Because bad news always gets the boldest headlines, we have been hearing too much lately in England from priests with misgivings about the Ordinariate.
Fr Philip North used the Pusey House Conference on Anglican Patrimony to say how very C of E he was; and if he could not be C of E with all its privileges, its capacity for being accepted in schools and other institutions and being part of the fabric of society, then he would become a Roman Catholic – but not via the Ordinariate. It seemed to me at the time that he had an unduly romantic notion of the place of the parson in England. He might have carved out a niche for himself in Camden, but Fr Philip is so much larger than life that he would carve out a niche anywhere – and he is just the sort of priest which the Ordinariate needs to get up and running quickly. And since the Holy Father has made this offer, what gall to say we know better than he does!
Then this week, while my server was down and my computer inoperable thanks to a new router from AOL, Fr Trevor Jones of the famous St Peter's, London Docks, expressed his own reservations in his blog. His preferred choice, he says, would be 'a continued future as an Anglican'. Well of course, that's a lovely idea. But not one ot be accepted on any terms.
What these two good Fathers have been saying (and no doubt others feel much the same), is that if promises made in Synod in 1992 were kept, then we might just about hang on in the sort of way we have hung on since that time. This is a dreamworld. The promises have been broken consistently. I have been in the House of Bishops and seen it at work, diocesans blatantly ignoring their own 'guidelines' and using all their considerable power to undermine anything remotely catholic in their dioceses. The two parishes where I ministered for twenty years are now indistinguishable from their neighbours. A century of catholic practice has been dismantled within a decade. Fr Jones only has nine years before he must retire. The Bishop of London, on whom he and Fr North rely, has an even closer sell-by date. We said we wanted provision for our children and grandchildren. That has not been granted, and will not be.
Possibly next month's General Synod meeting will cobble together something which will salve the consciences of those who say they want a "catholic element" to remain in our church. That will not do, however you dress it up. Either the Church of England is catholic, part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, or it is not. What it is currently deciding is to become a Protestant sect. The Act of Synod made it clear, and Archbishops spelled it out, that we were in a process of "Reception" (which includes "non-reception") and it was perfectly possible that the C of E would eventually have to admit that it was wrong in ordaining women as priests. Everything that is happening now, concerning women as bishops, means that "Reception" is over. Cantuar locuta, causa finita — the Church of England will have women whom it regards as bishops, and it will be necessary for everyone, priests, ordinands, laypeople, to accept that fact.
The alternative outcome of July's group of sessions (knowing Synod as I do from many years bitter experience) is that they might kick the ball into the long grass, say "too difficult" and leave it for the next Synod (to be elected this Autumn) to come up with new answers — thus simply prologing the misery, both for the women queuing up to be measured for mitres, and those of us who remain implacably opposed. I am no longer prepared to wait upon the good pleasure of the General Synod.
So to turn to Fr Trevor Jones' specific points:
Firstly, he asserts it would be a "priest-heavy" organisation. That certainly is not what many of my Catholic friends tell me. They want our priests to set up the Ordinariate so that they may worship with us. It may be that they will not 'join' the ordinariate, formally; but there are many Catholic laity who want to be with us at the altar. Morevover, I believe Fr Jones is being unduly pessimistic about our own laity. Many are already signing up, and I am sure many more will do so once the chocks are away and good ship Ordinariate slides down the slipway (if that isn't mixing metaphors – or even if it is!). Of course, if their own parish priests are lukewarm they may hold back — all the more reason for our anglo-catholic clergy to look carefully at the proposals, hear what the Bishop of Fulham and the two Southern PEVs have to say about it, and begin to be enthusiastic instead of carping.
I am not sure what to make of Fr Trevor's second point, about there being a "radical distinction" in the path to reordination for married and unmarried clerics. Maybe he has read something I have not — or maybe he is guessing. Perhaps he will use his blog, or this one, to enlighten me. It will be for the Ordinary, in consultation with the Vatican, to decide about the path to ordination for our priests and deacons. If we are really fortunate, then the Ordinary will be one of our current PEVs, someone who really knows us and whom we can trust.
