700-year-old Book of Ossory returns to Kilkenny cathedral

A 14th-century manuscript, The Red Book of Ossory, has been returned to St Canice's Cathedral in Co Kilkenny, where it was written 700 years ago.

The manuscript, which was written by Bishop Ledrede, will go on public display for the first time in history from 29 July.

The 79-page vellum artefact is currently in the custody of the Representative Church Body (RCB) Library of the Church of Ireland and was escorted to St Canice's by Chief Librarian and Archivist Susan Hood.

The Red Book is the centrepiece of a new year-long exhibition which will explore life in Ireland in the 14th century.

The book offers offers a glimpse into the life of ordinary citizens through the lens of Bishop Ledrede, who held the See of Ossory from 1317 to 1360.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Sally Leadbetter described Bishop Ledrede as "the most extraordinary Bishop to ever hold the See of Ossory".

She said the bishop reserved the Red Book for only "the very essential things for society at the time".

One of these things, she said, was a recipe for 'aqua vitae’, today known as whiskey.

The recipe was used for medicinal purposes in the 1300s as the plague swept Europe.

Ms Leadbetter said it is one of the earliest records of distillation in the world.

The Dean of Ossory, Stephen Farrell, said that Bishop Ledrede was "a man of faith and science, trying to look after the people in his care".

He said the pages about aqua vitae "would be like someone having a recipe for the COVID vaccine today".

Bishop Ledrede was also known for having banned clergy from playing football on the cathedral grounds.

Ms Leadbetter said the bishop "knew that Kilkenny would be a hurling county".

The exhibition will involve four page turns of the manuscript.

The RCB Library will visit every 12 weeks to turn the vellum pages, not just to unveil new passages to the public but also to protect the pages and spine of the ancient manuscript.

The first ‘turn’ will be on the recipe for aqua vitae.

Vatican budget deficit has increased

According to media reports, the Vatican recorded a budget deficit of almost 84 million euros last year. 

This is five million more than in the previous year, reports the newspaper "La Repubblica" (Friday). 

The fact that the deficit was not higher is due to spending cuts and a revaluation of Vatican property assets, according to the newspaper based on the budget report, which it said it had received.

According to the Holy See's balance sheet, which was recently approved by the Economic Council headed by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, income of 1,152 million euros was offset by operating expenditure of 1,236 million euros. 

Last year, the Holy See did not publish a balance sheet for 2022. 

According to "Repubblica", income increased by 28 million euros in 2023, while expenditure rose by 33 million euros. 

Due to inflation and high energy prices, the Papal States had increased the salaries of its employees.

The Holy See itself neither levies taxes nor does it have its own monetary policy. Its only income comes from donations, such as the so-called St Peter's penny. 

It also receives money from the administration of the Vatican State, which receives the income from the Vatican Museums as well as rent and lease money from properties. 

Thanks to simplified donation options, St Peter's pence was increased by almost five million euros to 48.4 million in 2023. 

However, secularisation and ageing in the richest and previously most donor-friendly countries of the global Church, such as the USA, Italy, Germany, Spain and South Korea, threaten to further reduce donations in the future.

Authorisations for Traditional Latin Mass in parish churches published

The Vatican Dicastery for Divine Worship has authorised the celebration of the pre-conciliar liturgy in parish churches in 56 parish churches in ten countries in 2022. 

With 34 parish churches, the most dispensations were granted for a total of 20 US dioceses, according to the Official Gazette of the Dicastery for Divine Worship ("Notitiae") for the year 2022, published on Friday. 

In Germany, dispensations were granted for five parish churches, all of which are located in the diocese of Regensburg. 

Figures for the years from 2023 onwards are not yet available, so it can be assumed that further dispensations have been granted since then.

In the summer of 2021, Pope Francis issued the motu proprio "Traditionis custodes", which celebration of the liturgy according to the missals of 1962 was severely restricted. 

Among other things, such masses should no longer be celebrated in parish churches. 

In December 2021, the liturgical dicastery announcedthat a deviation from this rule may not be made by diocesan bishops on their own initiative, but requires authorisation from the Vatican authority. This is only granted in cases "where it is clear that it is impossible to use another church, an oratory or a chapel". 

The assessment of this impossibility must be carried out with the utmost care. 

