Women bishops: it's now clear that the General Synod has lied to Parliament and the Church–FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH BLOGS 29th NOVEMBER

The Rev Dr Peter Mullen is Rector of St Michael, Cornhill and St Sepulchre-without-Newgate in the City of London. He is Chaplain to six Livery Companies of the City of London and has written for many publications including the Wall Street Journal.

 

By Peter Mullen

Women bishops are coming, and there's no protection for traditionalists.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, appearing before a parliamentary committee of the House of Lords, urges that, once women are consecrated as bishops – he is confident of their acceptance being voted by the General Synod – they should be fast-tracked to membership of the House. So real bishops – I mean male bishops – who have served in the episcopate for years will be sidelined by the incoming women.

Isn’t this what we used to call discrimination?

In 2010 the General Synod confirmed its determination to proceed to the consecration of women bishops. Disconcertingly, the resolution does not include any proposal to provide statutory provision for those who in conscience cannot accept women’s episcopacy. So the benign genius of Dr John Habgood, when Archbishop of York, which offered the notion of two integrities at the time when women priests were originally approved by the General Synod, has now been overthrown. The latest synodical resolution will also abolish the roles of the Provincial Episcopal Visitors – the so called flying bishops – created in 1993 to provide pastoral oversight for those conscientiously unable to accept the priesthood of women.

Thus, as John Broadhurst, former Bishop of Fulham, said on Radio Four when the inadequate synodical resolution passed: The Synod has lied to Parliament and it has lied to the Church.

We must understand clearly what the new draft measure amounts to. It is a plain denial that those unable to accept women priests or bishops have any integrity at all. Dr Habgood’s agreeable compromise has been arbitrarily done away with and now, by implication, there is only one integrity in the Church and it belongs exclusively to the supporters of women priests and bishops. But synodical approval for women priests was obtained in 1992 on the proviso that alternative pastoral arrangements be made for those opposed. It was this which ensured that women’s ordination became a reality, for it is very likely that many members of Synod would have rejected the innovation if the safeguard of the flying bishops, providing alternative pastoral oversight, had not been forthcoming.

Dr Williams should not count his chickens. It is still not too late to hope that this manifest injustice to conscientious dissenters from the consecration of women bishops will so stick in the craw of all but the most hardened feminist apparatchiks in the Synod that they will vote the measure down

I have taken the liberty in reproducing in full the above article which appear in today’s Daily Telegraph Blogs as I consider what it says to be of great importance.

ADVENT PROSE

ADVENT ONE AND AN EARLY MORNING SURPRISE

The phone call came just after 8.00 a.m.; our Organist & Choirmaster had been taken ill so please would I play the organ. No problem I said and then it dawned on me that tonight is the Advent Nine Lessons and Advent Hymns/Anthems. So it was of to church early to have a Choir Practice prior to the Parish Mass with just enough time to look at a couple of items for tonight and to arrange for a short practice before the actual service. I hope it will be OK this evening!!!!!!!!!!

PRAYER FOR ADVENT 1

Almighty God,
give us grace that we may cast away
the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life
in which thy Son Jesus Christ came
to visit us in great humility;
that in the last day, when he shall come again
in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost,
one God, now and for ever.

BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN

On Wednesday Ann and I were in Bath Abbey for the Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the return to the UK of the 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support) from Afghanistan. This was the occasion when the Regiment was presented with the Freedom of the City of Bath and paraded round the city.Later in the day we were present at the Medal Presentations at Colerne the Regiments present base in the UK. We were particularly proud when our son Major John Jennings led his squad of men into the Abbey. John has been in Afghanistan twice recently and we are very glad to see him home safe and well. Deo Gratias

Major John Jennings

The Freedom of the City

The March Past

After the Presentation of Medals when we were frozen stiff sitting outside for a couple of hours – (it was bitterly cold on the parade ground – they even bought out blankets for the VIPS!!!!!!) – we were served with chicken curry. which we really needed! The men who have been roasting in high temperatures in Afghanistan must have  really suffered as they were still wearing their desert kit. It was a lovely day and wonderful to see John.

TECHNICOLOURED MITRE AND CHASUBLE IN WASHINGTON

Washington National Cathedral was the setting when Mariann Budde was consecrated Bishop on her appointment as the Bishop of Washington. Virtueonline gives a report on what happened:-

“The first service at the Washington National Cathedral following the August 23, 2011, earthquake was a cacophony of odd errors and uncomfortable mistakes. The many problems created a service who as one participant said "was not up to Episcopal standards." That statement puts it mildly with misspoken words, a malfunctioning pipe organ, poorly practiced musical groups, squealing microphones and a flustered Mariann Edgar Budde.

The service focused on bringing together many diverse musical elements with the opening processional done by a three-man group of Native Americans called Southwest Eagle Dancers. The lengthy constant drumming and chanting created a distinct tension as listeners wondered what religious tradition they were from. Clergy processed in to the syncopated drums and no singing.

Before the Episcopal Church bishops and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori walked in, the sounds of the pipe organ began the introduction and first verse of "I bind unto myself today." After the second verse, the organ dropped out and the singing stopped and an eerie silence filled the Cathedral only relieved by the sound of walking feet. Everyone began to look at each other as the silence grew to over one minute. The organ started with verse three, played about four measures and abruptly broke off. Another long and uncomfortable silence began during which time the bishops continued their tense procession for another two minutes. Then the next sound heard to the congregation with its many empty seats was a tinny, electric keyboard. The hymn finished with this bizarre musical accompaniment that was too quiet for the hymn. Everyone was murmuring in speculation about what happened but no answers were given.”

Read the rest of this wonderfully amusing report here
The sad thing is that what happems in the USA today is likely to happen in the UK tomorrow.

CHRIST THE KING

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn;
Fruit of the mystic rose, as of that rose the stem;
The root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem.

Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began,
And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed over the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end, and round His piercèd feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side,
Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of Heaven, enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the King to Whom is given the wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns, as thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.

Crown Him the Lord of lords, who over all doth reign,
Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain,
Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing
Their songs before Him day and night, their God, Redeemer, King.

Crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

CBS - follow-up continued…………………………….

Since my original article on the CBS meeting on the 12th November which was a basically a report on the proceedings of that meeting I have been surprised and dismayed at some of the vitriolic “Comments” that I have received especially some of the personal remarks which are totally unwarranted and unnecessary. These are people who want me to publish their Comments as “anonymous” which means, to my way of thinking that they lack the courage to be identified.

I made it perfectly clear at the meeting that I support the Ordinariate and, in fact, co-ordinate the Redbridge and Havering Ordinariate Exploratory Group.

The pictures published below feature a leaflet which is still being given out to recruit potential members. It is quite clear in that leaflet, that the financial support afforded by CBS is for Anglicans. Those who have gone to the Ordinariate have ceased to be Anglicans and are now Ordinariate members. I personally am quite happy for grants being made to former Anglicans by CBS provided they are applied for in exactly the same way as has always been the case. Many of those who have gone to the Ordinariate have shown incredible courage in the steps they have taken and, in my opinion, are deserving of respect and where appropriate what ever help can be given. I stress that this is my view and not the view of some of those who attended the meeting.

CBS – follow-up

This is a leaflet still being given out to prospective members.

It is out of date but never-the-less outlines the principles of CBS and it’s CofE background

SSC MEET AT ST.AUGUSTIN'E’S, RUSH GREEN

Yesterday, 15th November, members of the SSC Chapter of St. Helena, met at St. Augustine’s Church for the annual Requiem Mass. The principal celebrant was Father Peter Walker SSC and Father Martin Howse SSC read the Gospel and preached the Homily. Father Mervyn Jennings SSC read the Old Testament Lesson and led the psalm; he also played the organ.

