Previous Pilgrimages
The pilgrimage began in 1984 with two coaches from London, led by Fr Jeremy Davies (Westminster Diocese). The intention was, and still is, to pray for an end to abortion and to make reparation for the millions of abortions that have taken place. Soon, others began to come, at first by car and then later by coach. Now, more than a 1000 pilgrims travel by coach from many points. Information about the pilgrimage is widely circulated among individuals and small groups in many other areas too. All pro-life leaders are invited to join the pilgrimage and are asked to encourage their members to take part.
We have been blessed and encouraged by the Bishops who have led the pilgrimages over the years, and have spoken with compassion, understanding and hope. Pilgrims have returned to their homes strengthened for the tasks they undertake on behalf of those who have no voice of their own.
In 2021 the Pilgrimage was led by Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury. Bishop Mark chose the theme for the Pilgrimage as’ The courage to proclaim the Gospel of Life in Post-Pandemic Britain’. In his homily he said. ‘The Book of Revelation describes how monstrous evil pursues and seeks to devour the Child born of the Blessed Mother. This attack is perpetuated today in everything that rejects and destroys human life from its beginning. This is the dramatic perspective in which we gather in Walsingham today.’ He went on to describe how this attack is represented by the contradictory elements in a society which makes great efforts to preserve life in the face of a pandemic but at the same time considers the implementation of legal means for individuals to be assisted to take their own lives. He said. ‘Dismayed by such contradictions, we must never lose the joy and hope that is the hallmark of the cause of life.’ Recollecting the early days of the pro-life movement – ‘ one of the noblest movements in human history’ – and the dismay at the remorseless advance of the culture of death through the dulling of human consciences, he foresaw a protracted struggle, ultimately a spiritual battle which will continue to the end of time, but at the same time an ‘opportunity to give witness to the value of every human life and to announce once more the Gospel of Life with joy.
The full text of Bishop Mark’s homily can be found here.
Bishops who have previously led the Pilgrimage
Rt Rev. Bishop Mark O’Toole, Bishop of Plymouth
Rt Rev. Robert Byrne CO, Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham.
Rt Rev. Alan Williams, Bishop of Brentwood
Rt Rev. Philip Egan, Bishop of Portsmouth
Rt Rev. Mark Davies, Bishop of Shrewsbury
Rt Rev. John Sherrington, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster
Most Rev. Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham
Most Rev. Kevin McDonald, Archbishop of Southwark
Rt Rev. Gordon Wheeler, Bishop of Leeds
Rt Rev. Ambrose Griffiths, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle
Rt Rev. Peter Doyle, Bishop of Northampton
Rt Rev. Thomas McMahon, Bishop of Brentwood
Rt Rev. Patrick O’Donoghue, Bishop of Lancaster
Rt Rev. Arthur Roche, formerly Bishop of Leeds
Rt Rev. Alan Hopes, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster
Rt Rev. John Arnold, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster
Rt Rev. John Hine, Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark
Rt Rev. Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds
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