Monthly Archives: November 2009

Australian Catholic Bishops Respond

November 27, 2009 Anglicanorum Coetibus At its November Plenary meeting, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference discussed and welcomed the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus of Pope Benedict XVI, providing for Personal Ordinariates for Anglicans seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. … Continue reading

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Ecclesiastical Sundries

"[I]f He is present, we can continue to hope even when others can no longer assure us of support, even when the present becomes difficult." Pope Benedict XVI celebrates First Vespers of Advent in the Vatican Basilica. A New York … Continue reading

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An Advent Meditation from Cardinal Newman

In this passage from an 1838 sermon Newman explains that Christian worship should prepare us on earth for meeting Christ our Judge. Only prayer, the sacraments, and profession of the whole mystery of faith can make us ready for that … Continue reading

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CofE to Lose a Tenth of its Clergy in Five Years

From The Times: According to figures on the Church of England website, there will be an 8.3 per cent decrease in paid clergy in the next four years, from 8,400 this year to 7,700 in to 2013. This represents a … Continue reading

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The Lost Art of Catholic Drinking

Just in time for the season of holiday parties, InsideCatholic.com is carrying a humorous — but very true — analysis of the genuine Catholic approach to drinking. There is Protestant drinking and there is Catholic drinking, and the difference is … Continue reading

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The First Sunday in Advent

INTROIT.  Ps. 25:1-7 Ant. UNTO thee, O Lord, will I lift up my soul; / my God, I have put my trust in thee. 2 O let me not be confounded, / neither let mine enemies triumph over me. 3 For … Continue reading

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Cue the Fat Lady…

In an interview given to Vatican Radio on Wednesday morning, Msgr. Mark Langham, the former administrator of Westminster Cathedral and now the head man for Catholic—Anglican dialogue for the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, revealed that the … Continue reading

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Pope to Beatify Cardinal Newman in England

The Catholic Herald reports that Pope Benedict XVI will break his own rules and beatify John Henry Cardinal Newman himself during his upcoming trip to the UK. The Pope is to waive his own rules so he can preside in … Continue reading

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Ecclesiastical Sundries

The Archbishop of Canterbury says that the Pope's Apostolic Constitution left him with a 'sore ego'. Rowan's reassured though, as the invitation "did not represent any change in the Vatican's attitude toward the Anglican communion as such." That much is … Continue reading

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Letter of Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist, Sevenoaks

Fr. Ivan D. Aquilina, SSC, parish priest of the Anglo-Catholic church of St. John the Baptist, Sevenoaks, has written to his congregation regarding recent events. A letter to all members of the Congregation of St John the Baptist in Sevenoaks. … Continue reading

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Bishop Tobin on O'Reilly and Hardball

On Tuesday evening, Bishop Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island appeared on The O'Reilly Factor on The Fox News Channel to defend his decision to prohibit U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy from receiving Holy Communion because of the lawmaker's outspoken support for … Continue reading

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What One Is

Several years ago during an unsightly period in American politics an infamous character, in trying to obfuscate his debauchery, said the answer to a question depended on, "what [the meaning of the word] is is."  Now anyone with common sense … Continue reading

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The Tired Ecumenism of the Liberals

Forecasting a bright future for Catholic – Anglican relations, John Allen, Jr. of the NCR writes: On the Catholic side, this sometimes leads to the suspicion that negotiating ecumenical agreements with Anglicans is a fruitless exercise, since there’s no way … Continue reading

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Anglicanorum Coetibus Commission

From the the press release of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales on their Leeds meeting (November 2009): Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus The bishops warmly received the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus, and its generosity towards those seeking full … Continue reading

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Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Falk

22 November 2009 – Sunday Next Before Advent To all the Faithful of the Anglican Church in America Greeting: The great Orthodox theologian John Meyendorff has been quoted as remarking that genuine Christian unity would require humility on the part … Continue reading

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