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