The news stories of a papal visit to Great Britain splashed round the websites of the daily newspapers in Britain, and other news services, late this afternoon. It will be a great blessing to our country and I am sure that the presence of the Holy Father and his wise words will bring about an increase of faith, and a deepening of the spiritual and liturgical life of the Church. Please pray for the visit to be a great success.Thanks to Fr John Boyle at Caritas in Veritate for some links which I followed up to compare how the various outlets described the genesis of the story.
The Sun "can reveal" it from "Government sources"
Reuters relies on a "Government source"
The BBC has simply "learned" of the news
Sky News, of course has it from its own "Sky sources"
Associated Press has a little more, saying that reporters travelling to New York with Gordon Brown reported the news
The Times, the Telegraph and the Guardian simply report the news as fact.
Since this is apparently to be a full state visit, the official announcement will be made in this country by Buckingham Palace and that will probably be co-ordinated with the Vatican. I'm not sure what purpose was served by a Government source leaking the news to journalists in advance: I suppose someone gained some advantage by doing so. Such is life.
8 comments:
I spoke to a friend of mine at the University about a possible visit of the Holy Father to Britain earlier this year, and he said he was against it (for reasons I can't remember). I wonder whether this is good news or bad news though. It may kindle ''interest'' in the Faith, and perhaps inspire the lapsed to come back; but what would be the point of a Papal visit I wonder?
This should be a great opportunity for the Catholic Church throughout the UK.
That's the best news I have heard this month. What a blessing for English Catholics. Can't wait for the visit.
Patricius - the point of a papal visit is always an apostolic one, to confirm his brethren in the faith. I am sure that Pope Benedict will do this magnificently and for that reason, I am enthusiastic about it.
However, there will be attempts to control it for reasons of theology or politics and we have to pray that such efforts are unsuccessful.
Papal visits do result in an increase of fervour and an increase in vocations and this is all to be welcomed.
Hopefully the visit can combine with the current visit of the relics of St Teresa, and hopefully the beatification of Cardinal Newman, to bring back a renewal of the faith in England.
Bento XVI in Portugal (Fátima) next year: http://tribunaonline.blogs.sapo.pt/70811.html
I wonder... if the Holy Father'd perform the beatification ceremony of the Venerable John Henry?
I still recall when he visited the U.S. He seemed so happy and full of energy, good Heaven, and how joyful. It made the day extra nice to think the Holy Father was so close.
Surely the Holy Father will be welcomed to the United Kingdom by a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church. Will Archbishop Vincent Nichols be elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals before the visit?
There are presently only seven vacancies among the Cardinal Electors and a further four by March 20,2010. A Consistory could be scheduled for February or March. If so, will a red hat come to Westminster?
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