St Thomas More.

St Thomas More is probably the best known and loved of the many Martyrs of England. His life even attracted the film industry in `A Man for All Seasons`. That in Tudor England renowned for its corruption there should be a man renowned for his incorruption was almost unbelievable. But St Thomas More was a man devoted to God and as Chancellor of England he was exemplary. Although he had been a gret friend of the King things changed when Hernry decided that his marriage to Catherine of Aragon should be annulled and this request was refused by the Pope. Henry demaded an oath of allegiance to himself as Head of the Chruch in Englan and this More would not do. He died as he said "The Kings true friend, but God`s more" Many catholics like Norfok were happy to take the oath, and excusing themselves that what they said was not what was in their heart, but St Thomas could not lie to himself in this way. Today many catholics betray the Church by refusing to accept her teachings on contraception. Like Henry they rfuse her teaching and declare themselves as head of the Church or the only ones in the Church who matter. Rome is just as far away as it was in Henry`s time. If indeed the Authority of the Papacy is only in love and not authority, as I heard, and I am sure many others have heard representatives of the Bishops say, then St Thomas MOre would have died in vain and little wonder there is great unease aboout the Tyburn Walks. But St Thoma died for Papal Supremacy and Papal Authority. St Thomas lived with his family in a house on the Thames at what is now the Chelsea Embankment. At that sport a man called Thomas Cromwell collected statues of Our Lady from all parts of England and had them burned and thrown into the Thames. A great event is planned there this Septmember whn Paul Day a leading architiect will unveil a statue of Our Lady which at its base will show pictures of this iconoclasm and the persecution of the Martyrs. We pray that this will mark in some way the return of Mary to England. Pray for Paul Day that God will guide him in his worki.