Tag Archives: Bishop Carl Reid

Important News from the ACCC

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This was sent to me by Deborah Gyapong, a member of the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada, and a long-time friend of The Anglo-Catholic.

On Sunday, our priests in the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada (ACCC) read out an ad clerum from our bishops, notifying us that Provincial / Diocesan Council met Nov. 26 and has found a creative way for us to move forward to unity, though at different speeds.

The ACCC, originally composed of one Province with only one Diocese (of Canada), has created a new diocese: the Pro-Diocese of Our Lady of Walsingham “whose mandate shall be to shepherd those parishes, clergy, and individuals who so wish, into full Communion with the Catholic Church.”

The Council also passed the following motion: "that this church (i.e. the Province, representing both dioceses) remains committed to seeking full and visible unity with the See of Peter, as confirmed at Synod 2010, and as articulated in the Affirmation of St Louis, which is part of our constitution”.

While remaining Metropolitan of the ACCC Province of Canada, Bishop Peter Wilkinson, with Bishop Carl Reid as his auxiliary, assumes the office of Diocesan Bishop of the new Pro-Diocese. Bishop Craig Botterill becomes diocesan administrator of the Diocese of Canada.

This is good news, both for those parishes like mine in Ottawa that are almost finished with our catechesis in preparation for entering the Catholic Church and for those parishes, mostly on the East Coast, that have indicated they are not ready yet.

It means we in the “first wave” will have a corporate way of moving into the Catholic Church without losing all our assets, and those who remain will still have a structure and spiritual oversight while they are in a period of discernment and perhaps form a “second wave” or more.

Following is a copy of the ad clerum and a follow-up email with emphases added.

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Dear Brothers,

Provincial / Diocesan Council met via teleconference on Saturday, November 26, and while these meetings usually only deal with housekeeping matters such as approval of financial statements etc., this meeting included the introduction and passing of a Bill. Said Bill comes into effect immediately. The wording follows:

A Provincial Bill for the Creation of the Pro-Diocese of Our Lady of Walsingham, and consequential amendments to the Constitution of the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada.

Diocesan Council, by virtue of the authority delegated to it by General Synod to pass such legislation as may be necessary to facilitate the entry of ACCC parishes into full Communion with the Catholic Church, enacts as follows:

- There is hereby created the Pro-Diocese of Our Lady of Walsingham to be a Diocese of the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada, Province of Canada, whose mandate shall be to shepherd those parishes, clergy, and individuals who so wish, into full Communion with the Catholic Church.

- The Rt. Rev. Peter. D. Wilkinson shall resign as Ordinary of the Diocese of Canada and is hereby appointed Bishop Ordinary of the Pro-Diocese of Our Lady of Walsingham.

- The Rt. Rev. Carl Reid is hereby appointed Auxiliary bishop of the Pro-Diocese of Our Lady of Walsingham.

- In Consequence of the Very Rev. Shane Janzen, having declined to accept appointment as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Canada, and in keeping with the order of succession set out in the Diocesan Ordinance of the Diocese of Canada, the Rt. Rev. Craig Botterill shall assume responsibility as Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Canada.

- Provided always that the Rt. Rev. Peter D. Wilkinson shall continue in office as Metropolitan of the Province of Canada, of which the Pro-Diocese of our Lady of Walsingham and the Diocese of Canada are constituent parts.

What does this mean? In plain terms, we remain as one Province of the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada, but now with two dioceses. These are not geographic dioceses, but rather based on whether a parish is intending to union with the Catholic Church under Anglicanorum Coetibus (the new Pro-Diocese of Our Lady of Walsingham under Bishops Wilkinson and Reid); or, whether parishes are not currently intending to travel that route (the Diocese of Canada under the Apostolic Administration of Bishop Botterill). Bishop Wilkinson remains as the Metropolitan of the Province, now comprised of two dioceses. We will still have one pot of money, one newsletter, one Province – which is to say, little will change until such time as those parishes and individuals in the Pro-Diocese of Our Lady of Walsingham achieve their goal under Anglicanorum Coetibus.

Fraternally,
+Peter Wilkinson
+Craig Botterill
+Carl Reid

Dear Brothers,
We should have included an additional note (it was very late Saturday evening) with the ad clerum issued on the weekend, which might have helped, in terms of anticipating some questions that have surfaced.

There was a simple second motion passed that clarified how the Bill fit with our resolution at Synod last year. Said simple motion was ” that this church remains committed to seeking full and visible unity with the See of Peter, as confirmed at Synod 2010, and as articulated in the Affirmation of St Louis, which is part of our constitution”.

