News from the Catholic Bishops' Conference

​Bishop John Arnold, Bishop of Salford and Lead Bishop for the Environment for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has issued the following statement following the conclusion of the COP30 UN climate change conference, which took place in Belém, Brazil, from 10-21 November 2025.
 
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the United Nations’ annual meeting held to assess progress in dealing with climate change.COP30 offers an important opportunity for countries to recommit to the multilateral promise made through the Paris Agreement: to limit the rise of average global temperature to well below 2°C, commit to net zero and to assist poorer countries to reach climate targets.
 
Statement
 
“At the COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil we were reminded once again of the pressing need to transition away from fossil fuels and recommit to keeping the global temperature rise below 1.5C degrees.
 
“I was pleased to see that so many countries, including the UK, expressed support for building a roadmap to end fossil fuel use globally and pledged to strengthen efforts to tackle climate change in line with the global 1.5C goal.
 
“It is disappointing that references to phasing out fossil fuels and action on deforestation were not included in the COP30 draft agreement. These issues are at the heart of the climate crisis and affect the poorest and most vulnerable communities.
 
“The time has passed for scepticism or delay on climate change. We are already seeing its effects in this country and around the world – and they will only worsen.
 
“As Pope Leo reminded the delegates at the start of the summit: ‘As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to act swiftly, with faith and prophecy, to protect the gift He entrusted to us. But we must be honest: it is not the agreement that is failing, we are failing in our response. What is failing is the political will of some.'”
 
Recognising the many signs of constructive cooperation at the summit, Bishop Arnold added: “While the challenges remain, I was encouraged by the renewed spirit of multilateralism during the summit. Also, young people, indigenous communities and faith groups showed real leadership in keeping the care of the common home at the heart of the discussions.
 
“These meetings require consensus across all participant countries. Failure to achieve that consensus is not an excuse for inaction either by our own government or through other multilateral forums.
 
“I encourage Catholics to pray that we become ever-more effective stewards of God’s creation and that our political leaders act accordingly. I also invite political leaders, once more, to recommit to their pledges to reduce carbon emissions, promote policies that preserve the natural environment whilst also extending support to poorer countries which are already suffering from effects of global warming.”

Livestream links

For the Wednesday evening Reception into Church and Mass at St Teresa's:
https://camstreamer.com/redirect/GrJhsv4oFJWuyeoNSgJnNeRtZMiiXzsrrFkD6XJJ
 
For the Thursday Requiem Mass at Holy Trinity:
https://camstreamer.com/redirect/d8fW9em8K5XMcax3WggcLyGbFZGpVbNNH3judnYW

On Wednesday 19th November at 6pm Fr Simon’s body will be received into St Teresa’s Church, Trent Vale.  This will be followed by the celebration of Mass.  This will be the opportunity for his parish community supporting Fr Simon’s family to say farewell to him.

All indications are that many people from the parishes he served and beyond, as well as his fellow clergy want to attend his Requiem Mass.  Therefore, the decision has been made that this will take place at Holy Trinity Church, Newcastle at 12 noon on Thursday 20th November and will be celebrated by the Archbishop. 

​Please note that the Car Park at Holy Trinity on that day will be restricted to Fr Simon’s family and visiting clergy. Both Masses will be livestreamed - details for this will be given next week. Please continue to pray for the repose of Fr Simon’s soul and the consolation of his family and friends.

A message from Canon Paul:

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of my dear and wonderful friend Fr Simon Hall. Fr Simon was a loving and kind Parish Priest, who made a difference to so many people’s lives. For over twenty years he has been my closest friend. He made me laugh and cry (especially over these last four weeks) he helped me to see the goodness of God and the joy and colour of creation. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and his many friends.
​Our Lady of Lourdes pray for him. St Chad, pray for him, St John Vianney, pray for him. St Therese of Lisieux, pray for him. 

What is COP30?The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) will take place in the heart of the Amazon, in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025. It represents a historic milestone, ten years after the Paris Agreement and the publication of Laudato Si’.
For the first time, the Amazon will host the world’s most important climate conference. This is a decisive moment to renew global commitments for a just and sustainable future, grounded in the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor.
“It is my hope that the upcoming international summits of the United Nations — the 2025 Climate Change Conference (COP 30) will listen to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor, families, indigenous peoples, involuntary migrants, and believers throughout the world.” Pope Leo XIV to the participants in the “Raising Hope” Conference.

