Retreat in Daily Working Life
Beginning on Tuesday 23 September, ‘Chaplaincy Plus’ and ‘Manresa Link’ will run a six-week, Ignatian, individually- guided ‘Retreat in Daily…
Pope Leo XIV
9th May 2025
Senior Church leaders have been reacting to the news of the appointment yesterday of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new leader of the worldwide Catholic community. Cardinal Prevost has taken the title Pope Leo XIV.
(Photo credits: Vatican News/Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales)
______________
On behalf of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham, Archbishop Bernard Longley released the following message,
‘I welcome the wonderful news of the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. As he prepared to give us his first blessing as Pope in St Peter’s Square he also gave us a message of joyful encouragement, calling us to be bridge-builders who are the light of Christ in the world. As the first Pope from the United States of America he also remembered the people of Chiclayo in Peru where he had served as bishop until 2023.
‘I have just spent the last few days at Buckfast Abbey with all the Bishops of England and Wales as we prayed for the Cardinals in Conclave and as we waited to hear whom the Holy Spirit would identify as the Successor of Peter. It will be a great joy to serve the Church’s mission inspired by the guidance of Pope Leo. All the lay faithful, the Religious and clergy of our Archdiocese are praying for our new Holy Father that he may serve the Church for many years and be richly blessed in his apostolate.’
______________
The Right Revd Mark Davies, Catholic Bishop of Shrewsbury, wrote, ‘The Diocese of Shrewsbury welcomes our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, as the Successor of the Apostle Peter. We promise him all our prayer in his service of the Universal Church.’
_____________
The Right Revd Patrick McKinney, Catholic Bishop of Nottingham, said, ‘I am overjoyed to hear of the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope but a missionary religious, an Augustinian, who has spent many years ministering in Peru. I wish to assure the new Pope of my prayers and good wishes, and that of Catholics throughout the Diocese of Nottingham, as he begins his ministry as the successor of Saint Peter. His wide experience will be a huge blessing to the Catholic Church and to the wider world. May God bless and guide him.’
_____________
Bishop Professor Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Moderator of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, said, ‘As successor of Pope Francis, he will move in a strong tradition. I expect him to continue Pope Francis’ witness of love towards all people, especially those most vulnerable, and of love for nonhuman creation.’ Bedford-Strohm noted that a strong global voice for human dignity and overcoming violence is urgently needed, adding, ‘I am confident that the new Pope will be such a strong voice. As the WCC, we work together with the Roman Catholic Church with great mutual friendship and appreciation. I am looking forward to many encounters both with the new pope and all others who strive for a visible unity at the churches in reconciled diversity.’
_____________
The news of Pope Leo’s appointment was welcomed by the Methodist Church on its website HERE. The United Reformed Church offered the following prayer:
‘Eternal One,
whose limitless love reaches all humanity,
bless Pope Leo in his new role,
grant him wisdom and patience as he takes up the heavy burden of office,
strengthen him in his ministry of encouragement and oversight,
that we may all be Jesus’ disciples in a world desperately needing Your light,
and signs of hope that evil will not have the last word.
Amen.’
___________
Read Pope Leo XIV’s biography on the website of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales HERE.
29 July 2025
Workplace Chaplaincy Sunday – 5 October
WorkCare West Midlands (WMM) is pioneering ‘Workplace Chaplaincy Sunday’ on 5 October 2025. This initiative has received active support from mainstream…