"A group of influential MPs will tomorrow call for Parliament to intervene over the historic reform as fears grow that the Church will reject plans allowing female bishops.
The cross-party group, including former ministers Frank Field and Stephen Timms, and Simon Hughes, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, is concerned that the General Synod, the Church's parliament, may not pass legislation designed to end the glass ceiling for women clergy." Sunday Telegraph 30th January 2011
Well, what a surprise! As Edwin Barnes comments on The Anglo Catholic Blog “If his Bill succeeds, it may show many at present holding back from the Ordinariate that the Church of England is indeed in thrall to the State” If Parliament passes this, one wonders what will be next; the compulsory marriage of Gays in Church of England churches?
Trust Christina Rees, previously Chair of WATCH, to welcome this move. (She)welcomed the MPs' support for women to be made bishops as soon as possible, but said she hoped the reform would be passed by the Church.
"I think the fact that Frank Field is putting down his motion shows a growing level of impatience for the Church of England to get on with passing legislation making it possible for women to be bishops.
"I think there's a certain amount of exasperation at the amount of time it's taking as we've been in this process for years."
"The Church has repeatedly made it clear it wants women bishops so it would be unthinkable if it were to fall at the last hurdle." (ibid)
At present the proposed legislation is doing the rounds of Diocesan Synods before it returns to General Synod for ratification. It is at that point that it could be defeated so aren’t Frank Field and the others jumping the gun? If MP Frank Field’s Bill is passed it will demonstrate once and for all that the Church of England is subject to the politically correct secular society.
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Thursday, 27 January 2011
COMMENT ON THE PASTORAL LETTER FROM THE SOCIETY OF ST. WILFRID & ST. HILDA
I refrained from comment on my blog on Tuesday about the Pastoral Letter from the Society of St. Wilfrid and St. Hilda as I wanted time to reflect on what had been written. First, after a long wait, it was good that we at last heard something although I thought the content was a rather long way of saying nothing very specific. I suppose there is very little that can be said at this present time.
The task the Bishops have set themselves seems to me to be very daunting and, as they comment, there is no guarantee of success. For the society to have any chance of success it will need the support of the Diocesan Bishops and eventually members of General Synod. I believe there is some sympathy for the Traditionalist cause with some of the more enlightened of the Diocesan Bishops but more to the point, is how much support will be forthcoming from the members of General Synod. It is a newly elected body and the signs are that it will be a little more generous than the previous Synod but only time will tell.
For me, the big questions is, even if the Society achieves its aims, how long will it be before a future General Synod renegades on any promises that are made. That’s what happened at last year’s General Synod by making no provision for Anglo-Catholics. A promise was made in 1992, ratified by the Act of Synod, that there would be a guarantee of an honoured place for Catholics but this will be rescinded should the legislation for Women Bishops be accepted. If a promise can be made like that and then it can be rescinded what can prevent a future Synod acting in a similar disingenuous way.
For many people the Ordinariate will not be an option and the Society of St. Wilfrid and St. Hilda might, (I stress might), be an option. Will the Society be able to achieve the aim of Forward in Faith declared in their Mission Statement which says:-
We Affirm the Faith of the Church as revealed in Scripture and Tradition;
We Proclaim our Faith through the Creeds, the Sacraments and the apostolic ministry of bishops and priests of the Universal Church;
We seek a Guaranteed Ecclesial Structure in which we can pass the Faith on to our children and grandchildren;
We have a vision for Unity and Truth and we are going Forward in Faith.
The Society would like all who intend to stay in the Church of England, but want Sacramental Assurance, to register with them. They believe, probably correctly, that they need a volume of people who will support them and demonstrate that there are many priests and people who are not prepared to take the step into the Ordinariate at the present time.
The task the Bishops have set themselves seems to me to be very daunting and, as they comment, there is no guarantee of success. For the society to have any chance of success it will need the support of the Diocesan Bishops and eventually members of General Synod. I believe there is some sympathy for the Traditionalist cause with some of the more enlightened of the Diocesan Bishops but more to the point, is how much support will be forthcoming from the members of General Synod. It is a newly elected body and the signs are that it will be a little more generous than the previous Synod but only time will tell.
For me, the big questions is, even if the Society achieves its aims, how long will it be before a future General Synod renegades on any promises that are made. That’s what happened at last year’s General Synod by making no provision for Anglo-Catholics. A promise was made in 1992, ratified by the Act of Synod, that there would be a guarantee of an honoured place for Catholics but this will be rescinded should the legislation for Women Bishops be accepted. If a promise can be made like that and then it can be rescinded what can prevent a future Synod acting in a similar disingenuous way.
