The Portal Archive July 2012 | Page 20

THE P RTAL July 2012 Page 16 F a t h e r P e t e r ’s P a ge Prophetic hindsight... It used to be said that in certain parts of the British Civil Service, the Minutes of meetings were written before the meeting took place: “it makes things so much more simple and convenient”! There are many who feel it is impossible to make a but because he comes from The Traditional Anglican judgement about recent events till many years have Communion. passed. That is why some academics claim that it is impossible to write ‘history’ of the past 100 years: “it treated as pariahs really should be classified as journalism”! These are faithful priests and laity who – at sacrificial cost – continued to live, worship and witness to the an apostle of Unity heritage of Anglicanism, but ‘outside’ the main fold. It would be a bold person who claimed to know how And how they were treated as pariahs . . . Frequently the pontificate of Benedict XVI will be interpreted, they were ostracised and ridiculed by many in the but I believe he will be credited overwhelmingly as ‘an ‘Establishment’, and even by fellow Anglo-Catholics, apostle of Unity’. in a superior and unchristian way. I told you so outstanding examples of sacrifice As you read this, it is possible that reconciliation I have heard Anglican Bishops openly dismiss them between the Society of St Pius X (SSPX) and the Holy as ‘nutters’ or ‘playing at church’ etc. And in so doing, See might be achieved. failing to recognise that they are fellow members of Christ and in most circumstances outstanding One likely result will be that, sadly, SSPX will split: examples of sacrifice. with Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the Society and the bulk of its membership seeking pastoral provision parishes reconciliation; whilst other leaders and SSPX members I remember the opprobrium I received when I visited will continue in their old way. In all this there will be Bishop James Mote at St Mary’s, Denver or explored voices saying: “I told you so” or “Remember who you the parish of St Mary the Virgin, Las Vegas with Fr are dealing with?” Clark Tea (one of the earliest ‘pastoral provision parishes’) because I sensed that this would teach us all seek Unity and Reconciliation something about the way forward. These comments are a coded claim that because the SSPX contains one or two unsavoury characters, Pope bad apples It is for this reason that the recent ordination of Benedict should not be talking to them at all. Yet, one cannot but be impressed by how courageous they have Bishop Mercer and Bishop Harry Entwistle are so been: without sustenance, buildings, and with overt important. They both have come from The Traditional opprobrium they – and their loyal faithful laity – have Anglican Communion and represent a substantial worldwide community containing many good and persevered for what they believed to be right. faithful catholic Christians. [Of course, one can find Whatever happens, Pope Benedict has demonstrated ‘bad apples’ somewhere: But that never stopped us that wherever there is an estranged Christian, it is the talking to Anglican bishops in the past!] duty and obligation of Catholics to seek Unity and reconciled Reconciliation. Let us all reaffirm our determination to seek Traditional Anglican Communion reconciliation for those who wish to be united with the The recent appointment of Fr Harry Entwistle, to lead See of Peter, whatever flag they currently are sailing the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern under. Together, reconciled, let us journey to the port Cross in Australia is good news not only for that of rest, which is God’s destiny for us all. country and the international work of The Ordinariate, Father Peter