Cancellation of Birmingham Lourdes Pilgrimage 2021

It is with great sadness that I must communicate to you the decision to cancel plans for the Archdiocese to travel on pilgrimage to Lourdes in the coming year.

This decision has been made in consultation with Archbishop Bernard and the full pilgrimage committee.  The reasons for this decision flow from the uncertainties surrounding the continuing Covid 19 pandemic. 

The safety of all pilgrims, but especially that of the frail and sick, has always been assured by our dedicated medical team.  At present they are all working with the added demands of the pandemic, and it is doubtful that they would have the capacity to complete the necessary assessments that always precede our Lourdes pilgrimage.

Our schools and youth have played an increasingly important and much appreciated part on our pilgrimages in recent years.  As we are all aware, schools and young people have been subject to serious interruption since the beginning of the pandemic. We therefore fear that they would find it difficult to commit to a pilgrimage in 2021.

The Lourdes pilgrimage committee has therefore come to the decision that we cannot continue with arrangements for a pilgrimage in the coming year.  Last year many joined us on a ‘virtual pilgrimage to Lourdes.’  We plan to provide the same in 2021.

Let us commend ourselves, those who are sick, and those who mourn to Our Lady of Lourdes and her son Jesus Christ.

Bishop David McGough

(Chairman of the Birmingham Lourdes Pilgrimage Committee)

All enquiries to the pilgrimage office: [email protected]