Portsmouth Diocese e-News Issue 459
Bishop Philip writes…
I’d be grateful if you would remember me in your prayers today, 24th September, the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham. Today is the 12th anniversary of my ordination as the Bishop of Portsmouth. Whilst asking your prayers, I also ask you to remember all our clergy, especially Fr. Jean-Patrice Coulon and all those who are unwell.
Welcome to this week’s e-News. A number of things have been happening in the Diocese this last week, not least the visit of a relic of Bl. Carlo Acutis. I have also begun going out to meet clergy and laity in our Pastoral Areas to discuss their progress on implementing our ten year mission plan You Will be My Witnesses. I began with an inspiring visit to the parishes of Maidenhead, under the leadership of Fr. Liam Cummins. Later this week, do support the Retreat Day of Mothers in Ashurst, the Rescue Project in St. Edmund Campion’s Maidenhead and the invite to explore the Carmelites. Sunday is a World Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants and next week we have CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day. Let us continue to pray for peace in Ukraine and for peace in the Middle East. Have a blessed week ahead.
In Corde Iesu
+ Philip
Bishop of Portsmouth
Buffer Zones
From the Bishop
Last week, the Government announced that legislation to enact so-called ‘safe access zones’ or ‘buffer zones’ outside abortion facilities in England and Wales will come into force from 31st October. This legislation, contained in section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023, criminalises a range of activities within a 150-metre perimeter of an abortion facility, including prayer, thought (sic), peaceful presence, consensual communication and offers of practical support to women in vulnerable situations, should any of these be deemed to influence or interfere with access to the clinic. To me, this legislation is deeply concerning. It brings thought-crime into the UK! It threatens freedom of speech, thought, conscience and religion for people of all faiths and none. Bishop John Sherrington, the Lead Bishop for Life Issues for the Bishops’ Conference, has rightly said that this legislation is unnecessary and disproportionate. Whilst it is surely correct to condemn harassment and intimidation of women en route to a clinic, there are already laws and mechanisms in place to protect them from such behaviour. “In practice, and despite any other intention, this legislation constitutes discrimination and disproportionately affects people of faith. Religious freedom is the foundational freedom of any free and democratic society, essential for the flourishing and realisation of dignity of every human person. Religious freedom includes the right to manifest one’s private beliefs in public through witness, prayer and charitable outreach, including outside abortion facilities.”
There are other worrying threats to the dignity and value of human life that the government is seeking to introduce during the lifetime of this Parliament, including assisted suicide and euthanasia. It really is crucial for us as Catholics that we know and understand our teaching and that we seek to find ways of appropriately putting forward our viewpoint. [Image/article (amended): CBCEW]
You can continue reading this issue in full here.
