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Scottish Day for Life - 31 May 2008
English and Welsh Day for Life - 6 July 2008 Irish Day for Life - 5 October 2008 Day for Life – the day in the Church’s year dedicated to celebrating the sacredness of life – will focus this year on the theme of mental health. It will help raise awareness of the needs of those affected by mental ill-health, their friends, their family and their carers, and the support that the parish community and professional services can bring. Welcome Hear from people whose lives have been affected by mental ill-health in some of the blog entries below. Catholics are not immune from mental ill-health ‘Mental ill-health can happen to anyone – 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem at some stage in their life’ – is the message that the Catholic Church in England and Wales will be highlighting on its annual Day for Life – Sunday 6 July 2008. The Day aims to raise awareness of the needs of those affected by mental ill-health, their friends, their family and their carers and the support that the parish community and professional services can bring. It is being backed by a senior Vatican official, Monsignor Elio Sgreccia, Former President of the Pontifical Academy for Life. ‘The person in your parish community who may be suffering today is the young mum with post-natal depression, the local businessman with stress, your own parish priest, the man who has recently lost his wife to cancer or the young person who has lost faith in life, as well as someone with an obvious, severe and enduring mental illness,’ reads the Day for Life parish material, produced jointly by the Bishops’ Conferences of Scotland, Ireland and England and Wales. “The Church’s ministry to people with mental health difficulties today is to bring acceptance, love and compassion and where appropriate involvement in the life of the parish,” says the Bishop for Day for Life, the Right Reverend Bernard Longley. “Fear of difference can lead to us rejecting and stigmatising the other; this year’s Day offers us the opportunity to see what we can do as individuals and as a parish community to reach out to those in need.” Professor Sheila Hollins, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and a supporter of this year’s Day says that people sometimes believe that if they were a better Catholic they wouldn’t get sick: “People sometimes feel that they would not get depressed or anxious, or turn to alcohol or other substances to help them cope, if they were a better Catholic! "Sometimes people say that if you are a good Catholic, or if you have a religious belief, surely your relationship with God is going to be enough and that is going to get you through - surely it is a sign of weakness if you cannot pull yourself together and get over whatever the problem is that you are experiencing. "I think that is to misunderstand the nature of mental illness and some of the difficulties that people experience. "Telling somebody who is depressed to pull themselves together is no more effective for depression than it would be for somebody who had cancer or heart disease." Day for Life is celebrated yearly by the Catholic Church in Ireland, Scotland and England and Wales. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the meaning and value of life at every stage and in every condition. posted: 4 july 2008
Collection proceeds: Day for Life England and Wales In England and Wales, collections will be held in parishes on the Day for Life 2008. The proceeds of these collections will be used to provide core funding for the Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics and to cover the costs of the materials for this year’s Day for Life. In addition, grants will be made to support Catholic charities working in the field of mental heath as that is the theme of this year’s day. posted: 3 july 2008
New video and podcast for Day for Life England and Wales In his podcast, Mgr Malachy Keegan, Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain to Prisons looks at Mental Health Care in Prisons. Picture of Mgr Malachy Keegan beside the posting.
Click here to listen to the podcast Joseph is from Uganda and a victim of political violence. He fled Uganda in fear for his own life after members of my family got murdered. Picture associated with Joseph alongside the story
posted: 30 june 2008
I am in bereavement My husband developed vascular dementia 5 years ago. Our lives have altered drastically. I’m on a journey. There’s no turning back. No plan. I take it day by day. We’ve had 40 wonderful years together but with no children, are totally on our own. As a person who is used to being in control career-wise and managing situations and people, I cannot control this and that’s what’s hit me the most; affected my self-confidence. The dementia has taken away his confidence. The carer role has overtaken the wife. I am in bereavement, part one, of the man I married, and await the second bereavement when he finally departs. It’s a long goodbye and I’m sitting with pain. My faith in friendships has been shattered. I thought I had some sincere and supporting friends of long-standing and they have shied away with no contact, as we are no longer a couple who can mix in this so-called social set. A result of my isolation and what has compensated me and helped me terrifically is the pastoral care group run by Edna, of which Canon Gubbins helped set up and support. It has been a saviour because through this church group I have met lovely caring Christian people, who have enriched my life through befriending, comfort, wonderful support, giving me inspiration and strength to go on. 3 have become very special because they are in regular contact as I now do with them even if only a telephone call to enquire how we all are. I thought I was good at assessing people and I find the type of people I have met in the group has taught me at 68 years old to be a better judge of character with more emphasis on the spiritual and Christian values than relying on people with material values. All this has taught me to be thankful for what we’ve had and I have learnt the strength and force of prayer to help me keep going and God hears me and sends someone i.e. a phone call. Ultimately I want to reach out and help others as I’ve been helped. posted: 30 june 2008
Mental Health, Wellbeing and Everyday Life In her podcast, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Professor Sheila Hollins looks at ‘Mental Health, Wellbeing and Everyday Life’.
Click here to listen to the podcast posted: 23 june 2008
New President for the Pontifical Academy of Life VATICAN CITY, JUNE 17, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI named Auxiliary Bishop Salvatore Fisichella of Rome as the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, simultaneously elevating him to the dignity of archbishop. Archbishop-designate Fisichella, 56, succeeds Bishop Elio Sgreccia, who retired for reasons of age. Bishop Sgreccia turned 80 earlier this month. The new president was the rector of the Pontifical Lateran University. Salvatore Fisichella was born in Italy in 1951 and ordained in 1976. He was consecrated a bishop in 1998. Monsignor Ángel Rodríguez Luño, a member of the academy, told L'Osservatore Romano today that bioethics has gained so much importance in modern society that the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life will now be given the dignity of archbishop. This title, the monsignor said, reflects "the important service of this institution and the trust that the Pope places in it as an expression of the Church's commitment to the promotion and defence of the life of every man, created in the image of God." posted: 23 june 2008
A priest's perspective As a priest and shepherd in a town parish I come in contact with people with a mental illness. Sometimes this is through parish visitation of homes or sometimes in the local hospital. I always try and see them as a person with a mental illness, not as a mentally ill person. This is an important distinction. We don't say a broken leg person but a person with a broken leg, so also this should apply to a person with a mental illness. They are persons with beauty and dignity and who have rights. They need to be treated with the same care and attention as any other person. Persons with a mental illness have taught me a lot down the years. They have a deep spirituality and love and dependence on God. The courage, faith and enduring hope they express is always inspirational. They are always reassured when after patient listening, I pray with them or pray over them. This helps calm their fears and anxieties. In the gospels Jesus often meets with such people. He always treats them with dignity and compassion. He never fixes problems but always heals. This is part of my vision in ministering to them. Father Eddie Gubbins Middlesbrough posted: 23 june 2008
New video and podcast for Day for Life England and Wales Day for Life in England and Wales falls on 6 July 2008. Over the coming weeks there will be a series of new videos and podcasts available to highlight the theme of this year’s Day. In his podcast, Fr Peter Conley, a parish priest of the Archdiocese of Birmingham and former chaplain to Aston University reflects on Mental Health and Holiness.
Click here to listen to the podcast Edna runs a pastoral support group for people affected by mental ill-health and their carers. Her mother had obsessive compulsive disorder and her daughter had suicidal tendencies at a young age.
Posted: 16 June 2008
The Presence of God “Mum, how can you really believe God exists if he’s invisible? How do you know he’s not just made up?” Many of us have had that conversation with our children at one time or another. Many of us have that conversation with ourselves too, I know I do. But, a year after a very serious mental illness, I believe God exists by the very fact that I am still here. I am still here for my children, for my husband and my friends. I am still here for myself, because on a good day, I can see that I am actually a worthwhile person despite my inner voice that so often tells me otherwise. My life has some value. For whatever reason, my God chose me to be one of the 25% of people who has suffered, and continues to suffer from debilitating periods of mental distress. And He chose me too to be a survivor. Why I may never know, but perhaps it may be so that I can do my bit in the fight against stigma and discrimination. Perhaps it is just so I can understand a little of how it felt to carry the cross, and learn some of Christ’s humility. On a black day, or a day when the immensity of my anxiety prevents me from functioning, my God is truly invisible. I cannot feel Him, or sense His presence. Despite that, I may rage at Him, I may curse at Him, and I have certainly been known to blame Him, but all the time, He is still holding me, whether I know it or not. I am a “normal” person. I am a wife, a mother, and a senior manager of a large public service. I go to church when I am well, I am a school governor. I can function just as well as you can, in fact you may never see my struggle with my invisible illness. So if or when you do, I ask you not to judge or cast aspersions. When you have walked a mile in my shoes, then, and only then, can you call me “mad”. Posted: 16 June 2008
Support for parents whose children are affected by mental ill-health "Where do I begin to explain the feeling of anguish & fear of caring for a child with an eating disorder? I turned to my Church, this being the most natural thing for me to do. I just assumed there would be pastoral care in the diocese for my daughter. Our youth mission team has been so prominent I felt sure there would be something. However sadly when I asked I was told there is nothing for her. How can this be? Through a discussion on radio I discovered a support group organised by a parent whose child suffers from an eating disorder. I did not know anyone in the group prior to the meeting and it is not a faith based group. However the ironic thing was that I discovered every one there was Catholic! I believe this is because we are not afraid to ask for help, we are encouraged by our faith to seek help. Posted: 16 June 2008
Road to recovery Mental ill health can manifest itself in many different ways, each diagnosis quite unique. Posted: 06 June 2008
New video and podcast for Day for Life - Scotland Day for Life in Scotland falls on Saturday 31 May this year. There are now two multimedia resources available for this day - a podcast and video. In his podcast, Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow explains exactly how Day for Life came into being and looks at this year’s theme:
Click here to listen to the podcast Peter’s story - the latest Day for Life video - shows why Church projects are vital in supporting people in the community with mental health problems.
posted: 30 May 2008
What can the parish community do for those who have mental health difficulties?
What course for the Parish? Until the stigma of mental ill health is no more, there will be no knowing of who in the Parish requires additional support. We therefore should treat everyone as we would want others to treat ourselves. If you become aware, welcome them without intrusion. Let them know you care. You will indeed be enriched by their presence among you. ‘If Christ and His Blessed Mother were on earth today, posted: 28 May 2008
Day for Life backs adults stem cell research with grant The presidents of the Catholic Bishops’ conferences of England & Wales, Scotland and Ireland have announced the award of a £25,000 grant, funded from a special Day for Life collection, to support adult stem cell research in the UK. The donation has been made to Novussanguis, an international research consortium on cord blood and adult stem cells for therapeutic aims that was launched in Paris on 14 May, 2008. “We support scientific research that seeks to cure disease and suffering,” said the Cardinals. “The HFE Bill has focused on embryonic stem cell research. In fact, much greater progress has already been made towards clinical therapies using adult stem cells. Other emerging techniques hold potential for good, without creating and destroying human embryos. We are making this donation as a sign of the Church’s commitment to science and human good. posted: 18 May 2008
Prayer to Our Lady of Mental Peace
Posted: 8 may 2008
Prayer for Life - Pope John Paul II O Mary, bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the Look down, O Mother, on the vast numbers of babies Grant that all who believe in your Son may proclaim Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a Amen. Posted: 8 may 2008
20 Weeks Campaign - HFE Bill The 20 weeks campaign to lower the upper limit for abortion from 24 to 20 weeks has been launched by Nadine Dorries MP. The main campaign website is at www.the20weekscampaign.org. Posted: 8 may 2008
Gospel of Life is also Gospel of Mercy
