De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

I was really heartened to spot on the NLM blog that Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster was the celebrant at a Pontifical Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception at the London Oratory on Monday. The choir sang music by Lassus, Gabrieli and Victoria accompanied by period instruments. The Oratory have posted some great pictures on their Facebook page . Here are a few for your edification, the setting is truly beautiful: The Oratory, of course, is renowned for it's reputation for excellent liturgy and wonderful music. It attracts people from miles around. I am really excited to see our Cardinal Archbishop celebrating Mass in such beautiful surroundings. It is important that we embrace this traditional dimension to our worship because it helps us transcend the mundane and embrace the metaphysical reality of our worship. We are not worshiping the mundane, we are worshiping the divine. To worship in surroundings which we have tried our be...

Today at 11am, Father Robert Byrne, a close friend of my close friend and Parish Priest, will be ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham. Watch the Episcopal Ordination here . Father Kevin referred to this important event in his homily on Sunday, saying: On Tuesday one of my oldest friends is going to be consecrated a Bishop; he will become the new Auxiliary in Birmingham. I am sure it will be a moment full of rather mixed emotions: we’ve know each other since we were students and seeing someone who is close to you being given the dignity of an Apostle is something that doesn’t happen everyday.  He explained to me how he was called see the Papal Nuncio in London who read him a letter from the Holy Father appointing him; and he said in a few minutes my life had changed dramatically.   You might think being made a Bishop is something someone might aspire to or desire; it obviously isn’t something you apply for! To fulfil the role of an Apostle, is to acce...

Some excellent news today that the National Ecumenical Officer for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Fr Robert Byrne CO, has been appointed as an Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham. This is excellent news as Fr. Robert really is a wonderful priest and I think continues the trend of some really good episcopal appointments for us here in the UK. It is a great affirmation for the Oratorians and signals a further strengthening of our episcopacy. You only need to watch the short video interview above to see how Fr. Robert is completely a man of God. Please pray for Fr Robert as he prepares for his episcopal ordination. He will be the first Oratorian bishop appointed in England since 1874, when Fr Edward Bagshawe of the London Oratory became Bishop of Nottingham. Bishop elect Byrne’s episcopal ordination will take place at 11am on Tuesday 13 May 2014 at the Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, St Chad’s Cathedral. He will succeed Bishop Phili...