CAFOD's annual lecture

On Friday 12 November, Andrew, Nick, Danny and Naomi attended Cafod’s annual lecture which took place at the Emmanuel Centre in Westminster.

The lecture, an annual event for Cafod’s supporters and staff, is inspired by the late Pope Paul VI’s landmark encyclical letter, Populorum Progressio, published in 1967, in which the Pope urged people to work for a better world through an active spirit and the practice of global solidarity.

The lecture, entitled Life to the full? Development in solidarity was given by the General Secretary of Pax Christi and former Prime Minister of Haiti, Claudette Werleigh.

In January, a devastating earthquake forced Haiti into the international spotlight. In her lecture, former Haitian Prime Minister Claudette Werleigh explored the deeper issues behind the headlines when she discussed how true development, based on peace and justice, can enable all to live life to the full.

About 400 supporters attended the event, including Bishop John Rawsthorne, Bishop of Hallam and Chair of CAFOD, Bishop Patrick Lynch, Auxiliary Bishop in Southwark, and Bishop William Kenney, Auxiliary in Birmingham. The evening was chaired by Channel Four news presenter Jon Snow. Reflecting on her recent visits to Haiti, Werleigh spoke of the need for NGOs to work in partnership with local institutions, empowering the people of Haiti to participate through Consultation, in the decisions that determine the country’s recovery and development. Demonstrating trust, Werleigh says, plays an important part in recognising the dignity of others, and is a key factor in the international development process. Greater consultation will allow a more sustainable, deeply rooted process of recovery.

She draws on rich experience: “I have been blessed to have worked both in rich countries and one of the most impoverished ones, at grassroots level and at top level. I have learned that we all need to acknowledge our differences, to accept the other as equal and to cooperate in order to improve life.”

Naomi Brandon

Public Affairs Intern at CESEW

Open House - Serving the Homeless

Andrew reports on his evening at St Anne's Church, Soho


Today after work I popped along to St Anne's Church in Soho to do a spot of volunteering. Having connections with the church, students from Newman House can go every week and help out. I really enjoyed it, even after a day in Parliament. It definitely pops the Westminster bubble and bring you back down to earth.

From 5.30-6pm I helped set up tables and chairs with cutlery and condiments. Our customers queue from 5pm (or earlier) for the food, drink and hospitality on offer. After some prayers, food is served. It's good grub, cooked by some amazing chefs in advance, and much better than my solo gastronomic efforts!

My job as a first-timer during the meal-time was to serve milk to those drinking tea and coffee, not all too easy as demand was high this late October evening.

I was really impressed by the volunteers who turn up every week to make the operation happen - it's quite a sight to see so many people fed in a fairly short turn around period of under 90minutes (although a lot of preparation time is needed).

I'm definitely planning to make it a regular part of my time during my internship to go work at Open House. It's enjoyable volunteering with others from NH and others in the community. I just hope I have the stamina to keep it up with my other internship commitments - Heythrop, Cardinal Hume Centre, Newman House... oh and Parliament!

Catholic Parliamentary Interns 2010-2011

Andrew Duncan

I'm very much looking forward to the CPI. After the election it's an interesting time to be working in Westminster in a period of transition. I'm keen to see the process of law-making in action and learn how politicians work together, elements perhaps not always picked up in the press. To continue living in a student environment at Newman House and study at Heythrop College is very much welcomed too, this perhaps will release me gently into the "real world"!

Chris Morillon

Having known past interns, to various degrees, I witnessed first hand how the experience of the CPI helped them to develop themselves spiritually, personally and professionally. As a fresh-graduate everyone is on the look out for as inspiring a position to kick-start their post-uni career as possible; after much research into various graduate schemes, I believe this is the best one out there (and I'm not just saying that!). This year I'll be working in the European Parliament in Brussels with a French MEP; I'm expecting to learn more about economics and I look forward to gaining familiarity with how it is applied in practice, particularly to help the disadvantaged. Time to get stuck in!

Daniel Howard

I’m very excited to be on the CPI scheme this year. Having previously studied Politics and International Relations at University, it is a great honour and privilege to immerse oneself in the mother of all Parliaments, working for a Conservative MP after 13 years on the opposition benches shall surely prove a unique and exciting experience.
The CPI scheme incorporates so many elements of both public and religious life, and studying at Heythrop College will surely add to this education. In addition, I am eagerly anticipating life in Newman House; living in London for the first time, in a friendly and communal environment will not only help the transition from university to work, but also help foster a strong friendship between all of this year’s interns.
I am greatly looking forward to playing my part in helping my MP in her duty of public service, whilst applying Catholic principles to the everyday business of government.

