London (central) Group

Ordinariate Website and London Group:

An  interim website for the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham has now been established. It is not the final form of the website but it contains, among other things, details of all the ordinariate groups, including our own Central London Group at the ordinariate website 

The London Group is now meeting at the Catholic Chaplaincy in Gower Street, thanks to the kindness and hospitality of Fr Peter Wilson and the students there. The 10.30am Mass is followed by catechesis and the group will be received into the Catholic Church during Holy Week.

You will find details of our meetings and contact details at this link:

http://www.ordinariate.org.uk/london_central.htm

The Rite of Election for the group will be at 3pm on Sunday March 13th at Westminster Cathedral

Fr Mark annouces his resignation

Fr Mark Elliott Smith (S.Paul's Tottentham) writes in the parish magazine:
Since the publication of the document Anglicanorum Coetibus, which is an invitation to groups of Anglicans to be received into full communion with Rome, I have been considering my position in the Church of England very carefully. You will know that I have been dismayed by recent developments in the Anglican Communion, particularly the Gerenal Synod’s decision to prepare legislation to allow women to be ordained as Bishops. My dismay has nothing to do with the status of women as I believe absolutely in the equality of the sexes. It has to do with the unity of the Church for which Christ prayed. That unity cannot now be achieved, at least not for generations. There may be friendship across the ecumenical divide, a realisation that our common baptism brings us together in some ways, but sacramental unity, no.

It is for this reason that I have decided that I cannot now, in good conscience, remain in the Church of England. It is my intention to be reconciled to the Catholic Church. There is great sadness in this decision, for I love S. Paul’s Tottenham, great parish that it undoubtedly is; it will always have a special place in my heart and in my prayers. It is, after all, the parish where I have served, man and boy you might say, for nearly ten years, on and off.

My last Sunday will be on 6 March and I hope that everyone will make an effort to be here on that day. The Ordinariate, the structure proposed by Anglicanorum Coetibus and similar to a diocese has now been established: Fr Keith Newton, the former Bishop of Richborough, is its first ordinary. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Walsingham and is under the patronage of Blessed John Henry Newman. Groups of Anglicans, along with clergy, will be enrolled as candidates for the Ordinariate at the start of Lent and be received into the Catholic Church in Holy Week.

At the time of writing I don’t know for sure where I will be living, though I believe it will be near Euston, so not very far away. God willing, I will be ordained as Deacon sometime just after Easter and Priest around Pentecost. As soon as I know these dates, I will let you all know.

In the meantime, please pray for Fr Christopher and Fr Luke, the Archdeacon, and all those who will be covering the interregnum. I know that Bishop Peter will be keen to make quite a swift appointment, so I do not believe the interval between incumbents will be a long one.

There may, of course, be people who are confused about the situation and who want to talk this through. Anyone in this position is most welcome to do so. Please have a word with me about this. It is very much a leap into the unknown, or almost unknown. It is a decision which has not been taken lightly or hastily and certainly not without anguish. But we all of us have to act on what we believe to be God’s will and to go where we believe he calls us. But please be assured of my prayers for you all, and I would be grateful if you would keep me in yours.

Fr Mark

So it continues....

Frs Ed Tomlison, Ivan Aquilena and his curate Dcn James Bradley have annouced their intention to join the Ordinariate.  The Anglo-Catholic blog has identified 18 Ordinariate groups in England - who would have thought there wous be such a growth in so short a time.  And to complete this - Daniel Lloyd and his wife have been received - I understand into the Ordinariate!

London Ordinariate Group

The group will be meeting weekly to study the Evangellium course.  Meetings are at Christ the King, Gordon Square at 2.30 and finishing at 4pm with Evening Prayer.

Congratulations!

And many years to Edwin Barnes on his ordination as a Deacon last week!


