NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      LONDON (CWNews.com) -- Cardinal Basil Hume of Westminster stunned Catholics in England and Wales when he disclosed on April 17 that he is suffering from cancer, apparently in an advanced state.

      Great Britain's most prominent prelate wrote to the priests of his archdiocese that "I have cancer, and it is not in its early stages." However, he added, "I have received two wonderful graces. First, I have been given time to prepare for a new future. Secondly, I find myself-- uncharacteristically-- calm and at peace.

      Cardinal Hume said that he planned to continue working as long as he could-- although he hinted that he did not anticipate living much longer. The 76-year-old prelate had already submitted his retirement to Pope John Paul II, as required by Church law, upon reaching his 75th birthday.

      The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. George Carey, was among the first public figures to react to the news of the cardinal's illness. The Anglican leader said that Cardinal Hume "will be in my prayers and in the prayers of the whole nation in the months ahead." The previous Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Runcie, added that he was "full of sympathy for Basil Hume and eager to add my prayers to the many that will be said for him."