Mass celebrating start of Olympic Games to be held in London

(July 18, 2012) As part of the Catholic Church's engagement alongside the 2012 Olympic Games in London, there will be two official Masses. The first, at Westminster Cathedral on July 28, will mark the start of the 30th Olympic Games. The second, to be held at St. George's Cathedral in Southwark in September, will be a Mass of thanksgiving in honour of the 14th Paralympic Games. The Catholic 2012 Office has sent out open invitations to Catholics to attend either or both of the Catholic Church’s official Masses. The archbishops of Westminster and Southwark and the bishop of Brentwood will be present at the celebrations and diocesan bishops from around the country have been invited to concelebrate. The apostolic nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, and the Archbishop of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Archbishop Roberto González Nieves, will also be in attendance at the celebration of the Olympic Mass in Westminster Cathedral.