On Saturday 24th February Bishop Paul MacAleenan celebrated Mass for Members of the Travelling Community at Westminster Cathedral. As well as being one of our Auxiliary Bishops he is also Catholic Bishop with oversight for Ethnic Chaplaincies.
Bishop Paul said of the event: ‘Those who are familiar with the Traveller community will know of their deep piety and indeed knowledge of the essentials of the Catholic faith. Often Travellers are misunderstood or viewed with suspicion. The Church however is committed to the welfare of all ethnic groups and is concerned for all its people.’ He went on to stay that ‘recognising that different groups have different needs’ is important for the Church, and hosting the national Mass is a part of that.
Father Dan Mason, the National Catholic Chaplain for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers said: 'Our hope is that this Mass will become an annual event for members of the Travelling Community to celebrate their Catholic faith and for non-Travellers to appreciate the significant contribution that Travellers make within the Catholic Community in England and Wales.’
Photo: Mazur/Catholicnews.org.uk
Additional photos from the Mass are available here.