In February 2023 the Pope confirmed the sole power of dispensation of the Liturgical Dicastery with a decree.

Dispensations mainly in North America

According to the dicastery's list, in addition to the dispensations for 34 US parish churches in 20 dioceses, dispensations were granted in Poland (3 dioceses, 3 parish churches), Great Britain (4 dioceses, 5 parish churches), Canada (3 dioceses, 4 parish churches), Poland (3 dioceses, 3 parish churches), Germany (1 diocese, 5 parish churches) as well as Lithuania, Italy, Hungary and Austria (1 diocese with 1 parish church each).

The five parish churches in the diocese of Regensburg are St Joseph in Dachelhofen, St Michael in Donaustauf, St Georg in Gerzen, St Pankratius in Grafentraubach and St Johannes in Altmühlmünster. 

In February 2022, Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer issued a general implementing decree on "Traditionis custodes" which stipulated, among other things, that requests for the celebration of the pre-conciliar liturgy in parish churches can be submitted to the bishop or vicar general, which will then be presented to Rome for approval by the bishop if necessary. 

Prior to the reservation of the power of dispensation by the dicastery, the Archbishop of Freiburg Stephan Burger had issued an implementing decreewhich was based on the assumption that he was entitled to the power of dispensation. 

At that time, Burger granted dispensations for the parish church of St Joseph in Freiburg and the pilgrimage church of Walldürn.

Prominent Russian Orthodox prelate suspended

The Russian Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow has announced that Metropolitan Hilarion has been suspended “temporarily” from his post as head of the Budapest diocese, during an investigation of his leadership.

Although the announcement did not specify the reason for the investigation, a recent story in Novaya Gazeta Europe had disclosed that Metropolitan Hilarion has been charged with sexual harassment by a subdeacon who lived with him. 

Hilarion has denied the charge, and claimed that he is being blackmailed.

Metropolitan Hilarion is one of the most prominent prelates in the Russian Orthodox Church, having served as the head of the patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations—in effect, the “foreign minister” of the Russian Orthodox Church. 

He was dismissed from that role in 2022 amid suggestions that he was not sufficiently supportive of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. 

Ironically the newspaper that aired the complaint against him, Novaya Gazeta Europe, has also been accused of sympathy for Ukraine, and is classified by the Russian government as an “undesirable organization.”

Church in Portugal publishes regulations for compensation claims in abuse cases

Requests for financial compensation for victims of sexual abuse committed in the Church in Portugal will be analyzed by two commissions, one to analyze the cases and the other to determine the amounts of compensation, the Portuguese Bishops’ Conference (CEP) said in regulations published Thursday.

“Financial compensation should represent a significant benefit and be proportional to the seriousness of the damage assessed, without the pretension of paying what is unpayable or annulling what, unfortunately, cannot be annulled,” the CEP regulations say.

In February 2023, the final report of the Independent Commission for the Study of the Sexual Abuse of Children in the Catholic Church in Portugal was released. 

According to the document, from 1950 to 2022 there were at least 4,815 victims in the country. Following this report, the VITA Group was created to monitor situations of sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults in the context of the Catholic Church in Portugal.

In April of this year, the CEP approved at its 209th Plenary Assembly the awarding of financial compensation to victims of sexual abuse against children and vulnerable people in the Church in Portugal. The same decision was taken by the Conference of Religious Institutes of Portugal at its general assembly that same month.

Analysis of requests for financial compensation

According to the regulations published July 25, applications for compensation, which began to be submitted June 1, can be made until Dec. 31. They can be made “by the victims, or their legal representative, to the VITA Group, to the diocesan Commissions for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults, or to the services of religious institutes and societies of apostolic life.”

“An investigation commission will be set up for each request for compensation,” the regulations say. This commission “is responsible for examining requests for financial compensation, ascertaining the facts committed, the nature and extent of the damage suffered, as well as the causal link between the fact and the damage.” After the analysis, it must draw up an opinion on the “merits or unfoundedness of the request for financial compensation.”

This commission will be made up of two people, one appointed by the VITA Group and the other by the coordinator of the respective diocesan commission or, in the case of religious institutes and societies of apostolic life, by the competent authority of the institute. It will also include “at least one professional from the field of forensic psychology and, if necessary, from the field of forensic psychiatry (with experience in medical-legal evaluations in this specific context), and if possible a jurist.”