Jo-Anne Rowney

I'm very excited to finally be started the internship, especially since I'll be based at Archbishop's House, working with the Public Affairs Office. I recently graduated from the University of Hertfordshire, after reading English Literature, Journalism and New Media Publishing for the past three years - so it'll be great to put my training into practice! I start work just before the Papal Visit so I plan to fully immerse myself in the excitement and media bubble. With working in the PA Office, studying at Heythrop and living at Newman House I'm sure we'll all be very busy!

Naomi Brandon

I'm incredibly excited about working as a Catholic Parliamentary Intern for the Catholic Education Service. I was absolutely thrilled to be selected and I can't wait to start. I think the multidimensional quality of this internship, combining the political work placement, spirituality and academic study, makes this internship really special and unique. I have just graduated from Manchester University having studied Politics and International Relations, so I am looking forward to putting my politics and my faith into action and to getting a grip on the complex and fascinating policy area of Catholic education. This year is going to be busy, challenging and lots of fun and I can't wait for it to begin!

Nick Keilty

I've been excited about coming London to start the Catholic Parliamentary Internship, so now it's actually happened I can't quite believe it! I'm working in Parliament for Simon Hughes MP, who is currently deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Commons. The first few weeks have been really intense with the coalition government's comprehensive spending review providing all of us who are working in Portcullis House with a varied but very busy time!

I'm looking forward to incorporating elements of my faith such as Catholic social teaching and spirituality into my everyday work and then taking a retrospective look at how this affects my decision making. This will hopefully be propagated by living in community at Newman House and by the education we are receiving via our MA in Contemporary Ethics at Heythrop College.

Tablet Lecture 2010

Now well into our respective internships, on Thursday we met on a nippy October evening to hear Francis Campbell speak about his time as Ambassador to the Holy See in the Vatican.

While doing the best we could to bring the average age of the audience down, we listened with great interest to the outgoing ambassador's personal take on the Holy See and its external operations, relations with the UK - and what lies ahead for British-Vatican ties after a successful Papal visit in September.

Of particular interest was how small the Vatican press office is, and yet conducts clear and strong communications with over a billion Catholics and heads of state across the world.

Campbell contrasted the Holy See's operations with conventional foreign offices, and conveyed how decentralised many decisions were, instead of power being wielded at the centre and delegated outwards to the periphery.

To the dismay of some (particularly journalists in the audience) Campbell's talk did not linger near controversial topics or reveal more sensitive ambassadorial work. However, this kind of diplomacy has contributed greatly to Britain's excellent relations with the Holy See.

Campbell leaves big shoes to fill, whoever his successor may be.

Catholic Parliamentary Interns 2010-2011

We have been in London for almost a month now. We love living in Newman House. We have all started our jobs in Parliament, the Archbishop of Westminster's Public Affairs Office and the Catholic Education Service. We have also started our ethics lectures at Heythrop College which have been intellectually challenging. Our spiritual direction with Father James Hanvey has commenced and our mentoring training session with the Cardinal Hume Centre has taken place. The first month has gone so quickly but there is still lots to look forward to.

Danny, Nick and Andrew outside the Palace of Westminster

Profiles and pictures coming soon - watch this spot!

It begins…

Or rather it began! Three months into the internship we thought it was about time we posted something, so that this year’s applicants know what they’re letting themselves in for! The first term’s been hectic but we’ve all learnt a lot and are really settling into our jobs and life at Newman House. Now the first term is over this is a natural point to reflect on what has gone by.

The first two weeks were a series of induction events; by the end of it we had introduced ourselves to many of the movers and shakers in Catholic London, ranging from Cafod through to Archbishop Nichols. It was immediately off to St Bueno’s in rural north Wales for our opening retreat. Silence at mealtimes was only punctuated by the light fizzing of Frisbee through the cold Welsh air. The full complement of interns (those based in London and in Brussels) drank tea with James Hanvey SJ, who led our retreat, walked through the beautiful countryside and enjoyed the peace and quiet away from London. We shared our faith journeys, explored different types of prayer and walked through the dark to the local pub.

