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.