The case then goes to the compensation committee, whose “function will no longer be to determine the facts but to determine the amount of compensation to be awarded.”

It will be made up of seven people, mostly lawyers with experience in the area. Two will be appointed by CEP, two by the national coordination team of the diocesan Commissions for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults, one by the Conference of Religious Institutes of Portugal, and two by the VITA Group.

“The opinions issued by either the instruction committee or the compensation committee must be presented, duly substantiated and under seal, to the Portuguese Episcopal Conference or to the competent major superior, who will decide on them in definitive terms, respectively,” the regulations say.

The final decision, “duly justified, will be notified to the author of the request, to the commission for the determination of compensation, and to the commission for the investigation of the case.”

The financial compensation payments will be made through a fund created by the CEP, which will count on the solidarity contribution of all Portuguese dioceses as well as religious institutes and societies of apostolic life.

The CEP regulations state that “regardless of the request for financial compensation,” “medical, psychological, and/or psychotherapeutic support for victims of sexual abuse practiced within the Church” will continue to be provided.

U.S.-Mexico border diocese of Matamoros to have new name, co-cathedral in Reynosa

The Diocese of Matamoros in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas on the border with the U.S. announced two changes in its pastoral government: Its name will change to the Diocese of Matamoros-Reynosa and the Our Lady of Guadalupe church in Reynosa will be its co-cathedral.

In a statement shared Monday, the Mexican diocese said the changes will not be immediate. In the coming days the date will be announced when the new name will be official and a Mass will be celebrated at which time Our Lady of Guadalupe Church will be elevated to a co-cathedral.

According to the statement, the Vatican Dicastery for Bishops approved the changes, which had been requested by the bishop of Matamoros, Eugenio Andrés Lira Rugarcía, considering that “Reynosa, which is part of the territory of the Diocese of Matamoros, is the municipality with the largest population in the state of Tamaulipas and its ecclesial life is very solid.”

The city of Reynosa is located in the country’s northeast, also in the state of Tamaulipas, and borders Hidalgo County, Texas. It has a population of 704,767 inhabitants, according to 2020 data from the Mexican government’s Ministry of Economy, whereas Matamoros has a population of 118,337. In the area served by the Catholic Church in ​​Reynosa alone there are 34 churches.

The episcopal seat of what will be the Diocese of Matamoros-Reynosa will remain in Matamoros, where the cathedral of Our Lady of Refuge and the offices of the diocesan curia are located. However, “some liturgical celebrations and diocesan services will take place in the new co-cathedral,” which is located in downtown Reynosa.

The Royal Spanish Academy defines co-cathedral as “a church with the dignity of a cathedral, united to that of the historical seat of the same diocese.”

With the addition of the one in Reynosa, there will be five co-cathedrals in Mexico. Currently they are the Co-Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Chilapa, in the Diocese of Chilpancingo-Chilapa, Guerrero state; the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Chetumal, of the Diocese of Cancún-Chetumal, Quintana Roo state; the Co-Cathedral of St. Peter in Madera, in the Diocese of Cuauhtémoc-Madera, Chihuahua state; and the Co-Cathedral of the Sweet Name of Mary in Sisoguichi, in the Diocese of Tarahumara, also in Chihuahua.

Father José Luis Cerra Luna, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, shared a message on Facebook expressing his joy at the Vatican’s decision.

“God calls us to feel even more closely united to our bishop, Eugenio Andrés Lira Rugarcía, but also to the entire diocesan community. Being a co-cathedral is a vocation to unity, not only within our parish but for the entire Diocese of Matamoros-Reynosa,” Cerra said.

According to the website of the Diocese of Matamoros, its territory covers the towns of Matamoros, Reynosa, Valle Hermoso, Río Bravo, Camargo, Díaz Ordaz, San Fernando, and Méndez, all in northern Tamaulipas.

The diocesan territory has an area of ​​about 7,500 square miles with a population of approximately 1.5 million.

The diocese has 76 churches and a presbyterate made up of 125 diocesan priests as well as various religious communities, lay organizations, educational institutions, and social works.

The Diocese of Matamoros was created by Pope Pius XII on Feb. 16, 1958, and is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Monterrey.

Co Antrim site gains Unesco World Hertiage status

A historical village in Co Antrim has become the UK’s newest Unesco World Heritage Site.

