Sussex boys' bastion opens up to girls

MAYFIELD College, a Sussex Catholic boys' public school, is to admit girls for the first time in its 123-year history.
The school, which was run by the Xaverian congregation until it was handed over to lay trustees in 1976, will take girls from next year, governors decided at a recent meeting. Headteacher Desmond Banister said the new direction had been
Coming Events
VIE Montate Internationale, the parent body of Ascent, which seeks "to bring joy, spiritual enrichment, and friendship to the retired and elderly" is holding a European conference at London Colney, near St Albans, from October 14 18, based around the theme "Living in Europe today". For further details, please contact Paula Conrad on 081 653 5206.
From the bishops' diaries
ON Saturday, Archbishop Maurice Couve de Murville of Birmingham ordains Paul Dean to the priesthood at Olton Friary.
Other ordinations on that day are celebrated by Bishop John Brewer of Lancaster, who ordains Stephen Shield at Our Lady and St Patrick, Maryport; Bishop Patrick Kelly of Salford, who ordains James Manock at St Mary's, Ashton-under-Lyne (he also ordains Gerard Barry at St Joseph's, Reddish, on Sunday); Bishop David Konstant of Leeds, who ordains Paul Williment at St Gregory's, Leeds; and Bishop Joseph Grey of Shrewsbury, who ordains Stephen Wooley at Shrewsbury Cathedral.
The first full forum of "Churches Together in England" begins on Friday at Swanwick in Derbyshire. Those bishops attending include taken to help instil a family atmosphere into the school.
"Many parents have asked about the possibility of sending girls to Mayfield, and we feel that it is helping to develop a family atmosphere to allow sisters and brothers to attend the same school together," he said.
Mr Banister said the switch to co-education would take place slowly. "It will be an
Cardinal Basil Hume of Westminster, Archbishop Derek Worlock of Liverpool, and Bishop Leo MeCartie of Northampton.
On Tuesday, Bishop Daniel Mullins of Menevia attends the induction of Fr Michael Lewis as parish priest at Brecon. On Friday, Bishop Augustine Harris of Middlesbrough celebrates a thanksgiving mass for the Marist community in his cathedral. On Saturday, Bishop Mervyn Alexander of Clifton is present at the annual general meeting of the Catholic Association for Racial Justice at Brislington, Bristol, and Bishop John Crowley, auxilary in Westminster, ordains Dominic Byrne to the priesthood in Shrewsbury.
Obituaries
CECILIA HULL, who has for the past decade inspired and guided the fledgling Association of Separated and Divorced Catholics as it has spread both geographically and in influence within the church has died after a long fight with cancer, writes Peter Stanford.
From a single letter in a Catholic newspaper, the ASDC with Cecilia at its helm, has developed into a national organisation, working in the dioceses of England, Wales and Scotland. It has worked both to bring understanding and dialogue about the position and needs of the separated and divorced in the parish and in the evolutionary change rather than a revolutionary one, but once one family has taken the plunge it usually encourages others and I look forward very much to the first girl signing up," he said.
The school, which takes day pupils as well as boarders, in the age range 11-18, was founded in 1868 by the Duchess of Leeds as a boys' orphanage.
church community, and to provide a forum where those whose marriages have broken down can enjoy the support and counsel of other Catholics in a similar position.
The ASDC's rapid acceptance into the family of the church Cardinal Hume has addressed its conferences and Bishop Patrick Kelly of Salford acts as episcopal adviser — owes much to Cecilia Hull's unfailing diplomacy, eloquence and powers of persuasion. And to many individual members of the ASDC she will be remembered as a generous friend and support in their moments of crisis.
Born Cecilia Pollen, she died peacefully at her home in London aged 62. A talented and original artist, she was the mother of five successful children (see leading article, page 4).
Miriam Hood, who devoted her life to the service of the church and in particular its community in Latin America, died this week of cancer.
A Venezuelan by birth, Miriam Hood was a doctoral graduate of Edinburgh University and a cultural counsellor at the Venezuelan embassy in London until two years before her death.
She was the author of two novels and books on the Caribbean and Venezuela. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Robin, a former director of the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development.