Leading parliamentarian’s poems aid the Church in need
The UK’s leading member of Parliament has released a book of poetry drawing on Mass readings and pledged to give half the proceeds to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
Sir Edward Leigh, the “Father of the House” – so named as the longest-serving member of the House of Commons in the UK Parliament – conceived of “Another Country” at the height of the COVID-19 lockdown five years ago.
The book of verse takes the reader through what the publication’s cover describes as a “[a] journey through the liturgical year in sonnet and haiku.”
Sir Edward’s verse draws on his regular attendance at daily Mass, which he has kept up even at the busiest of times during his 42 years as a member of Parliament.
While in Parliament, he often attends Mass at the nearby Westminster Cathedral, which is next to St. Paul’s Bookshop, the Catholic multi-media agency which is retailing his book.
Promoting the book, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, said, “The pattern of readings from Sacred Scripture for the celebration of Mass is rich in content, unfolding beautifully the fullness of the Word of God, day by day, week by week. With remarkable endeavor, skill, and insight, Edward Leigh has brought together these two rich sources.”
The human rights campaigner and crossbench peer Lord Alton of Liverpool, a fellow Catholic, said, “A lovely anthology of poems, verses and insights – providing encouragement and refreshment for battered souls – and wonderfully accessible.”
ACN UK’s national director, Dr. Caroline Hull, thanked Sir Edward for supporting the charity with his publication, adding: “We are certain that readers will be as inspired by its moving verse as we were.”
Speaking at the book launch at St. Paul’s Bookshop, Sir Edward asserted the importance of his Faith as a driving force in his public life and described his journey toward publishing the book.
He was thanked by John Pontifex, head of press and public affairs at ACN UK, which is receiving proceeds from the sale of the book to support the charity’s vital work in aid of persecuted and other suffering Christians around the world.
Afterward, Sir Edward told ACN, “‘Another Country’ celebrates my hope in God expressed through my regular attendance at Mass. I am delighted that book proceeds will go to support those who, because of persecution, are prevented from going to Mass at all.”
ACN has received ongoing support from Sir Edward, who has been a long-standing champion of persecuted Christians, regularly raising individual cases of oppression and discrimination in the House of Commons and calling for action from the UK Government.
He has also chaired and sponsored many ACN UK events in Parliament, including a meeting in April with Auxiliary Bishop William Shomali of Jerusalem.
“Another Country: A Journey through the Liturgical year in Sonnet and Haiku,” by the Right Honorable Sir Edward Leigh, MP is available at St. Paul’s Bookshop, priced £11.99, or $16.27, plus postage and packing. Visit https://stpauls.org.uk/another-country.html.
