Queen endorses Jubilee cross

By Luke Coppen THE QUEEN has given her backing to plans to erect a monumental cross outside Westminster Cathedral in celebration of the Great Jubilee.
The Queen sent a donation to the cathedral last week after she learnt of plans to build the SOft pinewood cross in the cathedra] piazza in The Times newspaper.
Her contribution brings the sum raised so far to an estimated £32,000. But more than E20,000 is still needed to pay for the cross, inspired by the late Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Basil Hume.
Chief fundraiser Father Michael Seed SA said he was confident that E50,000 could be raised in time for the erection of the cross, tentatively set for the first Sunday in Advent.
He said: "I am amazed at the range of donations, from all over the United Kingdom, from Christians of every denomination and indeed non-Christians." The cross's hackers include the Three Faiths Forum, a dialogue body representing Christians, Jews and Muslims, and more than 25 British High Commissions and Embassies, including the Embassy of the State of Israel. It is also supported by all mainstream Christian churches in the Westminster area. Dr John Beynon, chairman the Westminster Christian Council, has described the project as "a most appropriate way of marking the millennium and remembering Cardinal Hume".
Other prominent supporters include newspaper owner Conrad Black, Ministry of Defence General Sir Charles Guthrie and local Westminster City councillor, David Harvey.
The cross, currently under construction in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, will stand on a three-stepped base in the form of a rose, the symbol of Our Lady. Impressed with the nail marks from the crucifixion. it is intended both to evoke the deposition and allude to the resurrection.
The cross, with a 25ft cross bar, echoes a similar cross erected when the Cathedral was first dedicated in July 1895.
The cross, designed by North London mural painter Alan Dodd. will remain in Westminster for two years, before it is returned to Yorkshire and erected in the grounds of Ampleforth Abbey, as a permanent memorial to Cardinal Hume, who was abbot there from 1963 and 1976.
Donations can be sent to Fr Michael Seed SA, Clergy House, 42 Francis Street, London, SW I P 1QW. Excess funds will be given to The Passage Day and Night Shelter and other charities.