'Nun' Convicted of Sending Hoax Anthrax to Local MP

A 'Roman Catholic nun' has been convicted of sending hoax anthrax packages to senior politicians including Edward Leigh, Member of Parliament for the Gainsborough Constituency, and the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

Sister Ruth Augustus, was convicted of sending hoax anthrax packages to senior politicians yesterday. Sister Ruth posted six envelopes containing white powder to the high profile figures. Targets included were former Attorney General Baroness Scotland and human rights lawyer Baroness Kennedy.

An envelope intercepted at a mail screening centre was addressed to Mr. Clegg and on the envelope was written 'devil worshipping', 'freemason', 'sex with 30 plus women' and 'your poor Catholic wife and children'. Another was to Baroness Scotland, and had a swastika on it and two crosses, and 'stop this evil devil worshipping'. One to Baroness Kennedy said 'stop these evil devil worshipping freemasons'.


An analysis of the contents of the packages revealed the substance to be non-hazardous.

According to The Independent Harrow Crown Court heard that when Sr. Augustus, of Stratford, east London, who denied the charges, was arrested she told police:

"I look like a terrorist, don't I, working for a charity all over the world, with orphans?"

A jury took less than two-and-a-half hours to find her guilty by a majority verdict of 11 to one on all counts following a three-day trial.

Mr. Justice Saunders deferred the case until September for a hearing at the Old Bailey while a medical report is prepared on Sr. Augustus' mental health.  She was released on bail on condition that she does not make contact any MP or senior Government official.


Following her conviction, Augustus turned to the public gallery as she left the courtroom and said she would be appealing against the verdict.

Carollers Support Local Charities

Lincoln's Our Lady's Carollers, who collect donations during the festive season for local charities, have met to decide how to distribute the monies raised during the 2011 season.

The Carollers have given £2,900.00 for local charities this year and the following charities have or will recieve donations of between £100 - £1,000:

1. Lincolnshire Air Ambulance
2. Cherry Willingham Special Families
3. Youth 2000
4. St Mary Le Wigford Church's drop-in centre
5. Down's Heart Group
6. Lincoln Samaritans
7. Age UK (Lincoln Branch)

Edward Leigh MP Believes Euthanasia Is An 'Encouraged Exit'

Local Parliamentarian, Edward Leigh MP, has said he believes any moves to introduce euthanasia would result in an 'encouraged exit.'

The Conservative MP has rejected calls for assisted dying, or euthanasia, to be introduced for the sick and elderly during a debate on care for the dying. Mr. Leigh said:

"There is no doubt in my mind that, if we allow assisted dying, it will eventually become encouraged exit. 

"One of the witnesses to the Falconer inquiry said: 'I think we can only go for terminal illness at the moment, so this doesn't actually apply to the people who are probably about to go into care homes. But, you know, baby steps'. That is a chilling statement. 

"To us, this is a moral issue. We believe that the body is simply the mirror of the soul, and however old, crippled or useless someone might seem to society – our society seems to be dominated by the worship of youth and beauty – they are of immense value to society and should be sustained by society to the very end of their lives."

Carollers Help Local Charities Despite Weather Problems

In the city of Lincoln, for many residents and visitors alike, nothing is more synonymous of the way in which the city celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ than the generosity shown in the donations they make to the street-strolling, tune-touting, Our Lady's Carollers who make such a positive make collecting money for local charities.

The Carollers were not deterred entirely by the bad weather that caused disruption to many - and even led to the cancellation of the famous Lincoln Christmas Market - and that said had a reasonable year which has been both rewarding and enjoyable for all concerned.

The Carollers raised around £1,400.00 for local charities this year. Some of the charities to receive donations are:

• Special Families (Cherry Willingham)
• Marriage Care

Pope to Visit Britain - Update

Update to Pope to Visit Britain.

The dates for a papal visit to Britain have been announced. Pope Benedict XVI will make a State and Pastoral visit between Thursday, 16th and Sunday, 19th September 2010. It will be the first papal visit to Britain since 1982, when Pope John Paul II's six-day tour drew huge crowds.

