Distinguished visitor (2)

We also welcomed Cardinal Ivan Dias, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, who was in England for the Lambeth Conference where he spoke to the assembly. During his visit to London, I had the privilege of giving him a tour of the Cathedral which he certainly enjoyed. He seemed a most serene and gentle bishop. Cardinal Dias is a former Archbishop of Bombay (Mumbai). He is a renowned linguist, speaking many languages. In May this year, Pope Benedict appointed him to the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. He holds a number of Curial resposibilities.

Distinguished visitor (1)

We were honoured to receive a visit from the Governor-General of the Solomon Islands in July. Canon Tuckwell gave him a tour of the Cathedral. He is Sir Nathaniel Waena GCMG, GSI, KStJ and he called to see us with Lady Waena and members of his staff. He represents the Queen in a tropical paradise, a chain of a thousand islands in Melanesia, east of Papua New Guinea.

One last goodbye

The chaplains, under their new Administrator, have been hosting one or two farewell events recently. First Fr Dwayne, to wish him bon voyage to Ohio, then Fr Michael Seed - and this week, an evening in Drury Lane with Fr Mark Langham, to wish him godspeed to Rome. (Not the Theatre, you understand, but a jolly hostelry where you listen to live opera and a very handy string quartet.) Somebody had the foresight to order a cab to return us to Clergy House. Taking the Tube, we thought, might expose us to comment on the platform.

A memorable end to the summer party season. Now we go our separate ways...

Steps in the right direction

Work on the new steps at the entrance to the Cathedral is going ahead fast. Here's a view of the work from above. Many thanks to Simon Lloyd (Acting Precentor, last year's organ scholar) for this shot and earlier pictures of the interior scaffolding. I'm not quite sure how he got up there. In truth, I don't think I want to know.

The work is being done before our eyes and already the steps are looking very fine. But the Cathedral's Appeal for funding to pay for everything is as urgent as ever...

A great many specialist services are required to make this radical modification to the exterior.
The work which fulfills the legal requirement for wheelchair access has taken years in the planning. One day, we'll ask Fr Mark how many meetings he attended over recent years before the final plans were given the go-ahead. Everyone from Westminster City Council and the Victorian Society to the Local Residents Association will have had strong views.

A high level of craftsmanship is required of the stonemasons. One of them told me the new steps are made of Cornish granite. The same stone exactly as the Cathedral's High Altar.

A Franciscan cake

Cardinal Cormac has such an unrelenting schedule that he missed the start of our farewell lunch for Fr Michael Seed SA. The Cardinal made a little speech thanking Michael for all his years at the Cathedral and his ecumenical work for the Church. A fine cake appeared, decorated by Sister Mericia of Clergy House with the Franciscan 'Tao'. We watched in thoughtful silence as the good friar made the first incision. It was not - although it could have been - a Seed Cake.

Laughter in the Base Court

L to R: (back) Mr. Oliver Brett, (organ scholar), Sister Bridget, Mr. Martin Hambulo (Intern) Canon Christopher Tuckwell (Administrator), Mgr Mark Langham (outgoing Administrator) perhaps the most outgoing in recent memory, Fr Denis Sarsfield. Front: Fr Michael Archer, Fr Michael Seed (also outgoing), Fr Michael Durand, Fr Michael Marchlewski SJ., USA, (on his customary summer 'supply' at Clergy House), Sister Clement (Archbishop's House), Bp George Stack, Bishop of Gemellae in Numidia, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and himself a former Administrator.

To the trained eye, Sunday lunch is clearly in the offing. There may even be one or two contemplating a second sherry. My steady hand on the camera suggests that I have yet to have my first.

Cardinal Manning's birthday

Tuesday is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Cardinal Manning, the second archbishop of Westminster. After each Mass we will be going to his tomb in the crypt to say a prayer.

I will not perturbate Thy Paradisal state With praise Of thy dead days; To the new-heavened say, -"Spirit, thou wert fine clay:" This do,Thy praise who knew.

Francis Thompson; To The Dead Cardinal of Westminster