A People who Hope in Christ
A Message from the Metropolitan Archbishops of the Catholic Church in England and Wales
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The radiance of the risen Lord shines upon us. At a time when so many
shadows are cast into our lives, and upon our world, the light of the
resurrection shines forever to renew and restore our hope.
In the words of our Holy Father, Pope Francis: “In the midst of
isolation when we are suffering from a lack of tenderness and chances to
meet up, and we experience the loss of so many things, let us once
again listen to the proclamation that saves us: he is risen and is
living by our side.” (27 March 2020)
The impact of COVID-19, both nationally and internationally, has been
immense. So much of what we take for granted has changed. Our health
and physical interaction, our capacity to travel and gather, have all
been affected. There is uncertainty in our future, especially with work
and the country’s economy. As we know, very sadly, large numbers of
people have died because of the coronavirus, and others have been or
remain seriously ill. Keyworkers, not least in the National Health
Service and care sectors, are serving selflessly to sustain the life of
our nation. Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone who is suffering
because of COVID-19, and to all those battling to overcome its effects.
May those who have died rest in peace and those who are bereaved find
comfort.
When the Prime Minister announced the lockdown, this included places
of worship and therefore Catholic churches. These measures were put in
place to stem the general transmission of the virus. It is right that
the Catholic community fulfils its role in contributing to the
preservation of life and the common good of society. This must continue
until the restrictions applied by the Government are lifted.
None of us would want to be in the situation in which we find
ourselves. While the live-streaming of the Mass and other devotions is
playing an important part in maintaining the life of faith, there is no
substitute for Catholics being able to physically attend and participate
in the celebration of the Mass and the other sacraments.
Our faith is expressed powerfully and beautifully though ‘seeing,
touching, and tasting.’ We know that every bishop and every priest
recognises the pain of Catholics who, at present, cannot pray in church
or receive the sacraments. This weighs heavily on our hearts. We are
deeply moved by the Eucharistic yearning expressed by so many members of
the faithful. We thank you sincerely for your love for the Lord Jesus,
present in the sacraments and supremely so in the Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass. The bishops and priests of every diocese are remembering you and
your loved ones at Mass each day in our churches as we pray ‘in hope of
health and well-being.’ We thank our priests for this faithfulness to
their calling.
As the Government’s restrictions are relaxed step by step, we look
forward to opening our churches and resuming our liturgical, spiritual,
catechetical and pastoral life step by step. This will also be of
service to those beyond the Catholic Church who depend on our charitable
activity and outreach through which much goodness is shared by so many
volunteers from our communities.
None of us knows, as yet, how or when the lockdown will end. There is
likely to be a phased return to travelling and gathering. As a church,
we are now planning for this time and our discussions with the statutory
public health agencies and Government representatives are ongoing.
Together with Catholics across England and Wales we desire the opening
of our churches and access to the sacraments. Until then, we are
continuing to pray and prepare.
We want to acknowledge with gratitude the service of our fellow
bishops and priests, our deacons and religious, our families and lay
faithful, together with all our parish and school communities, for the
wonderful ways the life of the faith is being nourished at this time,
especially in the home. We also pay tribute to the Catholic
organisations and networks that are working to support the vulnerable
and needy.
On that first Easter day, the disciples were in lockdown and the
doors were closed. In their isolation the Lord Jesus came among them and
said ‘Peace be with you.’ May the peace of the risen Lord reign in our
hearts and homes as we look forward to the day we can enter church again
and gather around the altar to offer together the Sacrifice of Praise.
We unite in asking the intercession of Our Blessed Lady and assure you of our prayers and blessing
Yours devotedly in Christ,
✠ Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster
✠ Malcolm McMahon OP, Archbishop of Liverpool
✠ Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham
✠ George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff
✠ John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark