Pope's visit?

[johnquinn39]

http://www.spectator.co.uk/essays/all/6 ... ardy.thtml

[keitha]

This is the response from the Press Secretary to the Archdiocese of Birmingham:

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/c ... 6588079/2/

Beyond that, there is little point in giving additional 'air time' to the unattributed press speculation that is going on at the moment.

[Southern Comfort]

Today's Daily Telegraph is saying that, due to lack of giving on the part of the RC community in this country, the 200,000 Coventry Mass is likely to be downgraded to a 10,000-attendance Mass "at a seminary near Birmingham" — presumably Oscott.

[keitha]

Yet again, unfounded press speculation. The Daily Telegraph cannot possibly know about the success or otherwise of fund-raising - bearing in mind that in a significant number of parishes the national collection is only being held today because the envelopes and prayer cards were not distributed in time! Please leave the speculation to the press - it's hard enough for those who are working 'in the vineyard' on this without it being added to!

[presbyter]

As every parish in the countries has now been invited to send one "youth" to London and then to Coventry (where they will celebrate morning prayer at sunrise) the press does indeed seem to be indulging in speculation. This invitation would not have been issued this week if the Coventry venue were in doubt.

[presbyter]

Early morning BBC Midlands Today - Coventry is the venue with numbers attending restricted to 170,000 - for security reasons.

[quaeritor]

I was abroad last weekend, where such weighty matters do not seem to enjoy the reasoned discussion they merit, but I picked up some obviously garbled rumour that Coventry is not close enough to somewhere or other to be adequately associated with Cardinal Newman and is accordingly off the agenda. Obviously if that were the case this thread would be awash with retractions so assume it's just more unfounded speculation.

Still, somehow I do feel the need for some further reassurance. Any offers?

Just seeking.

Q

[VML]

Not Coventry now, but Cofton Park I believe.

[keitha]

Definitely Cofton Park (near Longbridge, Birmingham and, more importantly, adjacent to Cardinal Newman's grave at the Oratory House at Rednal). The choice of Cofton Park will also enable the Pope to visit Newman's rooms at the Birmingham Oratory. Final decisions on numbers and allocation of tickets have not yet been announced, despite many rumours to the contrary.

[VML]

If you are near Radio 4: Derek Jacobi as Cardinal Newman from the grave. A whimsy on his reaction to current events!