For many people the Ordinariate will not be an option and the Society of St. Wilfrid and St. Hilda might, (I stress might), be an option. Will the Society be able to achieve the aim of Forward in Faith declared in their Mission Statement which says:-
We Affirm the Faith of the Church as revealed in Scripture and Tradition;
We Proclaim our Faith through the Creeds, the Sacraments and the apostolic ministry of bishops and priests of the Universal Church;
We seek a Guaranteed Ecclesial Structure in which we can pass the Faith on to our children and grandchildren;
We have a vision for Unity and Truth and we are going Forward in Faith.
The Society would like all who intend to stay in the Church of England, but want Sacramental Assurance, to register with them. They believe, probably correctly, that they need a volume of people who will support them and demonstrate that there are many priests and people who are not prepared to take the step into the Ordinariate at the present time.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Pastoral Letter from The Society of St. Wilfrid & St. Hilda
Today the 12 Bishops, who inaugurated The Society of St.Wilfrid and St. Hilda, have issued a Pastoral Letter. Basically they want all those who are interested in seeking a way forward in the present impasse with the General Synod’s vote on Women as Bishops to register with the Society so they can ascertain the strength of the numbers who would support them. It would, they suggest, “demonstrate to the wider Church just how many of its members need such provision in order to remain faithful members of it.”
You can read their Pastoral Letter here
The Redbridge & Havering Ordinariate Exploratory Group meet tomorrow, Wednesday at 7.30 p.m. for Mass and the continuation of the “Evangelium” Course.
Monday, 24 January 2011
7 Priests & 300 Laity head towards the Ordinariate
Yesterday The Roman Catholic Bishop of Brentwood and the Anglican Bishop of Chelmsford were featured on BBC Radio Essex concerning the Ordinariate in Chelmsford Diocese. You can read a transcript here.
In an article in the Daily Telegraph it has been announced that 7 Anglican priests and 300 members of the laity are to move to the Ordinariate on Ash Wednesday You can read the article here
In an article in the Daily Telegraph it has been announced that 7 Anglican priests and 300 members of the laity are to move to the Ordinariate on Ash Wednesday You can read the article here
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Trees
by Alfred Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
There is a plan to sell of many of our forests, currently looked after by the Forestry Commission. According to a report in the Sunday Telegraph: “The Forestry Commission owns about 620,000 acres of land in England, including the New Forest, the Forest of Dean and parts of Sherwood Forest. The Government has already announced its intention to sell off 15 per cent of all land owned by the Forestry Commission in the course of this parliament in the hope of raising as much as £100 million. A consultation launched this week by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will put forward plans to sell off the remaining 85 per cent.”
In an Opinion Poll published yesterday 75% opposed the plans of David Cameron and his Government. The Sunday Telegraph published a letter organised by “Save England’s Forests” signed by 100 celebrities including Dr Rowan Williams; Carol Ann Duffy, the poet laureate; Dame Judi Dench, the Oscar-winning actress; Bill Bryson, the author and president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England; Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, the celebrity chef; Joanna Trollope, the author; Lady Helen Taylor, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and Richard Briers the actor.
The President of Save England’s Forests’ is Rachel Johnson, the writer and sister of London Mayor Boris Johnson.
Our forests and woodlands are places where wild life can flourish, a place of nurture for many species of our native plant life and a place of recreation for many people. They are part of a national heritage which should be preserved for future generations and not be sold off for the money they could provide. Once gone they could be lost for ever. It’s not that long ago when Thatcher sold of the “family silver before and Brown sold gold at a totally unrealistic price. Is this to be a repeat?
If you like me are strongly opposed to this, which could include the public being banned from access, woodland being destroyed and not maintained, the possibility of some being used for development into housing estates and golf courses then please think about joining this Campaign. click here
by Alfred Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
There is a plan to sell of many of our forests, currently looked after by the Forestry Commission. According to a report in the Sunday Telegraph: “The Forestry Commission owns about 620,000 acres of land in England, including the New Forest, the Forest of Dean and parts of Sherwood Forest. The Government has already announced its intention to sell off 15 per cent of all land owned by the Forestry Commission in the course of this parliament in the hope of raising as much as £100 million. A consultation launched this week by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will put forward plans to sell off the remaining 85 per cent.”
In an Opinion Poll published yesterday 75% opposed the plans of David Cameron and his Government. The Sunday Telegraph published a letter organised by “Save England’s Forests” signed by 100 celebrities including Dr Rowan Williams; Carol Ann Duffy, the poet laureate; Dame Judi Dench, the Oscar-winning actress; Bill Bryson, the author and president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England; Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, the celebrity chef; Joanna Trollope, the author; Lady Helen Taylor, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and Richard Briers the actor.
