Catholic Police Guild
Encyclopedia
The Catholic Police Guild (CPG) of England & Wales was founded in 1914 as the Metropolitan and City Catholic Police Guild. This was an association for Catholic Police men and women, and approved by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster
, in response to representations made by Catholics serving in the Metropolitan and City of London Police Forces.
In 1974 the Guild became a national association with membership open to Police Officers serving in the Police Forces in the rest of England and Wales. More recently membership has been opened up to Police Staff & Police Community Support Officers. The CPG also has a Friends category of membership for other civilian supporters. The Guild has had a significant resurgence over the last couple of years. It is particularly experiencing growth in the North-West of England.
The Patron Saint of the of the Catholic Police Guild is Saint Michael, the Archangel. His feast day is the 29th September.
The name Michael signifies “Who is like to God?” and was the warcry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against satan and his followers.
Holy Scripture describes St Michael as “one of the chief princes,” and leader of the forces of Heaven in their triumph over the powers of Hell.
He has been especially honored and invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles.
Although he is always called “the Archangel,” the Greek Fathers and many others place him over all the angels – as Prince of the Seraphim.
St Michael is the patron of police, paratroopers, grocers, mariners and sickness.
.
The CPG holds an Annual General Meeting that is open to all members of the Guild. The election of members to the National Executive Committee (NEC) takes place at this meeting.
The NEC is entrusted by members to run the Guild. The NEC meets throughout the year. The NEC will invite a Guild member to act as Chairman.
A member or person associated with the Police Service may also be invited by the NEC to act as President for a term of three years, which can be renewed. The CPG NEC has not appointed a President for many years. Previously this role was held by a senior Catholic cleric, often the Administrator of Westminster Cathedral
.
However, in June 2010 the NEC decided to appoint a president once again. They chose Patrick J Somerville QPM, a previous Chairman of the CPG on two occasions. He is the first Catholic layman to be appointed to this position in the history of the guild.
of the Catholic Police Guild is stewarding.
Catholic Police Guild members have a strong association with Westminster Cathedral
. Members often help with stewarding duties throughout the year.
Every October Guild members carry the statue of Our Lady
in procession from Westminster Cathedral
to Brompton Oratory on behalf of the Rosary Crusade of Reparation.
and more recently in 2010 with the visit of his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom
the Catholic Police Guild assisted with the stewarding of these events.
In 1982 the lead was taken by the late Michael Jeffers. At the time he was a Chief Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police as well as the Chairman of the Guild. In recognition of his efforts the late Cardinal Basil Hume made him a Knight of St Gregory.
In 2010 the Catholic Police Guild was asked to take the lead in organising the Stewarding for the Papal Mass held at Westminster Cathedral
on Saturday 18 September. The lead was taken by the current Guild President Patrick Sommervile.
s to various important holy places, including Rome
, the Holy Land
, Fátima, Portugal
, Santiago de Compostella in Spain
and Poland
.
In 1985 the Guild went on pilgrimage to Rome to celebrate its seventh year of foundation. During this pilgrimage the Guild was addressed by His Holiness Pope John Paul II
on Friday, 12 April 1985:
. In recent years the Guild in this country ceased to operate. However, negotiations are currently underway to revive the Catholic Police Guild in Scotland.
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in England. The archdiocese consists of all the London boroughs north of the River Thames and west of the River Lea, together with the towns southwest of Staines and Sunbury-on-Thames and...
, in response to representations made by Catholics serving in the Metropolitan and City of London Police Forces.
In 1974 the Guild became a national association with membership open to Police Officers serving in the Police Forces in the rest of England and Wales. More recently membership has been opened up to Police Staff & Police Community Support Officers. The CPG also has a Friends category of membership for other civilian supporters. The Guild has had a significant resurgence over the last couple of years. It is particularly experiencing growth in the North-West of England.
Objectives of the Guild
- To provide a fraternal organisation through which members may be encouraged and obtain a better understanding of their Catholic Faith and its relevance to the Police service vocation.
- To help members to apply Christian principles in the performance of their duties by helping others, resisting temptations to injustice and disloyalty, demonstrating qualities of integrity, sincerity and truthfulness and performing other charitable good works.
- All Members are expected to participate fully in the Guild’s charitable activities and spiritual and social events.
Guild Prayer
Most merciful God, giver of all authority, by the merits of Thy Divine Son and through the intercession of His Holy Mother and our glorious patron St. Michael, grant that we may this day, and every day, overcome all temptations, especially to injustice and disloyalty, and with our minds inflamed by Thy Holy Spirit perform all our duties in such a manner as may be pleasing to Thy Divine Will, so that when called to report for the last time we may not be found wanting, and may be allowed to remain forever in Thy Presence. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMENGuild Patron
The name Michael signifies “Who is like to God?” and was the warcry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against satan and his followers.
Holy Scripture describes St Michael as “one of the chief princes,” and leader of the forces of Heaven in their triumph over the powers of Hell.
He has been especially honored and invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles.
Although he is always called “the Archangel,” the Greek Fathers and many others place him over all the angels – as Prince of the Seraphim.
St Michael is the patron of police, paratroopers, grocers, mariners and sickness.
