THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH

Western Rite

GENERAL CONFERENCE IN SWEDEN

  3^RD  TO 6^TH JUNE 2008

At the kind invitation of our Missionary District of Sweden  and our bishop in Sweden, the Right Reverend Ralph Törner the General Conference 2008 took place on the above dates.

Those of us from England were greeted by Bishop Ralph, Anne-Marie and Bishop Lululamili on the Monday evening at Skavasta Airport south of the Swedish capital of Stockholm. A bus journey of 170km (105 miles) followed to bring us to the beautiful shores of the Baltic Sea (Background picture!)  

                                                                                          Accommodation  was very spacious in en-suite rooms in wooden

                                                                                           cabins!

                                                                                 The Chapel.

Tuesday morning commenced as each day did in the Chapel with early Masses at 6.30 and 7.00a.m. then Mattins followed by breakfast before the first business session of the Conference. Mass celebrated by Bishop Törner was followed by lunch. Another business session was followed by Vespers at 4.30p.m. and dinner.

The conference in session.              

After further meetings the day finished with what was to become a feature of the Conference, the best of Christian fellowship with coffee and open Swedish sandwiches in one of the accommodation cabins.

Evening relaxation.
 

Wednesday was much the same with Mattins followed by breakfast; a business session followed by Mass, this time celebrated by Bishop Lamani of Umzi Wase Tiyopiya, and lunch. The Conference was pleased to host a press conference with a local reporter in the afternoon at which some pointed and provoking questions were asked about the religious beliefs and moral standing of the Holy Catholic Church – Western Rite, before Vespers and dinner. The evening finished in a relaxed manner with coffee and sandwiches.

The Press Conference.   

On the Thursday, after Mattins and a breakfast more traditional English than Swedish, we spent about two hours on the road to Vadstena. On the way we collected copies of the local newspaper with its report of the Conference. All seemed to agree that the article was a fair report of the press conference the previous afternoon. At Vadstena we were privileged to be able to attend a celebration of  the Mass by the Metropolitan Archbishop in the language  St Bridget would have been accustomed to, namely. Latin, surrounded by her relics, and the medieval cells where monks used to hear confession. After refreshments we returned to the Conference Centre for Vespers and dinner. After a meeting of the bishops our last evening ended with friendly banter and discussion over the now usual coffee and sandwiches.

After the Mass in Vadstena; near the relics of St Bridget.

After Mattins and breakfast, Friday morning was less hectic than others, ending with Sung Mass celebrated by Bishop Garner, and lunch. The party from England then departed for the airport and home.

About to departure for home.           

We thank our hosts, Bishop Ralph and Anne-Marie and all the staff of Stegeborgsgarden who made us most welcome and provided excellent cuisine including a few local specialities.

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