Bishop Philip writes…
The state visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla to the US is currently underway and last night with an historic speech, the King addressed Congress. It is a reminder for us to pray for good relations between nations but also to pray for the Monarch, the Royal Family and all who govern us. Here is the traditional prayer for the King, the Domine salvum fac: “We beseech thee, almighty God, that thy servant Charles our King, who through thy mercy has undertaken the government of this realm, may also receive an increase of all virtues. Fittingly adorned with these, may he be able to shun all evildoing, and, together with the Queen consort and the royal family, to come by thy grace unto thee who art the way, the truth, and the life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Meanwhile, welcome to e-News Issue 531 (2026/15) for Wednesday 29th April 2026. We continue the series of articles looking at Mass attendance across the Diocese. The picture is varied, with some Pastoral Areas growing, whilst others show a decline. As we take each Deanery in turn over the next eight weeks, a clearer overall picture should emerge. Numbers of course are ‘crude’ and not everything: depth is what counts. Some of our small communities are full of committed faithful whereas some of the bigger ones find it very hard to recruit volunteers and helpers. To all of us, the challenge is how to reach out to the many people in our society who have not yet heard the Good News of Christ and to the not-yet-practicing Catholics, who in many areas are nine out of every ten. Let us keep this mission-intention before us over the days and weeks ahead. Meanwhile, may the Lord bless you with His love during this Fourth Week of Easter.
With all good wishes and an assurance of my prayers,
In Corde Iesu
+Philip
Bishop of Portsmouth
[Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images]
