Archbishop's Pastoral Letter for the weekend of 29th Sunday, 19/20 October 2024

Webmaster • October 16, 2024

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,


I write to you about a serious matter. A bill has been introduced in Parliament which, if passed, will allow doctors to supply lethal drugs to people with an incurable illness, in effect physician-assisted suicide.


In today’s readings we are reminded that Jesus Christ entered fully into our suffering. “It is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weakness”, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us (Hebrews 4; 15). Jesus knew the reality of suffering and death from the inside. He gave His life for us all. Our experience of death and dying takes place against this transcendent horizon. We believe every person is made for God and called to be with God forever.


All human life is sacred. This message is not just for people of faith, but for all people of goodwill, because the proposals for physician-assisted suicide are not just contrary to the dignity and sanctity of life, they pose grave dangers to vulnerable people. Cherishing life means building a society where every person is included and the diversity of individuals is not seen as a burden.


If the bill were to become law, the experience of countries such as Canada, Belgium, Netherlands and some parts of the USA, shows that the most vulnerable very quickly feel at risk. In Oregon, often suggested as a model by proponents of assisted suicide in the UK, over 47 per cent of those who accept it cited being a burden on family, friends and caregivers as a reason. Belgium has extended an initial permission to adults, to allow voluntary euthanasia of children. It has seen some extraordinary individual cases – euthanasia for anorexia nervosa, euthanasia for someone who regretted gender reassignment, euthanasia of twin brothers who feared losing their sight.


Supporters of the bill will say that these cases are not possible under the proposed law in our country. Yet the history of such legislation shows that once permission is given for one set of circumstances it will soon be extended. We should not only be concerned

about this “slippery slope” in the proposed law. Nor should supporters of the bill try to see our opposition as a merely religious matter. The deeper question is the inherent dignity of every person, especially in relation to those who are disabled, elderly or vulnerable. If, as a society, we facilitate suicide for certain categories of people – in this case those who are terminally ill – and seek to prevent suicide of others – the healthy and the young – then what we are ultimately saying is that some lives are less worthy than others.


Those who argue for a change in the law say it is about dying, not about other vulnerable people. However, in framing their arguments, they appeal not to the reality of someone’s approaching death. They speak rather about the alleged indignity of being dependant on another, or of reduced mental capacity, or the fear of being a burden on family and friends. But to say, as a society, that these are intolerable would ultimately be to condemn every disabled, elderly and vulnerable person. It would open the flood gates and put huge pressure on the most vulnerable. There would be a sense that there was a duty to die. Many would feel insecure about the future and conclude that they are a burden on loved ones and the health service.


The new bill marks a very serious moment for our country. It raises serious questions about what sort of society we want to be. Especially of concern is whether we will continue to promote a proper care of the dying, and of those who are vulnerable through disability or age. We must treasure and value these individuals among us. Our countries have such a rich tradition of care for the dying. We should invest more in such care.


It is good to see that those opposed to a change in the law includes a diverse group of medical professionals (especially, but not only, from the field of palliative care), disability rights organisations, researchers, carers and a range of other concerned institutions and individuals.


I urge you write to, or email, your local MP, to express your concerns about the bill. There is information on the Right to Life – https://righttolife.org.uk – website and poster of how to do this. Thank you and please pray for me.