 

The Bishop of Chelmsford, The Rt. Revd. Stephen Cottrell came as a guest. He was present for the Mass and talked to the Brethren about the current situation in the Church of England afterwards. After his talk he answered questions before we adjourned to the hall for lunch which had been beautifully cooked by Jan Howse and Ann Jennings. Bishop Stephen just had time for lunch before leaving for a meeting at Lambeth Palace with the Archbishop. As Lunch was donated by St. Augustine’s Parish a collection was taken for Mission Direct which amounted to £45. Our next meeting, the AGM is in January 2012

MEETING OF ESSEX CBS

The meeting of the Essex members of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament took place at the Hall of St. Augustine’s Church, Rush Green, Romford on Saturday 12th November. Father Christopher Pearson, the Superior-General of the Confraternity, came and took the chair. Fr. Pearson put forward several suggestions of what the future shape of the of CBS might be and these were discussed. He sought to dispel the doubts that many expressed about the future of the Confraternity now that he, the Secretary-General and the Treasurer- General who are all Trustees are also now part of the Ordinariate. He said that we should hold a further meeting to give the Trustees an indication of our opinion on the best way forward on the proposals he had suggested.

There was considerable disquiet about the £1 million grant that the Trustees had made to the Ordinariate and it was  generally felt that this was too much and that any gift should have been spread over a period of time. Just as parishes and priests had, in the past, to justify any request for a grant so members of the Ordinariate should be subject to the same discipline.

A proposal was made “that we no longer have confidence in the Trustees” which was seconded but he refused to put this to the vote on the basis that he didn’t consider the meeting properly constituted.

When he left the meeting, the Acting Ward Superior suggested that the Proposal be put and it was passed unanimously. This will be sent to the Charity Commissioners for their consideration.

URGENT REMINDER for TOMORROW

Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament

Saturday 12th November for ESSEX BASED MEMBERS General Meeting at 2.30 p.m. in the hall of St. Augustine’s Church, Rush Green, ROMFORD followed by the Office & Benediction in Church.

11-11-11-11

 

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

FM RADIO

I read the other day that it is likely that FM radio will be switched of in 2015 if not before so that Digital Radio can take over. I’ve searched the net today to discover that this is probably right which means that for most people their car radio’s and their home radio’s will become obsolete and will have to be replaced by expensive DAB radio’s Although they have come down in price they are still quite expensive and in some areas not very efficient. As someone who listens to Radio 4 and Classic FM frequently both in the car and at home the thought of losing them is very galling and the thought of having to replace everything daunting.  What infuriates me is that FM Radio works perfectly well so why do we have to change it – I suspect it is to boost the sale of DAB radio’s and for the benefit of Radio Stations. Please consider raising this with your MP.

REMEMBERING

November is the month when we remember; it starts with All Saints Day when we remember all those people who are God’s Saints but who have never been acknowledged. This is followed on 2nd November when we remember all our past relations, friends and benefactors who have died. And then on 11th November and on Remembrance Sunday this year on the 13th November we remember all those who have given their lives in two world wars and in many other conflicts since including Suez, Korea, Vietnam, The Falklands, The Gulf, Bosnia, Iraq and where they continue to do so in Afghanistan Some people take the view that Remembrance Sunday is jingoistic but I believe that it is important to our present generation that we remind them of the great sacrifice made when men and women laid down their lives in the service of their country and which they continue to do in Afghanistan, for example. We might totally disagree with war nevertheless those who died are entitled to, and are deserving, of our prayers. Those of us who lived through the terror of the Second World War remember the nights when enemy bombers did their best to destroy our country. We remember the sadness when someone we knew was killed in the air raids or who didn’t come back from the war. These people were parents, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters. Those of us who have visited the War Cemeteries and have seen the rows and rows of war graves understand that a generation of young men died in World War 1 defeating the expansionist policy of a corrupt empire and in World War 2 in defeating the evil of the Hitler Regime. But if Remembrance Sunday is to be purposeful it must be the time when we recommit ourselves to work and pray for peace in our world. Our prayers are to a God “from whom all truth and peace proceed” a God who alone can bring his peace, a peace that passes all human understanding, into a world still torn apart by war. I will be the first to support the abolition of Remembrance Sunday when all nations renounce nuclear and other weapons, when as the prophet says swords are turned into ploughs. Until that day comes we need to remind ourselves of the evil of war, the destruction and death and injury it causes. And to pray for those, our friends but also our enemies, who out of time, lost their lives that they may rest in peace and rise in glory.

