From the Archbishop's Desk
July 2009
Curing: healing: these two words mean different things.
Curing means: my eyesight was cured when the cataracts were removed: my digestive capacity was cured when the ulcer was no longer active. But healing: the blind Milton was healed when he discovered: although now that my light is spent I cannot write any more, they also serve our Lord and each other who even only stand and wait; the person living with the horizon of a form of cancer that will not yield to any of the wonderful therapies available is re-assured: you will never be left alone: you are honoured among us; your patience blesses the rest of us; your serenity cures us as we live as if we are self-made men and women, on whom it all depends and who so quickly fall into the sin of worshipping themselves as their maker.
Health care is at its best when those involved are at peace when they cannot cure, but also have the attitude, the words and deeds that secure dignity, a web of friends, that bring healing.
Chaplains, ministers of anointing, of the healing Body and Blood of the Lord, heralds of his presence and healing touch, will be at their best when they both are at peace to be healers, unable to cure, but also constantly grow in grateful wonder for each medical advance and new cure.
‘May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.’
14.06.09 Pastoral Letter Sunday 14 June 2009 (mp3)
14.06.09 Pastoral Letter Sunday 14 June 2009 (pdf)
Bishop's Engagements · Archbishop's Letters and Homilies
On August 2nd Fr Stephen Pritchard, Pete Jones and Martin Atherton will set off on an intrepid 746 km bike ride to raise money for work with young people in the Archdiocese. The ride will take the ancient pilgrimage route to the renowned shrine of St James the Apostle in the north of Spain. Months of planning and training have gone into the event and people can sponsor the trio by clicking on the arrow. Thank you for your generosity!
Make a single Donation to Animate
Message of Pope Benedict XVI
for the 2009 World Day of Communications on Sunday 24 May 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In anticipation of the forthcoming World Communications Day, I would like to address to you some reflections on the theme chosen for this year - New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship. The new digital technologies are, indeed, bringing about fundamental shifts in patterns of communication and human relationships. These changes are particularly evident among those young people who have grown up with the new technologies and are at home in a digital world that often seems quite foreign to those of us who, as adults, have had to learn to understand and appreciate the opportunities it has to offer for communications.
©2009 Archdiocese of Liverpool