Restored Wisbech statue rededicated to airmen

A restored statue of Our Lady in Charles Borromeo church in Wisbech has been blessed and rededicated in the presence of two bishops and high-ranking air force representatives.

On Friday December 3, the Statue of Our Lady was blessed rededicated and the side chapel of Our Lady and St Charles Borromeo was dedicated to the Fallen Aircrew of East Anglia.

Parish priest, Fr James Caulfield, said: “The statue has been lovingly restored by parishioners Rowena and Hazel Goodfellow, a mother and daughter team.”

In attendance at the blessing were Bishop Alan Hopes, Rev (Wg Cdr) Alex Hobson (RAF Marham), Artur Bildziuk (Polish Airmen’s Association), Colonel Pawlicki (Deputy Polish Defence Attaché), Bishop Paul Mason (Bishop of the Forces), Rev James E Caulfield (Parish Priest Our Lady and St Charles Borromeo), Ven (AVM) John Ellis QHC RAF (Chaplain in Chief).

The chapel was dedicated with these words:

We pray for that the Lord will grant eternal peace to those who have given their lives while serving as Aircrew in the defence of our nation and all who in war and peace strove to defend all from tyranny and the injustices which prevent us living in peace as God’s children.    

 We call upon our Blessed Mother. mindful that none who seek her help or call upon her intercession our left forsaken, to give comfort to those who mourn. 

 In this chapel may all find an oasis where they may remember the fallen and draw strength to return to their own journey in life.  

 Oh, Blessed Mother, England, thy Dowry, has many times found itself called upon to defend its skies against those who threaten our freedom and that of our friends and allies in other nations across the world. 

 In war and peace, we continue to call upon aircrew to bring aid to those afflicted by pestilence or are victims of calamities, both natural and those resulting from industrial carelessness or the horrors of war.  

 Pray for all aircrew, those who fly with them and all of us that by faith and good works we may one day see an end of war.  

 Amen. Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.

Pictured above (from right to left) are Bishop Alan Hopes, Rev (Wg Cdr) Alex Hobson (RAF Marham), Artur Bildziuk (Polish Airmen’s Association), Colonel Pawlicki (Deputy Polish Defence Attaché), Bishop Paul Mason (Bishop of the Forces);, Rev James E Caulfield (Parish Priest Our Lady and St Charles Borromeo), Ven (AVM) John Ellis QHC RAF (Chaplain in Chief).

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