Remember, Remember, the Fifth of November! The Catholic origins of Bonfire Night are nowadays largely forgotten. The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 was meticulously planned by Robert Catesby, Guy Fawkes and a group of young Catholics, who were strongly against the government’s persecution of fellow Catholics. They intended to blow up the House of Commons while the King and government were present, and they secretly placed a huge amount of gunpowder in the cellars beneath. Their plan was thwarted on the last minute. Guy Fawkes was arrested and the other conspirators were hunted down, captured and executed. The government then instituted Bonfire Night as a festival of fire and fireworks. Its purpose was to perpetuate anti-Catholic propaganda by linking Catholicism with treason. Nowadays all of this is largely forgotten. Bonfire Night is simply associated with dark nights and fireworks.
Meanwhile, welcome to e-News this week. Please continue to pray and to lobby for the demise of the assisted suicide bill that is before Parliament – and for the peoples of America as they head for the polls today. [Image: Sykes]
