Upper Echelons of UK Government Mock The Holy Father

The Foreign Office has publicly apologised after an official document suggested Britain should mark the Pope's visit by asking him to open an abortion clinic, bless a gay marriage and launch a range of Benedict-branded condoms.

The document, obtained by a Sunday newspaper, also suggested Benedict XVI could show his hard line on the sensitive issue of child abuse allegations against Roman Catholic priests by "sacking dodgy bishops" and launching a helpline for abused children.

The ideas were included in a paper titled "The ideal visit would see..." which was distributed to officials in Whitehall and Downing Street preparing for the historic visit in September. A cover note said the paper stemmed from a brainstorming session and accepted that some of the ideas were "far-fetched".

Many of the proposals appeared to mock the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church on issues like abortion, homosexuality and contraception and the difficulties which it is currently experiencing over cases of child abuse.

The Foreign Office, though, apologised for what it described as a "foolish" document and said the individual responsible had been transferred to other duties. Foreign Secretary David Miliband was said to have been "appalled" to hear of the paper.

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Prinknash Abbey

Home of the world famous incense and Benedictine community of 12. There were over 70 monks here prior to the 1970s, requiring a brand new purpose built monastary. Here is the result:



Ironically vocations fell soon after, all part of the modern crisis in the Catholic Church. We had the opportunity of reliving the glory days with a 1962 Latin Low Mass in the old Abbey Church, where the monks now reside. The new 'prison-like' structure remains vacant.

Sleeping Babes

This photo is so cute I couldn't resist sharing it with you...

Family Retreat

We have just finished a wonderful retreat with Fr Andrew Southwell and St Catherine's Trust. This year it was at the Oratory School in Berkshire, which I must admit made us feel right at home!


Pictured are the two chapels in the school, which along with some of the classrooms and boarder's accomodation, were used by us this weekend. It was also the setting of the second Gregorian Chant training weekend who sung at Mass, Vespers and Compline. These were led by Nick Gale, who was my boarding room master at school!