Recalling 1982 – Bath Video

1 September 2010

As we continue to focus very clearly on the forthcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI, cliftondiocese.com brings you a series of recollections in the coming 14 days as we come ever closer to the Holy Father's historic visit.  Today’s memory of the 1982 papal visit comes from our parish in the Combe Down area of Bath.  Thanks to innovative Parish Priest Father Bill McLoughlin OSM we hear from two parishioners who enjoyed seeing the Holy Father in 1982.

Father Bill’s sent us a video interview he conducted with Alison and Malcolm Kirkham.  They were stewards back in 1982 and they chat about their memories of the Holy Father’s historic visit of 28 years ago.

You can watch Father Bill’s interview in the cliftondiocese.com cliplayer below.  The video below is for online viewing and is compressed in Flash format.  We look forward to welcoming Pope Benedict who comes to help us, as a society, to see that faith in God is not so much a problem to be solved as a gift to be discovered afresh.

The papal visit begins for our diocese on the eve of the Holy Father’s historic visit to the United Kingdom.  A special evening of prayers will take place in the Cathedral led by Bishop Declan and Bishop Tom Burns of Menevia, we will join together and pray that the papal visit lights up the heart of our nation.  All are welcome to take part from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm on Wednesday 15 September.  You can find out much more about this unique celebration by listening to our 'Taper Tales' podcast series preseneted by Father Jason Jones, the ector of the National Shrine of Wales.

As we prepare to welcome Pope Benedict XVI we invite you to an evening with the man who’s presenting the BBC’s portrait of the Holy Father.  Award-winning TV documentary maker Mark Dowd will share with us how he’s grown in his understanding of the Holy Father’s vision for our world.  All are welcome to this free event as we look forward to welcoming the Bishop of Rome.  It takes place in Bath on Friday 10 September at 7.00 pm.

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.

You can also make your donation towards the visit at the official website.  It's simple, secure and direct.

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.