Message of Encouragement from Bishop Marcus Stock - Bishop of Leeds

Although the Diocese of Leeds is entirely landlocked territory, I am very pleased to support the initiative, ‘Rosary on the Coast for Faith, Life and Peace’ which will take place in coastal locations throughout the British Isles on Sunday 29th April 2018. News of the day of Prayer and Pilgrimage has been sent to the clergy and religious in our diocese with the hope of encouraging and promoting this witness to our belief in the God-given dignity and innate value of all human life. I know that many of the people of this diocese will take part by traveling to the nearest events or will be united with those on the coast in the Prayer of the Rosary. Pope St John Paul II said that life is “God's first gift, and the fundamental right of every individual, on which all other rights are based”. If life is “treated as just one more commodity to be organized, commercialized and manipulated according to convenience”, then there can be no true and lasting peace in the world. This is why we must remain resolute in our prayer that the inalienable rights of the human person will be recognised and respected by civil society and political authority. I pray that through the powerful intercession of Mary the Mother of God, Faith will increase, Life will flourish and Peace will reign in our world. Assuring you of my prayers and every blessing, I remain yours in the Lord Jesus Christ Marcus Stock Bishop of Leeds