Yours devotedly,


By Webmaster September 6, 2025
Many thanks for your ongoing support for the homeless at the Night Shelter at St. Mary of the Angels, Canton. The team still needs hats, gloves, boxer shorts, socks and jackets for the people who use the night shelter, they are also in desperate need of jeans or trousers (32” waists). Please note that the young people are medium size at most. Please do not donate large clothes items. Sleeping bags and haversacks are also very welcome. The team also needs Fizzy drinks, chocolate bars, crisps, sweets and cakes. If you are able to help by donating any of these items, please drop them at the back of the Church.
By Webmaster September 6, 2025
The Parish Knit and Natter group will meet in St. Teilo’s Hall on Thursday 11th September . All are welcome to come along and join in the knitting or the nattering or both!
By Webmaster September 6, 2025
This month’s craft session takes place in the Parish Hall at St. Teilo’s next Saturday, September 13th from 10.30am - 12.30pm. The session is about making Christmas Cards and is suitable for absolute beginners to experts. The session is free. Hope to see you there! Any enquiries please contact simplycraft@btinternet.com or speak to Erica.
By Webmaster September 6, 2025
Canon John on leave With Canon away, there will be no weekday Mass at St. Teilo’s and Our Lady of Lourdes. Neither St. Teilo’s nor Our Lady of Lourdes will be open this week. St. Teilo’s is closed as the new carpet is being fitted. Weekday Mass is available in our neighbouring churches: Nazareth House (access to the chapel is through the door on Colum Road, lift assisted access is via the convent entrance) – Mass is celebrated at 10am at Nazareth House on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. (No Mass on Tuesday) St. Joseph’s – Mass is celebrated at St. Joseph’s at 9.15am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 7pm on Wednesday. The Three Churches – Mass is celebrated in the 3 churches as follows: Monday at 9.30am at St. Brigid’s, Tuesday at 9.30am at Christ the King, Wednesday at 9.30am at St. Paul’s, Thursday at 9.30am at Christ the King, Friday at 9.30am at St. Paul’s, Saturday at 9.30am at St. Brigid’s. St. Mary of the Angels and Holy Family –Mass is at 9.30am on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at St. Mary’s and at 9.30am on Thursday at Holy Family.
By Webmaster September 6, 2025
St. Teilo’s Friends of Divine Mercy Prayer Group meets on Saturday, September 13th at 2.30pm in the Parish Hall. Everyone is welcome to come along to pray for the parish and the intentions of the parishioners.
By Webmaster September 6, 2025
Rest in Peace Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sandra Chisnall, a faithful parishoner at St. Teilo’s who died this week. Her funeral details will be published when they are available. Please also pray for Gina Cumberlidge, her Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, October 25th at 10am at St. Teilo’s. Please remember them both in your prayers.  Please also pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Father Sean Seddon, Father Philip McAuliffe, Johanna O’Sullivan, Elizabeth Edwards, Albert Needs, Josephine Beck, Michael O’Brien, Victor Barber, Joseph Whelan, Paul Hibbs, Joseph Harris, Denise McNulty, William Garland, Ann Wheatley, Brendan Lyons, Yvonne Cooper, George Marshall, Maria Garcis, Carol Smale, Douglas Harry, Catherine O’Neill, Lilian Marks, Richard Ryan, Charles Campbell, Rosa Rabaiotti, Mary Baker, Elizabet Light, Thomas Fitzgerald, William Gibbs, Joan Cass, Robert Gratten, Lorraine John, Patrick Sullivan, Mary Grace, Marcus O’Connor, Daniel Driscoll, David Lloyd, Donald Rabaiotti, Christina Bartlett, Daniel Collins, Collette James, Anna French, Elizabeth Bailey, Salvatore Defiglio, Margaret Griffiths, Marjorie Ulrich, Nia Harri, Eva Jordan, Albert Cronin, William Harrington, Louise Murray, Winifred Evans, John Wood, Eliza (Betty) Pemberton, Kathleen Mansfield, Mathew O’Neill, Gwendoline Elswood, Louisa Aherne, Charles Cunningham, Mary Doubler, Alfred O’Brien, Gertrude Rix, Bertha Fraser, Bernard Clarke, Coreen Brown, Elizabeth Denner, Minnie Murray, Norah O’Shea, Ivy Morrison and Daniel Aherne.
By Webmaster September 6, 2025
The Annual Ecumenical Service of Sung Vespers will take place in the grounds of Tintern Abbey on Sunday, September 15th at 3pm. This open-air service will focus on Prayers for Peace. This openair ecumenical service will draw together Christians of all backgrounds to this sacred site. The preacher this year will be Abbot Brendan Thomas OSB, Abbot of Belmont. You are invited to bring a folding chair for the service. Entry to the Abbey is free for those attending the service. Lunches and teas are available in the village nearby.
By Webmaster September 6, 2025
From Monday, September 8th to Friday, September 12th there will be Carpet Fitters at St. Teilo’s replacing the current carpet tiles with new carpet which is Supacord Heavy Contract Fibre Bonded Carpet and is specific for churches and areas with heavy footfall with a BREAM Rating of A+ which indicates that the product has the lowest overall environmental impact. The carpet comes with a 10 year guarantee and has been used in schools and other heavy-duty high traffic environments for over 40 years.  Many thanks to the parishioners who have noted the various breaks and wears in the current surface, it has taken a while to get Archdiocesan approval for the work to take place, but hopefully by Sunday, September 14th everyone will see the difference. Naturally, these things do not come cheap with the lowest tender being for £21,000. It seems like a good time to think of ways to fund this expenditure please let the Parish Finance Committee know if you have any suggestions for fund raising.
By Webmaster September 6, 2025
The Parish Loss and Bereavement Café continues on Wednesday. The Café is for anyone dealing with loss and you will find a cuppa and warm welcome waiting for you. Remember your loss does not have to mean bereavement. It can be any kind of loss you are feeling and perhaps with which you are struggling. The Café takes place on Wednesday from 1.30pm to 3pm in St. Teilo’s Parish Hall. Weekly attendance is not required. Come as and when you are able.
By Webmaster September 6, 2025
The next Parish Bingo evening will be on Friday, September 19th . The door will be open at 6.30 pm, for a prompt 7pm start. A Chip shop supper, which can be ordered on the night, is optional. Bingo is £7. Proceeds to the Parish Fund. All are welcome to come along and enjoy this fun evening.