It’s all happening in England and Wales

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Schütz

Here is a press statement from the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales with regard to the establishment of the Anglican Ordinariate. They aren’t wasting time. The process will begin in January 2011 – before here even! – with the five bishops being received into communion. They are but the first-fruits! Then come the clergy and the people, being received as candidates at the beginning of Lent, confirmation at some time before Easter, and formation continuing to Pentecost when the clergy will be ordained. “Formation in Catholic theology and pastoral practice will continue for an appropriate amount of time after ordination.” Gosh. The Church has never moved so fast! Well, souls are at risk, I guess, and we all know what the last and greatest Canon law is (salus animarum suprema lex).

About Schütz

I am Catholic, married to Cathy, father of Maddy & Mia. Since 2002, I have been the Executive Officer of the Ecumenical & Interfaith Commission of the Archdiocese of Melbourne. I was once a Lutheran pastor, but a "year of grace" and soul-searching led me into the Catholic Church. It was a bumpy ride, but with the support of my (still Lutheran) wife, I was finally confirmed on June 16, 2003.
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9 Responses to It’s all happening in England and Wales

  1. Bear says:
    November 24, 2010 at 5:25 am

    Won’t these laymen need to be ordained before they can have any clerical role? Some of the language seems to imply that these men have valid orders (which they do not) and they are merely in schism (rather than heresy).

    I am still not entirely convinced with the entire thing – are these people coming because they are convinced of the truth of the Catholic Church or whether things have become intolerable where they are (for whatever reason)?

    If they believe the truth of the Catholic Church, why did they not cross the Tiber earlier and without any special provisions (as is expected of every other catechumen)?

    Reply
  2. Joshua says:
    November 24, 2010 at 7:16 am

    Let’s not be too critical – your comments smack of the elder brother of the prodigal son!

    How about “I’m so happy for these people?”

    Wouldn’t that be a bit more welcoming and a bit less sour-faced?

    Have some thought for the risk of scandalizing and driving away those persons on Tiber’s bank.

    Reply
  3. Schütz says:
    November 24, 2010 at 7:36 am

    You must have read the document too quickly, Bear. It explicitly states that the priests and bishops will need to receive both diaconal and priestly ordination. At the same time, the Church has made it clear in a number of ways that they see something authentic in the vocation of these men such that bishops – though only priests – may continue to exercise episcopal oversight and wear episcopal insignia, while all the convert clergy are encouraged to date their years in ministry from the date of their Angliccan ordination. it is as if to say that the orders of Anglicanism are “not nothing”, and Mother Church is supplying what is lacking.

    As for the rest, do not judge them harshly. I lived as a Lutheran longing for an ecclesial reunion with Rome for a long time before I realized this was not on the drawing board. Some Anglicans have long nurtued hopes that they may be able to come into communion with Rome in an ecclesial manner – and behold! their prayers have been answered.

    Reply
  4. mike clifffson says:
    November 24, 2010 at 10:40 am

    Dear Bear,
    I repeat a comment made on other comboxes: a good 2 year ago , I think,a purely spanish-speaking friend asked me what the heck after seeing a peculiar MSM article. A few internet minutes found it.
    Why?How come? It’s always been individually, travelling light, up to now! What’s so special now?
    Very simple.
    They asked.
    Nothing to do with the MSM meme of sinister Roman fly fishing “motu propio” in Anglican waters.
    It was a group,I believe in oz mainly, that asked. They said they’d been at it for months, studied the compendium item by item,agreed and even sworn to its truth, please, could they continue being as Anglican as possible. Come in with cabin trunks, as twere.
    Rome said yes. Quickly, too.Bit surprising. I wouldn’t have risked it personally, but I think it’s going to be for great good. (My opinions, which it’s just as well noone counts on.)
    Of course, plenty will come who weren’t in the original askers. So what? And they’ll be ordained (clergy) and received into the church (all). That doesn’t happen with schismatics, as if that’s all they are, everything schismatic is valid full stop.
    If the good lord has chivvied some of them along by the firecracker in their present pew cushion, again, so what? He’s done that to me before now. S*d worrying about doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. (Cf St Augustine), s long as you, in this case they, are n’t in Lot’s-wife mode and salinely petrify in lookback mindwarp.

    Reply
  5. matthias says:
    November 24, 2010 at 10:53 am

    And Rowan Williams at the next Lambeth conference will be very concerned at the loss of 5 experienced Bishops. oh dear the price of trying to be culturally relevant is:
    loss of integrity,
    loss of congregations
    loss of faith -eventually,or a watered down version ,as seen at st michaels uniting church under the guise of a NEW FAITH

    Reply
    • Peter Golding says:
      November 25, 2010 at 10:44 pm

      You are being very charitable to St.Michaels Matthias.I am not sure that they are much more than a bunch of new age hippies.I think it was last year when Dr.Francis McNab said the the ten commandments should be given the flick.

      Reply

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