Fifth Sunday of Easter

In our first reading we hear the end of the first Mission of the disciples.  St Luke provides us with a glimpse into the missionary method of Paul and Barnabas.  We might wonder how Paul can return to the same cities from which he has just been expelled or fled from, in fear for his life.  One reason is that, Paul and Barnabas were persecuted for publicly preaching to unbelievers, but now they are ministering privately to the new Church of Christians.  Without these follow up visits, the new converts could easily return back to their previous beliefs or patterns of misconduct.  They are in need to be reinforced in their new faith, having extensive instruction, and encouragement, to remain constant in the difficulties they will expect to face. 

Paul and Barnabas repeat the sober warnings that Jesus had given to his followers, that by following him, is a narrow and difficult path.  This means, suffering and hardship.  The risen Christ teaches:  ‘Was it not necessary of salvation, that the Messiah should suffer these things, and enter into his glory?’  Now providing local leadership, the apostles Paul and Barnabas give guidance to the new churches.  They provide Bishops and Priests, probably from the group of Jewish believers, whose knowledge of Scripture and biblical morality would have been more advanced.  However, it is still through the Holy Spirit that guidance was given in commissioning these men who were chosen. 

They commended these new leaders to the Lord, since the successful ministry of the Church ultimately depends on the risen Christ Jesus himself.

In the Gospel with the departure of Judas, the events leading to Jesus hour on the cross has begun.  The focus now shifts to Jesus and his faithful disciples, with the final Farewell discourse. 

The cross is Jesus’ moment of glorification because in the cross God is revealing his self-giving love.  The Father loves the Son, and gives him for the salvation of the world, and the Son in turn makes his life a perfect gift of love and obedience to the Father.  The love between the Father and the Son is revealed on the cross, and through the wondrous event of the Resurrection, Jesus shows his marvellous divinity to the whole world.

Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment, to love one another.  Jesus’ love is the gift of himself, which symbolically was shown in the foot washing with his disciples.  The disciples love for one another, will make known to all the people, that they belong to the Lord.  The Catechism (CCC 2842) teaches us that:  ‘there has to be a vital participation, coming from the depths of our heart, in the holiness, the mercy, and the love of our God.’  Through our loving actions, we become a living testimony and witness to the Father’s love, that was revealed on the cross.

Love finds its source in God, and this new Commandment in which we are called – to base our every action upon, is the root and very core of the Gospel message. 

Love has the power to give meaning to the impossible situations in life, to bring light into darkness, to inspire people, fill them with hope and give them the courage to continue on the road ahead.  The Good News we have chosen, are instruments of Jesus’ grace in our lives.  A smile, a hug, a handshake costs nothing, but means so much, because it comes from the heart.  When we fail as a Christian, it is probably down to the failure to love, that we haven’t given in that moment of time.

We are invited and encouraged to look into our hearts today, and see how we are answering God’s call to love, within our families, friends or in the workplace.  The real test of love is how we respect others including our enemies.  No one can be a friend of Jesus who does not love his neighbour as himself.  Let us ask the Lord today for the grace to have our hearts opened, filled with God’s divine love, with the inspiration and wisdom of all the Saints, to share fruit abundantly, fruit that will last, with all of humanity.

Fourth Sunday of Easter – Good Shepherds Sunday – Vocations to the Priesthood.

APPOINTED TO BE READ AT ALL PUBLIC MASSES IN ALL CHURCHES AND CHAPELS IN THE DIOCESE OF LANCASTER ON THE WEEKEND OF 10 & 11 MAY 2025

My dear people,

In these days after the Easter celebration of Jesus rising from the dead, we experience a hope for a share in this risen life, safe, beyond the reach of all harm.  The death of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, casts no shadow across our Easter lives.  Yes, it serves to remind us all of our mortality, that the days are passing and that the things of this world are also passing, but as he served the Lord with his life, we believe that his death also serves the Lord.  When someone we love dies, they take something of ourselves with them but also leave with us so much of themselves, in the good they did, the example they have given. May his soul and the souls of all the Faithful departed, rest in peace.

By the time this letter is being read in your parishes we may already have a successor to Pope Francis, a new name, a new face, a new Saint Peter.  Even if this is the case, we have the same Good Shepherd, speaking the same words to us:

‘My sheep hear my voice,

And I know them,

And they follow me.’

