THE P RTAL
January 2011 Page 5
Recent decisions in our own church ( the Church of England ) have made a positive outcome to these talks less and less likely .
The Holy Father has made what seems to me a positive and generous offer to Orthodox Anglicans and I do not feel any choice but to accept . The consequence of this will be that our Catholic and Anglican heritage exists in two different places . It is important that we all remain friends and do not do anything to undermine or criticise each other .”
Andrew Burnham
Born on 19 th March 1948 at Worksop in Nottinghamshire ; Andrew Burnham studied music at New College , Oxford , and later , theology before doing a Certificate of Education at Westminster College , Oxford .
Following a period as Head of Music at Bilborough Grammar School in Nottingham , he trained for ordination in the Church of England at St Stephen ’ s House , Oxford .
Musician
He much enjoyed being Chorus Master of Nottingham Harmonic Society from 1973-85 . Music has always been a passion with him . He toyed with the idea of non-stipendiary-ministry , but was persuaded by his wife , Cathy , to go full-time .
From 1983-85 , he was honorary curate at Clifton in the Diocese of Southwell as a non-stipendiary priest , and in 1985 he became curate at St . John the Baptist , Beeston in the same diocese until 1987 .
He was appointed vicar of the St . John the Evangelist , Carrington , leaving in 1994 to take up his appointment as Vice-Principal of St Stephen ’ s House , Oxford .
New Directions
On the Editorial Board of New Directions magazine he was perhaps not the obvious choice for a bishopric . He became the third Bishop of Ebbsfleet on 12 th September 2000 in succession to Michael Houghton and John Richards .
Ebbsfleet
Andrew is married to Cathy and they have two children – Hannah and Dominic . As Bishop of Ebbsfleet , Andrew galvanized the Episcopal Area . It was obvious to him that as the third Bishop of Ebbsfleet , his would need to follow a different sort of episcopacy from his two predecessors .
He appointed Area Deans for each Diocese to assist him in caring for the traditionalist clergy and parishes , created a Priest ’ s Council of his senior clergy and began many new initiatives . The Brean Children and Young People ’ s Eucharistic Festival where five hundred children would enjoy a day in the West Country ; the Evangelistic Weekend for lay folk from his parishes to be trained as leaders in the churches for the future were just two examples . There are many more .
Although not always in the best of health , Andrew Burnham did more than his fair share for the cause in the Church of England . Now he is to be ordained a Catholic priest . We hope his many talents will be used by the Catholic Church .
Fresh Expressions of Church
Writing to his Parishes on 9 th
November 2010 , he commented : “ The pioneering Ordinariate groups , when they come into being , will be ‘ fresh expressions of church ’, mostly new , missionary congregations , seeking to bring people to the fullness of the Catholic Faith and to advance the work of the Kingdom .”
Jesus Words
Reflecting on the Farewell Discourses of Jesus in the Gospel according to Saint John , he said ; “ There is no vainglory here . I am quite sure , faced with the Passion , I would have run away , like the other disciples . I too would have denied even knowing Jesus , and left it to the holy women to be constant and strong .
But , looking through the Farewell Discourses , there is not only Jesus going ahead to prepare a place but also the promise of a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit ( John 14 ). Jesus is the True Vine and , cut off from him , we can do nothing but wither and be thrown into the fire and burned ( John 15 ). His new commandment is to love one another .”
Looking back - Looking forward
“ I disown and renounce nothing that I have done in Jesus ’ name : God is faithful . But I am now laying aside my bishopric . Self-emptying ( kenosis ) is hard - harder than any of us can manage in our own strength - but it is basic to being a disciple , as the gospels constantly remind us .
Everyone on the journey has to do some laying aside . But we pray , in Cowper ’ s words , echoing St John of the Cross : ‘ The dearest idol I have known , What e ’ er that idol be , Help me to tear it from Thy throne , And worship only Thee ’.”