The President of Save England’s Forests’ is Rachel Johnson, the writer and sister of London Mayor Boris Johnson.
Our forests and woodlands are places where wild life can flourish, a place of nurture for many species of our native plant life and a place of recreation for many people. They are part of a national heritage which should be preserved for future generations and not be sold off for the money they could provide. Once gone they could be lost for ever. It’s not that long ago when Thatcher sold of the “family silver before and Brown sold gold at a totally unrealistic price. Is this to be a repeat?
If you like me are strongly opposed to this, which could include the public being banned from access, woodland being destroyed and not maintained, the possibility of some being used for development into housing estates and golf courses then please think about joining this Campaign. click here
Saturday, 22 January 2011
MORALS AMONGST TEENAGERS
The moral standards in the UK are, in my opinion, at an all time low. For example, there are more teenage pregnancies in the UK than in any other European country. And it appears that girls as young as ten years old are now getting pregnant! One wonders what the parents of these children are doing.
On Thursday Channel 4 screened a sleazy programme called “The Joy of Teen Sex”. Some of the girls admitted to having frequent “one night stands” without any form of contraceptive so is it any wonder than there are so many unwanted pregnancies and consequential abortions or teenagers suffering from sexually transmitted infections? One young teenage boy claimed to have had sex with 110 girls. Programmes like this encourage promiscuity, if any encouragement was needed, despite the frequent warning during it about STI’s.
THE REDBRIDGE & HAVERING ORINARIATE ENQUIRY GROUP MEET ON WEDNESDAY AT 7.30 p.m. at ST. AUGUSTINE’S CHURCH, RUSH GREEN, ROMFORD FOR MASS AND THE EVANGELIUM COURSE.
Friday, 21 January 2011
Andrew Carey writes about the attitude of the Church of England to Traditionalists
In today’s issue of The Church of England Newspaper, Andrew Carey, son of Lord Carey the previous Archbishop of Canterbury writes:-
The Church of England’s apparent pride in its comprehensiveness in contrast to the ecclesiological narrowness of Roman Catholicism is now emerging as fantasy.
The Ordinariate is showing the Roman Catholic Church offering compromises, fudges and political fixes to Anglican traditionalists. Whereas the Church which has always taken pride in the image of itself as a via media and a place where everyone could fit in had nothing to offer the same traditionalists. As a result a number of bishops, clergy and laity have joined the Ordinariate or are still considering Pope Benedict’s offer.
And while the Roman Catholic Church’s secrecy, which bordered on contempt for Anglicanism, is to be criticised, it is the Church of England time and again which is showing itself to have no vision for the possibility of ecclesiological change. Bishops have even harshly ruled out the use of Church of England buildings for Ordinariate congregations, even under sharing arrangements. This looks more like a political strategy to dissuade laypeople from joining the Ordinariate than a decision about ecumenical principles.
Where is the harm in allowing congregations which are now at odds with the Anglican settlement to maintain access with the buildings which they themselves have maintained and cherished? The Church of England has too many buildings for its now weakened ambitions and in many areas we can barely maintain a presence. In other areas we have a preponderance of failing churches.
The tragedy is that the Ordinariate is a wake-up call to do things differently to look at ourselves again. Do we really want to be ungenerous, churlish and flint-faced to ecclesiastical dissenters? Or do we want to be comprehensive and embracing of the many networks which the Church of England has always comprised?
We are a broad church because we all have fixed, differing, mutually-excluding identities. We are broad precisely because we are different in our convictions. We are not broad because we can’t make our minds up about who we are.
The Church of England is essentially an umbrella ecclesial body for a range of incompatible theological concerns. We have forgotten that element of necessary compromise that might have allowed us to respond more positively for traditionalist pleas for third province. Yet that generous, broad church impulse might nevertheless assist us in responding more positively to the Ordinariate in order to build unity even as traditionalists Anglicans formally leave.
Andrew Carey is a leading Evangelical Commentator and a regular writer in The Church of England Newspaper and I think that what he has written sums up the current position very well. Not only is the CofE no longer a place “where everyone could fit in” it certainly has little or nothing to offer traditionalist Anglicans following General Synod’s decision last year.
The Church of England’s apparent pride in its comprehensiveness in contrast to the ecclesiological narrowness of Roman Catholicism is now emerging as fantasy.
The Ordinariate is showing the Roman Catholic Church offering compromises, fudges and political fixes to Anglican traditionalists. Whereas the Church which has always taken pride in the image of itself as a via media and a place where everyone could fit in had nothing to offer the same traditionalists. As a result a number of bishops, clergy and laity have joined the Ordinariate or are still considering Pope Benedict’s offer.