This applies to the entire Province (i.e. both dioceses), acknowledging that one part of the Province (the Pro-Diocese of Our Lady of Walsingham) is pursuing said unity in the “first wave”, while the other part (the Diocese of Canada) intends, prayerfully, to wait. Yes, of course, further details on splitting of assets etc. will have to be worked out at that time, and that was also discussed in Council with no suggestion that there will be any discord, but rather all will be accomplished in a spirit of charity.
Fraternally,
+Carl

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The Seven Last Words

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Here's a beautiful sermon on the traditional Seven Last Words of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was preached today by Bishop Carl Reid at the ACCC Cathedral of the Annunciation in Ottawa.

GOOD FRIDAY 2011

I’m certain that, with a little bit of thought, most, if not all of us here, could tell us what are the seven last words of our Lord on the day of His Crucifixion. A slightly more challenging task would be to list them in their traditional order. Perhaps there are several people here who could do just that. Equally, there may be some here who are very familiar with the sayings, but perhaps aren’t aware of their designation as the seven last words.

Therefore, in their traditional order:

The First Word

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Soldiers have just driven nails, or perhaps are in the process of doing so, through the hands and feet of our Lord, and have hoisted Him up by those nails. But Jesus does not fear those who kill His body; He pities them and prays for them. They are unwitting instruments of the higher purpose that brings Him here. We shall come back to this first word, after a review of the words that follow.

The Second Word

“Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) In order that the indignity of the death to which He was condemned might be enhanced, our Lord, as we know, was crucified between two thieves, the one on His right hand and the other on His left. It was to one of these, to the one either who before being led to execution or who while hanging on the cross had repented of all his life-long wickedness, of his murders, and violences, and robberies, that our Lord, when dying, addressed the second of His sayings. This may be a discomforting word for those who would wish to limit God’s grace in some way. “Why should someone who has lead a life of crime be admitted so readily into Paradise?” But let us consider that someone in the midst of dying the unthinkably horrible death of crucifixion is hardly to be interested in some political movement or leader, is he? Is not this episode so very important, not just in terms of its historical context, but also for generations that have followed? This man, hanging on the cross, dying on the cross beside Jesus saw what others apparently failed to see – the Kingliness of Jesus Christ. In his penitence, he had nothing to plead but Jesus Himself; and that is how any of us should approach confession of our sins.


Read the whole sermon here.

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San Antonio in the Snow March 24-26 near Toronto

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It's happening!  Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins will be hosting a gathering for all those interested in an Ordinariate in Canada March 24-26.  Fr. Christopher Phillips plans to attend as well as Traditional Anglican Communion Primate, Archbishop John Hepworth.

I'll be there, probably with a carload of folks from our Ottawa parish.

Here's the text of the announcement that Anglican Catholic Church of Canada Bishop Carl Reid placed in our diocesan circular.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

MAKE PLANS!

IMPORTANT MEETING MARCH 24-26

As we draw ever closer to the realization of our now nearly 34 years of hope for unity with the wider Catholic  Church, and specifically the formation of a Canadian Ordinariate under the provisions of the Apostolic Constitution, Anglicanorum Coetibus, Archbishop Thomas Collins, our Episcopal delegate and liaison in the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has called for a meeting in Mississauga.  The dates – Thursday, March 24 to Saturday, March 26. The location – Queen of the Apostles Renewal
Centre in Mississauga, Ontario (Here's a link to the website.) Address: 1617 Blythe Road.

Attendance by as many members (clergy and laity) of the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada (ACCC) is very important, as this may be the only collective meeting, not just between us and the Canadian Catholic Church prior to the actual setting up of an ordinariate, but also other interested people, who are not currently members of the ACCC, will be in attendance as well.  Many of them have already been looking to us, in that we have been engaged in the pursuit of this for so many years.

More information will be available during February, and we shall send out specific details to all of our parishes.  It would be very good to have representation from across the country, just as they did in Texas before Christmas.  In fact, Fr Chris Phillips, whose
parish in San Antonio hosted that event, is coming to Mississauga for this, as is Archbishop Hepworth from Australia.

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A Glimpse of Archbishop Hepworth, Bishop Reid and Bishop Mercer

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In 2006, Salt and Light TV, Canada's Catholic network, produced a 15 minute video on the Traditional Anglican Communion's quest for unity with the Bishop of Rome.

In it you'll see TAC Primate John Hepworth,  Bishop Carl Reid from Ottawa, and our beloved retired Canadian Bishop Robert Mercer, who are people who get frequently mentioned, at least by me.

The ordinations in Jan. 2006–of Bishop Carl Reid and Bishop Craig Botterill as suffragans—took place in St. Basil's Roman Catholic Church in Ottawa.  The Ottawa Archbishop Marcel Gervais allowed us to use this venue since our cathedral is too small.

St. Basil's is a rather modern set up, built in the round, with no altar rail so that's why you'll see people receiving the Blessed Sacrament standing.  Ordinarily for us, we would be kneeling.

I think it was about the time these interviews were done for S&L TV,  that I first met Archbishop Hepworth.  Also around then, I remember talking with our Metropolitan Bishop Peter Wilkinson about the Catholic faith, and he said something to the effect of "it's our deposit of faith, too. We have no other."

Then he told me about how his private correspondence with Cardinal Ratzinger had begun. He wrote him a fan letter, telling him how much he appreciated his theological insights, and how he had sent one of his books to a priest in Kenya.  Since mail often gets stolen before reaching its destination, Bishop Peter wrapped the book in blue paper (need I say why?) and doused it in holy water, and sent it on its way.  It arrived safely, Bishop Peter recounted. Cardinal Ratzinger wrote him back, sending him another book to replace the one he had sent to Kenya. That started a regular correspondence kept up until they had a date in April 2005 to meet on the Cardinal's birthday.

Well, the Cardinal suddenly had another commitment in the Sistine Chapel that day and had to break the appointment, but being the thoughtful and kind person that he is, he arranged for Msgr. Charles Brown to meet him for pranzo instead.

I still find it inspiring to go back and listen to Archbishop Hepworth and see how he was shepherding us four years ago (and before that I am sure)  to think with the Church and to ask what the Church says rather than what we as individuals think.

Back then,  as a member of the Traditional Anglican Communion working for Roman Catholic newspapers, I felt an amazing sense of welcome and generosity towards me and my communion not only from the many lay Catholics I met in the course of my work, but also from many bishops, not only from Canada but elsewhere around the world.

Anyway, I thought it might be instructive to take a look back and for those who have never met some of the cast of characters in this unfolding drama to see them in action.

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Meet Father Douglas Nicholson

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IMG 4753 768x1024 Meet Father Douglas Nicholson

Meet Father Douglas Nicholson.

Bishop Carl Reid ordained Douglas Nicholson to the priesthood today.  Six years ago, on the exact same date, Douglas was ordained a deacon when Father Jim Tilley was ordained to the priesthood.  Father Jim, who servers our Oshawa parish, was among the clergy who attended this happy event.   The ordination took place in a votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, hence the red vestments in  Advent.

IMG 4762 1024x768 Meet Father Douglas Nicholson

The new priest gives his blessing at the altar rail after Mass.

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Father Douglas Nicholson has been yearning 20 years for this day!

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A photo of the clergy and servers, minus Kalen, our crucifer

In the front row: Father Jim Tilley from our Oshawa parish who was ordained priest on this date six years ago when Douglas Nicholson was ordained deacon; Father Douglas Hayman of our Spencerville Parish and chaplain of Augustine College; our retired Ottawa priest Father David Walsh; and Father Kipling Cooper, our former Ottawa curate who established our Barrhaven parish.

In the second row, our organist, cantor, seminarian Michael Trolly;  Mark Voyce, who is my God son, since I sponsored him at his Baptism after he took an Alpha course at our church years ago; Father Douglas Nicholson, our new priest; Bishop Carl Reid; and Bill Stewart, our treasurer.

I had met Father Douglas a few times in passing, but never spoken with him before Friday when a small group of us sang Mattins in plainsong, did a said Eucharist in choir-like precision, then went out to breakfast at The Diner, a few blocks walk from our church.

I had invited my Anglican Communion friend at the last minute to join us for plainsong as he loves it and sings really well and the worship was so beautiful because all of us were strong singers and familiar enough with plainsong to really enter into the psalms and canticles in a worshipful way.  I thought of Brother Stephen Treat and what every day must be like for him!  I was so glad to see my Anglican Communion friend. He's one of these people who is so easy to love.  And he was all excited about a course he is taking on the Pentateuch.  He could not join us for breakfast, so it was just me and then Deacon Douglas, Michael Trolly and the bishop.  The Diner was packed and they stuck us in the corner in what seems like a sun porch with windows on three sides.  So it was as if we were plunked on the sidewalk, able to see the gray skies and the passersby in the trendy Westboro neighborhood.  We all ordered the breakfast special but asked them to hold the meat, since it was Friday.

