The Portal Archive April 2012 | Page 15

THE P RTAL April 2012 Page 15 Letters to the Editor From: Brian and Bärbel Copus WE CAME HOME - IN ROME The Ordinariate pilgrimage to Rome was exceptionally wonderful for us personally. We were confirmed by Mgr. Keith in Newman’s titular church of San Giorgio in Velabro having been received last Maundy Thursday. The delay was due to our need to obtain a decree of annulment of a first marriage. In all we waited 20 months for the process to be completed in Tribunals Brian and Barbel Copus with Mgr Keith Newton and their Sponsors, Sue Vine and Fr Edwin Barnes of First and Second Instance. Then our marriage was convalidated. We believe we are the first We are told that modern advances in science and Ordinariate couple to do this – just in time for Rome! technology reveal better ways to conduct life. True? The waiting, testing and tedious at times, sapped Consider the ills of modern day society. Has the our spirits but, by the grace of God, we persevered in modern way improved the lot of life? We are told spite of highs and lows. We now have the joy of being that a woman has the right to make a choice when it complete Catholics. comes to having a child. Has the unborn child been given the right to choose between life and death? We want to encourage others who are hesitating There is concern about the treatment of the elderly. or nervous about entering the Church through the Ordinariate from the same situation we faced. Please Does the command that we honour our mother and do not give up and stay where you are. The process is father not say something about the way we treat our elderly? lengthy, patience and humility are required, but it is not impersonal. We never felt we were just another I reject some secular ways but I still love my ‘case’. secular neighbours because Jesus told me to love my neighbour. I simply point to a better way while Those involved in this area of Church work standing firm in my Christian beliefs. are kind, caring and helpful. Please think of the generosity of the Holy Father’s offer to Anglicans. Be Stephen Bond brave and accept it. Come home to Rome! Saint Nazaire, France Brian and Bärbel Copus Bournmouth From Stephen Bond Marriage is a sacrament instituted by God and the Church does not have the right to alter sacraments. The State may make whatever arrangements it wishes for civil unions but it has no right to legislate on God’s sacraments. Society changes from generation to generation. It bows to current ideas. Some change is good and some damaging. The way faithful Christians lead their lives was made clear through Jesus Christ and change should be be considered accordingly. This is not always easy and Christians have often suffered terribly for remaining faithful to God’s way when the State and current fashions have tried to make us change our ways contrary to God’s way. Secular society should not try and force its ways upon us. We do not force our ways on society but we suggest that God’s way is a better way. From Christina White, I have an old family prayer card that I treasure which has a quote from Edward King: “Go bravely on doing the daily duties and trusting that as our day is, so shall our strength be.” This always seems to me to combine sober realism with transforming faith, and is a valued part of my “Anglican patrimony.” Christina White Northampton Ordinariate Group The views expressed in these letters are not necessarily those of the Editors Letters for publication should be sent to: The Editors, T he P ortal , 56 Woodlands Farm Road, Birmingham B24 0PG [email protected]