Papal visit to UK: Holy Father will not fly home via BA

This according to Catholic Herald today.

It is the first of the Holy Father's voyages from which he will not return by courtesy of the hosting country's airline. It may seem a small matter but I think it is indicative of the prevalent attitudes in our country. Chris Patten, also in today's Catholic Herald, says that Britain's international reputation rests of the way it handles this historic visit. (Too true, as I hinted on this blog some weeks ago.)

Also some weeks ago, Archbishop Nichols spoke on Vatican Radio, evincing confidence that Britain would extend every politeness and hospitality to the Holy Father. This little news item about the homeward flight indicates that he maybe disappointed. In any case, I pray that Scotland will distinguish itself, and that England may not disgrace itself. Wales of course has been left out of the loop. Another bad mistake in my view. I have some Welsh blood, and I admit it boiled in the face of Archbishop Smith's Vatican Radio interview after the imposition of his Pallium for Southwark.

And is today really the right day for Bishop Conry to tell the world that he thinks the New Evangelisation Dicastery is an ill-conceived idea? (Again reported in the Catholic Herald.) This is the man who some months ago said that we shouldn't have too much concentration on Confession, a view in diract opposition to that of the Holy Father, who is aware that the Sacrament of Confession has all but disappeared in many places.. Bishop Conry is the same man who said that it's impossible to speak to young people about Salvation. Pope Benedict does exactly that, and brilliantly, every time he has the opportunity, the most recent example being at Sulmona.

(Personal health note: Have low blood pressure. Full diagnosis cannot be made until results of blood tests come through. Blood taken today so maybe not long to wait. In meantime vertigo continues.)

Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.

In Christo pro Papa