THE P RTAL
April 2015
Page 24
Lot’s wife
A biblical reflection by Ronald Crane
Chapters eighteen
and nineteen of the Old Testament book of Genesis are interesting
for many reasons. God is minded to destroy the cities of Sodom and, while he is about it, Gomorrah as
well. Abraham intercedes for them, but in the end, the decision to destroy them is taken by God. Ten “just
men” cannot be found there. It is the minimum number required for a synagogue. No faithful, worshipping
community can be found.
Lot and his family are warned, so that they may
flee the cities. As they do so, they are told under no
circumstances to turn back and look at the destruction.
Lot’s wife however, cannot resist. She turns back to see
the sight and is instantly turned into a pillar of salt as
punishment.
not a fair understanding
Any suggestion that this account may be used
to describe those who, having left the Anglican
Communion for full communion, with the Catholic
Church, yet retain an interest in the that communion
is not a fair understanding of the account as we have
Ordinariate members. Who are the rest? Together with
it in Genesis.
the 17%, they are our target readership: Ordinariate
God was destroying the cities of Sodom and members, Catholics interested in and supportive of
Gomorrah. He is not destroying the Anglican the Ordinariate, and Anglicans who wish to be kept
Communion. That communion may have many informed about us, for what ever reason.
difficulties among its various provinces, but it is not
being destroyed with “brimstone and fire” as were the distinctive pastoral practice
cities of the plain. They are our brothers and sisters
The Ordinariates are about much more than “nice”
still. Despite all the difficulties, relations between worship and a particular rite. We bring a distinctive
the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church, pastoral practice, an openness, and comfort with,
continue. Therefore, the comparison is false.
wider society. The Catholic Church has a special social
and moral teaching and practice, to which we add our
evangelisation
own contribution. These goals are diminished when
Those of us who took full advantage of the Apostolic we close and bolt doors; they are enhanced when the
Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus, did so as doors are open and the welcome warm. This is not to
“trailblazers”. We were called “pioneers”; leading the say that the Catholic faith is to be “watered down”. Far
way that others may - in due time - follow. We were from it, the best ecumenists are the most belligerent
not fleeing “brimstone and fire” and the death and members of their own Communion. This is especially
destruction that follows such terror. As Mgr Keith true of Catholics.
Newton made clear in his end of the year interview
with The Portal, our job is “ecumenism” and to it, looking forwards
following Anglicanorum coetibus, we would add,
We are to look forward rather than backwards, that
evangelisation.
is true. However, we are not to turn our backs on those
who are still members of the Anglican Communion.
These tasks are not achieved by slamming doors. There is no point in having a bridge if one end is
They are achieved by patience, friendships, and a blocked up.
loving welcome. The Portal seeks to take its place in
assisting the furtherance of these goals.
The Portal will continue to work towards these
Catholic goals. Therefore, we welcome letters
We have about 6,000 readers each and every expressing various views on this, and any other subject
month. As far as we can tell, about 17% of these are pertinent to the Ordinariate.
contents page