And while the Roman Catholic Church’s secrecy, which bordered on contempt for Anglicanism, is to be criticised, it is the Church of England time and again which is showing itself to have no vision for the possibility of ecclesiological change. Bishops have even harshly ruled out the use of Church of England buildings for Ordinariate congregations, even under sharing arrangements. This looks more like a political strategy to dissuade laypeople from joining the Ordinariate than a decision about ecumenical principles.
Where is the harm in allowing congregations which are now at odds with the Anglican settlement to maintain access with the buildings which they themselves have maintained and cherished? The Church of England has too many buildings for its now weakened ambitions and in many areas we can barely maintain a presence. In other areas we have a preponderance of failing churches.
The tragedy is that the Ordinariate is a wake-up call to do things differently to look at ourselves again. Do we really want to be ungenerous, churlish and flint-faced to ecclesiastical dissenters? Or do we want to be comprehensive and embracing of the many networks which the Church of England has always comprised?
We are a broad church because we all have fixed, differing, mutually-excluding identities. We are broad precisely because we are different in our convictions. We are not broad because we can’t make our minds up about who we are.
The Church of England is essentially an umbrella ecclesial body for a range of incompatible theological concerns. We have forgotten that element of necessary compromise that might have allowed us to respond more positively for traditionalist pleas for third province. Yet that generous, broad church impulse might nevertheless assist us in responding more positively to the Ordinariate in order to build unity even as traditionalists Anglicans formally leave.
Andrew Carey is a leading Evangelical Commentator and a regular writer in The Church of England Newspaper and I think that what he has written sums up the current position very well. Not only is the CofE no longer a place “where everyone could fit in” it certainly has little or nothing to offer traditionalist Anglicans following General Synod’s decision last year.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Pope Benedict speaking on Christian Unity
At today’s Audience the Holy Father Pope Benedict, speaking about Christian Unity in this Week of Prayer for Unity, said:-
During this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, all the Lord’s followers are asked to implore the gift of full communion. This year’s theme – "They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42) – invites us to reflect on four pillars of unity found in the life of the early Church.
The first is fidelity to the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed by the Apostles. The second is fraternal communion, a contemporary expression of which is seen in the growing ecumenical friendship among Christians. The third is the breaking of the bread; although the inability of separated Christians to share the same Eucharistic table is a reminder that we are still far from the unity which Christ wills for his disciples, it is also an incentive to greater efforts to remove every obstacle to that unity. Finally, prayer itself helps us realize that we are children of the one heavenly Father, called to forgiveness and reconciliation. During this Week, let us pray that all Christians will grow in fidelity to the Gospel, in fraternal unity and in missionary zeal, in order to draw all men and women into the saving unity of Christ’s Church.
We all long for the Unity for which Jesus himself prayed: that we may be one as He and the Father are one.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Donations for the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham
For those who might to support the Ordinariate financially the following may be of interest. (I am grateful to the The Anglo-Catholic Blog for this information)
The Catholic Bishops' Conference has advised that a Restricted Fund has been established to hold donations towards the formation and support of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in England and Wales, under the auspices of the Catholic Trust for England and Wales (CaTEW). There may be a facility in the future to make donations by standing order, but for the present, donations can be made by cheque, made out to CaTEW, and sent to:
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
39 Eccleston Square
LONDON
SW1V 1BX
Donors are asked ensure that a note is enclosed with the cheque indicating that the donation is for the Restricted Fund for the Ordinariate
Monday, 17 January 2011
PRESS CONFERENCE BY FATHER KEITH NEWTON, ORDINARY OF THE ORDINARIATE OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM
Today there was a Press Conference with Father Keith Newton, Ordinary of the Ordinaraite of Our Lady of Walsingham, Bishop Alan Hopes (Auxiliary, Westminster) and Father Marcus Stock, General Secretary of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales.
You can listen to that Conference HERE:
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 18TH – 25TH JANUARY 2011
Jesus prayed that we all should be one as He and the Father are one.
Tomorrow we begin the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Sadly, the Christian Church is still totally divided. Many years ago now, a German by the name of Gruendler compiled a dictionary of the different Christian denominations which had resulted due to the Reformation. He was the father of a large family who helped him in his task. Then he listed 2,639, now it appears that there are 38,000 different Christian denominations that can be authentically identified (and possibly more!)
This year the Prayers and Resources for the Week of Prayer have been formulated by the Christians in Jerusalem For more details click on the World Council of Churches.
