Catholic Union Deputy Director, James Somerville-Meikle, writes:
You wait for a meeting with the Ambassador, then two come along at once! This week the Catholic Union has hosted two meetings with His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Chris Trott.
Having been delayed on account of Covid restrictions, the Ambassador was able to make his first visit to Parliament since being appointed in September 2021. He addressed MPs and peers from the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Holy See about his work and priorities for the Embassy in the Vatican.
He also addressed a Catholic Union webinar later in the week, giving people across the country the opportunity to hear from him.
The improvement in relations between the Holy See and UK in recent years has been a great success story. UK Ministers are now a familiar sight in the Vatican – not only on matters to do with religious freedom, but on climate change, tackling sexual violence in conflict, and peace in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Vatican delegation taking their seats in Westminster Abbey earlier this year for the first Coronation service since the Reformation was another sign of how far we have come.
Better relations between the Vatican and UK can only be a good thing for Catholics, and everyone, in this country. Long may it continue.