Thirdly, Fr Jones is "not sure the structure would have a future". Again, this seems to be his own crystal ball malfunctioning. Of course people want to find churches where the spirit is at work. But why does Fr Joness suppose that churches in the Ordinariate will spend their time seeking a "way of being and Anglican in full communion with the Holy See?" Those priests I know who are enthusiastic about the Ordinariate are looking to be what they have always hoped they were, English Catholics. Since that is no longer possible within the structures of our increasingly confused and 'liberal' State Church, the offer of the Holy Father for an Ordinariate is the answer to prayer. So, dear Frs North and Jones, and any others whose misgivings threaten to hobble you, give it a chance. It is the best offer there is, it is all we asked Synod for and were refused. Let's set to and make it work.
Related posts:
Very well put, Bishop Barnes. I think that all your points are excellent and true. I do have one question, out of curiosity. I am wondering if there is a 'ritualist' element in the Church of England that is determined to remain in that body. In other words, are there C. of E. ritualists who accept liberal ideas?
P.K.T.P.
I'm afraid you describe "affirming catholicism" all too well. They seem to have all the externals of the Catholic faith, and none of its content. They will continue in the CofE even when the Caliph of Baghdad is in control of it (if he is not already). +E
I have just been reading a strange rant by one Fr. Jonathan Beswick, SSC, of St. Barnabas, Jericho, Oxford ("It is anti-ecumenical and the answer is No," *New Directions,* June 2010, p. 9) which is a diffuse screed against "the Roman Option" that might have been written by an "Affirming Catholic" — long on sentiment about the "glories" of Anglican comprehensiveness and slender on reason. But by an SSC priest? Isn't it part of the purpose of the SSC to promote "reunion" with Rome? Are there Aff. Cat. SSC clergy? Or just good old "no popery" sentiment?
Perhaps now would be as good a time as any for Christian to request of Fr Phillips a catechesis on Conscience. My first exposure to the (Catholic) formation of Conscience was from Pope John Paul II (see 'Crossing the Threshold of Hope').
If priests or laity would like to join us at the altar (via the Ordinariate, or as individuals), we could not be happier and joyful, and all of them to the last one are warmly welcome. If their consciences direct them elsewhere, however, we indeed will be sad.
Yet the overabundance of joy 'in here' (where it “is larger on the inside than it is on the outside”, GKC) overwhelms the sadness such that it is only observed when we look around and realize some friends decided not to attend the party.
I hear – and feel – a lot of fear these days. Some fear is good, like the kind that occurs when one
(a) perceives a real threat in one's environment, and
(b) makes a rational judgement that one does not have the means to prevail.
If joining an Ordinariate could threaten a man's domestic security, then he is entirely justified to feel afraid. God calls men to be protectors and providers. Celibate clergy and those with independent means of support do not face that nagging fear of calamity in the way as priests whose household subsists on a Church Commissioner's stipend and diocesan housing.
St Paul is fairly clear about what God and the Church expect of those with real family responsibilities:
'If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.' (1 Timothy 5:8, RSV)
So it would appear that faith and prudent caution are connected. We married priests with children and no second careers in the offing are quite right to avoid fiduciary failure. It's gravely sinful!
On the other hand, the cardinal virtue of fortitude can assist us in facing our fears. And subjective faith (versus de fide which is objective) includes an element of trust, not in being called 'to bear destitution with dignity' but calling upon divine providence. That was the theme of today's mass readings, actually. Faithful fortitude is exactly what priests are called to experience and exhibit.
But let's not be glib. Priests especially are quite right to speculate about the viability of future Ordinariates. Thus any concrete information from those in the know to dissuade such rational and justifiable fears would be most welcome.
