Cardinal Nichols: coronavirus a chance ‘reset our sights’

THE coronavirus is a chance to “reset our sights” and “distinguish what is truly important from all that is fleetingly desired”, the head of the Catholic Church in the UK will say.

In a service broadcast on all 39 BBC Local Radio stations this Sunday  Cardinal Nichols says the crisis allows us to ‘focus on our true needs’.

Each Sunday at 8am a different Christian denomination is leading a service on BBC Local Radio for the worshippers now housebound because of Covid-19.

“We can be refreshed by this vision of love stronger than death, of self sacrifice flowering into new life, of the bonds of humanity reaching beyond the grave,” he will say in his sermon. 

“The life shared by every human being and binding us together is a life which will find its fulfilment in the glory of heaven. Today we can reset our sights, focussing on our true needs and on our finest gifts. 

“This time of great testing enables us to distinguish what is truly important from all that is fleetingly desired, and has so often mistakingly been given pride of place in our ambitions. 

“Already we have to look froward to the rebuilding of our common life. May the light of the risen Christ guide and inspire us in that task.”

During the hour-long service on BBC Local Radio – which will include reflections, Bible readings and hymns – he will add that “in a time of darkness and anxiety” Jesus Christ will give us the “courage to face the cold embrace of death”.

“This message shouts aloud that death is not the last word,” he will say. “So often it seems that death does have the final say, breaking our hearts, especially when the departing one is far from our arms. 

“Then, as for many today, death is ruthless, uncompromising, hard as rock. 

“Today we proclaim another reality: death is not the end. The rock of suffering and death is broken open by the cross of Jesus.”

The “national wireless congregation” broadcast each Sunday on BBC Local Radio has so far seen services by the Archbishop Justin Welby, the most senior Bishop in the Church of England, Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, Superintendent of the Methodist Central Hall Westminster, and Cathy Madavan, a Baptist church leader, international speaker and author.

Chris Burns, head of BBC Local Radio, said: “We are delighted that Cardinal Nichols has agreed to lead worship for BBC Local Radio listeners. It is something that we have been planning with the Catholic Church since the coronavirus outbreak began and it’s fantastic to see it come to fruition. 

“Easter Day is extremely important to all Christians and we are privileged to have the leader of the Catholic Church in this country sharing his thoughts with our audiences at this important time.”