 See his blog for an account of what was obviously a very happy occasion!

http://bishedwins.blogspot.com/

A morning in Westminster

So many people have posted about the ordinations last week that it seemed perhaps we didn’t need any more said.  However, last Saturday was truly memorable.  Firstly, actually being present when history is made is an extraordinary experience.  When the Archbishop asked everyone to sit down at the beginning of Mass I (like I expect most other people) could feel the anticipation rising.  We were not disappointed.  The announcement of the ‘Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham’ was made and greeted quite quietly (the applause came later).  And what an amazing name!  The shrine at Walsingham is celebrating its 950^th anniversary this year.  The trajectory of history made visible.  It seems to me a direct link had been forged with England in those days when she was known as ‘Our Lady’s Dowry’.  Moving down time – Blessed John Henry Newman, the Oxford movement and of Fr Hope Patten who restored the shrine seem to have been linked together in a powerful way.

Once the Ordinariate had been officially launched we proceeded through Mass and the Ordinations of Fr John Broadhurst, Fr Andrew Burnham and Fr Keith Newton.  The thing which struck me forcibly was the complete calm surrounding these men.  The impression I received was they knew what they were doing and why.  So now the Ordinariate ahs three priests – in addition to two wives and three sisters, who themselves are a link to the shrine at Walsingham.  Then there was the music.  The choir was stunning and the congregation did pretty well too - despite the fact that the Cathedral ran out of orders of service!  And there was the amazing moment when (as the procession left the Cathedral) a wave of applause accompanied Frs John, Andrew and Keith.

Altogether what a day!

UPDATE: my apologies for getting the number of people who are members of the Ordinariate wrong.  I omitted David and Joyce Silk and Edwin and Jane Barnes who have all now been received! Sorry..

Ordinations!

Does anyone fancy meeting at the bookshop by the Cathedral - at about 9am ish?  I gather people are coming from far and wide!

Statement from Archbishop Vincent Nichols

The Ordination to the Priesthood of Three Former Anglican Bishops and the Establishment in England and Wales of a Personal Ordinariate

On Saturday 15th January, it will be my privilege to ordain John Broadhurst, Andrew Burnham and Keith Newton to priesthood in the Catholic Church. This ceremony will take place in Westminster Cathedral.

On or before this date, I expect the Holy See to announce the establishment of the first Ordinariate for groups of former Anglicans and their clergy who seek full communion in the Catholic Church. The three men ordained on Saturday will be the first priests of this Ordinariate.

This is a unique moment and the Catholic community in England and Wales is privileged to be playing its part in this historic development in the life of the Universal Church.

We offer a warm welcome to these three former bishops of the Church of England. We welcome those who wish to join them in full communion with the Pope in the visible unity of the Catholic Church. We recognise the journey they are making with its painful departures and its uncertainties. We salute their depth of searching prayer and the desire which leads them to seek to live within the community of the Catholic Church under the ministry of the Bishop of Rome. This is the faith we share.

We are deeply grateful for the depth of the relationship which exists here between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. This firm, positive and on-going relationship is the context for Saturday’s important initiative. We are grateful, too, for the sensitive leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He graciously acknowledges the integrity of those seeking to join the Ordinariate and has assured them of his prayers. This is the noble spirit of true ecumenism between the followers of Christ.

Pope Benedict has made clear his own intentions: that the Ordinariate can serve the wider cause of visible unity between our two churches by demonstrating in practice the extent to which we have so much to give to each other in our common service of the Lord. With this in mind he describes this step as ‘a prophetic gesture.’

With great trust in the Lord, we look forward to Saturday, to the new phase of Church life it brings and we ask God’s blessing on its future development.

The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols

President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

The London Group is on its way!

Our Ordinariate meeting on 9 January, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, has now happened.

Much was discussed, including what is now known of the timetable for the establishment of the Ordinariate, how it would operate and what it would look like. We looked at the Evangelium course, which will provide the material for the preparation of those who decide to take up the Holy Father’s offer.

Most importantly, it was decided that a Catechetical group will be established, meeting for the first time on Sunday 6 February at 2.30pm in Gordon Square to begin the preparation sessions.

Until the beginning of Lent, this will be open, not only to those who have now made up their minds to join, but to those who are still making up their minds.

