A Message for Married Catholics from Archbishop Vincent Nichols

Ella and James Preece are a Catholic couple living in Kingston Upon Hull in Yorkshire in the UK. This is our blog.

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A Message for Married Catholics from Archbishop Vincent Nichols

Blogged by James Preece on 19th October 2009

Archbishop Vincent Nichols has sent a clear message to Married Catholics...

In July Terry Prendergast hit the headlines for his opinions which the Bishop's Conference's own spokesperson said "are clearly not a reflection of the Church's teaching". Three months later Terry Prendergast is still the head of Marriage Care, taking your money from the collection plate and using it to undermine the Christian vision of marriage.

In three months, Archbishop Nichols who is the president of Marriage Care has done nothing. Message received and understood.

Now we know where we stand.

Update:

After speaking with priests, receiving several emails and considering the comments below I have removed the offending image. My view remains that Archbishop Nichols has stuck his fingers up to married Catholics everywhere and that my image is nowhere near as shocking as the reality it reflects.

Ella has expressed a desire that this be a "family friendly blog" and I agree with her. In future, I promise I will keep things clean.

If anybody has a suggestion for an a more appropriate graphic then let me know and I'll see what I can do.

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Reader Comments

Amanda said...

James, while I understand, and share, your sense of deep disappointment at Archbishop Nicholls lack of action in this matter, you must see that this post is inappropriate and even offensive (I am offended by it and I am not easily offended). I would urge you to remove it and replace it with something that expresses the same sentiment in a more suitable way. As it stands it is fodder for the other camp-and we don't want that, do we!

Mater mari said...

I heartily concur with Amanda. This blog's attitude towards Archbishop Nichols is in danger of descending into a rant.

epsilon said...

Come on James - there are ways of expressing your anger and there's descending to the level of the gutter! This cannot be the way to challenge the disgraceful non-action of the ++

epsilon said...

Well done, James! I do appreciate your concerns and think that after St Therese we should be able to expect our bishops and priests to forget the folly of the last forty years and give us catholics the opportunity to worship in the time-honoured catholic way of Eucharistic devotion, Benediction and the Rosary in our churches at all times of the day and night, as well as proper Masses. This country is in a crisis that only prayer can begin to shift.

The (Flaber)Pretendergasts of this world would lose all clout if our clergy were being true to their purpose, i.e. leading us to God by:
a) following the example of Pope Benedict and distributing communion themselves only, insisting on proper reverence - what sort of a proper priest would allow people to sleep in sleeping bags in a church overnight with the body of a friend when they should have been praying!!
b) clarifying that a church is for worshipping God and not for nattering in
c) learning at least a little Latin
d) doing a Cure of Ars on confession
e) clearly stating the Church's position on life, love and family values: e.g. when has anyone heard a priest at Mass or elsewhere speaking clearly about The Vatican's THE TRUTH AND MEANING OF HUMAN SEXUALITY, Guidelines for Education within the Family, which came out in 1995?

We should all be bombarding the bishops with letters demanding nothing less - bring back the holy water fonts and stop wimping about swine flu, open the church doors and let us pray!!

berenike said...

(but I should admit that I totally emphathise, both with the original post and with the profanity/prayer quote. Yesterday the priest was one of those who say the Mass AT the congregation. "Lift up your hearts!" (shouted) me: p*ss off (muttered). not good.

James said...

If anybody is wondering the quote was:

"Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer"
(Mark Twain)

Agellius said...

For the record I was not offended -- although quite surprised, let me tell you. : ) I agree with you when you say that the reality it reflects is more offensive than the image.

But I can understand others being offended. I guess it's a matter of opinion.

Sean said...

Its very simple. Its called leadership. Archbishop Nichols is n't providing it.

Sean said...

Its very simple. Its called leadership. Archbishop Nichols is n't providing it.

To the Blessed Virgin Prayer for England

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England thy "Dowry" and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee.

By thee it was that Jesus our Saviour and our hope was given unto the world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more.

Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the cross.

O sorrowful Mother! intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the supreme Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son.

Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee, in our heavenly home.

Amen.

Couple's Prayer

O God, our heavenly Father, protect and bless us. Deepen and strengthen our love for each other day by day.

Grant that by thy mercy, neither of us may ever say one unkind word to the other. Forgive and correct our faults, and make us constantly to forgive one another should one of us unconsciously hurt the other.

Make us and keep us sound and well in body, alert in mind, tender in heart, and devout in spirit. O Lord, grant us each to rise to the other's best. Then, we pray thee, add to our common life such virtues as only thou canst give.

And so, O Father, consecrate our life and love completely to thy worship, and to the service of all about us, especially those whom thou hast appointed us to serve, that we may always stand before thee in happiness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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