Prayer
God of Hope, we praise you for your gift to us of the Lord’s Supper, where, in the Spirit, we continue to meet your Son Jesus Christ, the living bread from heaven. Forgive our unworthiness of this great gift - our living in factions, our collusion with inequalities, our complacency in separation. Lord, we pray that you will hasten the day when your whole church together shares the breaking of the bread, and that, as we wait for that day, we may learn more deeply to be a people formed by the Eucharist for service to the world. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Down to Earth!
After the excitement of yesterday’s inauguration of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, the appointment of Keith Newton as the first Ordinary and the ordinations at Westminster Cathedral of Keith, John and Andrew as the first priests of the Ordinariate, it was back to normality this morning as I preached and concelebrated the Parish Mass at St. Augustine’s, Rush Green. In all the bitterness, sadness and consternation about General Synod’s decision last year we must never forget that we have an important mission to tend the sheep that have been placed into our care.
As I understand matters, the Ordinariate is not just prepared to accept priests and people in the near future but is intended to be there for whenever they discern that it is God’s will for them that they should make the move from the Church of England. For many that period of discernment has only just started.
For many people, the decision of General Synod concerning the possible Consecration of Women as Bishops in the future is only one of a number of matters which are causing consternation about the Catholicity of the Church of England. Can it still claim to be part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church or has it abandoned this to become little more than a Protestant sect. Should practising homosexuals be ordained and be appointed to parishes? Is General Synod competent to decide matters such as these? Will the Society of St. Wilfrid and St Hilda ever achieve its aims and ambitions? How far will the Bishops, who are promoting the Society, be prepared to go to ensure an acceptable future for Anglo-Catholics? It is these questions which are upmost in the minds of those seeking to discern God’s will for them.
It is essential that we keep in our prayers those who have made the decision to join the Ordinariate, those who are involved with the Society of St. Wilfrid and St. Hilda and those who are in the process of exploring God’s will for them.
Saturday, 15 January 2011
THE ORDINATIONS AT WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL 15TH JANUARY 2011
Today was in many ways an historic occasion. Prior to the commencement of the Mass of Ordination Archbishop Nicols read The Bull which established the Ordinariate as The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham under the patronage of Blessed John Henry Newman. We were told that former Anglican Bishop Keith Newton was appointed the first Ordinary by Pope Benedict. There was also a message from Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
It was altogether a moving service in a packed Cathedral with standing room only. People were in their seats from 9.30 a.m. for a service which started at 10.30 a.m. I saw many colleagues present, some who had travelled long distances to be there to support Fathers Keith, Andrew and John. A group from the Havering and Redbridge Ordinariate Group were among the hundreds there. Thunderous applause greeted the new Ordinary and his two colleagues as they prepared to leave the Cathedral at the end of the Mass.
One of the regular Cathedral congregation I was talking to after the service remarked that in many years regular attendance at many Masses he had never heard the singing or the congregational responses made so well. Perhaps that is part of the Anglican Patrimony!!!!
I counted many Anglican bishops amongst the congregation including Bishop Edwin, Bishop Lindsey and Bishop David Silk and hundreds of Anglican priests there to pray for Keith, Andrew and John as they begin this new stage in their pilgrimage. Our prayers and good wishes accompany them.
A STATEMENT FROM THE FIRST ORDINARY OF THE NEWLY ERECTED PERSONAL ORDINARIATE
Statement from Keith Newton
First Ordinary for the Personal Ordinariate in Great Britain
″I am humbled to have been appointed by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, as the first Ordinary for the Personal Ordinariate to be erected in Great Britain under the provisions set out in the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus. This is not an honour I have sought or expected but I pray that God will give me the wisdom and grace to live up to the trust the Holy Father has placed in me.
″My wife and family have been a great support to me throughout my ministry and I know they will continue to do so. I am delighted that Gill was received with me into the full communion of the Catholic Church at Westminster Cathedral on 1 January 2011.
″I can look back at over 35 years of ordained ministry with tremendous gratitude. The Church of England nourished me in the Christian Faith and it was within her that I discovered, as a teenager, my vocation to the ordained ministry which has involved service both in England and Africa. I do not see my reception into the Catholic Church as a radical break but part of the on-going pilgrimage of faith which began at my baptism. Since my teenage years I have longed and prayed for corporate unity with the Catholic Church and the publication of the Apostolic Constitution has offered the possibility of realising that dream.
″I am particularly grateful to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Rowan Williams, for his patience and graciousness with those of us who have been exploring our way forward over the last few months.
″The Catholic Church, both here and in Rome, have given me warm encouragement in making this step and I am grateful for the countless words and signs of welcome I have received from many members of the Catholic Church over recent days. I hope the Ordinariate will be a gift to the Catholic Church and that I, together with those priests and people who join the Ordinariate, will be of service to the whole Church.”