In the meantime, please continue to pray as the establishment of the Ordinariate draws ever closer. Please pray, too, for John Broadhurst, Andrew Burnham and Keith Newton as they prepare for their Ordination to the Priesthood this coming Saturday. We are all encouraged to go to the Ordination Mass, which is being celebrated by Archbishop Vincent Nicholls at Westminster Cathedral at 10.30am.

Ordinariate Day on 9 January

A reminder that this is taking place at

Christ the King, Gordon Square on Sunday 9 January at 2.30pm.

What will we be doing?

First, we will be catching up on all the news. My betting is that the next few days are going to be very exciting. The Ordinariate may well have come into existence by the time we meet. Who knows, we may even know who the Ordinary is going to be. What is less clear at this stage is where some Ordinariate groups will be worshipping. However, a number of possibilities are taking shape which we will be able to talk through on the day.

Second, we will be discussing in more detail the preparation for those now willing to commit to the first wave and looking at the Evengelium, which will provide the source material.

So, we look forward to seeing you at Christ the King on 9 January.

The Bishop of London's diocesan address

Bishop Richard gave an address to the London diocesan synod last Tuesday which included the statement quoted below:

'There does however seem to be a degree of confusion about whether those entering the Ordinariate like Bishop John might be able to negotiate a transfer of properties or at the least explore the possibility of sharing agreements in respect of particular churches. For the avoidance of confusion I have to say that as far as the Diocese of London is concerned there is no possibility of transferring properties. As to sharing agreements I have noted the Archbishop of Westminster's comment that his "preference is for the simplest solutions. The simplest solutions are for those who come into Catholic communion to use Catholic churches". I am also mindful that the late Cardinal Hume, whom I greatly revered, brought to an end the experiment of church sharing after the Synod's decision of 1992 because far from being conducive to warmer ecumenical relations it tended to produce more rancour.'

Follow-up Ordinariate meeting

There will be a follow-up meeting for everyone who wishes to explore joining the Ordinariate.

Venue: Christ the King, Gordon Square

Date: Sunday January 9th 2011

Time 2.30 - 4.00

Further details from the Chaplain (020 7388 3588)

Christ the King Festival at Christ the King

This mass has been a regular diary engagement since London forward in Faith organised the first festival of Christ the King at S.Paul's Cathedral in 1995.  However, in 2010 a packed church gathered to say thank you to Bishop John and Judi.  In his last public engagement the Bishop preached and presided at the Mass.  He was presented with a (VERY large) bottle of malt whiskey, a cut glass decanter and Judi was given flowers and a bottle of port.  Representatives from the dioceses of London, Southwark and Rochester were present as well as people from further away who travelled to express their heartfelt thanks and sorrow at his resignation.  The church was full - a wonderful tribute.

Best wishes - Bishop John and Judi  

A brief report of the meeting at Winchmore Hill

The meeting at Holy Trinity, Winchmore Hill, was very good. It began with Mass and was followed by lunch and a series of short addresses and concluded with a question and answer session. The first address was a brief outline of the background to Anglicanorum Coetibus and an explanation of how groups who wished to respond positively to the Holy Father’s offer would become part of the life of the Catholic Church. The second speaker described how the process of catechesis worked in his parish and how some of the difficult issues of Church teaching were addressed and tackled head on.

There were, of course many questions, some of which it was not possible to answer with any certainty. Where, for instance, will groups worship? Although there is, as yet, no clear answer, it seems reasonable to suggest that, in London, groups will be established based in both north, central, east and west London.

At the time of the meeting the timetable for the setting up of the Ordinariate was not in the public domain. It is now clear that the name of the Ordinary will be announced in January and the serving Anglican bishops ordained to the priesthood without delay. Those in the first wave will be received during Holy Week and ordinations to the priesthood will follow at around Pentecost for those candidates whose applications for ordination have been accepted.

It was stressed that Anglicanorum Coetibus is intended for those who believe that God is calling them to embrace the fullness of Catholic unity positively. There is a need for humility: Anglican priests will have to be ordained to the Catholic priesthood and laity will need to be confirmed. However, it should be remembered that the Ordination rite for ex-Anglicans is generous in its affirmation of their previous ministry and that all those who enter the Ordinariate have done so as part of a journey of authentic discipleship begun in Baptism. Anglicanorum Coetibus recognises that there are many treasures in Anglicanism that will be an enrichment to the Catholic Church and its aim is for unity rather than absorption.

