John Lydon, representing the Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges, recently attended a Dinner in the House of Lords for Catholic Lay Associations hosted by Lord Brennan, President of the Catholic Union. This is the principal forum for Catholics active in civil society to promote the spiritual, moral and social teaching of the Catholic Church. The lay people present had the opportunity of sharing the vision of their organisations with the hierarchy, represented by His Eminence Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, the Papal Nuncio and the Standing Committee of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.

Fifty organisations were represented ranging from CAFOD to the Association of Blind Catholics, an organisation committed to providing tapes and other materials to enhance the quality of life of blind people throughout England and Wales. The Cardinal urged the organisations to bear witness to traditional Catholic values, more by what they do rather than what they say, in order to incarnate the hope that is within us.

The picture shows John Lydon, Treasurer of the Catholic Association of Teachers Schools and Colleges with Mary Mihovilovic, Past President. Bishop Crispian Hollis of Portsmouth is in the background.