International Photographic Exhibition Celebrates Papal Visit

31 August 2010

To celebrate the arrival of the Holy Father to the United Kingdom, and to help give us new insights into the ministry of Pope Benedict XVI, we’ve created a new exhibition that’ll go on show at important papal visit events.

Father Christopher Whitehead, our Director of for Adult Education and Evangelisation, is curating the exhibition.  He told cliftondiocese.com:  “The debut of ‘The Image of a Pope’, our exhibition of stunning images of the Holy Father, takes place in Bath on Friday 10 September. 

“‘The Image of a Pope’ will be a striking part of our special evening of prayers taking place on the eve of the papal visit (15 September) in the Cathedral.  Prior to that important occasion for our local Church, the new exhibition gets it first viewing in Bath’s St John’s Parish Hall.  

“‘The Image of a Pope’ brings together photographs of Pope Benedict XVI in different settings - allowing us to better understand the nature and meaning of his ministry.”

The photographs have been specially selected by Father Christopher from collections gathered by international photographer Marcin Mazur and other top photographers from around the world. 

Marcin’s images are attracting growing acclaim and regularly feature in national newspapers here in the United Kingdom.  Marcin is from Poland who now lives and works in England.  Specialising in capturing characterful portraits London-based Marcin has already had a thought-provoking series of photographs of immigrants shown at one of Europe’s most popular exhibition spaces.  Earlier this year Marcin exhibited at the Proud Galleries in London.  In his relatively short career, he’s already photographed Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, President Barak Obama and former Prime Minster Gordon Brown.

Marcin told cliftondiocese.com: “I’m delighted to be part of ‘The Image of a Pope’ exhibition that’ll be on show at St John’s in Bath and then in the stunning surroundings of Clifton Cathedral. 

“I love taking photographs in Clifton Cathedral so having my work exhibited there, especially as part of the preparations of the Holy Father’s historic visit, is truly exhilarating.

“Having photographed Pope Benedict XVI in numerous countries I cannot wait for him to be with us in England and Scotland where I hope to capture new images showing the thoughtful and humble nature of his global ministry.”

Father Christopher added: “I’m delighted we have been able to bring the new exhibition ‘The Image of a Pope’ to people in the West Country. 

“I used to be a priest in Bath - so I am pleased the city is playing host to the debut of this fascinating and thought-provoking exhibition.

“I’m delighted with Marcin’s contribution to ‘The Image of a Pope’.  We supplemented his work with one or two other photographs secured from collections around the world.  I’m sure our exhibition will help us all prepare for the papal visit where we will come to know Pope Benedict and his vision for our world a little better.

“Here in the West of England, Catholic communities, like people throughout the United Kingdom, are looking forward to welcoming Pope Benedict.  He comes to help us all see that faith in God is not a problem in need of a solution, but rather it’s a gift to be discovered afresh.”

You can see ‘The Image of a Pope’ on Friday 10 September from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm in St John’s Parish Hall, South Parade, Bath BA2 4AF, and Wednesday 15 September from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm in Clifton Cathedral, Pembroke Road, Bristol BS8 3BX.

You can see a small selection of photographs that are part of ‘The Image of a Pope’ in our image gallery on the right.

The official website thepapalvisit.org.uk is the best place to find out the most up-to-date information in the build up to the special time in the life of the Church in our countries.  It will also provide full coverage during the visit - a great place for you to follow the visit virtually if you are unable to be at any of the large public papal events.

Sign-up to the e-alert packed with the latest news about the Holy Father’s historic visit.

Our striking posters, displayed in all our parishes and many other places, welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom are available to all.  You can download your copy in the multimedia panel on the right and put them up to welcome the Holy Father and his historic visit.  You can also download posters promoting the events in Bath and the Cathedral.