THE P RTAL
April 2011 Page 6
told a radio presenter that church sharing arrangements had not been possible in Kent ‘ for complex administrative reasons .’ Really ? How complex can it be to offer use of a building currently occupied for precisely one hour every week ?
was intrigued when a representative of Rochester Diocese
And what are the complex administrative hurdles that make sharing seemingly impossible with Ordinariate groups but comparatively easy elsewhere ? After all there are so many examples of amicable sharing throughout the UK - yes even with Roman Catholics !
Grumpiness ?
SnapdragonSnapdragon wishes the interviewer had pressed hard on this point ! Why not just admit to grumpiness ? Why not state clearly the Anglican unwillingness to share ?
At least it would be honest and might precipitate a measured response leading to a way forward . In my experience openness and honesty bring reconciliation and peace whilst little is ever gained from political dishonesty .
Challenge to the emerging Ordinariate
What this highlights is a real challenge to the emerging Ordinariate . How to heal the wounds caused by our leaving in order to build that ‘ bridge of unity ’ which the Ordinariate represents ?
How to ensure we are well placed to encourage others to follow so that the second , third , fourth and fifth wave might arrive on Rome ’ s shores ? We must not cut ties altogether … or allow them to be cut from afar !
Modernist agenda
If Pope Benedict has attempted to open a door between communions then it is being slammed shut from the other side . This is deeply lamentable for there remains a real opportunity here , one that should encourage a more positive approach from Canterbury ’ s shores .
If Anglicans could only work with the Ordinariate , using it to provide the sacramental assurance to traditionalists which they are no longer able to do , it would not only free them to press ahead with the modernist agenda but would demonstrate graciousness and love . Furthermore multiple sharing schemes could truly demonstrate unity to the watching world and help end the damage caused by reformation divide .
Little fish came knocking at the door Instead we find ourselves in a situation where there is no single example of Anglican generosity towards the Ordinariate anywhere in the UK . Rather there is a growing hostility forged from the rancour of those who remain .
This might seem reasonable had the Ordinariate been launched as a hostile bid for souls but it seems churlish and silly when , as one commentator noted , the Holy Father did not go fishing because the little fish came knocking at his door ! The Ordinariate occurred because the Church of England failed its Catholicminded members .
It is therefore the responsibility of those in authority to admit to this fact and accept that the Ordinariate is a consequence of their own thinking and actions in the General Synod . By admitting to this truth , they would then be freed to work with it favourably or else provide those undecided with a viable alternative .
Two pleas
I end with two pleas then . My first is to the Anglican hierarchy . Please end the second rate attempts at spin and give the Ordinariate the respect it deserves . We do not need to be told anymore that it is preferable to convert ‘ properly ’ as if Ordinariate membership is somehow second rate .
Nor do we need to hear of ‘ constant two way traffic ’ as if there is nothing new in the reality of whole congregations seeking unity as one . What we need is to sit down together and ask how to use the Ordinariate to the benefit of Catholic and Anglican alike .
Plea to the founding members
My second plea is to the founding members of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham . No matter how roughly you may have been treated , no matter how rude people may have been , no matter how sore you might feel at your personal loss , turn the other cheek and work hard for reconciliation .
Above all , maintain friendships with brethren who remain and work hard to nurture our ties with current Anglicans .
The reason for this is simple and self-evident . It creates the hand of friendship by which the second and third wave can be launched .
This Lent start watering the scorched earth behind you and pray to the Lord for fresh signs of growth … even as others are setting fires all around you .