Keith Newton
Appointed the first Ordinary of the
'Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham'
by Pope Benedict XVI, 15 January 2011
Photographs of the Ordinations at Westminster Cathedral
A set of Photographs of the Ordinations of Fathers Newton, Burnham and Broadhurst can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/catholicism/sets/72157625829565750/
THE PERSONAL ORDINARIATE OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM
The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham was erected today
Statement from the Holy See:-
In accordance with the provisions of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus of Pope Benedict XVI (November 4, 2009) and after careful consultation with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has today erected a Personal Ordinariate within the territory of England and Wales for those groups of Anglican clergy and faithful who have expressed their desire to enter into full visible communion with the Catholic Church. The Decree of Erection specifies that the Ordinariate will be known as the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham and will be placed under the patronage of Blessed John Henry Newman.
A Personal Ordinariate is a canonical structure that provides for corporate reunion in such a way that allows former Anglicans to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of their distinctive Anglican patrimony. With this structure, the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus seeks to balance on the one hand the concern to preserve the worthy Anglican liturgical, spiritual and pastoral traditions and, on the other hand, the concern that these groups and their clergy will be fully integrated into the Catholic Church.
For doctrinal reasons the Church does not, in any circumstances, allow the ordination of married men as Bishops. However, the Apostolic Constitution does provide, under certain conditions, for the ordination as Catholic priests of former Anglican married clergy. Today at Westminster Cathedral in London, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, ordained to the Catholic priesthood three former Anglican Bishops: Reverend Andrew Burnham, Reverend Keith Newton, and Reverend John Broadhurst.
Also today Pope Benedict XVI has nominated Reverend Keith Newton as the first Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Together with Reverend Burnham and Reverend Broadhurst, Reverend Newton will oversee the catechetical preparation of the first groups of Anglicans in England and Wales who will be received into the Catholic Church together with their pastors at Easter, and to accompany the clergy preparing for ordination to the Catholic priesthood around Pentecost.
The provision of this new structure is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue, which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church. The initiative leading to the publication of the Apostolic Constitution and the erection of this Personal Ordinariate came from a number of different groups of Anglicans who have declared that they share the common Catholic faith as it is expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and accept the Petrine ministry as something Christ willed for the Church. For them, the time has now come to express this implicit unity in the visible form of full communion.
Statement from the Holy See:-
In accordance with the provisions of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus of Pope Benedict XVI (November 4, 2009) and after careful consultation with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has today erected a Personal Ordinariate within the territory of England and Wales for those groups of Anglican clergy and faithful who have expressed their desire to enter into full visible communion with the Catholic Church. The Decree of Erection specifies that the Ordinariate will be known as the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham and will be placed under the patronage of Blessed John Henry Newman.
A Personal Ordinariate is a canonical structure that provides for corporate reunion in such a way that allows former Anglicans to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of their distinctive Anglican patrimony. With this structure, the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus seeks to balance on the one hand the concern to preserve the worthy Anglican liturgical, spiritual and pastoral traditions and, on the other hand, the concern that these groups and their clergy will be fully integrated into the Catholic Church.
For doctrinal reasons the Church does not, in any circumstances, allow the ordination of married men as Bishops. However, the Apostolic Constitution does provide, under certain conditions, for the ordination as Catholic priests of former Anglican married clergy. Today at Westminster Cathedral in London, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, ordained to the Catholic priesthood three former Anglican Bishops: Reverend Andrew Burnham, Reverend Keith Newton, and Reverend John Broadhurst.
Also today Pope Benedict XVI has nominated Reverend Keith Newton as the first Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Together with Reverend Burnham and Reverend Broadhurst, Reverend Newton will oversee the catechetical preparation of the first groups of Anglicans in England and Wales who will be received into the Catholic Church together with their pastors at Easter, and to accompany the clergy preparing for ordination to the Catholic priesthood around Pentecost.
The provision of this new structure is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue, which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church. The initiative leading to the publication of the Apostolic Constitution and the erection of this Personal Ordinariate came from a number of different groups of Anglicans who have declared that they share the common Catholic faith as it is expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and accept the Petrine ministry as something Christ willed for the Church. For them, the time has now come to express this implicit unity in the visible form of full communion.