These words give us comfort and reassurance in these times that Christ has not ‘sub-contracted’ His work to others.  He remains our Good Shepherd and always will.

When Christ instituted the Sacred Priesthood, choosing some men to become Priests of His New Covenant, He did so knowing us to be imperfect, still prone to selfishness, fear, misunderstanding and temptation.  Such risks did not prevent Him acting as He did.  He believed that every vocation planted in the heart of the believer must grow like wheat amongst briars.  He had confidence in the wheat, the soil and the expertise of those who would harvest, to select the good.

On this Good Shepherd Sunday let us thank God heartily for all vocations, and particularly today for vocations to the Priesthood, and let us pray confidently for men to hear His voice and answer His call.  Chosen men sounds a rather arrogant expression and can disturb us if it is not identified with the voice of our Saviour and the will of the Father.  For some, it is their way to heaven, so long as they do what they are told! Priests are to be Shepherds formed by the heart of Christ.  This is not our doing: it is the work of the Spirit.

May your families be places where the voice of Jesus is heard, especially by creating silence for prayer.  May your works of charity create a culture where the young can begin to recognise the voice of Jesus, calling them by name, and loving them.  May they grow to love that voice and hear it daily, keeping them from all harm, as a Shepherd guards His flock, and leading them to pasture, through the ministry of good priests.

Upon the election of Pope Leo XIV. May 8th 2025

Together with the Universal Church, and with all people of good will, the Catholic Diocese of Lancaster in the UK welcomes and commends to the grace of Almighty God Cardinal Robert Prevost OSA as Pope Leo XIV, the successor of St Peter.  Pope Leo comes to this universal ministry after many years of professed and ordained life as deacon, priest and as a bishop, as a religious, and as a teacher.  

As with his predecessors we hold the Holy Father in our prayers and take courage already from the words of his inaugural address with its call for peace across humanity.

The times we live in, cry out for a fundamentally different approach to serve the world order, one led by Christ.  I ask you to do all you can in your parishes and homes to ensure that our loyalty to the Holy Father is Gospel led, not media led.

May we also rejoice in learning that, as Father General of the Order of Saint Augustine, Father Prevost was present in our Cathedral of Saint Peter for the Episcopal Ordination of my predecessor, Bishop Michael Campbell OSA on 31st March 2008.

Mary the Mother of God.  Pray for him.

St Peter.  Pray for him.

St John Paul II.  Pray for him,

Pope Saint Leo the Great, pray for him.

With my blessing,

+ Right Rev Paul Swarbrick

Bishop of Lancaster

Third Sunday of Easter

Today we start chapter 21 as we come to the end of the Gospel of John.  We now hear, the mission of the church through the Apostles in relationship with the risen Lord. 

It opens up with a paragraph about the failure of the disciples, since they caught no fish during the night.  However, we have seen, that night and darkness often symbolise a separation from Jesus, so it is not surprising that the disciples didn’t catch anything that night.  They can only be fruitful in their duties during the daylight, when Jesus is with them, since he is the light of the world.

How often do we, like the disciples, seem to be ‘at sea’, when we have no thought of Jesus in our minds and hearts, frustrated by our efforts when things go wrong or go pear shaped. 

Suddenly, Jesus who was standing there all the time, within an earshot, gives us a sign of his presence.  Then we come to realise it is the Lord welcoming us back, as we are nourished with our Eucharistic food.

Today the church’s mission comes to light, as the disciples, whom are told to go and bear witness, mirrors their devotion on going fishing.  But they are to become ‘fishers of men’.  However, without Jesus’ assistance they will fail in their mission, but if they are obedient to him and cooperate with the Holy Spirit, they will bring many others to faith in Jesus Christ.

Today we also hear Jesus having a very personal dialogue with Simon Peter.  It takes place after breakfast, and recalls Peter’s threefold denial in the High Priest’s courtyard during the Passion.  His denial thereby removing his own status as a disciple of the Son of God.  Therefore, Jesus does not address him as ‘Peter’ but as Simon, son of John, which was his name before becoming a disciple.  Moreover, when Jesus asks Peter if he loves him more than these, Peter is reminded about his promise to willing lay down his life for him.  Now Jesus invites Peter to repent his love three times, in order to undo the three counts of denial and by doing so, restoring their relationship between themselves. 