This was what made me fall in love with Douglas Nicholson.  There was a baby sitting in a high chair about three feet away from him.  His father was trying to feed him.  He must have been eight or nine months old.  He had yogurt or something creamy smeared around his mouth and suddenly he was so captivated by the warmth and the playful affection of this priest-to-be that he lost interest in his breakfast.  I love a man who loves babies and children in a fatherly way.  Actually, our whole table was besotted.  Bishop Carl pulled out his phone and tried to take a picture of this enthralled and charming baby boy — alas it was too blurry to be reproduced here.  Michael Trolly, who can't wait to have a whole pile of kids of his own, was also goo-goo-eyed.  But then another family sat down a few tables away with a baby girl with huge blue eyes and a fascination for the men in black and the little lad next to us had competition.

Today during the ordination service, the two-year old twins Kyle and Tristan kept up a running commentary in the back, causing many of our parishioners to shoot amused glances at each other over the music of their voices.  "Let's go home!" one of them said and mom had to take them downstairs.

Our society has become a place that is less and less welcoming to children and old people.  We have a parish where we cherish the young and the old.  Father Douglas strikes me as an authentic, loving and faithful priest.  It is a happy day for us in the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada.  May our new priest serve the Lord many years in faithfulness and love.

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People Who Believe God

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IMG 3566 1024x682 People Who Believe God

Life Issues Institute Co-Founder Bradley Mattes and Rev. Johnny Hunter

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I am still basking in the afterglow of the International Pro-Life Conference I attended here in Ottawa, October 28-30.  One of the speakers whose message keeps ringing in my ears is that of Rev. Johnny Hunter, a Baptist pastor who is president of LEARN Inc. (Life Education and Resource Network) the largest African-American pro-life network in the United States.

Hunter spoke about three kinds of people: those who don't believe in God;  those who do believe in God; and those who believe God.

He pointed out that even the devils believe in God; but those who believe God are prepared to obey Him, to act on what He says.

Overall, Hunter's message was a powerful exhortation to repentance, conversion and action on God's Word.  I also loved his Kente robes. Kente is a woven silk cloth made in Ghana, where my husband comes from.

It's my prayer that we will be people who believe God, that our shepherds will be men who believe God, not just believe in Him.

Has anyone taken a look at Verbum Domini? It is so beautiful the way Pope Benedict XVI integrates faith and reason.  It can be easy to get caught up in scholarship and scientific methods taking a critical look at the linguistic and historical aspects of Scripture and miss the living Word of God who speaks to us today through the holy texts.  The document does a wonderful job of talking about how faith, in a community of faith, is necessary to interpret the texts.  Yet, faith does not throw out the scientific aspect because the Incarnation is rooted in history.

Continue reading →

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Anglican Catholics and the Pro-Life Movement

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When I began covering the pro-life movement and interviewing its leaders, the reputation of the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada (ACCC) had preceded me.  Our now retired Bishop Robert Mercer had been a well-beloved figure in pro-life activities in and around Canada's capital for years.  He often used to drop by the local pro-life group's office when it was only a few blocks away from our little cathedral.  I'll say more about the ACCC's staunch support for life and family in a moment.

This past weekend, I spoke at the International Pro-Life Conference as part of a media panel with LifeSiteNews editor John-Henry Weston.

Anglican Catholics and the Pro Life Movement

I spoke from the perspective of someone who started out in the mainstream media (MSM) sharing many of the negative stereotypes about pro-lifers that most North Americans have — that they are angry, bitter, "fetus fetishists" with perhaps some underlying psychological problems that make them focus so repetitively on one issue.

I advised the conference delegates I had no tips to offer on how to get good coverage, except to suggest they could guarantee coverage of their annual March for Life by marching naked.  Which was a joke, for the literal-minded among you.  Usually the March is ignored or its numbers vastly underestimated.

And I encouraged them not to be afraid of negative MSM coverage, instead to look at it as a badge of honor, a sign they are doing something right and striking a nerve so that the enemy of our souls has to marshal everything he can to fight back.

The contrast between the lies told about you and the truth and love you embody will change more lives than any arguments you make, I told them, because it is the love and holiness that I have discovered in the movement that have been the most convincing to me.  That contrast creates a big cognitive dissonance that can make someone realize that maybe they have been believing lies.

Continue reading →

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Meanwhile in Ottawa: Baptisms!

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IMG 4383 1024x768 Meanwhile in Ottawa: Baptisms!