M5 CRASH

The M5 motorway crash has caused at least 7 dead and 51 injured in 34 vehicles. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured and the families of those who have died and we pray for their repose of the deceased. The police, Ambulance Crews and the Fire Brigade have worked for 24 hours on this tragic incident.

"EXECUTIVE” COMPENSATION!!!!!!!!

Listening to Radio 4’s Today this morning I was intrigued to hear Bob Diamond, Chief Executive of Barclays Bank talk about “executive compensation“ which we normal mortals would call “pay” or “remuneration”. After prevaricating about his own “compensation” he finally admitted that, excluding his bonus which is up to the Board of Directors, his salary is in excess of £1 million per annum.

For me this presents the question as to whether anyone, anyone at all, is worth that sort of money and I include in that pop stars.TV personalities, footballers etc..No wonder those protestors are at St. Paul’s Cathedral. They see a world when those with very little are hammered into the ground when the very people who caused our present economic state of affairs continue to enjoy the sort of massive “compensation” bankers are getting. No wonder they are angry, very angry indeed.

POPE BENEDICT XVI AT TODAY’S GENERAL AUDIENCE

“Dear Brothers and Sisters, today, the day after the Solemnity of All Saints, the Church invites us to pray for the faithful departed.  This yearly commemoration, often marked by visits to the cemetery, is an occasion to ponder the mystery of death and to renew our faith in the promise of eternal life held out to us by Christ’s resurrection. 

As human beings, we have a natural fear of death and we rebel against its apparent finality.  Faith teaches us that the fear of death is lightened by a great hope, the hope of eternity, which gives our lives their fullest meaning.  The God who is love offers us the promise of eternal life through the death and resurrection of his Son. In Christ, death no longer appears as an abyss of emptiness, but rather a path to life which will never end.  

Christ is the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in him will never die.  Each Sunday, in reciting the Creed, we reaffirm our faith in this mystery.  As we remember our dear departed ones, united with them in the communion of the saints, may our faith inspire us to follow Christ more closely and to work in this world to build a future of hope.

ALL SOULS DAY

Prayer for All the Deceased

By Thy resurrection from the dead, O Christ, death no longer hath dominion over those who die in holiness. So, we beseech Thee, give rest to Thy servants in Thy sanctuary and in Abraham's bosom. Grant it to those, who from Adam until now have adored Thee with purity, to our fathers and brothers, to our kinsmen and friends, to all men who have lived by faith and passed on their road to Thee, by a thousand ways, and in all conditions, and make them worthy of the heavenly kingdom. from the Byzantine Divine Liturgy

Catholic Collect from the Mass for the Dead

[for all our departed brothers and sisters]
Merciful Father,
hear our prayer and console us.
As we renew our faith in Your Son,
whom You raised from the dead,
strengthen our hope
that all our departed brothers and sisters
will share in His resurrection,
who lives and reigns
with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Benedictine Collect for All Souls Day

We suppliants, O Lord,
pour forth our prayers
for the souls of Thy servants and handmaids,
that Thou wouldst mercifully pardon
whatsoever they have committed
through human frailty
and graciously bring their sufferings to an end.
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
From the Benedictine Diurnal

Eternal Rest grant unto them,O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

ALL SAINTS DAY

1. For all the saints, who from their labours rest,

Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,

Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

2. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;

Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;

Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

3. For the Apostles’ glorious company,

Who bearing forth the Cross o’er land and sea,

Shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:

Alleluia, Alleluia!

4. For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,

Like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,

Is fair and fruitful, be Thy Name adored.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

5. For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,

Saw the bright crown descending from the sky,

And seeing, grasped it, Thee we glorify.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

6. O blest communion, fellowship divine!

We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;

All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

7. O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,

Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,

And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

8. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,

Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,

And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

9. The golden evening brightens in the west;

Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;

Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

10. But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;

The saints triumphant rise in bright array;

The King of glory passes on His way.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

11. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,

Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,

And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Bishop William Walsham How 1823-1897

Here are the original words – most hymn books omit verses 3, 4 & 5.