Jesus’ mercy is so complete that he does not hold onto Peter’s past sins, using it against him.  No, instead, Jesus gives Peter the honour and responsibility of serving as the delegated Shepherd of his flock.

No matter how serious or how many sins we have committed, the love and mercy of Jesus is far greater.  He seeks us out and invites us to return home to the Father.  Through this Gospel passage it should give us confidence that when we seek reconciliation through the Sacraments of the Church, Jesus forgives us completely. 

As we wait for a new Pope to be chosen, let me finish with the words of our Late Holy Father, Pope Francis.  He says:  ‘God does not tire of forgiving us, if we are able to return to him with a holy and contrite heart.’

So, today, let us not be afraid to cast our nets to the other side, and to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit within our hearts.  Jesus is always standing by, waiting to help.  We just need the quietness of the day to listen to his voice, with open and contrite hearts. 

Let us place all our worries and concerns upon the altar, as we offer them up, in love and thanksgiving to the Lord, during our Eucharistic feast this Easter season.

Second Sunday of Easter

Divine Mercy Sunday

Jesus said to Thomas ‘Give me your hand, put it into my side, doubt no longer but believe.’  Today we hear the encounter between Jesus and Thomas, the doubting disciple.  We shouldn’t dismiss Thomas as a man of little faith.  Who could really blame him for not believing.  After the events on Good Friday, Thomas had seen the Lord, whom he loved, die the death of a criminal, crucified between two thieves and witnessed Peter denying him three times, even after Peter promised loyalty towards Jesus hours earlier.  Thomas was disheartened, disillusioned and angry, which made him have a harden heart and unwilling to accept the words of others, even about seeing the Risen Lord.

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, a devotion that was permitted by St. Pope John Paul II after reinvestigating St Faustina’s visions.  St Faustina was a Nun of the ‘Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy’. On the 22^nd of February 1931, she had a vision from the Lord.  Jesus appeared to her bringing a message of Mercy.  She recalls in her diaries, that Jesus was dressed in white with His right hand raised in blessing, and the other hand touching his heart.  Two large rays came forth from his heart, one red and one white.  This image was painted and the words ‘Jesus, I trust in You’ were written below.  In another vision Saint Faustina was told about the teaching of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, praying for the conversion of sinners throughout the world.

But, let us return back to the image of Christ, especially the ‘side of Christ’, where Thomas placed his hand, and where St Faustina saw two rays of red and white.  What do we understanding of the importance of Jesus’ pierced side, what can it teach us?  We know that it points to Jesus’ crucifixion when his side was pierced by the Roman Soldier, and Blood and Water gusted forth from his wounded heart.  This is a reminder that life emerges from death, through the Sacraments of the Church.  Blood and Water being Catholic symbols for the Sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist.

The piercing of Jesus’ side is unique to John’s Gospel, and it fulfils a twofold prophecy.  ‘None of his bones shall be broken, and they will look on the one whom they have pierced.’ 

There is symbolism here of Jesus being the New Temple.  There is an ancient document called the Mishnah.  This document explains that there were two drain holes at the south-western corner of the Altar in Jerusalem , this was to drain away all the blood from the sacrificed lambs.  It would have come out of the side of the temple mount, mingled with water flowing down into a stream in the Kidron valley.  For a first century Jew, it would have been a very familiar sight.  John the evangelist would have recognised this parallel link to Jesus’ pierced side when blood and water gushed forth on the cross.  Jesus’ body is now the New Temple.  We hear in Jesus’ own words saying: ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’  The Jewish Temple mount has now been replaced with a New Temple, that is Jesus’ body, that comes forth the Sacraments of the Church. 

We might have doubts in our faith from time to time, but searching for the truth is nothing to be ashamed from.  It helps us grow stronger in our faith.  In many ways Thomas echoes our moments of uncertainty.  Our vision of God gets blurred by clouds of doubt.  But it is only through the Risen Christ that we enter into a personal relationship with him, that allows us to enjoy the New Life which he offers. 

When we have moments of despair and all else seems to fail.  Fall back on your faith, say a prayer similar to:  ‘Jesus I trust in you’, and He will help and support you in your time of need.  ‘Doubt no longer, but believe.’