Friday, 14 January 2011
Ordination to the Diaconate
Pictures from the Ordination to the Diaconate, taken by Father James Bradley, of Keith Newton, Andrew Burnham and John Broadhurst can be found at: http:// www.flickr.com/photos/jamesbradley/sets/72157625817489184/
Thursday, 13 January 2011
NOT THE CHURCH TIMES NEWSPAPER 2043
The Archbishop of Canterbury was one of the honoured guests at the opening of the new Lambeth Palace Five Star Hotel and Casino complex which, as readers will know, was purchased by a leading Hotel and Casino Chain. The new owners have extensively developed the site and it now boasts 500 rooms and suites. The Opening Ceremony was conducted by the Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord Chaseworthy. After he had cut the ribbon and declared the hotel open, the guests which included many members of the House of Lords including several bishops, were treated to a gourmet 7 course lunch served in the new restaurant.
During the toasts to the new Hotel, the Archbishop congratulated the company on the refurbishment of the Palace and drew particular attention to her new flat, which has been built as part of that refurbishment, saying how delighted she was with it and how easy it was to access the Chapel which had been preserved. After the speeches, the Archbishop blessed the hotel with Holy Water. Guests were then invited to try the new casino, swimming pool or just relax in the Champagne Bar.
Guests will be welcomed to the hotel from tomorrow. Rooms are available for booking at the rate of £600 per night or suites at £2,500.
THE PORTAL
The first edition of “The Portal”, a magazine, published on line and free, is available at:- http://ordinariateportal.wordpress.com/.
It is for those who are interested in joining The Ordinariate, or for those who are interested in finding out more about what is happening.
PLEASE KEEP KEITH NEWTON, ANDREW BURNHAM AND JOHN BROADHURST IN YOUR PRAYERS AS THEY ARE ORDAINED AS DEACONS TODAY AND PRIESTS ON SATURDAY FOR THE ORDINARIATE.Wednesday, 12 January 2011
REDBRIDGE & HAVERING ORDINARAITE GROUP
The Redbridge & Havering Ordinariate Group met last night at St. Augustine’s Church, Rush Green and following Mass continued with their study of the Evangelium Course. Dates for future meetings were announced and they are:-
Saturday 15/01 Ordinations at Westminster Cathedral 10.30 a.m.
Meetings at St. Augustine’s Church, Rush Green, Romford
Wednesday 26/01 Mass at 7.30 p.m.
Tuesday 08/02 Mass 7.30 p.m.
Wednesday 23/02 Mass 7.30 p.m.
Monday 070/3 Mass 7.30 p.m.
Wednesday 23/03 Mass 7.30 p.m.
Monday 04/04 Mass 7.30 p.m.
Tuesday 19/04 Mass (Holy Week) 7.30 p.m.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD
Today I was the Celebrant and Preacher at St. Barnabas, Woodford Green for the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord.
BANKER’S BONUSES
Following my posting yesterday I heard this morning on the News that one Banker is in line to receive £2.5 million as his bonus. Has the world of banking gone completely mad?
THE REDBRIDGE & HAVERING ORDINARIATE GROUP MEET ON TUESDAY
Mass 7.30 p.m. followed by the Evangelium Course.
ALL WELCOME
Saturday, 8 January 2011
BANKERS BONUSES
We are living through what is probably the worst financial crisis of all time. Much of the problem was caused by greedy banks and entailed an unprecedented bailout of billions of pounds to save them from inevitable bankruptcy. Now we learn that billions of pounds are to be paid as bonuses to bankers. The mind boggles! The threat that they will go elsewhere should the government come down on them too hard is just that – a threat. Whilst we, as a nation have to endure severe cut backs in “services”, a VAT Rate of 20%, petrol and energy prices soaring, severe unemployment etc. the bankers, who have quite a responsibility for the present financial crisis, are to be allowed to reap a bonus harvest. The Government own, on our behalf, substantial shares in several banks and they should use their holdings to prevent this. In my opinion, only when the banks have paid back every last penny of the amount of money used to bail them out, should they be permitted to pay any bonuses at all. The billions they have set aside for bonuses can be used to amortize their debt to this country. And if they don’t like it – tough.
Thursday, 6 January 2011
BISHOP EDWIN BARNES
I read today on Bishop Edwin’s Blog that the dates for his reception and ordination have been announced. He and his wife Jane will be received into the Roman Catholic Church on 21st January. He will be ordained Deacon on the 11the February and Priest on the 5th March at St. John’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Portsmouth at 2.30 p.m. Please keep him, and Jane, in your prayers as they enter this next stage in their pilgrimage.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Some News
Today, joy of joys, we went shopping for our weekly shop, to a local Supermarket. I must admit I was somewhat surprised, on this day before the Feast of the Epiphany, to find Easter Eggs already on sale. On the bright side though we managed to buy half a Stilton cheese for 50p!
