The cross of Lorraine, with a V for victory added, inspired the resistance in Europe eighty years ago. “V” was the perfect symbol. V was victory, the French victoire, and the Flemish Vryheid, freedom.
It was etched with speed as resistance graffiti,
At the end of this newsletter, I’ll add the latest sign of resistance, designed especially to be hosted in one of our many potholes in the UK.
Meanwhile, I’ve discovered that our new venture, the ‘New English Catholic’ substack is growing swiftly in leaps and bounds. People are signing up in numbers. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has chosen to subscribe, in part because it means that we will have more influence. Since our intention is to re-Christianise our society, we need, intelligence, awareness, courage, clarity and of course, faith.
So thank you.
Today is full of opportunity.
I have two conversations arranged.
I’ve just had the first with with Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg. He is one of the most easily identifiable politicians in British politics today. He combines an expert’s knowledge of the political scene with a Catholic insight and commitment that is second to none. And he’s eloquent with it.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I thought it was scintillating. We covered a range of subjects all of which matter today in one form or another. We began with the way in which English history has been propagated with a serious anti-Catholic bias - which turned out to be as much about stopping the English having access to Jesus in the Mass, and fobbing them off with a culturally and politically acceptable homeopathic memorial event, as anything else.
We talked about how the Catholic cathedrals (under Protestant curating) come alive when the real Mass is celebrated in them; We exchanged some frank opinions about Justin Welby (Jacob admired him, I didn’t), and some equally ‘frank’ (that’s a pun) reflections on the recent papacy now it’s history and we can talk about it without disrespecting the office.
As we look to the future of the Church in the UK in this country he thinks there is a role for the state church as a kind of ‘decoy’ church (an interesting idea), while agreeing it’s time for the Catholics to make their presence felt.
In fact during this week, the Catholic voice is needed more than ever. The House of Lords will scrutinise what Sir Jacob called out unambiguously, the ‘evil bill’ authorising the killing of the elderly.
He is more optimistic about the free speech struggle than I am. You can judge for yourselves between our opinions. But if this government goes on (as he thinks it will) until 2029, it’s going to take a long time to roll back the thought crime legislation.
I found the conversation one of the most interesting I’ve taken part in over recent years.
Later on today, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to talk to Edward Pentin, one of the most well informed and respected Vatican correspondents we have. And I look forward to sharing that here as well. As it turns out, Edward and I were both Anglicans educated at the same school. Both of us were confirmed as Protestants in Canterbury cathedral, and both made our way home in later life (much later in my case) to the Catholic church. As you will see from my weathered visage, I’m a bit older than he is. But all credit to him for seeing the light first. It’s a privilege to have become friends having shared such a similar journey.
I’m very pleased that the new video that I began here called ‘Trouble-shooting’ has been so well received. I have a good number of emails arriving suggesting material for discussion, but I would be very grateful if any of our subscribers (this means you!) wanted to leave a message or send an email suggesting material for it. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Meanwhile, since St George is a Catholic saint, and his battles with the dragon symbolise the struggle of the Church against evil, we have been provided with plenty of pot holes which can swiftly we turned into symbols of Catholic resistance. It turns out that Left wing councils hate this so much, they will even come out and mend the pot hole with an unusual alacrity. So it’s win-win for us.
Please, get a copy editor.