Cardinal Nichols on conclusions of bishops' plenary meeting

(Vatican Radio) Prayers for victims of the fighting in Ukraine and for those suffering from the conflict in South Sudan were at the top of the agenda as the Catholic bishops of England and Wales met for their plenary assembly in the northern city of Leeds this week. At a press conference on Friday the president of the bishops conference, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, also called on Catholics to pray for Christian Unity and for the success of Pope Francis’ forthcoming visit to the Holy Land where he’ll meet with Orthodox leader, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.

Among many other issues discussed by the bishops was the ongoing debate in the UK about legalising assisted suicide and ways in which the Catholic Church will be marking the centenary of the First World War. The Church leaders also looked back to the recent conference in the Vatican on combatting human trafficking and forward to the Synod of bishops on the family which will take place in Rome in October.

Philippa Hitchen spoke with Cardinal Nichols to find out more about the conclusions of the four-day meeting.  Listen: