to the British Isles 16-19 September 2010

by Bishop Terry Drainey

“The Pope has got to address the state of the Catholic Church in the British Isles.”
It is said that less people than expected will attend the events during the Papal Visit.”
The Pope comes to Britain under the shadow of the clerical child abuse scandals; he has got to speak on this issue.”
He is out of step with the vast majority of Catholics in these Islands.”

Thus proclaimed the British media especially the BBC and Channel 4. For six months every time the BBC mentioned the word “Pope”, it made sure that it connected “clerical child abuse” to the name.

I think it was Clifford Longley in “Thought for the Day” in the week running up to the Visit who said that the problem with the British Media was that they did not really understand the nature of the Papal Visit, the position of the Pope or the feelings of the majority of Catholics in our Islands and so they were at a loss as to what to say and how to pre-judge it. They were out of their depth. The mixing of the two elements of the Catholic Community and the person of Pope Benedict XVI was like a chemical reaction; it could fizzle out, create a warm glow or explode like a firework display. They would have to wait and see. Though in the end most of them were won over and reported the events in full and spectacularly well. (What a first – the BBC broadcast five minutes of contemplative silence with all cameras focused on the Blessed Sacrament!)

There were two sides to this Papal Journey, the State Visit and the Pastoral Visit. It has to be said that our state institutions offered the highest, most respectful and well-planned welcome to the Holy Father. Her Majesty, the Queen, together with the Duke of Edinburgh, could not have done more and bestowed upon Pope Benedict the most gracious of welcomes. Our Government and the various ministers and officers concerned could not have been more professional and efficient. It should be added that the same sentiments must also describe the initiative and enterprise of the secretariats and organising committees of the Bishops’ Conferences of England, Scotland and Wales and “Team Vatican”.

I was present practically at everything starting off in Scotland and moving to Westminster and Birmingham. As I travelled from place to place four words kept on occurring to me to describe the scene – exuberant, vibrant, reflective and prayerful. There was no doubt that the Catholic community was overjoyed to welcome the Holy Father to these Islands. All of us, I think, could feel our faith being strengthened, our hearts being warmed, and our hope renewed. There was plenty of cheering, much chanting of “Benedetto”, joyful hymn singing, and the odd outburst of Mexican waves. Then at the right and just moment there was real reflective silence and prayerful peace as our Supreme Pastor on earth shared the Word of God with us and led us in Eucharistic worship.

The successor of St Peter came to confirm our faith, and in this context he also addressed those issues which rightfully demanded attention. He reminded each of us of our calling and through our young people, invited us to become saints. Turning to the wider community he highlighted for us the evils of relativism, aggressive secularism and of reducing everything to the purely utilitarian. In beatifying John Henry Newman, the Holy Father called to mind the fact that Newman came from a long tradition of saints and scholars nurtured in these Islands. He drew us together with our brothers and sisters of other faiths and denominations and especially he embraced the leaders of the Anglican Church.

I can remember watching the late night news the day on which we celebrated the Big Assembly in St Mary’s University College Twickenham (Friday 17th September). At the end of the proceedings the Pope went over to the choir and shook hands with a young lady. She was interviewed afterwards and was so obviously overjoyed that the Pope had shaken her hand. I feel similarly, and I suspect many of us do. The Holy Father came to visit us and embraced us all. He touched our lives and we are so grateful to Almighty God for the multitude of graces and blessings that have come our way as a result of the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. In his many speeches and sermons he has left us a wonderful legacy and an agenda for the future. As the Holy Father ended his sermon at Cofton Park on Sunday 19th September, so I end this reflection:

Praise to the Holiest in the Height
And in the depth be praised;
In all his words most wonderful,
Most sure in all his ways!