Catholic Police Guild

Logo of the Catholic Police Guild

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.^[1]

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.^[2]

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, AMEN

Guild Patron

A 13th-century Byzantine icon of St Michael from Saint Catherine's Monastery

The Patron Saint of the Catholic Police Guild is Saint Michael, the Archangel. His feast day is 29 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.

Structure

The CPG has a Constitution and Rules approved by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.

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.^[2]

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.^[3]

Annual Events

• Requiem Mass for deceased Police Officers and Staff, held at Westminster Cathedral
• 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^[4]

Stewarding

A strong charism 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.^[5]

Papal visits to Britain

Both in 1982 with the visit of Pope John Paul II and in 2010 with the visit of Pope Benedict XVI, the Catholic Police Guild assisted with stewarding.

In 1982 the lead was taken by 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 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.

Pilgrimages

The Guild undertakes bi-annual pilgrimages to various important holy places, including Rome, the Holy Land, Fátima, Portugal, Santiago de Compostella in Spain and Poland.^[1]

In 1985 the Guild went on pilgrimage to Rome to celebrate its seventieth year of foundation. During this pilgrimage the Guild was addressed by Pope John Paul II on Friday, 12 April 1985:

List of Chairmen

Catholic Police Guild of Scotland

A Catholic Police Guild used to exist in Scotland. In recent years the Guild in this country ceased to operate. However, negotiations are currently underway to revive the Catholic Police Guild in Scotland.

References

External links

• The Catholic Police Guild of England & Wales website

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