Easter Monday

Death of Pope Francis – 21st April 2025 at 07:35am

In the Gospel passage the women were ‘apostles to the apostles’, the two Mary’s were the first to bear the message of the Resurrection to others.  They raced back to tell the eleven that Jesus had been raised to life again, and to meet him in Galilee.  There the eleven will see him with their own eyes and become witnesses of the most amazing occurrence in Salvation history. 

Without a moment’s delay the two Mary’s speed off to deliver the Good News, with hearts full of fear and joy at the same time. 

An interesting description is Jesus’ use of the word ‘brothers’ – ‘go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee’.  For it hints that Christ had forgiven his closest friends for abandoning him, and Peter from denying him three times.  The disciples are still called to form the spiritual family of Jesus’ brothers and sisters here on earth. 

Like the women in the Gospel, today we are also with mixed emotions.  On one hand we are joyful at the Lord’s Resurrection this Easter season, on the other, our Holy Father Pope Francis has passed away, during the early hours of this morning.

We thank the Lord of his life of discipleship, as a Jesuit Priest, Bishop and successor to St Peter.  With his firm resolve has helped broaden the opportunities for dialogue within and outside of the Church, he indeed was a true and faithful witness to the risen Lord.

Let us spend a moment of silent prayer for Pope Francis, and thank the Lord for his great witness to His One Holy and Apostolic Church.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him, may he rest in peace. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Statement from the Catholic Diocese of Lancaster upon the death of our Holy Father Pope Francis.

It is with great sadness that we learned this morning of the death of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, following a period of ill-health. Yesterday, on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis made a brief appearance at St Peter’s Square to bless thousands of people gathered in Rome to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord.

May he now rest in the peace of the Risen Christ whose faithful servant he has been.

We are deeply grateful for the life and service of Pope Francis. While we mourn his loss, we are thankful for his steadfast witness and legacy.

His life of discipleship, and then leadership, within the Church saw him accept responsibility from the Lord as a Jesuit, a priest, a bishop, and finally as successor to St Peter. His firm resolve and challenging teaching on issues including care for creation, the sexual abuse of children, and insights into intimacy of human relationships, saw the Pope broaden opportunities for dialogue within the Church, and with people and groups from outside of the Catholic Church.

Masses for the repose of the Pope’s soul will be offered across the churches of our Diocese in the coming days. We entrust Pope Francis to the Father of all mercies and pray for the happy repose of his soul.

Please remember Pope Francis in your prayers.

On Monday 21st April 2025 at 6.30pm Evening Prayer for the Dead will be recited in the Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Lancaster, followed by a Requiem Mass at 7.00pm to which all are invited. Following this, the cathedral bell ringers will ring a quarter peal muffled.

A Diocesan Mass at the Cathedral, to which ecumenical and civic guests will be invited, will be on Monday 28th April at 7pm.

Easter Sunday

The disciples saw and they believed.  Yes, indeed!  Christ has truly risen.  This is our core profession of faith.  This this the cry of victory that unites us all here today.  Jesus is alive, and therefore who can ever be able to separate us from the Lord?  We will never be deprived of the divine love that conquered hatred and overcame death.  The Easter proclamation spreads throughout the world today, with joyful song of ‘Alleluia, Alleluia’.  The word that has remained silent all these days during Lent.  Let us now sing it with our voices, and above all, with our hearts and lives.  Jesus is our hope, He is the true peace of the world.

Reflecting on this Gospel passage, it brings back memories from various Passion movies that I have watched over the years on TV.  At the end of these movies, the film director seems to get the actor playing Christ to rise from the darkness of the tomb into the bright sunlight that shines all-round him, even rays of light beaming through the holes in his hands.  At that moment I say to myself, ‘Yes, He’s back’.

In the Gospel we heard, Mary of Magdalene came to the tomb early on the first day of the week.  Her only thoughts were to see Jesus’ body.  She might have wanted to complete any outstanding tasks on his body, since Jesus’ burial was done in haste, due to the Jewish feast of Passover. 

A time where no work was allowed to be done by law.  Mary’s sole desire was to spend time with Jesus.  I wonder what Mary might have been pondering in her mind, on her journey to the tomb, what was she thinking about?  It sounded like she had a restless sleep, as she was up so early in the morning.  Very eager to get to the tomb, without any thought about how she was going to move the big boulder away from the entrance.  Mary’s sole purpose was to be with the Lord. 

To her surprise the boulder was already moved and without looking inside she immediately knew the body was not there and then she ran to tell the disciples.

Up until that moment the disciples failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that Christ must rise from the dead.  In the months ahead they would recognise more and more the power of His Resurrection at work in their lives, calling them to live in an entirely new way. 

In a similar fashion, we are also filled with Easter hope as we celebrate and proclaim that Jesus Christ is risen, because what happened on that first day of Easter, has implications for us too.  The Resurrection is the central mystery of our redemption.  Christ’s victory breaks all the chains of our sin that we have made for ourselves.

The newness of life is the key message of this Easter season.  It comes about at the start of spring when nature begins to burst forth anew.

In Jesus’ Resurrection, God has had the final word.  Jesus’ life ends in victory and not in defeat.  The doors of Heaven are unlocked for our Salvation. 

We now know, that we have a heavenly home to look forward to, a new vision to focus upon, and eternal truths to shape our way of thinking.  This allows us to take a fresh look life, that we vowed to lead through our Baptismal promises.  During this Holy Easter Season, let the Resurrection account, dwell deeply within our hearts, as we rejoice and praise His Holy Name. 

We are an Easter people and ‘Alleluia’ is our song.

Good Friday

‘The Hour begins.’  Crucifixion was recognised as the lowest point of human humiliation in the Roman empire.  However, Jesus accepted His Cross for the salvation of the world.  His ‘hour’ had come.  The saving power on the Cross was His finest ‘hour’ that opened the doors to paradise.  He was the Lamb, that was led to its slaughter, and who took away the sins of the world. 

St John the Evangelist clearly highlights the ‘Kingship’ of Jesus within the Gospel.  We also see clearly, it is Jesus, the Sovereign Lord, who is in total control over all the events in His Passion.  He possesses the Divine Power, and these events would only happen because He allowed them to happen. 

Through His Kingship we see the freedom with which he goes to the Cross.  We hear in scripture: “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down on my own.  I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.”  By freely going to the Cross, Jesus offers His life as a perfect gift of love, given to the Father for the world’s salvation.  Through His obedience, Jesus reveals the infinite depths of the Father’s love and mercy towards us, since we are sinners. 

I would like to focus on three specific elements of interest within the Passion narrative.  The Title on the Cross, the division of Jesus’ garments and the piercing of Jesus’ side.

According to Roman custom a board was carried in front of the condemned person or sometimes it was nailed to the cross itself.  Jesus’ board read.  ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’ 

It was Pilate who was responsible and took the initiative on writing these words down, making Pilate declare Jesus’ royal status to the whole world.  The Title board was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek, the three great nation languages in the Roman empire.  So, it is interesting that the greatest nation in the world, should claim Jesus, King.

However, there might be a special hidden meaning that we are missing?  Since many of the Jews were there at the place of crucifixion, near the city walls, everybody had the chance of reading the Title board and to understand it.  Scholars have wondered, was God giving everyone a last chance, to understand Jesus’ offer of salvation, as King of the Jews?

The division of Jesus’ garments and the seamless tunic.  St John the evangelist goes into great detail on the sharing of Jesus’ garments.  Every Jew wore five items of clothing, however, there were only four soldiers.  The main item was a long under garment which was worn next to the body.  Described as being without seam and woven from top to bottom.  In the book of Exodus and Leviticus it says that this type of seamless garment was only worn by the high priests.  So, John the Evangelist was pointing to Jesus not only as King but also as eternal High Priest of the Church.

The Piercing of Jesus’ side.  This is unique to John’s Passion Narrative.  One of the soldiers thrust a lance into Jesus’ side.  In doing so a twofold prophecy was fulfilled.  The ‘Passover Lamb’ in Exodus: ‘None of his bones shall be broken’ and the ‘Pierced Messiah’ in Zechariah ‘They will look on the one whom they have pierced’. 

