CLERGY retreats are being hosted by several of the bishops this week. Cardinal Basil Hume leads the Hexham and Newcastle diocesan priests' retreat at Ministeracres from Monday to Friday, while Bishops Augustine Harris of Middlesbrough and John Brewer of Lancaster lead their diocesan clergy retreats at Ampleforth and Ilkley respectively. Bishop Brewer also attends a forum for industry and employment at Rydal Hall, Cumbria. Bishop Mervyn Alexander of Clifton attends a clergy day on "collaboration in ministry" at Bristol's RE Centre on Friday.
Meanwhile some of the bishops hold services for people with special needs. Bishop John Crowley, bishop in central London, confirms deaf Catholics at Westminster Cathedral on Sunday, when Bishop Patrick Kelly of Salford celebrates his diocesan Mass for the handicapped. Four days later, Bishop Cormac MurphyO'Connor of Arundel and Brighton preaches at West Sussex Association for Disabled Service at Chichester Cathedral. Next weekend Bishop David Konstant of Leeds attends his diocesan pastoral council on "growing old" in Leeds.
In the education world, Bishop Leo McCartie celebrates an academic Mass at St Edward's, Milton Keynes, Bishop John Rawsthorne, auxiliary in Liverpool, celebrates a Mass of welcome at St John Fisher High School. Wigan, on Monday. while Bishop Joseph Gray of Shrewsbury attends his diocesan primary headteachers association AGM in Northwich the day after. On Wednesday Archbishop Maurice Couve de Murville of Birmingham celebrates Mass at St Paul's School sixth form, Birmingham, and on Thursday, Bishop Vincent Nichols of north London celebrates a teachers'