On 16 November the Catholic Police Guild of England and Wales held their annual Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral for all deceased Police officers and staff. The principal celebrant was Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, with four concelebrating priests including Fr Barry Lomax, Chaplain to the Catholic Police Guild. The Mass was sung by the Metropolitan Police choir, conducted by Richard Fox.
In his homily Cardinal Cormac urged them not to lose sight of ‘the great hope, the hope of God’, saying they must continue to look forward with confidence. He went on to talk about the renewed emphasis on the beatitudes in the Year of Mercy, how we look less at what we are forbidden to do, and more on how we should try to act. He explained how this related to the Gospel reading which calls us to step forward and be merciful, to be peacemakers. He closed his homily by thanking the Police and staff not only for their work in keeping law and order, but for the care they offer people every day in many different ways.
The Catholic Police Guild (CPG) of England & Wales was founded in 1914 as the Metropolitan and City Catholic Police Guild. The association was formed to cater for the spiritual needs of Catholic Police men and women.
In 1974 the Guild became a national association with membership open to Police Officers serving in the Police Forces in the rest of England and Wales. More recently membership has been opened up to Police Staff & Police Community Support Officers. The CPG also has a Friends category of membership for other civilian supporters.
Photos are available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/catholicwestminster/albums/72157676697483005
