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In a letter sent to parishes in the diocese on Friday 17 June, Cardinal Vincent has asked that they 'include prayers for the forthcoming EU Referendum' in the celebration of Mass.

Re-iterating the call of the Bishops of England and Wales in April, he called for 'mutual respect and civility, vital for this national conversation about the very future of our nation within the world'.

The Cardinal also asked priests to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and 'to remind everyone of the importance of this vote'.

He also shared with them the statement issued by the Bishops Conference the previous day after the murder of MP Jo Cox, which read: wWe are profoundly saddened and shocked at the death of Jo Cox. Our society has lost a dedicated public servant… The Catholic Community throughout England and Wales will be praying for Jo, her husband Brendan, and their family.'