THE P RTAL
April 2015
read, in paragraph III of Anglicanorum Coetibus, that
“the Ordinariate has the faculty to celebrate the Holy
Eucharist and the other Sacraments, the Liturgy of
the Hours and other liturgical celebrations according
to the liturgi cal books proper to the Anglican
tradition, which have been approved by the Holy See
so as to maintain the liturgical, spiritual and pastoral
traditions of the Anglican Communion within the
Catholic Church, as a precious gift nourishing the
faith of the members of the Ordinariate and as a
treasure to be shared.”
Since then there has been much discussion about
Anglican Patrimony; part of this is, of course, the rite
for the celebration of the Eucharist. In 2011 there was
no ‘Ordinariate Rite’ and it is only recently that it has
been available.
Therefore, it is premature to refer to an official
Ordinariate rite that is not being used. The adoption
of such a rite is very much a local pastoral decision by
each group given their local situation; see for example
Snapdragon’s comments in the March edition on
being a lodger. However, I’m sure that in The Portal
groups can share their experiences of the adoption of
the rite.
Finally, it is unfair to suggest that The Portal does
not concentrate on catholic matters; what about the
‘A-Z of the Catholic Faith’ and ‘The Popes and the
Ordinariate’ to mention only two?
Dr Harry Donnelly
From Mary Lançonneur
Having just read Auntie Joanna’s article in The
Portal (March 2015), I am somewhat perplexed
as how you can be both a “cradle catholic” AND a
member of the Ordinariate at the same time! Either
you are one - or the other - or you are very confused
about your religious identity, which is regrettable.
I also read herr articles in the Oremus, Westminster
Cathedral monthly magazine. I think it would be
easier for readers of both magazines if she could
clarify your real position and where your true
loyalties lie - as there clearly appears to be a gaping
division between the two entities.
Mary Lançonneur
“CRADLE CATHOLIC”
Page 23
The whole point about the Ordinariate is that
you don’t have to be “one or the other” - on
the contrary. An Ordinariate member is an
absolutely bona fide Catholic, with a special bond
with the “Anglican patrimony” of the CofE.
Dear Mary, you don’t need to remain perplexed
- you just need to learn a bit more about the
Church. Jesuits, Benedictines, Dominicans,
members of the Syro-Malabar Rite parishes,
Greek Catholics, Franciscans (lots of different
sorts of them), Carmelites, members of Opus
Dei and Focolare and other New Movements...
we’re all members of the Church. If you decided
to become a Dominican sister, or joined Opus
Dei or if, as a former Anglican or member
of a family of former Anglicans, you joined
the Ordinariate, you would not cease to be a
Catholic.
Do keep reading The Portal, and Oremus. And
you will find it helpful to read Benedict XVI’s
Anglicanorum Coetibus (easily available on the
Internet) which established the Ordinariate, and
the Catechism of the Catholic Church (also on
the internet, but worth investing in a copy of
your own) which will help you understand the
Church better. Don’t be perplexed - be informed!
Joanna Bogle DSG
From Michael Hopwood
I have just finished reading the March Portal and
simply want to thank you for the unique work you
do. I seem always to have been in the wrong place
at the wrong time for most things, and I would have
liked nothing more than the chance to follow the path
Anglicanorum Coetibus laid out, had circumstances
been that way.
I simply want to add my voice to the others saying,
“Keep going, this is the right path”. The things you are
doing and reporting on, even if they seem a little odd
to many, are precisely the ones this former Anglican
would love to be doing alongside you.
If it seems that “the numbers” are not in your
favour, I would remind you of the words of
Evelyn Waugh in Sword of Honour, “Quantitative
judgements do not apply.”
Michael Hopwood
Germany
Auntie Joanna replies:
No problem. I am a cradle Catholic: my
husband was raised an Anglican and joined the
Catholic Church some years ago. All former
Anglicans, and their families, can join the
Ordinariate and we did so with great enthusiasm.
contents page
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