A follow-up meeting will take place, hopefully at Christ the King, Gordon Square, for those who wish to begin the process of catechesis. The date will be confirmed very shortly.

Press release 19 November 2010

Issued by the Catholic Communications Network

Statement on the Implementation of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus

The Establishment of a Personal Ordinariate in England and Wales

Much has been achieved over many years as a result of the dialogue and the fruitful ecumenical relations which have developed between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. Obedient to the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ to His Heavenly Father, the unity of the Church remains a constant desire in the vision and life of Anglicans and Catholics. The prayer for Christian Unity is the prayer for the gift of full communion with each other. We must never tire of praying and working for this goal.

During his visit to the United Kingdom in September, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was therefore keen to stress that the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus: "…should be seen as a prophetic gesture that can contribute positively to the developing relations between Anglicans and Catholics. It helps us to set our sights on the ultimate goal of all ecumenical activity: the restoration of full ecclesial communion in the context of which the mutual exchange of gifts from our respective spiritual patrimonies serves as an enrichment to us all."i

It is now just over one year since the Apostolic Constitution was published. The Pope’s initiative provided for the establishment of personal Ordinariates as one of the ways in which members of the Anglican tradition may seek to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. As the Holy Father stated at that time, he was responding to petitions received "repeatedly and insistently"ii by him from groups of Anglicans wishing "to be received into full communion individually as well as corporately."iii Since then, it has become clear that a number of Anglican clergy and their faithful do indeed wish to bring their desire for full ecclesial communion with the Catholic Church to realisation within an Ordinariate structure.

In collaboration with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) in Rome, the Bishops of England and Wales have been preparing for the establishment of an Ordinariate early in January 2011. Although there may be practical difficulties in the months ahead, the Bishops are working to address these at a national and local level.

Five Anglican Bishops who currently intend to enter the Ordinariate have already announced their decision to resign from pastoral ministry in the Church of England with effect from 31 December 2010. They will enter into full communion with the Catholic Church early in January 2011. During the same month, it is expected that the Decree establishing the Ordinariate will be issued and the name of the Ordinary to be appointed announced. Soon afterwards, those non-retired former Anglican Bishops whose petitions to be ordained are accepted by the CDF, will be ordained to the Catholic Diaconate and Priesthood for service in the Ordinariate.

It is expected that the retired former Anglican Bishops whose petitions to be ordained are accepted by the CDF, will be ordained to the Catholic Diaconate and Priesthood prior to Lent. This will enable them, together with the Ordinary and the other former Anglican Bishops, to assist with the preparation and reception of former Anglican clergy and their faithful into full communion with the Catholic Church during Holy Week.

Before the beginning of Lent, those Anglican clergy with groups of faithful who have decided to enter the Ordinariate will then begin a period of intense formation for ordination as Catholic priests.

At the beginning of Lent, the groups of faithful together with their pastors will be enrolled as candidates for the Ordinariate. Then, at a date to be agreed between the Ordinary and the local diocesan Bishop, they will be received into the Catholic Church and confirmed. This will probably take place either during Holy Week, at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday or during the Easter Vigil. The period of formation for the faithful and their pastors will continue to Pentecost. Until then, these communities will be cared for sacramentally by local clergy as arranged by the diocesan Bishop and the Ordinary.

Around Pentecost, those former Anglican priests whose petitions for ordination have been accepted by the CDF will be ordained to the Catholic Priesthood. Ordination to the Diaconate will precede this at some point during Eastertide. Formation in Catholic theology and pastoral practice will continue for an appropriate amount of time after ordination.

In responding generously and offering a warm welcome to those seeking full ecclesial communion with the Catholic Church within the Ordinariate, the Bishops know that the clergy and faithful who are on that journey of faith will bring their own spiritual treasures which will further enrich the spiritual life of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. The Bishops will do all they can to ensure that there is effective and close collaboration with the Ordinariate both at diocesan and parish levels.