This jetsetting life continued as we represented the Bishops’ Conference at the first Catholic Social Days for Europe in Gdansk, along with Philippa Gitlin, the Director of Caritas Social Action. At 4 in the morning, with a taxi driver only staying awake thanks to copious amounts of Red Bull, ‘To Luton airport please?’ said Will. The driver blinked thrice and moved into second gear. Highlights of the conference included a lecture by Professor Gosta Esping-Andersen on solidarity in the family and a German MEP falling asleep whilst taking part in one of the panel discussions. We also took a trip to the Westerplatte where World War II began, participating in a service of remembrance, and touring the important historic location. We also experienced an evening in a Gdansk parish, enjoying the hospitality of a very kind priest.

As soon as we returned back from Poland, the House returned from the summer recess and we swiftly settled in to the routine for the next nine weeks. It was also an opportunity to get to know the rest of the Newman House community a bit better. Part of last term’s excitement in Parliament included tickets to PMQs, seeing the Queen in all her robes and finery at the State Opening of Parliament and the Parliamentary Carol Service sitting two benches along from David Cameron, John Bercow and Jack Straw! We went to lectures, hearing the Chief Rabbi, John Varley, and Baroness Shirley Williams. Other highlights included a visit to the Cardinal Hume Centre and meetings with Catholic journalists.

Our lectures at Heythrop College in a Masters in Contemporary Ethics are challenging and interesting. We all passed the first piece of coursework and are looking forward with trepidation to completing two end of year essays during a general election campaign!

Having enjoyed the build-up to Christmas together, including a Christmas meal at Newman House and various Carol services in and around Westminster, we went our separate ways for a well-deserved Christmas break!

Stay tuned for the next instalment!

2009-10 Interns

Now well into the fray, meet this year’s interns. These short pieces were written whilst they were preparing to begin the scheme.

Anna Matus

'My CPI experience involves a year working for the Catholic Education Service, particularly in public affairs. Alongside the numerous and diverse elements of the CPI scheme including masters study, work, spiritual growth, community and trips here, there and everywhere, this particular placement also enables me to pursue my interest in contemporary education issues. Having spent my gap year doing youthwork in secondary schools across the country and just finishing my degree in Geography at the University of Leeds, I am looking forward to this exciting next step which combines so many of my interests!

Feargal McGuinness
I think this is a very exciting time to be working in parliament, in a general election year and at a time when the House of Commons is considering electoral and constitutional reform. Working for Steve Webb, MP for Northavon and Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, I'm anticipating learning more about economics. I'm looking forward to gaining familiarity with how it is applied in practice to help the disadvantaged. What excites me most however is that the CPI shows us many different ways in which particular groups are working to improve society, so giving us the chance to see the bigger picture of how all these activities fit together.

William Redfern

I’m William and I’m greatly looking forward to working as an Intern with Don Touhig MP, the Labour MP for Islwyn. Mr Touhig is the Chair of the Committee on Members’ Allowances and as such, given the high profile nature of expenses and allowances at the current time, is in a very important and high profile role. I’m really looking forward to being at Westminster and working at the heart of the political establishment, especially in the run up to the next general election. Having just spent three years studying law it will be very interesting to see how laws are made in practice and to see how politics functions in reality. Therefore, I anticipate having a very exciting, interesting and informative year as an Intern!

zz

Hannah Mills

I am really looking forward to starting my Catholic Parliamentary Internship. It is a scheme I have been interested in for quite a while, with its unique combination of political work, study and living together, so I am eagerly awaiting September! I will be working for Conservative MP Damian Green, who is Shadow Minister for Immigration so there should be an interesting range of issues to get involved in. I am also looking forward to the chance to study at Heythrop College and to continue being a student. As an economist, studying ethics and theology will be completely new to me and I am looking forward to the challenge. Finally the prospect of being involved and living in the chaplaincy at Newman House should be a fantastic experience – I cannot wait to get started!

Peter Stoddart

It is a great privilege to be on this unique scheme, working in the Houses of Parliament and in a Catholic context. I will be working for John Battle, the member for Leeds West which will introduce me to important issues such as international development, poverty and housing. Living in Newman House promises to add further enjoyment to this year, with its talented residents and many social activities. I would advise any young Catholic with an interest in public affairs to think about applying for this internship. For me it has just begun, but it has already been well worth it!