Pope Benedict's visit would only be the second by a head of the Catholic Church since Henry VIII declared himself head of the church in England more than 500 years ago.

There are an estimated 4.2 million Catholics in England and Wales.

It is understood that the itinerary will consist of public masses and ecumenical functions but the Pope has declined an open-carriage procession and banquet at Buckingham Palace.

The Pope is expected to stay at the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican's diplomatic mission, in Wimbledon in southwest London.

Jim Murphy MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, a prominent Catholic who is leading government plans for the visit has said:

"It's a unique constitutional arrangement as the pope is head of a faith and the head of state."

- And by 'unique' presumably the minister means exactly the same constitutional arrangement as we have in Britain. The Queen is Head of State and Head of the Church of England. Are we to assume that no one expects a minister to understand how the government he is part of functions? -

"The official title is papal visit with the status of a state visit. Normally state visits include banquets and gold carriages but the Vatican doesn't want that."

Mr. Murphy confirmed that Benedict XVI would spend three days in England and one day in Scotland, where he is likely to meet the Queen as she holidays in the country.

The Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and the Scottish Bishops' Conference has drawn up an itinerary that has been passed to papal officials in Rome.

"It's a pretty imaginative mix of public masses, ecumenical events and other functions. Obviously, however, it's up to the Vatican to make the final decision on it."

Concluded Mr. Murphy.

Vandals Steal Donations From Nativity Crib Destined For The Homeless

Vandals have damaged a Nativity display and stolen cash donations that were destined to spread festive cheer among Lincoln's homeless. They attacked the Christmas Crib close to the Halifax Bank in the Cornhill square in Lincoln city centre.

The display was pushed onto its side so the thieves could gain access to the compartment that is used to collect donations for the Nomad Trust. The Knights of Saint Columba, an organisation within the Catholic community, who organise for the Nativity scenes to be exhibited at the Cornhill and in Castle Square say they may never put them up again.

Gordon Reynolds, who attends Our Lady of Lincoln Catholic Church, said the action of the yobs would deprive the Nomad Trust of vital funds.

"This just shows what society seems to be descending into.
"It's so sad that
we paint and repair the cribs and tend to them and then someone does
this.
"For the past few years we've been bolting the display around a tree to
try and stop vandalism. I just don't understand why they have done it.
"If
they don't agree with the religious aspect of it then they should just walk by.
We are not asking them to stand and look at it if they don't want to."

The Nativity scenes have been a festive fixture in the city for more than 30 years, with the city’s Catholic community spending their free time tending to the displays in an effort to raise money for charity. Around £300 is raised each year.

The vandalism, which happened overnight on Thursday last week, has been reported to Lincolnshire Police and officers are now appealing for information. Anyone with information about the incident should call Lincolnshire Police on (01522) 532222, quoting incident number 87 and give the date of Friday, 4th December 2009.

Pope to Visit Britain

Pope Benedict is to visit Britain next year in what will be the first papal trip to the UK since Pope John Paul II in 1982.

Gordon Brown extended an invitation to visit the United Kingdom to Pope Benedict in February.

The trip is expected to take place in September 2010 after Gordon Brown gave him a formal invitation during a private audience in February.

Pope Benedict is likely to meet with the Queen and Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and possibly stay at Buckingham Palace.

A preliminary itinerary includes visiting London, Birmingham, Oxford and Edinburgh.

However, British officials say that a trip to Northern Ireland is unlikely.

The Pope is also expected to be invited to address both houses of parliament in Westminster.

Pope John Paul II died in 2005

Confirmation has not been given by Downing Stree or the Vatican, however, government officials are expecting an announcement soon.

The leader of the Catholic church in England and Wales, the Most Rev. Vincent Nichols, is yet to confirm the pontiff's visit.

"Any announcement about a possible visit by the Holy Father to this country we would expect to come from the Holy See."

Pope John Paul II's visit in 1982 almost did not go ahead because of the Falklands War.

He met the Queen during his six day stay, but did not visit Downing Street or meet the Prime Minister.