Catholic Union Deputy Director, James Somerville-Meikle, writes:
New years can often herald the start of new beginnings and therefore endings as well. This year is likely to see its share of changes.
We now know that a General Election is likely in the “second half of this year” according to the Prime Minister. The Church’s Synod on Synodality is due to close in October following three years of engagement and prayer.
Closer to home, there will be changes at the Catholic Union too. Our Director, Nigel Parker, will be leaving us in the Spring after seven years in post.
Words cannot do justice to all that Nigel has achieved in that time. Perhaps as the inscription on Christopher Wren’s tomb in St Paul’s Cathedral reads: Si Monumentum Requiris Circumspice.
Nigel’s legacy can be seen in what the Catholic Union has become today – the beating heart of lay Catholic participation in public life once more. On a personal note, I will miss his unfailing kindness, his diplomacy in handling difficult situations, and his eagle eye for spotting typos.
There will be a time and place to pay tribute in full, but for now our efforts are focused on finding a successor. This year is about to change radically for the man or woman who takes on the job.