With Water & Blood being signs of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist.  There is also another important symbol here, that points to Jesus being the ‘New Temple’.  During the 1^st century AD when Jews approached the temple mount at the time of Passover, when the sacrifices were being offered around 3pm, they would see a stream of blood and water flowing out from the side of the temple mount and down into the Kidron Valley.  This would have been a familiar image in the mindset of the 1^st century Jew.  The Evangelist would have recognised the sign of Jesus’ body, when water and blood flowed from His side as the ‘New Temple of God.’  ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’  It is not the Temple in Jerusalem that will flow with blood sacrifices any longer, but it has been replaced with a new temple by the crucified body of Jesus. So, let us today, take to heart the true meaning of Jesus’ Passion and Death, it isn’t the time to be sad or down-hearted.  Since it was Jesus’ finest ‘hour’, His ultimate Glorification and Exaltation of the Son of Man, in order to save the world and bring us into Eternal Glory.

Maundy Thursday – The Lord’s Supper

Jesus said, “I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. ” 

Jesus knew everything that was going to happen, he knew that his ‘hour’, his moment of Exaltation and Glorification was looming.  He is now surrounded by those whom he loved, his chosen friends and Apostles.

Jesus approaches his final moments by giving them his final teaching.  Jesus institutes the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of the life of the Church.  He also institutes the Ministry of the Sacred Priesthood to his Apostles, in a new and beautiful way. 

Jesus loves his own right up to the end.  He shows the intensity of his love, even to give up his life, but this love doesn’t stop at death.  Jesus who is aware that he is the Son of God, and that the Father has put everything into his hands, humbles himself to perform a final service.  A service that is more appropriate for the household servants.  Culturally, the underside of the foot was considered a dishonourable part of the body, and the washing of another person’s feet was performed by someone of a lower status. 

We are reminded of the hymn from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians:  “Christ, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.”

Christ came into the world, ‘not to be served but to serve’, this scene of the washing of the feet teaches us the same thing.  Through Jesus’ example we should serve each other in all humility and simplicity.  So, in the presence of his most beloved disciples, Jesus gladly carries out the task of a servant. 

We see on one hand the malice of Judas, who fails to respond to Jesus’ demonstration of love, and on the other hand we see the great emphasis of the goodness in Christ.  Jesus then reaches out beyond Judas’ malice by washing his feet and treating him as a friend, right up to the moment when he betrays him.

In our daily lives, you might find Jesus whispering in our ear from time to time, saying ‘I have given you an example of humility’, so that you too may learn to serve with a meekness of heart.   

Peter sees how inappropriate it was for Jesus to wash his feet, and starts to protest.  St Augustine comments by saying: ‘Who would not, shrink back in dismay, from having their feet washed by the Son of God.’  However, Our Lord’s loving gesture has a deeper significance than Peter was able to grasp.  It was only after the Resurrection that the Apostles understood the mystery of Jesus’ service.  By washing their feet, he was stating in a simple and symbolic way that he came to serve and that his service consisted of giving ‘his very life as a ransom for many.’  Jesus’ whole life was an example of service, fulfilling his Father’s will to the point of dying on the cross, to save all humanity from their sins, and allow them to enter into eternal life.  

Our Lord has promised us that if we imitate him, our teacher, we will find true happiness, that no one can take away. 

So, let us always reject from our hearts any pride or malice that we face, in order that, peace, love and joy will reign around us and within us, during this Holy Season of Easter. 

Passion Sunday

(Short Homily – due to long Passion Narrative during Mass)

We have finally begun the period of Holy Week, a day of glory and impending tragedy.  The scene is set for us, as Jesus makes his triumphal journey from Bethany to Jerusalem, his final movement to bring everything together through his death and glorious Passion.

Imagine the sight of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey with people waving palm branches and shouting, ‘Hosanna in the highest’, acclaiming him King, must have made the visiting crowds who were gathered for the Passover festival, stop in amazement.  Little did the people know that the rejoicing would quickly be swept aside.  Before long, the triumphal shouting turned to tragedy, those palm branches changing into the wood of the cross, the hosannas, became jeers and calls for his death.

This Holy Week is a most sacred time, it highlights the peak moments of Christ’s love for us, gives us an opportunity to look at our lives and accept responsibility for our failings.  Jesus was betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter and abandoned by all.  If we are honest with ourselves, we can see shades in our hearts, that shadow, those who put Jesus to death.  Peter and Judas, Pilate and the soldiers.  This should cause us to reflect on our own sins and failings inside each one of us. 

