December 1, 2020
Don't forget to read your Diocesan Magazine: https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/diocesan-magazine
November 28, 2020
The Second Sunday of Advent each year is the day on which the Archdiocese of Birmingham seeks your particular support for those parishes of the Archdiocese which are comparatively poor in terms of income. We know that this is a difficult time for many and we appreciate all the help…
November 22, 2020
Message from the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Homily by Archbishop Bernard Longley Photo: Archbishop Bernard Longley with Cathedral clergy Mgr Timothy Menezes and Fr Tomas Zuna Texts in full: Message from the Lord Mayor of Birmingham: Your GraceMonsignor Timothy I am honoured to be invited to contribute to the annual…November 21, 2020
Homily by Archbishop Bernard Longley He is God…of the living; for to him all men are in fact alive. We gather today for a special moment of prayer on the third weekend of the current lockdown in England. We are especially conscious of the global impact of the coronavirus pandemic…November 10, 2020
News from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales Tuesday 10 November 2020 The Catholic Church in England and Wales welcomes the Report from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse relating to the institutional response of the Church in its duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse…November 9, 2020
This year's Remembrance Sunday commemorations were very different for all.On Sunday 8 November a Sung Requiem Mass was celebrated at St Chad's Cathedral featuring the cathedral choir.The Mass was offered by Archbishop Bernard Longley for all those who have died in conflict.We Will Remember Them Photo Gallery by Andrew De…November 9, 2020
Homily of Bishop Stephen Wright: The Month of November is traditionally a time when our thoughts and prayers turn to those who have died. It is also a time when we reflect on our own mortality too. Our liturgical year is coming to an end. After this weekend, there…
November 3, 2020
Sunday 1 November 2020 was a very special day for St Chad's Choir Chairman Philip Cotterill. It marked 50 years since he first sang in the choir at St Chad's Cathedral.To mark this special occasion Philip was presented with the diocesan award, Ubi Caritas, by Bishop David Evans at the…November 3, 2020
REQUIEM MASS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN THE PAST YEAR ST CHAD’S CATHEDRAL: 2 NOVEMBER 2020 Homily by Archbishop Bernard Longley: Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Every year during November the Church encourages us to gather together so…November 1, 2020
Homily of Archbishop Bernard Longley: Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God. Dear friends, we are celebrating the ordination of Dominic Kerr, Dirk Hermans and John Garvey in highly unusual circumstances and having to observe the current restrictions on gathering together for the health and wellbeing of one…October 29, 2020
All are invited to join a virtual Diocesan Mass on All Souls Day to acknowledge and remember those who have died this year. Archbishop Bernard Longley will celebrate the Mass at 7pm on Monday 2 November, live streamed from St Chad’s Cathedral. November is the month of the Holy Souls…October 28, 2020
This year’s Thanksgiving Mass for Marriage will be celebrated virtually from St Chad’s Cathedral on Sunday (1 Nov).Although the celebration cannot accommodate large numbers due to the pandemic, dozens of couples from across the Archdiocese will be joining online.The 12noon Mass will be celebrated for all married couples - especially…October 26, 2020
This year’s long-awaited ordination of three new permanent deacons in the Diocesan family will take place on Sunday 1 November. All are welcome to join the ceremony virtually as it will be live streamed from St Chad’s Cathedral at 3pm. We are blessed to welcome John Garvey, Dirk Hermans and…October 22, 2020
News from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference: £3m grant funding for repairs to outstanding Catholic churches and cathedrals announced Following the award of a grant of £3m from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, the Patrimony Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference is delighted to announce that funding has been offered to…October 9, 2020
Homily of Archbishop Bernard Longley: We have received the Spirit that comes from God, to teach us to understand the gifts that he has given us. Today’s celebration is truly notable on several counts. It is a moment of exceptional joy for the life of our Archdiocese to receive from…October 9, 2020
Homily of Archbishop Bishop Bernard Longley: No one takes this honour on himself but each one is called by God. Dear friends, we are celebrating the ordination of Sean and Benedict in highly unusual circumstances and having to observe the current restrictions on gathering together for the health and wellbeing…
