PROGRESS ON LIBEL REFORM

Following our post of last November on this subject (see here) we can now report further on this issue, below is an extract from the publicity issued earlier by the Libel reform Campaign.

Today a prestigious Parliamentary committee endorsed our call that the libel laws need to be redrawn. Their voice adds to the condemnation of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, the Culture, Media and Sport select committee, and President Barack Obama who signed into law the US Speech Act to protect Americans from the effects of our archaic libel laws.

Now – just one click from you, HERE, will tell your MP to make sure the government acts on libel reform as soon as possible.

Campaigners will be lobbing Parliament on Wednesday 9th November at 6 pm. There are more details about this meeting on www.libelreform.org. 

It has been the incredible level of support that has got the campaign to where we are now. 

Today the Parliamentary committee outlined what they think needs to be done to get the laws into shape. They took on board many of Libel Reform Campaign's recommendations but we still need a stronger public interest defense and to make these concerns and act – you can see what we think about the committee’s report here. 

Over the last two years libel reform has risen to the top of the political agenda. Now it is time to tell the government that a bill must go through parliament as soon as possible. Lord Lester's draft bill may be seen here.

NOTICE - 29th OCTOBER - DAY OF RECOLLECTION - NEW ENGLISH MISSAL

The tomb of Cardinal Wiseman, founder of our Hospital,
in the crypt of the Cathedral

The next Day of Recollection will take place on Saturday 29th October, 2011. Monsignor Andrew Wadsworth, Magistral Chaplain, who is the Executive Director of the International Commission for English in the Liturgy (ICEL) will be leading a Study Day about the new English translations of the Missal. We could have no one better to lead us in this, as Monsignor Wadsworth has been responsible for overseeing the introduction of the new ICEL translation throughout the world. The Sung Mass will be celebrated using texts and chants from the new translation.

By kind permission of the Administrator of the Cathedral, this event will be held at Westminster Cathedral, using the Crypt Chapel and the Hinsley Meeting Room. Participants should gather in the Crypt Chapel before 9.30am – entrance is via Ambrosden Avenue, by going through the gates leading into the Choir School at the back of the Cathedral. (Ambrosden Avenue is the street which runs down the side of the Cathedral.)

If you wish to attend, please let e-mail BASMOM@btconnect.com, and please state "DAY OF RECOLLECTION" in the subject box, by Wednesday 26th October. We have reserved places at a local Italian restaurant for lunch.

Members of the Order are welcome to bring friends. Companions and members of OMV are also welcome.

HORARIUM

Participants gather in the Crypt Chapel of Westminster Cathedral for:

9.30am     Lauds

After this:  First Conference, in the Hinsley Meeting Room

11.30am      Sung Mass in English, for the Feast of the Douay Martyrs

       followed by lunch in local Italian Restaurant

        

After lunch:  Second Conference in the Hinsley Meeting Room

Then:     Vespers, Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, in the Crypt. 

       Tea and departure.

                       

For those who wish to do a bit of background study, Monsignor Wadsworth has recorded a lecture as a podcast on the subject of the new translations for Christendom College, which may be heard on iTunes (free).  Click HERE, then just click on the track called "The making of the Missal", and it will begin.  For some reason it cannot be embedded.  If you do not yet have iTunes, click HERE instead.

REPORT - REQUIEM FOR THE LATE GRAND PRIOR

On Wednesday 12th October, the whole of the British Association of the Order and Grand Priory of England came together with the family of Fra' Fredrik Crichton-Stuart at the Brompton Oratory in London for a Mass of Requiem for the soul of the late Grand Prior.

It was attended by Fra' Freddy's wife and children; by the Marquess of Bute; representatives of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and the Papal knights; the President of the British Association HE Mr Charles Weld; Vice-President the Lady Talbot of Malahide; the Grand Prior elect Ian Scott of Ardross; the Chancellor of the Grand Priory; and Bishop Alan Hopes, Conventual Chaplain, among other dignitaries. 

The Mass was celebrated, following the wishes of the late Grand Prior, in the Extraordinary Form by Monsignor Antony Conlon, Chaplain of the Grand Priory, and the majestic homily was preached by Father Ronald Creighton-Jobe of the London Oratory, a copy of which we have been promised for later publication here. The Oratory Choir sang the Requiem by Tomás Luis de Victoria.

A reception organised by the British Association was held in Saint Wilfrid's Hall after the Mass, which allowed the conviviality and meeting of friends which the late Grand Prior had so encouraged as part of the fraternal life of the Order.

It was very fitting that this Requiem should take place on the eve of the installation of Fra' Freddy's successor as Grand Prior, of which joyous occasion a report will be posted on these pages in due course.

Further photographs of the Mass may be seen here.

The Grand Prior elect leads the Prayers of the Order

REPORT - ROSARY CRUSADE OF REPARATION

The Rosary Crusade of Reparation this year, through the streets of London from Westminster Cathedral to the Brompton Oratory, was attended by record numbers, the Oratory Church being filled with the Faithful standing in the main aisle for the final Benediction.

The celebrant for the closing devotions was Monsignor Keith Newton, Protonotary Apostolic, Superior of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, who thus for the first time very publicly united the great Marian devotion of the Anglo-Catholic tradition with their ancient living roots in the Church, truly a sign of Our Lady's tireless work of imploring God's graces for her Dowry.

This joyful event was as ever attended by a good crowd of members of the Order, both the aforementioned facts attested to by the photograph above.

Photographs courtesy of the Ordinariate

NOTICE - WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12th - MEMORIAL REQUIEM FOR FRA' FREDRIK CRICHTON-STUART R. I. P.

A Sung Mass of Requiem in the extraordinary form, for the repose of the soul of the late Grand Prior of England, H E Fra' Fredrik Crichton-Stuart, will be held at 11am on Wednesday 12th October at the Brompton Oratory, attended by members of the Family, members of the Order of Malta, the pontifical Orders, official guests and friends.

The celebrant will be the Chaplain to the Grand Priory of England, Monsignor Antony Conlon, and the homily will be preached by Father Ronald Creighton-Jobe of the London Oratory.

All are warmly invited to attend. Those wishing to attend officially are asked to inform Caroline de la Force at the Chancellery of the British Association of the Order of Malta at basmom@btconnect.com.

The Mass will be followed by a Reception in St Wilfrid's Hall at the Oratory.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

Beate Ioanne Baptista, ora pro eo.

Beata Maria de Philereme, ora pro eo.

Beate Gerardo, ora pro eo.

Beate Hadriane Fortescue, ora pro eo.