Those who haven’t heard already my like to know that Keith Newton, Andrew Burnham and John Broadhurst are to be priested at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 15th January at 10.30 a.m. All are welcome at this historic service. It is very significant that this is to be held in the mother church of Roman Catholicism in the UK. As they prepare for this, please keep Keith, Andrew and John in your prayers and please pray for the Ordinariate which is being set up.
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
42nd Wedding Anniversary
Today Ann and I celebrate 42 years of marriage. The day started with us going to the North Middlesex Hospital for Ann’s final check-up on the now mended broken leg. I’m pleased to say she has now been finally, and fully, discharged. We then drove to Fyfield for lunch at The Queen’s Head, a gastro pub where we enjoyed a magnificent lunch. It had been recommended to us and we had intended to go there to celebrate Ann’s birthday at the beginning of December to be thwarted by the snow. Then we intended to go for my birthday, just after Christmas, but the family announced they were coming so instead we stayed home and enjoyed lunch with them. But today we finally made it and I have to say it lived up, in every way, to our expectations and we can’t wait to go again.
I remember our wedding day very well with a splendid Nuptial Mass celebrated by two priests now, sadly, both dead with whom I had worked as Organist & Choirmaster. I met Ann through my involvement with the choir – she joined and as they say, the rest is history. The choir turned out in full for this occasion and we have a picture of the choir, the clergy and Ann and I outside the main church door. In those days we had a choir of 22+ boys plus adults, from the village – the largest boys’ choir in the Diocese apart from the Cathedral itself. Choirs these days are lucky to have any boys at all let alone 22 of them.
So for 42 years of married life, for two lovely children (now very much adults) two lovely children-in-law and four grandchildren but above all for a totally loving and wonderful wife and for the joys and happiness we have enjoyed – Deo Gratias.
I remember our wedding day very well with a splendid Nuptial Mass celebrated by two priests now, sadly, both dead with whom I had worked as Organist & Choirmaster. I met Ann through my involvement with the choir – she joined and as they say, the rest is history. The choir turned out in full for this occasion and we have a picture of the choir, the clergy and Ann and I outside the main church door. In those days we had a choir of 22+ boys plus adults, from the village – the largest boys’ choir in the Diocese apart from the Cathedral itself. Choirs these days are lucky to have any boys at all let alone 22 of them.
So for 42 years of married life, for two lovely children (now very much adults) two lovely children-in-law and four grandchildren but above all for a totally loving and wonderful wife and for the joys and happiness we have enjoyed – Deo Gratias.
Sunday, 2 January 2011
PEV’S?
Today I was the principal celebrant at St. Augustine’s Rush Green. As most readers will know, yesterday +Keith Newton, +Andrew Burnham and +John Broadhurst, together with the three Sisters from the Community at Walsingham having formally left the Church of England on the 31st December, became Roman Catholics at a ceremony in Westminster Cathedral. This morning at Mass I remembered them in the Eucharistic Prayer as they now begin the next stage in their spiritual pilgrimage. Hopefully we should now hear more news about the beginning of the Ordinariate and the appointment of the Ordinary and please keep them all in your prayers.
Whilst all has been quiet on the Ordinariate for a while, there has been a deafening silence about SWISH ever since it’s inauguration at the Sacred Synod in October. We still don’t know what it intends to do or how it intends to do it. Also, whilst various names have been rumoured for appointment as the new PEV’s, there has been nothing from the AofC. Is it, perhaps, a case of no news is good news? Unsurprisingly WATCH have been campaigning that there should be no further appointments as PEV’s. Their take it or leave attitude is appalling and hardly what one should expect from a Christian organisation.
REDBRIDGE & HAVERING ORDINARIATE GROUP
We meet next on Tuesday 11th January 2011 at St. Augustine’s, Rush Green for Mass at 7.30 p.m. followed by the Evangelium Course. These meetings are open to anyone who would like to come and do not, in any way, making joining the Ordinariate obligatory.
Whilst all has been quiet on the Ordinariate for a while, there has been a deafening silence about SWISH ever since it’s inauguration at the Sacred Synod in October. We still don’t know what it intends to do or how it intends to do it. Also, whilst various names have been rumoured for appointment as the new PEV’s, there has been nothing from the AofC. Is it, perhaps, a case of no news is good news? Unsurprisingly WATCH have been campaigning that there should be no further appointments as PEV’s. Their take it or leave attitude is appalling and hardly what one should expect from a Christian organisation.
REDBRIDGE & HAVERING ORDINARIATE GROUP
We meet next on Tuesday 11th January 2011 at St. Augustine’s, Rush Green for Mass at 7.30 p.m. followed by the Evangelium Course. These meetings are open to anyone who would like to come and do not, in any way, making joining the Ordinariate obligatory.
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