Westminster's Change of Heart

Well it looks like the City of Westminster have had second thoughts about their proposed bye-law that would have criminalised those homeless people that sleep rough in the vicinity of Westminster Cathedral piazza. However it seems as if the council still intend to try and stop the free distribution of food, soup and drinks in the area, but aim to achieve this in 'consultation' with providers.  It looks as if they will have to contend with the opposition of London Mayor Boris Johnson though. Controversial as ever and a regular thorn in the side of many fellow Conservatives, he says he is 'not opposed to soup runs' if they are part of a broader homelessness strategy.

I know I'm a cynical sort of chap and I'm aware there has been some concern within Catholic circles that the Church has been silent on the issue, in stark contrast it has to be said to the incredible furore that has let rip over the change of name of a local pub.

The very odd and secretive Yorkshire brewer Samuel Smith have been giving their pub the Cardinal a protracted 'make-over' and in the process have brought a storm of protest about themselves mostly from the Catholic community. The problem is because the managed house will revert to it's former name the Windsor Castle and regular imbibers from the Cathedral are concerned not only about the name change, but also the future of the considerable Catholic memorabilia that has accumulated over the years.

There has been a petition, the Archbishop himself has been interviewed on the radio and Catholic heavy weights such as Anne Widdicombe have spoken out vociferously. All to no avail it would seem, but the contrast between responses to the two separate issues couldn't really be more striking.  

PS. I'd love to think that the Cathedral's silence on the subject of homelessness was connected to this - but fortunately I spotted the date!