Category: catholic

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The Kingdom of God is very near to you! – Pope Benedict XVI

Michael McFarland Campbell

In case you have missed the words of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at Mass for the Feast of St Ninian in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow today, here is the text of his homily: Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, “The Kingdom of God is very near to you!” (Lk 10:9). With these words of the Gospel we have just heard, I greet all of you with great affection in the Lord. Truly the Lord’s Kingdom is already in our midst! At this Eucharistic celebration in which the Church in Scotland gathers around the altar in union with the Successor of … Continue reading The Kingdom of God is very near to you! – Pope Benedict XVI

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catholic, London, news1 Comment

pro-Pope letter to the Guardian

Michael McFarland Campbell

Following the letter to the Guardian signed by Stephen Fry and others, Laurence England is seeking signatures to the letter below… We, the undersigned, welcome His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI to the UK as both Head of State of the Holy See and as leader of the World’s one billion Catholics and to the Catholic community of the United Kingdom. We believe that his presence in our country comes at an urgent and pressing time, highlighting the trends in our country that serve only to denigrate human rights and human dignity. We support him wholeheartedly because in guarding the Deposit … Continue reading pro-Pope letter to the Guardian

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Art, catholic, Our LadyLeave a comment

England: our Lady’s dowry – a lesson from Richard Ⅱ

Michael McFarland Campbell

The religious reformations of the ⅩⅥ and ⅩⅦ centuries led to the wholesale destruction of virtually all Christian paintings and sculpture in England, Wales, and Scotland. Fragments remain and one or two pieces. IT is all the more remarkable then that one of the pieces remaining is the exceptional painting known as the Wilton Diptych. Probably commissioned for King Richard Ⅱ or perhaps for his Queen (and now in the National Gallery, London) it shows on one panel Our Lady and the Christ Child surrounded by the glory of angels and on the other, King Richard kneeling in homage accompanied … Continue reading England: our Lady’s dowry – a lesson from Richard Ⅱ

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catholic, Health, John Henry Newman, sufferingLeave a comment

Tears at Night, Joy at Dawn

Michael McFarland Campbell

One of my favourite pieces of music, which I first listened to on a trip home from London when I also read the book, Tears at Night, Joy at Dawn: Diary of a dying seminarian by Andrew Robinson of the Birmingham Archdiocese. I remember very well his mentions of the prayers for the canonisation of John Henry Newman. Let’s hope that Andrew is enjoying the beatific vision along with Cardinal Newman. Continue reading Tears at Night, Joy at Dawn

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Birmingham, catholic, christian, John Henry Newman, news, Our Lady, Oxford3 Comments

State Visit of Sovereign Pontiff to UK: truly an historic opportunity not to be missed

Michael McFarland Campbell

This week sees a truly historic event taking place in the United Kingdom. For the first time since long before the Reformation National Apostasy, the Sovereign Pontiff will beatify an Englishman who is not a martyr. The Englishman in question is The Venerable (soon to be The Blessed) John Henry, Cardinal Newman, Cong. Orat.. For reference, the last Englishman so canonised was St Thomas of Hereford, canonised by John XXII in 1320. The election of His Eminence Joseph, Cardinal Ratzinger (as he then was) as Pope Benedict ⅩⅥ was met with great rejoicing in the Oxford Oratory. Little did we … Continue reading State Visit of Sovereign Pontiff to UK: truly an historic opportunity not to be missed

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Birmingham, catholic, christian, John Henry Newman1 Comment

catholic herald apologises for ‘gypsy’ slur

Michael McFarland Campbell

Readers will remember my disgust at the use of the term ‘gypsy’ in the online article of the Catholic Herald late last month concerning travellers who were encamped near Birmingham in preparation for the visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI during which His Holiness will beatify The Venerable John Henry, Cardinal Newman, Cong. Orat.. Yesterday evening, I received the following response from the editor, Dear Mr Carchrie Campbell, Thanks for your email of August 27 and apologies for your slow reply. I’m not sure how the word “gypsy” got into the online report as we have long used the … Continue reading catholic herald apologises for ‘gypsy’ slur

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Art, catholic, christian, martyrs, Oxford, St Lawrence, sufferingLeave a comment

oxford shows off 16th century ‘video nasty’

Michael McFarland Campbell

I was fortunate to be on a guided tour of the Christ Church Picture Gallery, where my good friend John Whitehead was on duty, yesterday afternoon. Although it was free, and there were plenty of tourists in the city as a result of  St Giles’ Fair, I was the only person on the tour. This made for a very interesting afternoon, hearing about all sorts of paintings, and seeing some particularly gruesome images. Continue reading “oxford shows off 16th century ‘video nasty’”

Belfast, catholic, charitable, christian, gay, news, Northern Ireland life, politics, suffering1 Comment

love between two persons… is to be treasured and respected

Michael McFarland Campbell
The word ‘love’ must never be thought of as synonymous with the word ‘sex’. Love can take many forms…love between two persons, whether of the same sex or of a different sex, is to be treasured and respected. - Dom Basil, Cardinal Hume 1923 - 1999

It’s funny what you find on the internet about yourself…

This morning when I was surfing, I found two disturbing threads on two particularly disturbing forums. One was really a repost of the other.

To quote someone hiding behind the name of “Credo”, on one of the sites

and

the full text of the posts can be found here…

and also on this site posted by someone called Seosamh here… (warning only click if you really want to – it does not make for pleasant reading) Continue reading “love between two persons… is to be treasured and respected”

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irish families travelled to see Pope already

Michael McFarland Campbell

Next month, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will make an historic state visit to the United Kingdom. Reports abound that the visit will be undersubscribed. However several families from Ireland have travelled to Birmingham to be close to the Beatification. These families have set up a camp near to the site and are from the Irish Traveller community. Continue reading “irish families travelled to see Pope already”