The Moravian Church settlement in Gracehill is Northern Ireland’s second such site - and the 34th in the UK.

The site was nominated as part of an American campaign to achieve World Heritage Status for Moravian Church settlements founded in the 18th century.

The Gracehill site is among other Moravian Church sites in Herrnhut, Germany and Bethlehem in the United States to gain World Heritage status.

Founded in 1759, Gracehill features distinctive Moravian buildings, including a particular type of congregation building called a Gemeinhaus, a church, choir houses and a cemetery.

There is an active congregation present at the site today, who continue Moravian traditions.

According to Unesco, Gracehill is the best preserved example of a settlement representing the Moravian ideal in the UK and Ireland and the only example built on the island of Ireland.

It becomes Northern Ireland’s second such site - the other is the Giant's Causeway, which was listed in 1986.

Accusations of sexual abuse of a minor leveled against former Springfield Catholic bishop

A former Springfield Roman Catholic bishop has been accused of sexually abusing a minor according to one of several lawsuits brought against the St. Louis archdiocese and current Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski this week.

Archbishop George Lucas, who served in Springfield from 1999 to 2009, was a priest and the dean of education at the St. Louis Preparatory Seminary School in the late 1980s when the alleged abuse occurred.

The 75-year-old Lucas has led Archdiocese of Omaha since leaving Springfield.

Lucas' male accuser, only identified by the initials "D.S." in the petition, was a 16-year-old high school junior at the time.

According to the filing, Lucas performed oral sex on the student and masturbated while performing the act, mostly during "one-on-one check-in sessions." The student was enrolled in two courses Lucas taught.

On multiple other occasions, Lucas masturbated the student and forced him to masturbate Lucas, according to the lawsuit.

When Lucas failed the student on an assignment, he told the student he could perform oral sex for a better grade.

"D.S." said he saw another unnamed student performing oral sex on Lucas.

Lucas, a native of St. Louis, later served as the archdiocese's chancellor and then rector of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.

It was Lucas who called for an independent investigation of the Springfield diocese led by Bill Roberts, a former federal attorney.

Roberts' 2006 report stated in part that Lucas' predecessor, Bishop Daniel L. Ryan, fostered "a culture of secrecy" in the diocese that discouraged priests from coming forward with information about sexual misconduct by other priests. It also said Ryan, who served as Springfield bishop from 1984 to 1999, "engaged in sexual misconduct with adults and used his authority to conceal this misconduct."

Ryan died in 2015.

The report led to the removal of eight priests from around the 28-county diocese.

One of the groups, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), that said the 2006 report didn't go far enough had strong reaction to the lawsuit.

"We firmly believe Lucas hid clergy sex crimes while he was in Springfield," said David Clohessy, the former national director of SNAP from St. Louis. "He may well have committed such crimes, too. We hope every single person who might shed light on these allegations, especially current and former church employees, will do their civic and Christian duty by coming forward now and speaking up."

Through a spokesperson, Lucas on Thursday said: "I categorically deny the accusation made by an anonymous person. I have never had sexual contact with another person. I referred the matter to (Cardinal Christophe Pierre), Pope Francis' representative in Washington, D.C., for his guidance."

The St. Louis archdiocese, the petition claimed, "knowingly enabled, covered up, and concealed that for multiple decades their employees sexually abused minors."

It labeled the cover-up as "shameless."

The lawsuit naming Lucas was filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court.

CWI : Operation Laonia (29)

Well Fintan, at his time we should perhaps be offering our condolences to you on the death of your father, but unlike you, we will not be hypocritical.

At least Fintan, you were able to celebrate the funeral liturgy, and indeed, no doubt you will do likewise for the Months Mind....

...unlike what you done to a priest of 'your' diocese at the time of his fathers passing...and all based upon the lies of someone who you failed to investigate.

No doubt you are now getting ready to have the Vatican honchos treated like royalty as they ordain Horgan to the ranks of the epsicopate, but it will still not take away the stain of deceit, fraud and lies you allowed to be perpetuated, and inded, partook of, in recent times.

See you later today Fintan....and we look forward to meeting Parolin....we have some very interesting reading material for him relative to you!!

