My Thoughts on 14/07/2021

Cardinal Vincent Nichols celebrated Mass last week in Pimlico on Westminster Diocese annual day of prayer for Clergy.

The Cardinal recognised the tremendous work of priests during the current pandemic as they ministered to the faithful:

“I thank you for your steadfastness, for your creativity, for your desire to keep in touch with your people in new ways and old.”

He went on to say:

“Now we are coming up to a moment of change as on the 19th of July nearly all the legal restrictions associated with this pandemic will be removed. This, too, will not be an easy moment for us as we try to find a way forward that respects both the energy and enthusiasm of those who want to press ahead and the anxiety and fear of those still deeply troubled. I hope that in the next week or so we can provide some advice which will sketch ways forward and around which we can hold together. But at this moment and overall I would simply ask you to take this period gently. Let us move gradually, especially during the summer months, so as to respect the anxieties of the weakest while taking steps towards a fuller celebration and participation in our shared life of faith.”

This is a message we can all take to heart. Let us pray that the Spirit will guide our decisions on how to proceed in the weeks ahead.