Faith will not disappoint. I applaud you for facing your "rational and justifiable fears". The Lord will answer your prayers.
Hear! Hear! to everything Bishop Edwin says! I was at the funeral of a fine Anglo-Catholic priest recently, whom the preacher praised for his faithfulness to "the Catholic tradition in the Church of England." And there is the nub: the Church of England contains many traditions- Catholic, Protestant, Liberal- and prides itself on so doing. But I do not want to belong to a "Catholic tradition" in a Church in which this is just one option among many. I want to know that I am a member of The Catholic Church, pure and simple, a Church which is defined by its communion with the Chief Pastor appointed by our Lord, namely the successor of Peter.
The Ordinariate is not the best offer there is. It is the only offer there is. It is the only offer there will be in the foreseeable future.
Being simple minded about it, it is possible, if Fr. North is correct, that the Ordinariate will be mostly comprised of retired clergy as well as those who have the means to support self and family. And that those who do not have the means will join as soon as they are retired. If this is the case perhaps we will need to seriously focus on seminary training of 'new bodies' as soon as the Ordinariates are established.
Well I should certainly hope note. I am 35 years old, and am sure there will be more than a couple younger than I who join up.
Yes, presently I can support myself, but I think it is a terribly unfair burden to expect that younger clergy should by definition have to support themselves if they want to be part of the ordinariate. Doesn't sound very sustainable into the future, and one of the fundamental problems the TAC has now that needs to be fixed.
There also seems to be this silly myth going around that the ordinariate is not what we asked for. Not sure where that idea came from.
I guess one good thing about Australia is we don't have as much of that "I was born C of E and I will die C of E" nonsense. It is still there, but you don't here it all that often anymore.
I second the motion about seminary training. I have done the best that I can to get a decent theological education but am mindful of my shortcomings and this really needs to be fixed.
Its a good thing that I am single, because there is no way I could have studied, worked and managed family commitments.
Thanks, Guzmang1. You are right, the payment of our priests and their housing and pensions is a concern. It is possible the CofE will by made by Parliament, or the Law, to contribute to this; but even if they do not, I think we can resolve it. After all, our people already raise huge sums each year to pay the Quota, or Diocesan Share. That is meant to be primarily for support of parish clergy; but in reality it also pays a host of diocesan apparatchiks, advisers in all manner of things ("to support the clergy") whose expertise is usually less than that of our priests, and who are just a drain on resources.
Our people will rise to the challenge – and that even includes retired clergy like me who are currently contributing sizeable sums to parish churches and C of E charities. I believe we should very quickly aim to make the Ordinariate (not individual priests) 'self-supporting'. That willl be a task for the Ordinary and his Council, and all the members of the Ordinariate. Until this is up and running, we shall have to identify trusts and other sources of funding for our priests. I believe it can and will be and is already being done. The young priests and their families who are taking this brave step deserve our wholehearted support; and that means money. As to housing, I have it on very good authority that there are many Catholic dioceses with a superfluity of presbyteries who would be delighted for these priests to occupy them.
I don't know where this idea that Ordinariate clergy must be self-supporting comes from. The Complementary Norms clearly state (Article 7, §1): "The Ordinary must ensure that adequate remuneration be provided to the clergy incardinated in the Ordinariate, and must provide for their needs in the event of sickness, disability, and old age." I have it on good authority that an Ordinariate Parish will have to be capable of supporting the ministry of its Pastor, and must be large enough to do so. Retired and other self-supporting clergy will of course have a role to play, but the norm will be clergy supported by their people, as is the case with Catholic clergy generally.
Father – an interesting article.
I feel Fr Jones' points are well founded and the only argument you put against them is one that seems overly optimistic.
To work, the Ordinariate is going to need good numbers — 1,000+, good geographical distrabution (the east of England with virtually no ABC parishes a worry!).
The CofE will not let buildings go, so what will it be left with? Either a old shop or a warehouse church, not something growing and alive.
