By Cardinal Vincent Nichols – London

The opening phrases of the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, 6 Could, in Westminster Abbey, are most revealing. A chorister speaks first, saying: “Your Majesty, as youngsters of the Kingdom of God we welcome you within the title of the King of Kings” and King Charles replies: “In his title, and after his instance, I come to not be served however to serve.”

The ceremony that then follows is profoundly Christian in each sentiment and motion, combining historical past with innovation, motion with phrase, music with silent prayer.

I’m advised that within the archives of Lambeth Palace there are data of the coronations of kings and queens reaching again to the eleventh century.

There are 4 constant parts to those coronations: the anointing of the monarch, the crowning, the giving of the sword of justice and the reception of Communion. All these parts are current at this Coronation, embellished by many different conventional actions together with the handing over of the Orb and Sceptre and different gadgets of regalia. This can be a ceremony expressive of the richness of custom and due to this fact of continuity and stability.

However it is usually filled with improvements, complementing the standard with parts expressive of the modifications in British society as we speak.

Representatives of different religions have a component to play, handing over the gadgets of regalia. Newly composed choral music is to be heard, sung within the totally different languages of those islands. Individuals from all walks of life have been invited along with leaders from so many alternative nations. The total vary of Christian denominations are current and a few have a talking half to contribute.

On the finish of the proceedings, simply earlier than leaving the Abbey, the King will likely be greeted by the spiritual leaders of different religions who tackle him “as neighbours in religion” and obtain his acknowledgement in return.

The historical past of those lands is profoundly marked by our spiritual historical past. Till the sixteenth century, the coronation was Catholic. For the final 4 hundred years it has been a service of the Church of England and it stays so.

However this time many facets of the occasion mirror and strengthen the completely modified relationships between our two church buildings.

As it’s identified, Pope Francis offered to King Charles a relic of the true cross of Christ. This relic has been original right into a silver cross which will likely be carried on the head of the primary procession on Coronation day.

The Pope will likely be represented on the Coronation by His Eminence Cardinal Parolin, [Vatican Secretary of State] accompanied by the newly appointed Papal Nuncio to the UK, His Excellency Archbishop Maury Buendia.

The ceremony itself incorporates many indications of its Catholic origins: the singing of the Kyrie, the Veni Sancte Spiritus, the Te Deum and the Gloria, in a setting written by William Byrd for recusing Catholics within the sixteenth century.

As Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, I’ve been invited to contribute to the blessing of the newly topped King, an innovation which is an additional step in the direction of the therapeutic of our frequent historic wounds.

Our historical past is certainly one in every of division and this too is clear on this Coronation. Central to its custom is the taking of an oath by the King, earlier than he’s anointed and topped. He does so in response to the questions: “Will you do the utmost of your energy to keep up in the UK the Protestant Reformed Faith, established by legislation? Will you keep and protect inviolable the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, self-discipline and authorities thereof, as by legislation established in England?”

Then the king takes what is known as “the statutory Accession Declaration Oath”. King Charles has not too long ago mentioned that he takes this oath as a completely dedicated and religious member of the Church of England.

He additionally mentioned that whereas this solemn responsibility is his constitutional obligation, there have been different duties he has, much less solemnly expressed but in addition sincerely fulfilled. He defined that these are his responsibility to keep up the apply of spiritual freedom in the UK and its welcome to folks of different and all spiritual faiths.

In one of the crucial vital improvements of this Coronation, the King prays publicly, for all to listen to. This prayer follows instantly the taking of the Oath. The King prays: “Grant that I could also be a blessing to all thy youngsters, of each religion and conviction, that collectively we could uncover the methods of gentleness and be led into the paths of peace, by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Throughout this Coronation, then, the complexities of British life, in its historical past, its traditions, its fashionable modifications and transformation will likely be clearly expressed. However that is completely and faithfully an expression of Christian religion and hope.

Prayer is at its very coronary heart, from the silent prayer supplied by the King earlier than the excessive altar at its opening, a prayer positioned there in order to precise King Charles’ want to make it clear that his first allegiance is to God, by the general public prayer he’ll proclaim, then the anointing with Chrism, the blessings and the celebration of the Holy Communion.

Anybody watching will likely be in little doubt that Christian religion and hope are within the foundations of our life.

I’m advised that, excluding the Vatican Metropolis State, there is just one different state on the planet that installs its Head of State with a non secular ceremony.

Right here it’s our long-standing custom, and it contributes solidly to the sense of id and continuity of this complicated fashionable society and to all that we deliver to the broader world.

Could God bless King Charles.