Finally, with the blessings and encouragement they have received from Pope Benedict’s recent Visit, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales are resolved to continue their dialogue with other Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities on that journey towards the communion in faith and the fullness of unity for which Christ prayed.

Footnotes

ⁱ Oscott College, 19 September 2010
ⁱⁱ Apostolic Constitution 'Anglicanorum Coetibus', 4 November 2009
ⁱⁱⁱ ibid

Last Saturday

We had a very fruitful meeting last Saturday - fuller report will follow!

A reminder

A reminder to you all - our ordinariate exploration day is TOMORROW - Saturday 13 November at Holy Trinity Winchmore Hill (scroll down for details and travel directions).

We look forward to seeing you there. 

Patrimony, patrimony, patrimony...

Yesterday’s announcement, the resignation of the five bishops seeking to enter the Ordinariate and therefore into full communion with the See of Peter is a seminal moment. Though the Ordinariate has yet to be erected, it seems that it will be become a reality in the new year and, for those of us prayerfully discerning the Holy Father’s offer, Bishop Andrew Burnham’s words about the Church of England are especially relevant:

‘Women bishops is a presenting issue, but it’s the question of whether the Anglican church is, as it says it is, is part of the universal church going back to the time of Jesus or whether it is going off in its own way and making its own rules. We think it is going off in its own way and making up its own rules and we therefore need to belong to the older body.’

This makes a powerful point: it is not just about women bishops. It is about the wholeness of the Church.

It is also about embracing the Ordinariate with a positive spirit. I was struck by Bishop Edwin Barnes’s comments about Bishop David Silk and Patrimony. You can read his piece on the Anglo-Catholic Blog:  http://www.theanglocatholic.com/.

Many of us have over the years (myself included), been diehard Romanists, who would have died a thousand deaths rather than use Anglican books; and as for that BCP nonsense...or that English Missal...

And yet, there is clearly much still to learn about that quiet but solid brand of prayer book Catholicism which has shaped and sustained so many people. And it is about to find a new home where, please God, it can flourish.

I am sorry now that I have not thought about this more over the years. As a thoroughgoing anglo-Papalist I have always been rather sniffy about Anglican liturgy. Oh well, live and learn...

Text of Bishop John's letter

I am reproducing the full text of Bishop John's letter here because he has cared for us in London, Southwark and Rochester dioceses with care over the years since his consecration as Bishop of Fulham.  Many thanks Bishop - be assured of our prayers for you and the other four courageous bishops who announced their resignations yesterday.


My resignation has been formally announced. I know that for many of you this will be not unexpected but for others it will be a shock. I have thoroughly enjoyed being your Bishop and have thought it a great privilege. I remain utterly committed to our Catholic and Anglican heritage.
The Bishop of London intends to replace me and I hope that you will get a Bishop who is able to minister to you faithfully in the deteriorating situation in the Church of England.
It has been my great joy to work in three different Dioceses and in each of them I have felt welcomed and affirmed. I will miss many colleagues and the priests and parishioners of the parishes it has been my privilege to serve for more than 14 years.
My personal future is that I intend to enter the new Catholic Ordinariate being set up by the Pope. For 40 years I have been committed to the ARCIC process in which the Church of England seeks to unite with Rome. Recent decisions in our own church have made a positive outcome to these talks less and less likely. The Holy Father has made what seems to me a positive and generous offer to Orthodox Anglicans and I do not feel any choice but to accept. The consequence of this will be that our Catholic and Anglican heritage exists in two different places. It is important that we all remain friends and do not do anything to undermine or criticise each other. I am very grateful for the affection and love which Judi and I have both found in all the parishes. Many thanks for everything that you have done over the years and for all that we have achieved.
My final act as a Bishop will be to celebrate the Mass at Gordon Square on the eve of Christ the King, Saturday 20th November at 12 noon. I hope to see many of you there.
Every Blessing,
Yours as ever,
+John

Coverage of Resignations

Thanks to Fr Aquilina who has done sterling work gathering together all the links for the media coverage of the resignations announced yesterday.  It seems unnecessary to reproduce it here so I just provide the link!

http://sevenoaks.blogspot.com/