I go to evening Mass at the Cathedral. The reading sums up our dilemma: “Help the little faith I have.”

At last a senior clergyman tells it how it is. Questioned about child abuse in the Church, the Archbishop of Melbourne says: “In this area our credibility is shot to pieces.”

Progress starts with humility and a realisation that action needs taking and bishops no longer are trusted to do it.

“Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.”

All too true. One certainly can’t place it in anyone else’s hands.

Today I always reflect on the Japanese martyrs and the film of their plight but perhaps the Japanese government was justified in protecting their traditional culture. We do not condone their cruelty. They would say they saved their country.

We are in Lincolnshire for a quiet day especially as we go to Mass at the Osgodby Mass House (1793) in the evening. It is a very short Mass, no sermon, but givien the place in the tiny Mass House it is spiritual for all that.

“What is your name” asked Jesus. “My name is Legion.” I don’t know why I always find that phrase chilling, and yet correct about human nature.