Introduction | Episode 1

Welcome to the first podcast of a new monthly series called ‘At the Foot of the Cross’. Each month we’ll bring you updates from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Whether it’s the Church’s response to a crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic, or an aspect of Catholic life and worship like the progression of our new Lectionary, we’ll bring you the latest on ‘At the Foot of the Cross’. Each episode will offer a Scripture reading and reflection as well as suggested points for prayer. When there’s something of national import, we’ll also have news from the offices, agencies and directorates that work to serve the bishops and dioceses of England and Wales. Introduction Today we’re joined by Canon Christopher Thomas, the General Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference. The tragedy of the Ukraine war and the Church’s response, the penitential season of Lent, the desire to see more of the faithful back in our Churches as we approach Easter – these are our focal points in March. But let’s start with the very basics. We ask Canon Thomas the simple question: What is a Bishops’ Conference?