Many anglo-catholic laity will just become RCs and go to their local RC church; it's simple, close to people they know and their community — all undisputed reasons why those people go to a church. Going miles and miles will, in the end, just not work for many 'normal' laity!
Not very optimistic, all that! What would you suggest?
One of the reasons many anglo-catholic laity do not join their local RC church is that they do not feel at home with its ethos. And there are laity who have joined who would be happier with an Ordinariate church in full communion with the Pope, but closer in ethos to the Anglicanism they have left. This is precisely why the Holy Father is establishing Ordinariates. As to buildings, the English Catholic bishops have churches they are finding it difficult to maintain. Any large city should be able to muster a viable Ordinariate congregation. The doomsayers are being shown up as not nearly as keen on full communion with Rome as they have pretended. The issue is not "catholicism" (however defined, but being full members of the Catholic Church.
I think 'overly optimistic' has something to do with the virtue of hope: whereas some seem to see the Ordinariate through a prism of despair. Cheer up, Micheal, we're not in charge, the Lord, is, and he is to be trusted. +E
Michael,
In the States, many Anglicans have walked away from buildings. They meet in rented halls, catholic or methodist churches, funeral home chapels (mine), homes, store fronts etc. They had attachments to the buildings, but a stronger desire to get out of the TEC.
The ACNA has about 800 parishes, many meeting in this manner. About 100,000 people. They are starting about 2 new parishes a week. Yes most will fail, my plant did for numerous reasons.
Starting in storefronts/wharehouses/etc has not slowed the ACNA growth. (Yes AMiA has withdrawn and there are serious problems, but there is growth.) So it is alive and well.
Remember, the Church Christ started…the Catholic Church had to meet in homes and graveyards for awhile. I don't remember that hindering the spread of the gospel, much less the growth of the Church.
And as for traveling, I knew of laity who would drive up to 70 miles for Sunday Mass in an Orthodox Anglican Parish. Many in the ACA know of laity like that. But with the ordinariate, the times of that type of distance will be coming to an end. For we will be grafted onto a living and true vine.
Fr. Mark
I'm sure that there are differences between the situations in England, Australia, Canada and various regions in the US. I will not be bringing a congregation with me, there is not an Anglican Use congregation within a thousand miles, and I do not see the ACA congregations willing or able to take on another priest. What I do see here is that the local diocese has a need for priests in parishes and institutions — that is where I think I should look and where other convert priests should look for employment while also being a full part of and assisting the ordinariate. I'm curious, how many other Anglican priests are reaching out to the local Catholic priests and their congregations to let them know you are soon to be part of the family?
One need only look at the forums on this site to see that there will be many new congregations beginning under A.C. that will be initially clergyless. Therefore I urge all priests considering making the move to please consult with the Ordinary once he is appointed. There will be plenty of opportunities for the Ordinariate clergy to help out with the local Catholic Diocese. The orphaned laity need you!
Good point. In TEC those of us who are hoping for the establishment of the ordinariate are scattered and still not much connected; God willing things will change soon as the ACA clergy and parishes are willing and able to start reaching out to individuals of TEC (and ACNA, I hope) who are contemplating or ready to convert– I look forward to working together with ACA clergy on that. Once the ordinariate is established I hope we clergy are swamped, but for many reasons I think it is important for all of us to start getting involved in the local Catholic institutions and ministries.
My two cents worth.
TEC priest,
I know of ACNA priest who are interested. I know some have contacted local dioceses and Fr.Phillips on this site has spoken with some. Once the ordinariate is up and running we should see clergy as well as laity interested. Some of the laity have already left for the Church and said they would join an AU parish if one started in their area.
Fr. Mark
TEC priest,
I approached the local diocese before the Ordinariate was announced. Like you I will not be bringing a parish. My local Catholic Bishop is interested in an Anglican Use Mass and working with the ordinariate to get things up and running. They also have a close relationship with the TEC and will not let it stand in the way.
