interfaith event, notable for being held live in Truro Cathedral as well as being attended online by perhaps a thousand others.  It was also well-supported by our local community, who found it refreshing to be able to meet again in person!

It’s purpose was to encourage us as well was the G7 conference,  to reflect on how we can build ‘a better world after the pandemic’; and to consider not only the challenges of the pandemic, but the climate emergency and how we as people of faith have a responsibility not only to respond to these challenges as individuals, but to make our leaders accountable for addressing them.

There were many diverse speakers both live and virtual. These included a Jewish leader, a Sikh, a Buddhist, a Moslem and a member of an indigenous population. Many spoke eloquently of the challenges that we should be tackling. Several of us were struck particularly by the message from the indigenous populations who have lived in harmony with the environment for centuries but are among the first world communities to feel the effects of climate change.

Bishop Mark addressed the G7 leaders directly, welcoming them to our ‘beautiful part of the world” he spoke very clearly and effectively giving an upbeat end to the event. 

(Reporting by Maggie McWilliams)

You can watch the interfaith event in full on Youtube here

“Building a better World after the Pandemic”

Truro Cathedral Interfaith Event: Thursday 10 June, 7pm

People from different faith communities are gathering together at Truro Cathedral as well as online, in an act of witness on the eve of the G7 Conference taking place here in Cornwall.

The G7 summit will see heads of government from seven of the world’s richest countries travel to Cornwall and discuss how the world can rebuild after the coronavirus pandemic.

This event will be addressed by various speakers, including Bishop Mark O’Toole, a speaker from the Vatican and representatives of faith groups, in the UK and from communities overseas on the need for the G7 leaders to put plans in place for a global and green recovery from the pandemic which leaves no one behind.

The event is being organised by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Tearfund, World Vision, Islamic Relief and Faith for the Climate Network.

You can book your online place here for the G7 interfaith event – Building a better world after the pandemic | CAFOD

Wave of Hope in Truro

A Wave of Hope banner has now been put up at Our Lady of the Portal Church, overlooking the street and opposite the Halfords store just off Trafalgar roundabout. Hands for the banner were made by various parishioners, young and old!

A Waving Hand has also been sent to join those of other churches and faith organisations at Carbis Bay, near where the G7 Conference sessions will be held.

World Environment Day: 5 June

5 June: Prayer in the Park

Readers are invited to join in an ecumenical day of prayer in local green spaces on World Environment Day on 5 June, a few days before the G7 leaders meet here in Cornwall. Here is a prayer resource to use on that day from Tearfund

6 June: CTC Environment Service

Churches Together in Cornwall will be hosting this live on-line at 6pm. via zoom or on Facebook, or catch up later on Facebook and YouTube.  Links can be found on the CTC website here .

The Synod: coming to a church near you?

Pope Francis this week  pressed the fast-forward button on synodality in the Church, by dramatically shaking up the process for the next Synod of Bishops – on the subject of synodality itself.

This was originally scheduled as a three-week gathering of bishops in Rome in October next year. But Pope Francis has decreed that from October this year, for the first time, in every diocese around the world, bishop, priests and ordinary people must start a process of dialogue and consultation culminating in an international synod in Rome now planned in October 2023.

Pope Francis has consistently taught that “to walk together is the constitutive way of the Church; … the condition for following the Lord Jesus and being servants of life in this wounded time.” This new development is the latest in a series of steps by the Pope, but the most significant to date: “This marks a watershed in the Pope’s search for a more synodal Church, in which people, priests and bishops “walk together” in mission.” says the Tablet.

There is little doubt of the importance of this for the future of our church, with the Pope declaring: “The lived and enduring experience of synodality is, for the People of God, a source of the joy promised by Jesus, a catalyst of new life, the springboard for a new phase of missionary commitment.”

We look forward with interest to how this process will play out in our diocese.

English Bishop to lead Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship

Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Arthur Roche as Prefect of the Holy See’s department for liturgy (CDW), making him the highest ranking English priest in the Vatican Curia. His appointment is widely seen as an overhaul of the office which oversees the practice of worship across the global Church.

The former Bishop of Leeds was born in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, England. He served as general secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales in 1996, and auxiliary bishop of Westminster from 2001, before becoming bishop of Leeds, his home diocese. He was called to Rome in 2012 to be secretary of the CDW and now succeeds Cardinal Robert Sarah.

Sources say that the English archbishop developed a good working relationship with Pope Francis, because of his ability at navigating difficult situations as well as his loyalty and commitment to the Second Vatican Council.

As Prefect of the congregation, he may be expected to be made cardinal at the next consistory as all his predecessors have been.