This article is copyright © 2012 

This article is copyright © 2012 

This article is copyright © 2012 

This article is copyright © 2012 

In addition to more news coverage, watch out for new voices in our opinion section. Starting this month David Kerr, Kevin McKenna and Cath Doherty join Gerald Warner in bringing their insight to the SCO.

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Many of the services at the weekend in Christchurch were held in the open air because of the large number of churches damaged or destroyed in the 6.3 magnitude quake, including the 150-year-old Blessed Sacrament Catholic Cathedral (right) that half collapsed in the earthquake. The iconic ChristChurch Anglican Cathedral will need to be demolished. At least 20 people are believed to have been killed when the spire of the Anglican Cathedral collapsed.

Bishop Barry Jones of Christchurch, celebrated Mass at Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sockburn, in Christchurch on February 23, the day after the earthquake. It was offered for the people of the city and region, that they might know the love and peace of God in the midst of suffering.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand have pledged NZ$25,000 in aid.

Papal prayers

Pope Benedict XVI has expressed sympathy and asks for prays and support for victims of ChristChurch disaster on February 22.

“At this time, my thoughts turn especially to the people there who are being severely tested by this tragedy,” the Holy Father said immediately after the disaster. “Let us ask God to relieve their suffering and to support all who are involved in the rescue operations. I also ask you to join me in praying for all who have lost their lives.”

Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo, Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand, said that New Zealanders are grateful for the Pope’s message of solidarity.

Firsthand account

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who sent a message of sympathy and support to Bishop Jones immediately after the disaster, has received a vivid account of the earthquake from ChristChurch residents John and Roma Paton whom he visited in New Zealand on the way back from World Youth Day in 2008.

“Can’t describe the noise, fear terror. House standing, but inside mayhem,” they said. “It was like a huge explosion, everything just crashed bang all around. A neighbour forced back door to let us out. Street broke up, all people out and safe on other side. Managed to get back in to grab a pair shoes, passports, birth certificates. All I remember thinking is ‘please God guide us.’”

The cardinal responded to their plea for prayers by writing: “Like so many other families, I am sure, you are simply able to say:  ‘Thank God we are both alive.’ As you may know, I spent about 10 days in Haiti near the beginning of the year with the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) and there experienced something of the effect of the earthquake there, but equally tragic and even more tragic seeing the devastation after one year, just as if the earthquake had taken place a few days before.”

Caution

Last Friday Bishop of Christchurch Barry Jones announced that no Catholic church or school in Christchurch was  to be used until consulting engineers have declared it safe. Some churches have been severely damaged, but others have escaped relatively unscathed.

Christchurch cathedral parish administrator Mgr Charles Drennan said that safety is a primary issue. Mgr Drennan, who is bishop-designate for Palmerston North, and other priests were forced to evacuate the cathedral rectory by authorities that wanted to clear the central city area of people for security reasons.

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Cardinal O’Brien said it was a ‘wonderful event,’ which he ‘was privileged to take part in,’ adding that he and Archbishop Conti both felt a ‘tangible excitement’ as they travelled to Rome ‘with a great cross section of pilgrims from Scotland.’

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The bishop (right) also questioned the morality of NATO air strikes against the residence of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, which have been blamed for the death of one of the leader’s sons, Saif al-Arab, and three of his grandchildren at the weekend. NATO officials have stated, however, that they have no evidence of civilian casualties and rejected suggestions that the attack targeted the Libyan leader.

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Fr Hughes is parish priest of St Bede’s, Bedlington, Northumberland, as well as chaplain to two prisons in the county. He was previously pastoral director at Ushaw College Seminary, near Durham where he taught practical and pastoral theology. He has been involved with Justice and Peace issues for many years including in East Timor and Church Action on Poverty.

The day will offer opportunities for personal reflection time, as well as time to pray and reflect together, ending with Mass. The cost of the day includes a soup lunch, and tea/ coffee.

Numbers for the retreat are limited. Booking is essential. For a booking form, please contact Miriam McHardy by e-mailing Miriam.mchardy@staned.org.uk or Yvonne Fleming by e-mailing Yvonne.fleming@staned.org.uk

This article is copyright © 2012 

This article is copyright © 2012