Global conversations
I am often asked whether my role as British Ambassador to the Holy See is to represent British Catholics. Or whether I have ex officio a particular relationship with the Catholic hierarchies of England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland (at least, the Northern Ireland end). My reply is yes. I do represent the British government, and thereby British Catholics. And also Anglicans, Presbyterians, Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, agnostics, atheists, Jews, Buddhists, … Read more »The Kirk in Rome
On 30 April the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, launched the FCO’s Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report for 2011. This is one of the British Government’s major annual human rights events, highlighting our global human rights priorities. It is intended to increase awareness of the UK’s role in promoting human rights worldwide, as well as to influence countries to take more concrete steps towards upholding and maintaining international human rights … Read more »Human Rights and Democracy
Birmingham sits at the heart of England. It was the home of Cardinal Newman for many years. And it is also the home of many different faith communities, one of Britain’s most racially and religiously diverse cities. Inter-religious dialogue is therefore a crucial aspect of Birmingham’s civic, social, cultural and political existence. One of the most successful inter-religious initiatives of recent years is the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group, whose Co-Presidents … Read more »Sikhs honoured by Catholics
Justin Bedford, Deputy Head of Mission: The spectacle of the Olympic and Paralympic Games gives us a reminder of what sporting excellence should be all about: top-class competition, set within a spirit of friendship. This summer, just 100 days from today, the 2012 Olympic Games will open in London. The last time London hosted the Games – in 1948 – the world was recovering from a catastrophic war. But even … Read more »The Olympic spirit to build a better society
On 3 April, I attended the Prime Minister’s reception at 10 Downing Street to celebrate Easter, something that David Cameron introduced last year. British Christian representatives were there from many denominations – including Anglican, Catholic, Coptic, Orthodox, Salvation Army, Methodist – as well as participants of other faiths. And Number 10 echoed to the sound of the boys of the choir of Westminster Abbey. The Prime Minister delivered “three … Read more »Prime Minister’s Easter message
In a recent blog, I noted after a visit to Northern Ireland the importance for British ambassadors abroad of understanding the country they represent. I spent last weekend in Edinburgh, at the kind invitation of the Scottish Catholic Bishops Conference. My programme included: meetings with the Catholic Bishops of Scotland, including Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien; a reception in honour of my opposite number in London, the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Mennini, … Read more »Visiting Scotland
The EU is not flavour of the month, or even the year. The media – including the Vatican’s l’Osservatore Romano and Vatican Radio – is full of stories of economic and political crisis, loss of global influence, and the problems of the euro. Even friends wonder whether “Europe”, or the EU in particular, has had its day. And sometimes the EU can be seen to be its own worst enemy, … Read more »A European success story
It is often easier to say what divides religion than what unites. And that is certainly the emphasis given by media reporting from the “front line”, be it sectarian violence in Nigeria or historic resentments in Northern Ireland. Sometimes, regrettably, religious division is real, and does lead to violence. But very often it is the pretext rather than the cause. And religious disunity is not the whole story. These reflections … Read more »The Archbishop of Canterbury in Rome
One of the dangers of International “Days” is that they can generate a great deal of well-meaning talk, but little action. Sometimes they serve to raise public consciousness about an undeservedly forgotten issue or a neglected cause. But too often they come round on the annual calendar, and nothing much seems to change. International Women’s Day is too important for that to happen. This Embassy’s contribution to the many concrete … Read more »International Women’s Day: Doing Something Practical
St David, or Dewi, is the patron saint of Wales. The arrival of his feast day – 1 March – always gives a sense, at least in the United Kingdom, that Spring is now definitely on the way. But it is also a useful reminder to non-Welsh of the importance of Wales to the United Kingdom, its prosperity and identity. The First Minister’s St David’s Day Message highlights the attractions … Read more »St David’s Day