All three of the auxiliary Bishops of the Diocese of Westminster will celebrate Christmas Day Mass at prisons within the diocese.
Bishop Alan Hopes will celebrate Mass for prisoners at Feltham Young Offenders’ Institution, Bishop John Arnold will celebrate Mass for prisoners HMP Wormwood Scrubs and Bishop John Sherrington will celebrate mass at HMP The Mount.
Bishop John Arnold said: “I feel very privileged to celebrate Mass in Wormwood Scrubs at Christmas and challenged to speak of hope and God’s love to people who are at very low points in their lives and often far from the people they love. The men who come to Mass on Christmas morning have a need to put their problems and concerns into prayer and I am pleased to be able to be with them on such a day that must speak to all of us of hope. In previous years I have come away with a real sense of their faith”
Bishop John Sherrington said: “This year I will celebrating Christmas Mass in HMP The Mount. It is a reminder to me that many people work on Christmas Day, e.g. prison officers, healthcare professionals, paramedics and police. Those in prison remind me that many people find Christmas a very lonely or difficult time. I think of those who are sick, some who live with a recent breakdown of a relationship and others who know the pain of grief.”
“In the prison settling the central message of the Incarnation, which can be obscured by tinsel and glitter, shines through. St. John’s powerful words “The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us and we have seen his glory…” speak of the promise of God’s mercy and freedom from sin.”
