Other than a few random comments, lately I’ve been pretty quiet on the blog. It’s not for lack of interest – more like a lack of hours in the day. This week started the students’ Lenten confessions, and I’ve managed to hear about seventy-five confessions over the past few days, with lots more to come. I have a rare free evening, so I thought I’d cobble together a brief posting, just to keep my hand in.
It’s been a week since the bishops’ meeting in Orlando, and I’ve had some time to think about what took place there. First, I have to say how gracious the bishops were in their welcome to me. I arrived as an outsider, but it didn’t take long for that feeling to dissipate. I had no doubt I was with brothers in Christ. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the few days we had together. Worshipping in the lovely Cathedral of the Incarnation was a treat. It’s such a gracious community, and the hospitality typified what is surely part of our patrimony.
For me, the best fruit produced by the meeting was the unanimous request from the bishops for the implementation of Anglicanorum coetibus. This was an authentic expression of collegiality, especially since a few of the bishops have sincere questions about it. We were all clear in our understanding that the unanimous request didn’t commit anyone to unanimous action, but the genuine charity exhibited by everyone agreeing to join in the request, I found to be quite magnificent.
A very clear press release was issued – and, of course, the media rode off as though on wild horses, and got much of it wrong. But that can be repaired. In fact, there will be an opportunity to clarify things in a more careful way tomorrow evening at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern), when I’ll be Raymond Arroyo’s guest on EWTN’s The World Over Live. It’s always a risk to speak in such a public forum, but Raymond is an insightful interviewer, and has a genuine understanding of the consequential nature of this historic decision by the Holy Father.
I have to admit, I’m eager for the establishment of an Ordinariate if only to be able to nurture the fraternal spirit I encountered in Orlando! Is that selfish of me?
Related posts:
Thank God for those that have a "genuine understanding of the consequential nature of this historic decision by the Holy Father".
My prayer is that you will be able to "nurture the fraternal spirit" and light the way for those who follow you.
Fr. Phillips-
I believe all of us share the following sentiments of Phillipians 4: 6, 7 “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
You are not being selfish, you are just as eager as the rest of us to get on with it.
Thank you for your insightful post. May all of us learn from the collegial example of you and the bishops.
Blessings,
Clark
I should mention the marvellous breakfast we had each morning. Whatever else Bishop Campese brings into the Ordinariate, he MUST bring in the breakfast ladies! They are definitely part of our patrimony!
As we come ever closer to true visible communion with the Holy See, the rhetoric and negative comments and behavior toward those of us who wish to make the journey has become wearisome. But, the incredible time of brotherhood and Christian love experienced at the HOB meetings went a long way in breathing fresh into the spiritual lungs of all who were there. And your presence and spirit were a big part of it's success. Thanks for making the trip and sharing your enthusiasm with us in Orlando. I look forward to the next time we can gather together.