Everytime either the Bishop or Chancellor see me, they ask on the progress of the ordinariate. They are prayful and eager for me to be accepted for they have many positions they want to place me in. This diocese has 50+ parishes and missions with less than 50 priests, including retired/active and the bishop is counted in the 50. Even though I will not have an AU parish at first, the local Diocese has plans, with the ordinaries blessings, to put me to work.
Fr. Mark
When the RC bishops of England and Wales visited Rome recently the Holy Father mentioned to them that he looked forward to their providing assistance to the Ordinariates. Would that assistance go beyond providing building space? Any specifics contemplated?
TEC priest: Being a retired US military chaplain I plan on continuing attending RC mass at the local military base, let the priest get to know me, and once, Lord willing, ordained offer my assistance.
Your Grace, my prayers are with all of us as we consider our individual response to the Anglican constitution. I don't think any personal concerns should be labeled as silly, but as proof that the offer from the Holy Father has caught us all 'off guard', so to say. (careful what you ask for, especially from the Lord and His Church!) As the bishop of Falham has stated, the Holy Father just may have, "called our bluff". And perhaps he is offering this time period, before naming Ordinaries, as a time for reflection, prayer, and discussion. We do need to, with the assistance from above, make this journey a blessed one. And the Ordinariates need to work to the glory of God and the well being of His people. At least his offer allows us to cross the Tiber on a bridge. I really don't like to swim.
RC clergy rely on the good graces and generosity of their people. In the diocese in which I live they receive no salary at all – just the Christmas & Easter offering, Mass stipends, stole fees and personal gifts. It works very well. None of them appear to be starving (on the contrary, most could benefit from a healthy diet!) and all enjoy the latest gadgets, gizmos and cars … Where's the problem?
All will be well. Come on in. Don't wait for the Ordinariate. Who knows whether it'll ever happen? Taste and see that the Lord is good.
J.M.J.
Any "advice" to not wait for the ordinariate is, to borrow a phrase from "Merrily on High" most "wrong minded."
Only satan will be pleased from us being picked off one by one to individually go into the Roman Catholic Church.
There is should be no doubt, that a greater number of souls will enter full unity with the Universal Church under the leadership of the Successor of Peter by means of groups entering under the generous provisions of "Anglicanorum Coetibus" than should individuals take off on their own.
Canon 1752 of the 1983 Code of Canon law restates the maxim of the Church from time immemorial "salus animarum suprema lex," – the saving of souls is the first rule – and to this end, we shall endeavor to bring the greatest number of souls into full communion with the Vicar of Christ.
We will not go alone, we will go together, and patiently wait until that happy day when all is ready. We asked for something, we were granted something even better, and will will follow the procedure to avail ourselves of the great blessing to the Universal Church.
SWR
Thank you, Sean, for reminding us of the supreme rule. It puts into concise form what I believe the Church of England and the Anglican Communion have been for; which is leading souls to God. Now we have the opportunity to fulfil that role in a new and more truly catholic manner – in the fullest meaning of 'catholic', that is, both universal, and for all. I am sure you are right that this will best be achieved in our generation by gladly accepting the Holy Father's offer in Anglicanorum Coetibus, and doing so in union with as many other anglicans as possible..
I do think those of us wth postive voices need to speak up and our leaders need ssue a bold rallying cry. In my parish the preparatory course is well under way, my own decision is made and I will do all I can to lead as many as possible into the RC fold. What would be helpful is an ordinary to negotiate buildings on our behalf…but that will surely come. Till then I awai with much optimism and excitment and will continue to champion the cause and call others to find their spines and testicles. If nothing else this whole epsode has revealed how frightened and meek to many of us are…change is frightening bit must never be avoided
Just a brief response, i: The document does speak of the need for some ordinariate clergy having to seek secular employment, read with care it IS there. Read with care it is clear that all married clergy will have to go through a case by case review by Rome before they can be ordained. These in themselves do not constitute primary reason not to accept the offer, but it is essential to read what it really says, not create what we want it to say. The review for married men may be much swifter than say by the Diocese of Westminster process and there is some evidence that the CDF are nodding toward this, but, who knows?
