THE P
RTAL
Father Peter ’ s Page Always a Convert ...
March 2011 Page 12
Ronald Knox – the famous son of a Bishop of Manchester - was renowned for his wit and wisdom , which showed itself in countless articles and scholarly books . Even today , I often refer enquirers to his short , but thorough , little book The Belief of Catholics . It is still , I believe , one of the best summaries of the faith for Anglicans who are searching .
‘ Ronnie ’, as he was known , told this story against himself . Not long after he had been ordained as a Catholic priest he was made welcome at an Irish presbytery . As his host generously filled his whisky glass , ( or should it be ‘ whiskey ’?), Ronnie exclaimed : “ Oh , not too full ! Remember I am only a convert .”
Only a convert
“ Only a convert . . .” For many of you – at whatever stage you are on your journey – you will always be referred to as a ‘ convert ’. Strictly , for most people , this is the wrong word to describe someone who has / or is about to go through the “ Rite of Reception of Baptised Christians into Full Communion with the Catholic Church ”. The word ‘ convert ’ should , properly , only be used for referring to a person who comes from unbelief to Christian belief- as the foreword to the Rite makes clear . It is , technically , a misuse of the word to apply it to an already baptised Christian – let alone a deeply committed Anglican entering the Ordinariate !
Evangelium
Yet in two ways it is the right word . Teasingly , I always ask my students when I am instructing them – especially if they are doing post-graduate studies in English etymology ! – that if they can find a better single word , would they please tell me ; and also put it on a postcard and tell the Vatican as well – since they too would like to know of one !
And in another important way it is the right word .
As the Rite ’ s foreword makes clear : “ conversion of life is the continuing imperative of Christian believers ”. And as the Decree on Ecumenism makes abundantly plain : “ men who believe in Christ and have been truly baptised are in communion with the Catholic Church even though the communion is imperfect ”.
Thus the word conversion is “ applied NOT to describe ‘ conversion ’ to Christian faith , but rather admission , reception , and welcome into the fullness of Catholic Communion ”. This Rite has to be kept entirely distinct from the catechumenate of Christian initiation : “ Any confusion between catechumens and candidates for reception should be absolutely avoided .”
How wonderful – and pastoral – it is that this fundamental truth is now more clearly perceived , and practised , with the arrival of The Ordinariate and magnificent courses like Evangelium , which did not exist 20 years ago .
But be warned : When you go through the Rite of Reception everyone then – and forever after – will refer to you , ( as they do to me ), as a ‘ Convert ’. But because we know that ALL our Christian life is one of conversion - “ from truth into deeper truth ” - don ’ t be embarrassed by it !
‘ Convert ’ you will be ; ‘ Convert ’ you are ; and ‘ Conversion ’ is what the Christian life is all about . Accept the title and wear it with pride . . . .