Garda Commissioner orders allegations made against Bishop Eamonn Casey be re-examined

The Garda Commissioner has asked that allegations of sexual abuse made against the late Bishop Eamonn Casey be re-examined.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has requested that the Garda National Protective Services Bureau examine the original investigation file into claims of child sexual abuse made against the former Bishop of Kerry and Galway.

The Garda National Protective Services Bureau is a specialist unit whose remits includes sexual crime investigations.

The statement from the Garda Press Office says directions by the DPP are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

An RTÉ documentary, made in partnership with the Irish Mail on Sunday, revealed this week that at least five complaints of sexual abuse had been made against Bishop Eamonn Casey who died in 2017.

His niece, Patricia Donovan alleged that he abused her from the age of five.

Bishop Casey consistently denied allegations against him.

He was never convicted of any sexual crimes and remained a bishop until his death in March 2017.

Dr Casey resigned as Bishop of Galway in 1992 after it was revealed that he had fathered a child in the 1970s during the period when he was Bishop of Kerry.

Diocese ‘reflects’ on Bishop Eamonn Casey's burial in crypt

THE DIOCESE of Galway say they need to “reflect” after watching the major documentary, Bishop Casey’s Buried Secrets, on whether Bishop Eamonn Casey’s remains should stay interred in the crypt at Galway Cathedral.

The programme revealed that there were at least five complaints of alleged child sexual abuse made against Bishop Casey - three in Limerick. 

The Church received four separate complaints of childhood sexual abuse against Bishop Casey and one further ‘child safeguarding concern’. 

“After watching the programme this evening, we will need to reflect on its contents before making a response,”  a spokesperson for the Galway Diocese informed the Leader on Monday. There was no further communication on the matter following further enquiries.

The RTÉ documentary is in association with the Irish Mail on Sunday and Daily Mail news editorAnne Sheridan, formerly a journalist with  the Limerick Leader. It aired on Monday night with over half a million views thus far.

Bishop Casey was a native of Kerry but was  brought up in Adare, where his father was a creamery manager. He attended St Munchin's College before being ordained a priest for the Diocese of Limerick. His first parish was St John’s in the city.

Bishop Casey's  fall from grace emerged in 1992 with the revelation he had fathered a child with Annie Murphy, a US divorcee half his age. 

Limerick Diocese has confirmed that it has received three allegations of child sexual abuse against Fr Casey relating to his time in Limerick.

The Limerick Leader first reported in 2016 that High Court proceedings were filed against Bishop Casey and the Diocese of Limerick for personal injury damages in relation to one case taken against him in 2016. Two complaints against Fr Casey made in Limerick resulted in significant settlements being made - one was over €100,000.

Bishop Casey's niece, Patricia Donovan, from Limerick, made her complaint of alleged child sexual abuse against him in 2005. Her uncle was never charged in relation to her claims. Ms Donovan never received compensation from the Church but the Galway Diocese did pay for some counselling sessions for her.

Ms Donovan told Ms Sheridan, that Bishop Casey first raped her at the age of five and that the sexual abuse continued for years. 

“He had no fear of being caught,” said Ms Donovan.

The documentary also revealed that Bishop Casey “quietly moved” his Limerick nephew Fr Michael Donovan to his diocese, after Fr Donovan  was accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old altar boy.

In a statement to the Limerick Leader, Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy said sexual abuse is a “heinous act”. 

“On behalf of the Diocese of Limerick and personally, I express deep sorrow and regret to anyone who has been wounded by clerical abuse, including the people in this documentary. I am shamed beyond words by the betrayal of trust and the lifelong hurt which abuse causes,” said Bishop Leahy.

Ms Sheridan said the origins of this story really began with the Limerick Leader in 2016.

“The former Bishop of Galway, Dr Brendan Kelly, declined to be interviewed for the programme, stating that he did not believe it would serve truth, justice or the public interest. 

“I would hope that viewers feel the opposite; that RTE has served the public with a documentary that is very much in the public interest,” said Ms Sheridan.

Fr Casey consistently denied all the allegations against him. He was never charged or convicted of any sexual crimes and remained a bishop until his death in March 2017 when his remains were interred in the crypt at Galway Cathedral.

“We are deeply deeply deeply sorry.” - Archbishop Justin Welby

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby,apologised to the Jamaican people on Sunday at the 200th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands for what he described as the “vile and disgusting sin” of slavery. 

