The Catholic Union’s Summer Gathering 2026 took place at beautiful Buckfast Abbey with nearly 80 members present. Summer Gatherings have been held annually since 1976 but this had been the Catholic Union’s first visit to Buckfast. The purposes of the Summer Gatherings are for members to meet each other, to gather at a special ‘Catholic place’, to enjoy discussion and reflection, and to gather for Mass.
Buckfast Abbey was known to be Ann Widdecombe’s ‘spiritual home’ and the Chair, Richard Collyer-Hamlin, opened proceedings with a pause for reflection and a prayer to remember Ann who had been a stalwart supporter of faith in public life and indeed the Catholic Union. Rt Rev Nicholas Hudson, Bishop of Plymouth, Guest of Honour, offered midday Mass in the Abbey for the repose of the soul of Ann and members were deeply touched especially given the tragic circumstances.
Bishop Nicholas, former Ecclesiastical Adviser to the Catholic Union, welcomed members of the Catholic Union, especially the large contingent from Kingsbridge, Totnes and Salcombe, and elsewhere in the Diocese. He outlined his familial links with the South West and what a privilege it was to be leading Plymouth Diocese. Members were interested to hear Bishop Nicholas’s path to priesthood; he was ordained a priest in Southwark, but ‘crossed the water’ to become an Auxiliary Bishop in Westminster Diocese. He also served as Rector of the Venerable English College in Rome. His international affairs portfolio at the Bishops’ Conference as well as his strategic role in the Church’s Synodal process were of great interest to members.
Members of the Catholic Union attended Conventual Mass on the Feast of St Benedict in Buckfast Abbey, sung by Abbey choristers and adults and the homily was preached by the Abbot.
The Hair Shirt of St Thomas More in the Chapel of the Holy Cross, was a must see for the Catholic Union, to whom St Thomas More is Patron. As Pope Leo XIV said in his address to members of the International Inter-Parliamentary Union in the Hall of Benediction on Saturday 21 June 2025:
‘St Thomas More was a man faithful to his civic responsibilities, a perfect servant of the state precisely because of his faith, which led him to view politics not as a profession but as a mission for the spread of truth and goodness’.
After a delicious lunch in the Conference Centre Dining Room, members heard from Lord Lemos, the newly-appointed Faith Minister, kindly attending in place of our President, Baroness Hollins. Lord Lemos touched on what had been going on in Parliament over the last few months. He spoke about his new role and his own Catholic faith. There were questions and a discussion.
Abbot David Charlesworth OSB delivered an engaging talk on the history of Buckfast Abbey and how we become by grace what Christ is by nature, to be fully human is to follow Christ. He spoke about the story of the Monastery’s foundation and subsequent evolution, including the prep school (1968 to 1994), produce made by the monks, environmental and energy projects and how Buckfast has changed through the ages but remains a space of sanctuary and also the largest employer in the constituency.
The day concluded with a performance of Faure’s Requiem in the Abbey which members very much enjoyed. Those staying in the locality gathered for dinner at the Abbey Inn.
