Low week 1912

To conclude Low Week, an image of the 1912 conference, taken in the Throne Room here at Archbishop's House. Cardinal Bourne is at the centre, front row. On the extreme left of that row sits Bishop Henry Hanlon, Vicar Apostolic of Uganda. Next to him is Bishop Lacy of Middlesborough, Bishop (later Archbishop) Whiteside of Liverpool, and on the other side of the Cardinal the two Welsh bishops; the Benedictine Bishop Cuthbert Hedley of Newport, Bishop Mostyn of Menevia. Finally in the row is Bishop Burton of Clifton - seemingly distracted by some commotion in the street outside!

In the second row, left to right; Bishop Singleton of Shrewsbury, Bishop Cowgill of Leeds, Bishop Keating of Northampton, the formidable Bishop (later Archbishop) Amigo of Southwark, Bishop Casartelli of Salford, Bishop Cotter of Portsmouth, Bishop Fenton (auxiliary in Westminster), Bishop Vaughan of Salford (brother of the former Cardinal), and lastly Bishop Kiely of Plymouth.

The notes are less certain for the back row; the second figure in is Bishop Gregory Thompson of Gibraltar. Next to him stands Bishop Collins of Hexham and Newcastle, in the centre Bishop Butt (auxiliary in Westminster) and Bishop MacIntyre (auxiliary in Birmingham).

Now that the hierarchy has grown, the facilites at Westminster are less than adequate, and so the Bishops range around the country for their meetings.

Bishop O'Brien's Funeral - Images

Some of the beautiful photographs taken by Marcin at today's funeral. All (c) Marcin Mazur.

Bishop James O'Brien

Today we celebrate the Funeral Mass of Bishop James O'Brien. Ordained priest in 1954, he become rector of the Diocesan seminary in 1968, and in 1977 Titular Bishop of Manaccenser and auxiliary in Westminter. His particualr area of concern was the northernmost part of Westminster diocese, comprising the county of Hertfordshire.

Bishop O'Brien represented the English and Welsh hierarchy at the funeral of Archbishop Oscar Romero in 1980, and witnessed at first hand the violence that broke out on that occasion. His particular areas of concern were ecumenism ( he established a weekly celebration of Mass at St Alban's Abbey), interfaith, and Justice and Peace. All who knew him recall his gentle and gentlemanly manner, indicating a deep personal holiness and inner peace.

I have especially find memories of him. When I was appointed Adminstrator here, he said to me with a mischevious grin, "Congratulations my dear; I've always said it's the worst job in the Diocese!" Unfailing in his support, and the courteous thanks he gave whenever he visited, he will be missed in our community, as in many others. May his soul rest in peace.

The Papal Anniversary

The Papal flag flies outside Archbishop's House, on a beautiful morning, to mark a week of celebrations. On Monday, the Cardinal celebrated Mass for the Holy Father's eightieth birthday, while on Tuesday the Papal Nuncio held his annual reception in the Throne Room for Diplomats and Dignitaries, to mark today's anniversary. The Holy Father's official anniversary will be kept, as he has requested, on the feast of SS Peter and Paul in the Cathedral.

Now and Then II - Low Week Luncheon

The above image hangs in the Clergy House Dining Room, and shows Cardinal Vaughan presiding at the Low Week Luncheon in 1902. Until very recently, the Catholic hierarchy met at Westminster in Low Week (the week following Easter Week) in conference.

The same scene today - minus the Bishops and the butlers! Noteworthy is the table, which predates the Cathedral and was in the former Archbishop's House in Carlisle Place. Noteworthy, too, is the centrepiece, a silver representation of the Commission to Peter, surmounted by a palm tree. Perhaps there are a few less fronds, but the object survives in situ after a hundred years.

The old photograph shows that the ancillary buildings of the Cathedral (now known as Archbishop's House and Clergy House) were completed before the Cathedral. The Cathedral itself was not completed until 1903, at which time Cardinal Vaughan was fatally ill. In those early days, there was no separate House for the Archbishop and his Cathedral clergy. It was Vaughan's successor - Cardinal Francis Bourne - who divided the building up, and created a separate establishment for the Archbishop. Accordingly, much of the furniture shown - and the pictures - are now removed to the Archbishop's House. You can make out, centre left, a portrait of Challoner, and above the door Bishop Gifford, now gracing the main staricase of the Archbishop's residence.

As to identifying the sitters; at the top of the table, mid-right, sits Cardinal Vaughan. Others I can identify are - Samuel Allen, Bishop of Shrewsbury (rear, second from left); Robert Brindle, Bishop of Nottingham (rear, third from left); Thomas Whiteside, Archbishop of Liverpool (rear, sixth from left, sitting back); Francis Bourne, Bishop of Southwark and Cardinal Vaughan's successor in the following year (front, second from right). On the extreme left, looking over his spectacles and doing a good impression of Monsignor Norris, is Monsignor William Johnston, then diocesan secretary and Provost of the Westminster Chapter, who in 1905 became titular Bishop of Arindela and one of two auxiliaries in Westminster. He has a wonderful face - and I can't resist giving you another image of him!

As Vicar General, he would have called in priests to account; one glance over those spectacles, and I daresay that even the most truculent cleric would be reduced to meek ecclesiastical obedience!

The Visit of the Lord Mayor

I showed the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Alexander Nichol, and his wife, around the Cathedral yesterday. You note the measure of my success by the way in which they are looking in quite the opposite direction! It is always a good idea to get to know the Civic authorities, and the Lord Mayor is very involved with the Church of England (where he is concerned with communications), so we had a fascinating discussion. Having departed back to City Hall, he was back in the Cathedral less than an hour later to attend the Mass celebrating the Holy Father's birthday. There's dedication!

The South Face

On this stunning day, more Lisbon than London, when temperatures topped 80 degrees (real August levels!) views of the Cathedral from Morpeth Terrace, looking at the liturgical South. In reality, this elevation faces west.