Photo credit: Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk
Three former Anglican Bishops ordained to the priesthood, the new ordinariate set up formally under the title of Our Lady of Walsingham (thank you, Holy Father), Rev Keith Newton appointed ordinary with the Revv Burnham and Broadhurst to assist. I agree with Damian Thompson that it is almost too much to take in at once. As the Westminster Cathedral website puts it, "A remarkable start to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity." Quite so!
I was very sorry not to have been at Westminster Cathedral this morning but parish duties, including a (very lovely) wedding kept me at the ranch. However, I have just had a report from my hermeneutical correspondent on the spot, Sir Dan of the Nesbitry. One of the principal impressions that he had was of the reverence and gravitas of the congregation, many of whom were Anglicans or former Anglicans. I hope that Archbishop Nichols will be pleased to know that Dan was also very impressed by his homily. The Cathedral was packed to the gills, the music was of the customary sublime standard of the Cathedral choir (including Victoria's Missa O Quam Gloriosum).
Here are a few relevant links:
Statement by Rev Keith Newton
Catholic Herald's Anna Arco: Priests ordained to the world’s first ordinariate
Message from Cardinal Levada
Bishops' Conference of England and Wales website Ordinariate section
Big set of photos by Mazur on behalf of the CBCEW
Another fascinating detail is that the catechetical preparation for people being received into the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham will be the Evangelium programme produced by Fr Marcus Holden and Fr Andrew Pinsent. Why should I be so surprised at that? It is just that suddenly everything seems to be happening as it should. Congratulations to the first three members of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham and to all those intending to join them. Actually congratulations to all of us as well because this is absolutely brilliant!
16 comments:
Giving the Ordinariate the title Our Lady of Walsingham is truly inspired, a city is certainly being built on a hill for all to see: Catholic, Anglican or anyone else. It was also a lovely gesture to have the three ex Anglican Walsingham sisters present the gifts. The Holy Father has presented a great gift to the Anglo Catholics to allow them to become Catholic Anglicans. But there will also be many benefits for the wider church and many of the ex Anglicans come bearing gifts of beautiful music, exemplary liturgical skills and great scholarship. Rejoice, rejoice and give thanks to the Holy Father and above all Our Lady of Walsigham!
It is with unease that we hear the news of Anglican leaders and congregations coming into the Catholic Church. What are we to make of Anglican Tradition? What is Anglican Tradition in its historical roots in relation to the Reformation? Why are the Bishops being made priests so soon? What does this say about their 'faith' before becoming Catholics viz-a-viz the faith of strong married Catholic lay leaders who have consistently held to the Faith - are they not also equipped to be ordained and have a better track record? Have Anglicans renounced their errors? Is their the primary motive of the acceptance of the Catholic Church as the One, True Church (like Newman)? There is a certain euphoria which seems to be overriding these questions which are being asked by many orthodox Catholics. Where is the explanation due to us so that we may not feel isolated in our silence? We otherwise sincerely desire their admission into the one true fold.
Alleluia!
*crazy happy dance*
Fr Tim, could you clarify something for me?
Fr Keith Newton is not, and as a married man with a thankfully still very much alive wife, Gill, cannot become a bishop. (As you know Henry Edward Cardinal Manning's beautiful wife, Caroline (nee Sargent) had died less than four years after their marriage, long before before his conversion.)
So, will any matters requiring the wileding of episcopal authority be handled by someone from the CBCEW or will it be the prelate Secretary of the CDF, Archbishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferre SJ?
Personally, although being a proud member of the West of Scotland branch of the Irish Catholic Diaspora it does not affect me, I sincerely hope that the English Catholic hierarchy cannot intervene, and hence be subjet to the temptation to subborn, what a dear friend has done so much to accomplish.
You are absolutely right, Father... Brilliant!
Father, is there an idiots' guide to the ordinariate online anywhere? I just don't really understand it...we were, I suppose, technically anglican when we converted but we did the "normal" way and I don't understand the whys and wherefores of the ordinariate. It's just to let whole parishes convert at once?
Just fantastic!Three brave pioneers.God bless them.
Hasn't this been such a wonderful w/end? The establishment of the Ordinariate, perhaps the most significant thing in English Catholicism for several generations, with the Bishops suddenly shewing (I hope to last) enthusiasm is prophetic.
I went to Vespers at Brentwood Cathedral today. It summed up lots. The clergy failed to turn up but the choir, always excellent, proceded to celebrate the office with 3/4 faithful present. In their repertoire and demeanour they already harbour the ideals of the Ordinariate - they are the most "Anglican" Catholic choir I know and jolly good at it. I hope no offence here.
As a cradle Catholic with strong Anglican roots, I have longed for a Uniate Church. I think we will get there.
Did you mean albo, Father? I'm pretty sure that the expression has to do with the colours of stones, not the colours of days.
Other blogs have noted this morning that Fr. Newton continues to wear his pectoral cross and bishop's ring. I'm curious if this is by virtue of his new office as the Ordinary? Will other former Anglican bishops who convert and become Catholic priests - but not ordinaries - also wear them?
Jesse - you are quite right (red face)
Lucy - the document Anglicanorum coetibus and the CBCEW guide are both helpful.
Hughie - Keith Newton will be the ordinary and will have the authority to present candidates for ordination.
Fr Newton wears a pectoral cross and ring because he is an ordinary with jurisdiction (as is an Abbot within his monastery who likewise wears pectoral cross and ring).
According to the rules of the Ordinariate, all ex-Anglican ex-bishops have the right to wear bishop's regalia and use Catholic bishop's heraldry (as done in Rome, as opposed to English heraldry which is a whole other kettle of registry). Whether or not they do use these things, that's their choice.
(Personally, I hope they do. But I'm American, and therefore a "legitimate uses for real heraldic displays should be exploited" kinda gal. Since abbots, some abbesses, and all kinds of other weird historical outcroppings have the right to various items of bishop's regalia, I think it would be a shame not to use what you've been given.)
I find this a charmingly medieval solution, and not scandalous at all. People lose plenty by coming over to the Catholic Church. Granting these ex-bishops a few privileges is little enough not to look like pay (which it isn't), but big enough to be a nice gesture of graciousness. No doubt these gentlemen will figure out a protocol of when to dress as priests and when not.
And of course, the Ordinary of anything (abbot, priest, bishop, monsignor, whatever) has to wear the correct signs of office. Not to use the right stuff for the right occasions would be an insult to his office, not humility.
I notice that the Benedictine arrangement of the cathedral's high altar did not survive the HF's visit - or was the Mass ad orientem?
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