Please pray for the success of the conference. You can read Pope Leo's Apostolic Exhortion Dilexi Te here:
Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te of the Holy Father Leo XIV on Love for the Poor (4 October 2025)

From the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales:
​
The Presidents of Churches Together in England, which includes Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference, have issued a statement expressing “deep concern” about the symbols and words of the Christian faith being co-opted to support messages that breed hostility towards others.
They write:
As leaders of Christian Churches in this country, we wish to express our deep concern that in the recent rally “Unite the Kingdom” and in other places, use has been made, by some, of the symbols and words of the Christian faith to support views and attitudes actually opposed to their message. In contrast, we wish to state clearly some of the key messages of our shared faith that are a crucial contribution to the well-being of all people in our lands.
The Cross of Christ reveals God’s overwhelming and unconditional love for every single human being. The Cross calls us to love our land and its communities and to serve its well-being. But, equally, we are called to love members of other nations too. The Cross and the Gospel of Christ must never be co-opted to support the messages that breed hostility towards others. Its message never legitimises rejection, hatred or superiority towards people of other cultures.
This ethic is core to a biblical vision. In the Old Testament, God commands the people of Israel, “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34). Jesus intensifies this call when proclaiming that love for the least is love for himself, saying, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)
As Christians, we wish all policy to be grounded in solid and compassionate values. So, we pray for a generous and just spirit, which does not demonise the other simply for being other. We pray that we can have mercy on those in need who legitimately come seeking our aid. We pray for a true Christian revival where people of all creeds and none, of all ethnicities and ways of life, can feel secure and appreciated for the gifts they bring.
Presidents of Churches Together in England:

• Cardinal Vincent Nichols, The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster
• Bishop Tedroy Powell, CTE Pentecostal and Charismatic President, and National Bishop of the Church of God of Prophecy UK
• Rev Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, Moderator of the Free Churches Group
• Bishop Paulina Hławiczka-Trotman, CTE President for the Fourth Presidency Group and Head of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain
• His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas, CTE President for the Orthodox Churches, and Archbishop of the Oecumenical Patriarchate (Diocese of Thyateira and Great Britain)
• The Archbishop of Canterbury (position vacant)

Source: https://cte.org.uk/unconditional-love-cte-presidents-statement/

On Saturday 27th September, the Feast of St Vincent de Paul, there will be a special celebration to mark the centenary of Holy Trinity SVP Conference. Holy Trinity Conference was founded in 1925 and ran until the Second World War. It was re-formed in 1968 under the Spiritual Directorship of Father O'Gorman, and has been active ever since. A celebration Mass will be held at 11am, followed by refreshments in the Parish Centre. All are warmly invited to attend.

Through Community Support Projects and 8,500 member strong Conferences, motivated by faith, the SVP helps support the vulnerable, visit the lonely and much more. The essence of this work is person-to-person contact, and spending time with people is our greatest gift. Respecting the dignity and confidentiality of those who receive help, much of the work of the SVP goes on quietly. There is little written about their activities in our parish records. However, at the celebration there will be archival material with some Conference reports, the parish in 1925 and a record book of meetings of the SVP at it's introduction in England in 1844.We will also have a relic of St. Vincent kindly loaned by Father Philip Griffin.

We give thanks for the devoted service of our SVP members over the century. If you are interested in finding out more about the work of the SVP and volunteering your time and talents, please complete and return the Parish volunteer form which will be circulated at Masses this weekend. 

, or Richard writes:
"I completed the cycle ride to Lichfield Cathedral and back to Holy Trinity today.  It was certainly a challenge as only ever cycled 10 miles before.  It was mostly nice weather apart from a brief thunderstorm near Stone on the way back.  I've never been to Lichfield Cathedral before, a very interesting place, full of history.  I also managed to stop into a few other Churches on the route, including Saint Michael's in Brereton, Rugeley and Saint Andrew's in Weston, near Stafford.  They were very welcoming, offering tea and biscuits, only wish I had time to visit more!"

Thank you to Richard for undertaking this challenge on behalf of the Parish, and to all who have supported him. There is still time to sponsor Richard. Visit Fundraiser by Richard Holy Trinity : Cycle ride in aid of Staffordshire Historic Churches Trust or speak to one of the Stewards at Holy Trinity. You can also donate using the card reader, or the QR code on the Parish Giving page or the newsletter.