Our Diocesan Voice newspaper will dedicate much space to his memory in its next issue. In fact, Mgr Jimmy HookвЂ™s funeral took place on 22 nd Jan, almost four weeks after his death.We have a huge debt of gratitude to Bishop Padraig for all he did whilst here. It contrasts remarkably with how things are here in England, where a wait of two weeks is not uncommon. Ireland is noted for arranging funerals very soon after death.

It is hard to believe that just one week ago we learnt of the death, in Nazareth House, Cork, of Bishop emeritus Padraig OвЂ™Donoghue. The decision may be a вЂno-brainerвЂ™ at one level, but itвЂ™s a hard call on another. If you deny someone what was giving them hope itвЂ™s only fair to find them something that will give them greater hope. It will be hard to look them in the eye, and hard to explain why it is for the best. They donвЂ™t realise what it means for West Cumbrians.Saving the planet, making the right decision, will have hard consequences for the lives of others. I can understand their outrage when faced with opposition voiced by protesters mostly from outside the area. ItвЂ™s no surprise so many believe the mine is justified. Knowing the area and the people, I can understand why there is such strong opinion in favour of the massive benefits on offer. Even tourism struggles: many people who know the Lakes rarely if ever get round to the west.The jobs and investment that a new mine would bring could only fire local enthusiasm, bringing hope and purpose to young and old alike. Hospitals and schools largely fail to attract the specialists and leaders they desperately need. Even with Sellafield, social depravation is horrendous. If that goes thereвЂ™ll be nothing to sustain peopleвЂ™s livelihoods. Sellafield and the controversial nuclear industry is the only remaining life-line for West CumbriaвЂ™s economy. New-comers call it Shore Hill locals remember its origins and still call it вЂthe Slag BankвЂ™. South of the small harbour at Workington is a modest, grassy hill. I found it a much cleaner environment, symbolised perhaps by the off-shore wind-farms filling the Firth. They are a people justifiably proud of their history, with strong family ties, their own language, rich sporting and social traditions including unique events such as the Egremont Crab Fair and WorkingtonвЂ™s вЂUppies and DowniesвЂ™. Coal and iron ore mining, ship-building and steel-making forged the identity and closeness of the community. West Cumbria was built on heavy industry, nearly all gone now. When the works and mine eventually closed jobs were lost, but health and environment gained.In 2010 I had the good fortune to be sent to Workington, calling it home for the next eight years, some of the happiest of my life. The same wind carried clouds of bubbles and suds frothed up from factory waste discharged into the sea. Parishioners had to be mindful of not hanging out washing if the wind was blowing in off the sea, which it was on most days.

I saw the damage done to property, peeling paintwork and contaminated gardens. Woodhouse estate was daily contaminated by toxic emissions falling from the works chimneys. Immediately adjacent to the parish church, house and primary school was Marchon chemical works run by Albright and Wilson.

To the east rise the ridges and peaks of CumbriaвЂ™s Mountains, the finest in the whole District.Much closer, the Haig Colliery, Kells, was still active at that time. To the west is the Irish Sea, with the Isle of Man less than 30 miles away, and the Scottish Lowlands just across the Solway Firth. On a clear day you could look south towards the glorious sandstone cliffs of St.Bees Head. I was there for just one year and found it an area of severe contrasts. My first parish as a newly ordained priest was. I know West Cumbria a little, and love it a lot. ItвЂ™s a вЂno-brainer вЂ™ it shouldnвЂ™t go ahead. It contradicts a policy of вЂgoing greenвЂ™. Even if it were possible to offset emissions through adopting cleaner energy sources and uses, it is a move in the wrong direction. For a society and a government set on achieving zero net emissions by 2050 the opening of this new mine makes the goal harder to reach. The proposal flies in the face of the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The proposal to open a new coal mine in Whitehaven, Cumbria, has understandably sparked a massive national out-cry and met with serious opposition.

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