Every Christian becomes aware that in their own life they need to meet the same fate as Jesus.  We should join in Christ’s suffering and death, in order to share his eternal glory.  Our victory, like Christ’s, comes only through the cross. 

Let us during these final days of Lent offer ourselves the opportunity to harmonise our minds and hearts with Christ, allowing the truth of Jesus’ ultimate, finest ‘Hour’ of Exultation and Glorification to dawn deeply in our hearts. 

The truth is that:  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but have eternal life.”

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I wish to speak with you today about the process in which our Parliament is currently considering legalising assisted suicide through the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. As I have made clear earlier in this debate, as Catholics we have maintained a principled objection to this change in law recognising that every human life is sacred, coming as a gift of God and bearing a God-given dignity. We are, therefore, clearly opposed to this Bill in principle, elevating, as it does, the autonomy of the individual above all other considerations.
The passage of the Bill through Parliament will lead to a vote in late April on whether it progresses further. This will be a crucial moment and I, together with all the Bishops of England and Wales, am writing to ask your support in urging your MP to vote against this Bill at that time.
There are serious reasons for doing so. At this point we wish not simply to restate our objections in principle, but to emphasise the deeply flawed process undergone in Parliament thus far. We wish to remind you that it is a fundamental duty of every MP to ensure that legislation is not imposed on our society which has not been properly scrutinised and which will bring about damaging consequences.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will fundamentally change many of the key relationships in our way of life: within the family, between doctor and patient, within the health service. Yet there has been no Royal Commission or independent inquiry ahead of its presentation. It is a Private Member’s Bill. The Bill itself is long and complex and was published just days before MPs voted on it, giving them inadequate time to consult or reflect upon it. The time for debate was minimal. The Committee examining the Bill took only three days of evidence: not all voices were heard, and it comprises an undue number of supporters of the Bill. In short, this is no way to legislate on such an important and morally complex issue.
One consequence of this flawed process is that many vital questions remain unanswered. Can MPs guarantee that the scope of the Bill will not be extended? In almost every country where assisted suicide has been introduced the current scope is wider than was originally intended. What role, if any, will the judiciary have in the process? We were told that judicial oversight was a necessary and vital part of the process; now we are told it isn’t needed at all. What will protect the vulnerable from coercion, or from feeling a burden on family? Can the National Health Service cope with assisted suicide or will it, as the Health Secretary has warned, cause cuts elsewhere in the NHS? Can MPs guarantee that no medical practitioner or care worker would be compelled to take part in assisted suicide? Would this mean the establishment of a ‘national death service’?
In contrast to the provisions of this Bill, what is needed is first-class, compassionate palliative care at the end of our lives. This is already provided to many in our society but, tragically, is in short supply and underfunded. No-one should be dispatched as a burden to others. Instead, a good society would prioritise care for the elderly, the vulnerable, and the weak. The lives of our families are richer for cherishing their presence.
It is sad reflection on Parliament’s priorities that the House of Commons spent far more time debating the ban on fox hunting than it is spending debating bringing in assisted suicide.
I am sure that you will share these concerns. It is now clear that this measure is being rushed without proper scrutiny and without fundamental questions surrounding safeguards being answered. This is a deeply flawed Bill with untold unintended consequences.
Every MP, and Government, has a solemn duty to prevent such legislation reaching the statute book. This, tragically, is what may happen. So I appeal to you: even if you have written before, please make contact now with your MP and ask them to vote against this Bill not only on grounds of principle but because of the failure of Parliament to approach this issue in an adequate and responsible manner.
In his Letter to the Philippians, from which we heard in the Second Reading, St Paul reflects on the difficulties and responsibilities of life. He speaks of ‘pressing on’ and ‘striving’ for the fulness of life promised in Christ Jesus. Yet he is totally confident in his struggles because, as he says, ‘Christ Jesus has made me his own’.
We too have many struggles. We too know that Christ Jesus has made us his own. So we too press on with this struggle, so important in our times.
May God bless you all.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

Rt Rev Paul Swarbrick
Bishop of Lancaster