An average number of 1,400 people die daily in England and Wales. As such the Catholic Bishops from these countries have offered a spirit of closeness to people mourning during this time through a website and various social media accounts called The Art of Dying Well.
The website offers advice and support, while the accounts will be converted into an online memorial wall, where pictures of their loved ones can be posted and then rest assured of prayers offered for the deceased by convents and abbeys throughout England.
MSGR. PHILIP WHITMORE
Rector, Venerable English College
'So to know that there are people praying, I think, can be tremendously consoling for a grieving family, even if they're a family that doesn't pray very much. They think, okay, well it's great that people are praying. And so it's a tremendous support for people in that situation.â?
The rector at the Venerable English College in Rome says the bishops in England and Wales are attempting to express the importance of life and tackle the growing push for euthanasia throughout their countries.
MSGR. PHILIP WHITMORE
Rector, Venerable English College
'The bishops are trying very hard to educate the public, which is what they have to do, that life is valuable right through to natural death. Just to get across the message that right up to the end, there can be a real quality of life. And even after death, great support for the grieving family.â?
In addition to prayers for the deceased, support and encouragement are also offered on the website for caretakers and those who are struggling to accept the foreseeable end to a loved one's life. There are videos and text explaining the spiritual side, even answering the question, 'Why does God let death happen?â?
MSGR. PHILIP WHITMORE
Rector, Venerable English College
'I think it's very important to get across the message that there is hope. Perhaps that's the most important message that any of us can communicate. There is hope, because so many people in the world today don't have hope. Yet, the Christian message always offers hope to people whatever the situation that they're in.â?
The site was launched in November, during the month the Catholic Church dedicates to praying for the dead. Perhaps this is also the first website that was launched just after celebrating a Mass.
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