If we cannot raise legitimate questions and caveats then we arrive at the world of Taliban meets Oak Hill, not a place any of us would want to be.
I want only to applaud and celebrate the clergy from the CofE who wait to join the Barque of Peter through AC. I genuinely respect and admire them. However, I do have serious concerns as to whether the Ordinariates will amount to anything – especially in England. The bishops are fine fellows, sure, but I can't help thinking that the best route is the time-honoured one: individual submission. If it's right to go, it's right to go .. now .. not when a 'bishop' whose authority as a member of the CofE I am, by definition questioning, says so. Come on in. Wait and you may find it all falls apart. We've lots of FACs who are married, settled, happy, highly respected 'regular' RC priests. You could be one, too. Why belong but be seen to be different becasue of a strange juridical erection?
Prayers,
Benedict
Benedict,
It appears that the Holy Father doesn't agree with your solution. He wants Anglicans to come into the Church as a group bringing with them their treasures. He has been led by the Holy Spirit to make the offer of an Ordinariate.
There have been many former Anglican priests and even some Bishops who have come into the Church as individuals. I came into the Church as an individual.
The Church is in disarray at this time and Pope Benedict is trying to bring back orthodoxy and going against many Cardinals and Bishops by doing so. He is the Head of the Church and Anglicans are actually following his desires.
There are many unhappy Catholics today; they are very upset with the innovations in the liturgy and priests and Bishops who are failing to follow the teachings of the Faith. If you see how the Anglican Use parishes have been such loyal and orthodox Catholics I think you will understand why Pope Benedict wants to bring other Anglicans in within an Ordinariate, where they can also bring back some of what is missing in some parishes.
Also they will be "regular priests" just as the Eastern Rite Catholics are "regular priests", just with their own litugy and traditions. This is part of the beauty of the Catholic Church, it is universal for all people.
My parish is traditional and people come from miles around to attend, people are hungry to hear homilies that actually speak about sin, hell, going to confession and how the Gospel relates to us on a daily basis. Where the priest doesn't act like just one of the congregation, but actually acts like a Father to his flock…
The Ordinariates will bring back many Latin Rite Catholics who won't attend the OF and really don't want the EF (TLM), but do want the reverence they once felt within church. There are many Latin Rite Catholics who attend Anglican Use parishes. This movement is a very wonderful thing for the whole Church.
I can't speak to England, but the Anglican Use parishes in the US are not dying and do amount to something. It will take time, but the Ordinariates will grow and thrive in God's time. As for England I understand there is still much anti-Catholic feeling there and hopefully this will change in time. The Ordinariates are not only about England, they are about many countries where Anglicans want to be part of the Ordinariate.
If this is God's will we shall know it, we must trust that He knows better than we do.
Laity and clergy who become Roman Catholics without waiting for the Ordinariate to be formed can join the Ordinariate once it is established. I urge you to look at the websites of some of the Pastoral Provision parishes in the U.S., which are thriving. My old home parish in Houston, Our Lady of Walsingham, started as a parish of about 80 families and one priest with his wife and children. Meeting initially in the chapel of a convent, it moved to a larger chapel in a graveyard, then rented a storefront, then built a small church, growing all the while. They have now built a beautiful new church. I worship there when I visit Houston. They have absorbed families from nearby and distant Catholic parishes who love the Anglican liturgy. They have absorbed Episcopalians ready to cross the Tiber. They were lucky enough to have a sympathetic Catholic bishop; that has not been the case in very many places. Here is their website:
http://www.walsingham-church.org/wc/Welcome.html