October 6, 2020
This special, extra large, issue is now available to buy. Please contact the Editor, Anne Symonds on 0121 249 1487 or annets103@hotmail.co.uk. The cost is £5 plus £2 p&p The magazine contains many interesting articles, including an opening article by Archbishop Bernard Longley and others by Cathedral Dean, Mgr Timothy…September 19, 2020
Archbishop Bernard's homily: In the extraordinary circumstances of this year the joy that we feel today at the Ordination of two priests to serve the people of the Archdiocese is heightened. When we are surrounded by so much uncertainty and concern because of the coronavirus pandemic we are given a…
September 7, 2020
A joint statement by the Right Rev David Urquhart, the Anglican Bishop of Birmingham, and the Most Rev Bernard Longley, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, following the incident in the city centre. ‘Our thoughts and the thoughts and prayers of many people are with those who have died or…September 7, 2020
Four new priests are due to be ordained by Archbishop Bernard Longley at St Chad’s Cathedral this September, with two new bishops ordained the following month. Seminarians Alex Taylor, Clive Dytor, Benedict Skipper and Sean Gough (pictured l-r) were ordained as transitional deacons last year as they completed their final…September 7, 2020
Eight members of the Kenelm Youth Trust Mission Team have recently been commended for their efforts by a national charity for their work in promoting the common good in our local community. Rebecca Palsar (19), Lucas Weaver (19), Beth Mitchell (20), Jair Jesus de Paulo Jr (23), Felicity Hawley (19),…July 8, 2020
Have you a flair for writing? Passionate about the written word?Then the Basilican magazine needs you!The official magazine of St Chad’s Cathedral, published twice a year, is packed full of interesting articles and has readers from as far afield as the USA and New Zealand!The editorial team is currently on…July 6, 2020
In celebration of Birmingham’s two cathedrals reopening to the public Ecumenical Prayers were held this morning (Monday).Archbishop Bernard Longley, head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham, and The Right Reverend Bishop David Urquhart, The Bishop of Birmingham, prayed together in St Chad’s Cathedral then walked to Birmingham Cathedral (St Philips)…June 30, 2020
Catholic Voices is collaborating with researchers as part of a major survey assessing responses to the Covid-19 crisis among Catholics in the UK. This survey, which will form part of a wider survey of UK Christian responses to the present crisis, is intended to capture Catholic experience and help us understand…June 25, 2020
Metropolitan Archbishops' Message
June 23, 2020
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales said: I welcome the statement by the Prime Minister earlier today, that places of worship are now able to resume collective acts of worship from 4 July. This is welcome news for members of all religions in England.…June 19, 2020
Messages from the National Mass, St Chad's Cathedral, Thursday 18th June, 7pm: MessagesJune 19, 2020
Do this and life is yours. On many occasions in recent weeks I have thought – and other people have said to me – we shall never forget 2020. We are not quite halfway through the year, yet we know that this is true. It is a year like no…June 18, 2020
TRUST SECRETARY (PART-TIME VOLUNTARY ROLE) The Archdiocese of Birmingham is seeking to appoint a Trust Secretary for the Birmingham Diocesan Trust, the Registered Charity (234216) through which the Catholic Church operates in the Archdiocese. Reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, as Trust Secretary you would liaise with the Trust…June 10, 2020
We’ve been working hard to develop our God who Speaks website - https://www.godwhospeaks.uk/ with some exciting new features, including Education and Our Dioceses sections. If you’d like to sign up to our e-newsletter (which comes out 6 times a year) please do so here – godwhospeaks.uk/scripture-newsletter-sign-up Your old web-links will…June 7, 2020
Cardinal thanks Catholics for their patience as churches prepare to re-open on 15 June for private, individual prayer Cardinal Vincent Nichols’ Statement I am grateful to the Prime Minister for his decision that our churches may now open again for individual prayer. I thank the Secretary of State for Communities,…May 22, 2020
Written by Mgr Timothy Menezes, Dean of St Chad's Cathedral, and voiced by young people of the Archdiocese. The animation is the work of the Kenelm Youth Trust, which oversees and brings together the wide variety of youth work that is undertaken in various settings throughout the Archdiocese. The photo…May 12, 2020
A spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference said: "The timing and the manner of the opening of churches touches profound sensitivities and spiritual needs. The Government's document and statements fail to recognise this. "The Government's position, established today, includes these steps aimed at opening churches as soon as possible: the…May 3, 2020
