A senior Catholic Cardinal was the guest of HTB Vicar Nicky Gumbel and his wife Pippa at the Vicarage today.

Cardinal Kurt Koch, who has overall responsibility for ecumenical relations on behalf of the Catholic Church, was in London as a guest of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

Dr Williams recommended that the Cardinal, whose official title is President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, visit Holy Trinity Brompton and meet Nicky Gumbel.

The Cardinal was accompanied by Monsignor Mark Langham, a senior member of the Pontifical Council staff with responsibility for Anglican relations.

During the two hour visit, the Cardinal discussed with Nicky Gumbel the growth of the Alpha course around the world, particularly in the Catholic church.

He also met Nicky and Sila Lee, founders of The Marriage Course; Dr Graham Tomlin, Dean of St Mellitus Theological College; and Paul Cowley, Director of the William Wilberforce Trust.