British Cardinal Vincent Nichols has expressed his thanks for King Charles III’s recognition of “the importance of faith in God in our shared quest for a true and compassionate human community”. Source: The Tablet.
The Archbishop of Westminster was in Rome for the state visit of the King and Queen to the Holy See last week.
“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.
“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,” Cardinal Nichols said.
“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 the 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.”
FULL STORY
King Charles’ visit to the Holy See ‘healed an ancient wound’, says Cardinal Nichols (By Aili Winstanley Channer, The Tablet)
