The week ahead: Bible year, Sistine Chapel baptisms and Prohibition

The Bishops of England and Wales have dedicated 2020 as a year of focus on the Bible, entitled “The God Who Speaks”, celebrating, living and sharing God’s word. This was inspired by 2020 being the 10th anniversary of Verbum Domini, Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic exhortation on the Word of the Lord, and the 1,600th anniversary of St Jerome’s death.

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Sunday is the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which brings to an end the season of Christmas. The Pope traditionally baptises babies during Mass in the Sistine Chap­el (pictured) – a custom initiated by St John Paul II in his first year as pope.

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Next Thursday sees the 100th anniversary of prohibition coming into effect in the US. This led to the virulently Protestant Ku Klux Klan attacking Catholics, including immigrants from southern and eastern Europe whom they blamed for the “saloon culture” they believed was plaguing the country. The KKK terrorised Catholic communities, burning down their businesses.