Catholic Bishops' Conference Podcasts Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales

Addressing the bishops of England, Wales and Scotland in the Seminary Chapel of St Mary's College, Oscott, Pope Benedict XVI warmly thanked them for their hospitality over the four days of his visit. He concluded by imparting his Apostolic Blessing to the bishops, clergy, religious and lay faithful of England, Scotland and Wales.
Recorded on Sunday, 19 September 2010.

Having made Cardinal John Henry Newman a "Blessed" that very morning in Cofton Park, Benedict XVI met with the Bishops of England, Scotland and Wales in the Seminary Chapel of St Mary's College, Oscott. St Mary's, often called Oscott College, is the seminary of the Archdiocese of Birmingham and serves the Catholic Church in England, Wales and Scotland.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols thanks Pope Benedict for his visit:
"Holy Father, you give us new hearts for the tasks ahead especially in the wonderful gift of declaring John Henry Newman as a blessed model for us to follow."
Recorded on Sunday, 19 September 2010.

The Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, makes the humble request that Pope Benedict XVI beatifies Cardinal John Henry Newman to make him a 'Blessed'.
"It is right and fitting that we should recognise the holiness of a confessor, a son of this nation who, while not called to shed his blood for the Lord, bore eloquent witness to him in the course of a life devoted to the priestly ministry."
Recorded in Cofton Park, Birmingham, on Sunday 19 September 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI led a moving vigil of prayer and Benediction in London's Hyde Park with over 80,000 pilgrims in attendance.
The media at the time described it as "Glastonbury with God".
"Without the life of prayer, without the interior transformation which takes place through the grace of the sacraments, we cannot, in Newman’s words, 'radiate Christ'; we become just another 'clashing cymbal' (1 Cor 13:1) in a world filled with growing noise and confusion, filled with false paths leading only to heartbreak and illusion."
Recorded on Saturday, 18 September 2010.

As an 83-year-old man at the time of his visit to the UK in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI clearly felt a particular affinity with the residents of St Peter's in Vauxhall. He visited the residential home ahead of an evening vigil in London's Hyde Park.
"Every generation can learn from the experience and wisdom of the generation that preceded it. Indeed the provision of care for the elderly should be considered not so much an act of generosity as the repayment of a debt of gratitude."
Recorded on Saturday, 18 September 2010.

Despite not physically visiting the wonderful country of Wales as his predecessor John Paul II had in 1982, the country and her people were clearly close to Benedict XVI's heart.
"Through the ages the Welsh people have been distinguished for their devotion to the Mother of God; this is evidenced by the innumerable places in Wales called “Llanfair” – Mary’s Church."
Recorded on Saturday, 18 September 2010.