Cardinal's Homilies

‘In the beginning’. These words open the Gospel of St John. He signals that something of great importance is being unfolded in what follows. It is something from before time began. ‘In the beginning’. And, more importantly, it is…Read more

My dear friends, Tonight this cathedral is filled with beauty. At its focal point is the crib, and looking into the crib our eyes go straight to the child, the Christ-child. With the eyes of faith, here, we see the greatness of God in a tiny…Read more

I am delighted to be part of this prayer of thanksgiving for the founding and life of this Church of The Immaculate Conception. A year of thanksgiving is coming to a close, 175 years since this church was formally opened in 1849. And we do well…Read more

This evening we pray for the seven priests and two deacons of this Diocese who have died in the last twelve months. As we do so we hear the words of the Gospel: 'Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared…Read more

1974 is a such a long time ago. 50 years, back to Cardinal Heenan. We have seen so many profound changes in this land and in our lives. But one presence does not change: that of our Lord Jesus Christ, his Gospel and his promise to be with us…Read more

‘This sanctuary has been opened to be specifically devoted to the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament’. These are the words of Cardinal Manning, spoken 150 years ago today, on 20 October 1874, at the opening of this Church of Corpus Christi.…Read more

I am very pleased to be here today and I thank Archbishop Angaelos for sending his representative to this celebration. Indeed, I have learned much about these martyrs of Libya from Archbishop Angaelos. I also want to thank Alexandra, the author…Read more

My brothers and sisters, This Wednesday, 16 October 2024, a bill will be introduced to Parliament proposing a change in the law to permit assisted suicide. The debate will continue for a number of months, in society and in Parliament, before a…Read more

Reading the Gospel passage for this evening's celebration of the Mass I felt like the Scribe, faced with bringing out of the storehouse things both old and new. But what is new to say about St John Henry Newman? I could reflect on him as a seeker…Read more

‘The Angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth.’ Now we are here in a small village in Norfolk, called Little Walsingham, known as the Nazareth of England. We are here to refresh in our hearts and minds that unique…Read more

Many years ago now, I was waiting in the office of the Prefect of the Papal Household, Archbishop Harvey, when a fine porcelain vase on display there caught my eye. It was clearly English: Spode or Royal Worcester, I thought. On the front of the…Read more

This morning each of us has followed the path down to this Grotto. We have done this responding to the request presented by Our Blessed Lady that we come in procession to this sacred place. Here we stand with Bernadette, before Mary, imploring…Read more

‘Come here in procession’. This is the theme of pilgrimages to Lourdes this year. This is what we have done, from so many different parts of the world, speaking different languages, yet united in this desire: to be here in Lourdes, to be here…Read more

My brothers and sisters, today we gather for the ordination of our three new priests, Thomas, Domagoj and Robert. Let us begin by remembering that together we are the priestly people of God. Yes, all of us, a priestly people. Indeed, St Peter,…Read more