Fr Roger Nesbitt, Fr Peter Geldard and myself were talking today with David Kerr about Anglicanorum Coetibus in a programme that is to be broadcast by EWTN.
Archbishop Nichols has recently announced that three former Bishops of the Church of England are to be ordained to the priesthood at Westminster Cathedral this coming Saturday. The new General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference, Fr Marcus Stock, has produced a good document giving background information on the establishment of the Ordinariate. It is also well worth reading the piece by Anna Arco of the Catholic Herald: Church reveals fine details of ordinariate.
It is wonderful news that the Ordinariate is to be formally set up in the near future. It is an example of Pope Benedict's intelligent approach to difficult problems that he has made this arrangement which will, I am sure, smooth the path for many Anglicans to be received into Communion with the Church.
Although it is true that in the anglo-Catholic wing of the Church of England, many parishes use the Roman Missal, it is rather exciting to think that some elements of the Anglican patrimony may become part of the Liturgy of the Catholic Church. Some of those elements (for example many of the prayers of the Book of Common Prayer) are part of our general Catholic English heritage which was disrupted by the Reformation.
To think of there being even a modest transfer of some of the great choral tradition of the Church of England shows that there is much room for what Pope Benedict has called in another context "mutual enrichment."
The setting for today's filming was Arundel Castle, the home of the Duke of Norfolk. The Castle is open to visitors from April to October but can be hired for filming at other times so I had a fascinating walk down various corridors, and up staircases to get to the room that was used. It made me keen to return for a touristic visit another time.
6 comments:
Father, we can all agree that Anglicanorum Coetibus is quite exciting and a Good Thing. But if I can use your com-box to pester you, might I lobby for a subsequent post elaborating on the statement "Some of those elements (for example many of the prayers of the Book of Common Prayer) are part of our general Catholic English heritage which was disrupted by the Reformation."? Or at least a post pointing those of us who have never been either English or Anglican to somewhere where it's already been elaborated on?
I understand that the Book of Common Prayer includes bit and pieces of the old Sarum use. But my impression---based on what I admit to be a far-from-full study---had always been that the Book was also chock full of very un-Catholic theology and prayers thanking God for freeing England from the Pope. So I'm just curious how all of those elements will get shaken out. Will the Book of Common Prayer be replaced entirely by the new sacramentary the Herald article mentions?
Why, is this not the ancestral home of St. Philip Howard, 20th Earl of Arundel and martyr for the Faith?
Any estimate as to the air date? Thank you!
No idea - there is editing work to be done, but I think they want to turn it round fairly quickly
Anita - yes, the very place.
Titus - yes, the BCP was altered several times for theological reasons and contains much that is un-Catholic. However some parts do remain very Catholic; one good example is the introduction to the rite of marriage.
I'm not sure what will transpire as an Anglican-type use: there are many possibilities and I think we will have to wait and see.
Post a Comment