Robert Rigby, the former Lord Mayor of Westminster, reiterated the important role faith can play in public life, even in a secularised society.
Cardinal Nichols was in Rome for the state visit of the King and Queen to the Holy See. “Rarely have I attended ceremonies which were so full of historical resonance,” he said, in a statement published on his website.
“In the Sistine Chapel I took part in the first time, for many centuries, that the King of my homeland and the Holy Father of my faith prayed together in a united voice. It was, quite simply, the healing of an ancient wound.”
At the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, King Charles was offered and accepted the title of Royal Confrater to the basilica and monastic community of St Paul’s. Cardinal Nichols said, “For me, this ceremony was even more profound. In the presence of the Tomb of the Apostle Paul, we reached back across the centuries to the late Middle Ages, to a time when the monarchs of our land worked in close cooperation with the Popes of Rome.
“In those days, the King of England was the provider and protector of the Basilica and Monastic community of St Paul. This ancient relationship, a cooperation, inspired the action of that afternoon’s ceremony and prayer. The title speaks of a brotherly connection, of a warmth of recognition, and of a renewal of such a long-lost relationship. For this my heart was full of wonder and thanks.”
Cardinal Nichols emphasised that the King’s visit signals to the secular world “the importance of faith in God in our shared quest for a true and compassionate human community”.
He said, “They remind us that religious faith is not a problem to be solved, as so many in our secularised public culture seem to believe. Rather, religious faith, in its purity and integrity, is a powerful resource for our human family which needs to be rediscovered.”
He continued, events in Rome “pointed out powerfully that, in order to move forward in hope to what lies ahead, we have to recognise, acknowledge and try to heal the hurts and wounds of the past. This is true between our two churches. And it is also true in the life of each of us, of everyone.”
Robert Rigby, former Lord Mayor of Westminster, has also spoken about the importance of putting faith “up front” in public life, at the autumn reception of the Society of St Augustine of Canterbury, which contributes to the upkeep of Archbishop’s House. “It’s always difficult to talk about your faith in public life. Tony Blair was quoted by Alastair Campbell as saying, ‘We don’t do God.’
“I was proud to say that I did do God. It’s important, as you go through life – especially public life – to have some benchmarks. My faith has been that for me. I tried to shine a light on it in my role, as we don’t often have Lord Mayors who are Catholic – or, if they are, they don’t often want to talk about it. I didn’t get as much pushback as I expected.”