Apologies for the lack of posts recently.  I was in New York for a while, my visit timed perfectly to coincide with the Pope - and Gordon Brown!  Needless to say I didn't bump into either.

However, I noticed the Pope was warmly received by those who showed up to see him.  However, a number of Americans commented that the visit was overshadowed by his raising the issue of sexual abuse inflicted by a small minority of priests.  It may well have been.  But His Holiness should be congratulated on addressing an issue which has, for too long, been dismissed or buried by the Roman Catholic Church. 

I am an Anglican and am descended from Jewish ancestory, so I was delighted to see the Pope attend a synagogue in New York and address a substantial congregation.  It is always good to see the leaders of our religious faiths trying to bridge the divide.