Structure
The CPG has a Constitution and Rules approved by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and WalesCatholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales is the episcopal conference of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales.-About:...
.
The CPG holds an Annual General Meeting that is open to all members of the Guild. The election of members to the National Executive Committee (NEC) takes place at this meeting.
The NEC is entrusted by members to run the Guild. The NEC meets throughout the year. The NEC will invite a Guild member to act as Chairman.
A member or person associated with the Police Service may also be invited by the NEC to act as President for a term of three years, which can be renewed. The CPG NEC has not appointed a President for many years. Previously this role was held by a senior Catholic cleric, often the Administrator of Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral in London is the mother church of the Catholic community in England and Wales and the Metropolitan Church and Cathedral of the Archbishop of Westminster...
.
However, in June 2010 the NEC decided to appoint a president once again. They chose Patrick J Somerville QPM, a previous Chairman of the CPG on two occasions. He is the first Catholic layman to be appointed to this position in the history of the guild.
Annual Events
- RequiemRequiemA Requiem or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the dead or Mass of the dead , is a Mass celebrated for the repose of the soul or souls of one or more deceased persons, using a particular form of the Roman Missal...
Mass for deceased Police Officers and Staff, held at Westminster CathedralWestminster CathedralWestminster Cathedral in London is the mother church of the Catholic community in England and Wales and the Metropolitan Church and Cathedral of the Archbishop of Westminster... - Retreat
- Mass to mark the foundation of the Guild on the Feast of Corpus Christi 1914 (usually the Thursday before, as this Feast is now celebrated in England & Wales on a Sunday)
- Mass to mark the Feast of St Michael the Archangel (29 September), the Patron Saint of the Guild
Stewarding
A strong charismCharism
In Christian theology, a charism in general denotes any good gift that flows from God's love to man. The word can also mean any of the spiritual graces and qualifications granted to every Christian to perform his or her task in the Church...
of the Catholic Police Guild is stewarding.
Catholic Police Guild members have a strong association with Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral in London is the mother church of the Catholic community in England and Wales and the Metropolitan Church and Cathedral of the Archbishop of Westminster...
. Members often help with stewarding duties throughout the year.
Every October Guild members carry the statue of Our Lady
Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic)
Roman Catholic veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary is based on Holy Scripture: In the fullness of time, God sent his son, born of a virgin. The mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God through Mary thus signifies her honour as Mother of God...
in procession from Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral in London is the mother church of the Catholic community in England and Wales and the Metropolitan Church and Cathedral of the Archbishop of Westminster...
to Brompton Oratory on behalf of the Rosary Crusade of Reparation.
Papal visits to Britain
Both in 1982 with the visit of his Holiness Pope John Paul II's visit to the United KingdomPope John Paul II's visit to the United Kingdom
Pope John Paul II's visit to the United Kingdom in 1982 was the first visit to that country by a reigning pope. John Paul arrived in the UK on 28 May 1982, and during his time there visited 9 cities, delivering 16 major addresses...
and more recently in 2010 with the visit of his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom
Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom
Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom from 16 to 19 September 2010 was the first state visit by a pope to the United Kingdom...
the Catholic Police Guild assisted with the stewarding of these events.
In 1982 the lead was taken by the late Michael Jeffers. At the time he was a Chief Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police as well as the Chairman of the Guild. In recognition of his efforts the late Cardinal Basil Hume made him a Knight of St Gregory.
In 2010 the Catholic Police Guild was asked to take the lead in organising the Stewarding for the Papal Mass held at Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral in London is the mother church of the Catholic community in England and Wales and the Metropolitan Church and Cathedral of the Archbishop of Westminster...
on Saturday 18 September. The lead was taken by the current Guild President Patrick Sommervile.
Pilgrimages
The Guild undertakes bi-annual pilgrimagePilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
s to various important holy places, including Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, the Holy Land
Holy Land
The Holy Land is a term which in Judaism refers to the Kingdom of Israel as defined in the Tanakh. For Jews, the Land's identifiction of being Holy is defined in Judaism by its differentiation from other lands by virtue of the practice of Judaism often possible only in the Land of Israel...
, Fátima, Portugal
Fátima, Portugal
Fátima is a city in Portugal famous for the Marian apparitions, recognized by the Catholic Church, that took place there in 1917. The town itself has a population of 7,756 and is located in the municipality of Ourém, in the Centro Region and Médio Tejo Subregion...
, Santiago de Compostella in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
.
In 1985 the Guild went on pilgrimage to Rome to celebrate its seventh year of foundation. During this pilgrimage the Guild was addressed by His Holiness Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
on Friday, 12 April 1985:
List of Chairmen
| Chairman | Tenure | Force |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Sloan | 2010–Present | Metropolitan |
| Patrick Somerville | 2008–2010 | Metropolitan |
| John Daly | 2006–2008 | Metropolitan |
| Andrew Bayes | 2003–2006 | Metropolitan |
| Michael O'Brien | Metropolitan | |
| Bernard Luckhurst | Metropolitan | |
Catholic Police Guild of Scotland
A Catholic Police Guild used to exist in ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. In recent years the Guild in this country ceased to operate. However, negotiations are currently underway to revive the Catholic Police Guild in Scotland.