Baptism at the Cathedral of the Annunication in Ottawa

Four of our children were baptized this morning at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Bishop Carl Reid had to negotiate two baptismal liturgies, as two were old enough to say their vows themselves; the other two had Godparents making the promises.

The worship was glorious; the Book of Common Prayer is so beautiful and so rich theologically.  What a joy to welcome four beautiful young children into the Body of Christ!

A number of us were not raised Anglican, but come from evangelical backgrounds.  We have been drawn by the beauty of the liturgy and are finding ourselves well-catechized here in our journey to the Catholic Church.  More pictures below the break.

Continue reading →

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Sad News from Ottawa

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Not long after our parish picnic, Bishop Carl Reid received some shocking news.  A group of dissidents sent him a notice they want a special vestry meeting to vote on a motion to disaffiliate from the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada (ACCC) and find episcopal oversight with another continuing Anglican body.

In other words, they want to force Bishop Carl out and all those loyal to him because they oppose the ACCC's decision to join an Ordinariate.  If they are successful, we will be out on the streets tomorrow.  Though I do not think they have the votes, I believe we must prepare for the worst as we hope for the best.

This is a vote for divorce, for a church split, for a family break up.  Some of our original members are so upset they will not show up tomorrow.  They remember leaving St. Barnabas 30 years ago to form this parish and the bitter divisions that followed.  Some people still are not speaking to each other three decades later.  They are heartbroken and disturbed.  They see that no matter what happens with tomorrow's vote, the parish they have served for years will be no more because friends they have worshiped alongside for decades will be gone.

It is very sad that it is coming to this.  This is one reason why I have not been blogging as much.  Things I have written have been used as fodder for the dissidents.  For example, word is going around that I have written that those who do not support the Apostolic Constitution are the "seed of Satan." (I have never used that kind of language).  I have written about spiritual warfare, but I hope I have made it clear I am as vulnerable to the confusion, anger, distrust or any of the other assaults of the enemy as anyone else.

I certainly have experienced these attacks and fallen prey to them. This has been a very, very difficult time for everyone, no question about it.

That's why I thought it much more important for me to displace some of my blogging time with prayer.  Thus, I have been trying to go as often as I can to a nearby Adoration Chapel.  I am thankful that God led me to take that time aside.

The special vestry meeting takes place after our sung Eucharist tomorrow, probably around 11:30 a.m Eastern Time.

I write about this now to ask all of you in the Anglo-Catholic blogosphere to pray for all of us, that we will be guided by the Holy Spirit, have Christ's mind in us, and that if it does come to divorce that we can part as amicably as possible.

Some of the people who oppose the Ordinariates have fears the offer in the Apostolic Constitution will result in  a "bait and switch" that will force them to give up their Anglican identity and lose their liturgy and other aspects of the patrimony they treasure.   We had hoped that some of those who had fears or misgivings would wait and see.  We believe the Catholic Church will be generous with us Anglicans, but there is a lot that is not spelled out.  Differing interpretations of Anglicanorum coetibus have also contributed to the confusion and uncertainty.  What we write on the 'net has consequences.

Rumors, confusion, bitter feelings, accusations, fear, strife, rebellion, wanting to be a little pope in one's own eyes, misunderstanding, lies, and misrepresentations abound on the 'net and in our little microcosm  in Ottawa.

As I sat with some of my friends in the Adoration chapel this afternoon, I thought of all these strongholds and pleaded with our Blessed Lord that the Holy Spirit tear them down in me, in my friends, in all of us.

One of the ACCC priests, who was rumored to be leaving, sent some of us a beautiful email today:

"You are all in my prayers.  Hold fast to the Saviour, and pray that His precious Blood would disarm the Enemy.  Fear God alone, whose perfect Love will drive out all unholy fears, leaving only true and holy worship,"  Father Doug Hayman wrote.

That is such a beautiful message and precisely drives home what is most needful.  Fear God alone.  Perfect love drives out fear.  Father Doug plans to attend our meeting as soon as his own mass is over.

Providentially,  Bishop Peter Wilkinson was previously scheduled to preach tomorrow, so he will be there to support Bishop Carl and to answer questions at the meeting.  Please pray for us all.

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Walking in the Spirit

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IMG 1048 1024x768 Walking in the Spirit

Bishop Carl Reid on Gaudete Sunday

I'm not really blogging.  I am doing my finances and running errands today.  But I did just get a copy of Bishop Carl Reid's homily from Sunday and I would love for you to read it.   I have pasted it in its entirety below the break.

Continue reading →

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