"The Church's ethical judgement concerning abortion and divorce is clear and well-known to everyone: they are grave sins which - in various ways and with due evaluation of subjective responsibilities - injure the dignity of the human person, involve a profound injustice in human and social relationships, and offend God Himself, the guarantor of the marital bond and the architect of life". Nonetheless, "the Church, following the example of her divine Master, always has to deal with real people, especially the weakest and most innocent, ... as well as other men and women who, having perpetrated those acts, are stained with sin and bear its interior wounds while seeking peace and the possibility of rehabilitation. Posted: 16 April 2008
Vatican praises the three Conferences of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales for choosing mental health as the theme for Day for Life 2008 Monsignor Elio Sgreccia, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, sends the following message of encouragement to the organisers and to all involved in the celebration of the Day for Life, 2008, dedicated to the theme of Mental Health. "The Pontifical Academy for Life welcomes the theme chosen by the Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales for Day for Life this year. Mental health problems touch the lives of so many people – those who suffer need our understanding and our acceptance. Day for Life 2008 will help raise awareness of the needs of those affected, their friends, family and carers and offer the support that the parish community can bring." Posted: 05 February 2008
President of the Pontifical Academy for Life meets Bishop for Day for Life in England and Wales
Archbishop Sgreccia praised the collaborative working between the Conferences of Ireland, Scotland and England and Wales on Day for Life each year. He said that the materials prepared jointly by all three Conferences, helped raise awareness and inform the lay faithful about the Church's teaching on life. He recognised the generosity of parishioners up and down the country who gave to Day for Life each year, so that pastoral initiatives associated with life could be supported. Posted: 29 January 2008 |
‘It takes time and effort to build caring relationships and to construct a convincing, empathic presence. This would be our aim as chaplains and it is of great importance because it may well be that the people in our care have never really experienced such a relationship with another human being’. 
‘In 1996 I was diagnosed with Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by my past experiences in Uganda, and aggravated by my immigration status, according to doctors and counsellors. Because I live with this illness I’ve depended on counselling, anti-depressants, and sleeping pills. Life has sometimes been unbearable, as I didn’t know exactly what reasons I had to live’. 
‘People sometimes feel that they would not get depressed or anxious, or turn to alcohol or other substances to help them cope, if they were a better Catholic! Attitudes like this can be quite harmful especially if other people accept such ideas as true. Clinical depression is just not something you can pull yourself out of. On the other hand living with someone who has a low or changing mood, someone with memory problems or someone who is addicted to alcohol can be very wearing’.
‘Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the tremendous depths of character and giftedness often displayed by those who live their lives within the limitations of challenging physical and psychological circumstances. He noted Beethoven's creativity in producing his joyful Ninth Symphony after enduring years of depression and bitterness due to deafness’.
‘I found a priest to help my mother’s obsessive prayer life. The struggle with our daughter continued for six years but she is now a teacher. Today I run pastoral support groups for carers and for sufferers. Carers are listened to and no longer feel alone. Sufferers feel accepted in the non-judgemental sharing’.
“Most people are reluctant to speak their about mental health, whether it be affected by stress, bereavement, exhaustion or diseases such as clinical depression or schizophrenia. That taboo has no place in the Church’s life.”
Peter has been suffering from severe depression since the age of 35. He lost his friends, stopped eating, was signed off work, rarely got up from the sofa and basically lost the ability to take care of himself. The West End Project, part of the Mungo Foundation, offered him a vital lifeline. He’s been involved for two years and has met new people, seen his spirits lifted and has developed his skills with support from other members and the attentive staff.
Being a member of a Parish for one who has mental health concerns can be quite isolating. There’s an inability to reach out to others, to partake fully in parish activities. Unsure of one’s own standing in the community, there is a need for acceptance. One is afraid to tread an unknown path, their self esteem critically lacking.
Mother of Tranquillity, Mother of Hope
Speaking at a recent international congress entitled: ‘Oil on the wounds. A response to the blight of abortion and divorce,’ the Holy Father said that the "’noes' pronounced by the Church in her moral guidelines, and upon which public opinion sometimes unilaterally fixes its attention, are in fact so many 'yeses' to the dignity of human beings, their lives and their capacity to love".
The Right Reverend Bernard Longley, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Bishop for Day for Life in England and Wales, together with the General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, Monsignor Andrew Summersgill met with the President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Archbishop Sgreccia in Rome on Monday 21 January 2008. The Secretary and Co-ordinator to the Academy, Monsignor Calipari and Fr George Woodall were also present at the meeting.