For Letter and Audio please click hereMay 2, 2020
Bishops proclaim that our hope is in the risen Lord as they recognise the pain of Catholics who cannot pray in Church or receive the Sacraments Writing on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, the five Metropolitan Archbishops have addressed the COVID-19 pandemic and, specifically, the measures taken…May 1, 2020
Feast of the English Martyrs 2020 Litany of the English Martyrs associated the Archdiocese of Birmingham: English Martyrs whose names are associated with the life of our Diocese St Ambrose Barlow Pray for usBlessed Thomas BelsonSt John BosteSt Alexander BriantBlessed Edward BurdenSt Edmund CampionSt Thomas of CanterburyBlessed William DaviesBlessed Robert…April 27, 2020
Lord Jesus, explain the scriptures to us. Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us. As we continue our journey through the Easter season today’s Gospel puts a new spring into our steps. St Luke offers us a very vivid account of the experience of the two…April 24, 2020
My first encounter with Bishop Leo McCartie was when I was ten years old, a new boy at Cotton College, and he was Captain of the School. We must have been on some work detail in the valley and I fell and cut my leg. He picked me up and…April 24, 2020
Please pray for the Repose of the Soul of Bishop Leo McCartie, who has died at the age of 94.Patrick Leo McCartie, titular bishop of Elmhama and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, then tenth bishop of Northampton, died in St Joseph’s Home, Harborne, Birmingham, on St George’s Day,…April 24, 2020
These sufferings bring patience…and patience brings perseverance, and perseverance brings hope. It is a blessing for us today that in the midst of all the anxieties and uncertainties that currently surround and affect us we still have the consolation of celebrating the Feast of St George – and that we…April 22, 2020
Before Pope Francis was Pope Benedict, and for the 27 years before that our Pope was John Paul the Second (JPII).As with all Popes, he was an incredible human being and there are so many things about him that brought joy to my faith and which I would like to…April 22, 2020
Speaking ahead of a series of special Thursday evening Masses for the sick, their families, NHS staff, and those working in Social Care, Cardinal Vincent Nichols has expressed his “deep appreciation” for all those caring for others during the coronavirus pandemic. Acknowledging the community solidarity behind the ‘Clap for our Carers’…April 17, 2020
The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales recognise that this time of the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting every person in our countries. Those who are sick, and their families, are suffering many hardships of isolation from contact with those they love. Our front-line workers in hospitals and in care homes…April 1, 2020
Many people are asking how we will observe Easter this year in these difficult times. Here’s some guidance from Rome in the form of a decree. Confession As we approach our most important week of the year – Holy Week – the way we follow Christ – from his triumphant entrance…March 27, 2020
For the first time from this Sunday, 29 March, Masses at St Chad’s Cathedral will be live streamed on a daily basis. The launch Mass of this new live streaming facility will be at 11am for the Rededication of England to Mary. Archbishop Bernard Longley will celebrate this Mass, concluding…March 18, 2020
Video of His Grace speaking about the Coronavirus and its impact on our lives today. Written message from His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley, to all Clergy and Parishioners Public Letter from the Presidency of the Bishops Conference Liturgical Advice to BishopsMarch 18, 2020
The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Canon Stephen Wright and Canon David Evans to be the new Auxiliary Bishops to serve our Archdiocese. These appointments come following Bishop Robert Byrne’s appointment to Hexham and Newcastle in March 2019 and Bishop David McGough’s retirement on reaching the age of 75.…March 18, 2020
Coronavirus update The Lourdes Pilgrimage has been cancelled. Please visit here for more information.March 11, 2020
Hundreds of altar servers and their families from across the Archdiocese gathered on Saturday 7 March for the Guild of St Stephen Annual Mass of Thanksgiving. Rt Revd Bishop David McGough celebrated the Mass, which was served by St. Mary and St Modwen, Burton-on-Trent. The gifts were presented by Our…March 5, 2020
On Monday 2 March, the Feast Day of St Chad, Fr Stephen Wright, Vicar General for the Archdiocese, was installed as a canon of the Cathedral in the presence of the relics of St Chad. Becoming a canon means Fr Stephen is now part of the Chapter of Canons, who…