And in a letter to the Diocese of Barbados, who also held its 200th Anniversary Thanksgiving service on Sunday, he lamented the “Church of England’s history of complicity in the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade.” 

The Thanksgiving Service was held at the National Arena in Kingston, Jamaica. In his sermon, Archbishop Justin said: “I cannot speak for the government of the United Kingdom, but I can speak from my own heart and represent what we say in England now. We are deeply deeply deeply sorry. We sinned against your ancestors.”  

He spoke about how parts of the Church of England and an Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Secker, owned slaves. He said: “And even for those in the Church who did not actively participate in transatlantic chattel enslavement, the silence of the Church of England was a collusion, an agreement with slavery. The votes of the bishops in Parliament were a support for slavery and their receiving of compensation for freeing the slaves was a profit from slavery.” 

In his welcome, at the start of the service, the Archbishop of the Province of the West Indies and Bishop of the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, Howard Gregory, addressed Archbishop Justin. He said: “I want to use the opportunity to assure you sir of our ongoing support as a diocese and a province to the maintenance of the unity of our Anglican Communion. We respect diversity and acknowledge that our mission is to be one in Christ and not to divide the church because of personal or supposed theological or biblical differences. Be assured of our continuing support for the unity of our Communion.” 

He welcomed all those present and online, including the Bishop of the Diocese of Belize, Philip Wright, who assisted in the service. In his welcome, Archbishop Howard said that his presence is of particular significance as Belize was “part of the Diocese of Jamaica when it was established two hundred years ago.” Other guests included the British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Judith Slater, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kingston, Kenneth Richards, United States Ambassador to Jamaica, Nick Perry and Leader of the Jamaican Opposition Party, Mark Golding. Archbishop Howard also welcomed the Bishop of Oxford, Dr Steven Croft, clergy and laity who were watching online. The two dioceses recently became companion link dioceses. He gave a special acknowledgement to the communities in southern Jamaica who were affected recently by Hurricane Beryl. He said: “we pray for you as you work at the recovery from the experience, and we promise and assure you that we will do all we can to support you through the appropriate channels which have been communicated to the clergy across the diocese.” 

The three-hour service was a lively celebration of the Jamaican and Caribbean Church and culture which included a steel pan band welcoming the congregation and African drumming accompanying the archbishops’ procession to the altar. The Gospel was read in the Jamaican language and the choir wore traditional Jamaican bandana material as shawls.   

The Bishop of Southwark in the Church of England, Christopher Chessun, who is in Barbados for the Thanksgiving Service with the Bishop of Croydon, Dr Rosemarie Mallett, read out a letter of congratulations from the Archbishop of Canterbury. He said: “It is wonderful that the Diocese of Barbados has been ministering to the people of this extraordinary island for two centuries. Such a significant milestone could not have been achieved without the dedication of its clergy, the commitment of its lay people and above all the faithfulness of God. It is therefore a great pleasure to send my sincere congratulations to you on this momentous occasion. As Archbishop of Canterbury, one of the great joys of my role is to see churches flourish and to witness God at work around our Anglican Communion and Barbados is no exception.”   

He continued: “It is important for me to recognise and lament the Church of England’s history of complicity in the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade. The work of Bishop Coleridge allowed Barbados to move towards advocacy for the ending of enslavement and the education of people -precious bearers of God’s image - who have been enslaved. However, two hundred years on, Barbados still bears profoundly scars of the past and I am grateful to all those who continue to strive relentlessly for justice.” 

The Diocese of Southwark and the Diocese of Barbados became companion link dioceses recently. In his letter Archbishop Justin said: “It is also my prayer that greater links with the Diocese of Southwark will be fruitful, and that God will bless your partnerships.”  

The Bishop of the Diocese of Barbados, the Rt Revd Michael Maxwell, said: “I am very glad that Bishop Christopher and Bishop Rosemarie have come to Barbados for the 200th anniversary of the Diocese and we have already started to discuss the exciting possibilities and opportunities of our new companion link. This will give a framework to the long existing friendship and partnership in the Gospel between our dioceses.” 

Guests at the service included the President of Barbados, Dame Sandra Mason, the Prime Minister Mia Mottley and the sermon was preached by Archbishop Emeritus of the Church in the Province of the West Indies and Bishop of the Diocese of the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, Drexel W. Gomez.