THE
P RTAL
March 2019
Joanna Bogle asks
some uncomfortable questions
S
Why are there
so few on the
bridge?
Page 4
o let’s get blunt. Why aren’t more Anglicans keen to join
the Ordinariate? Of course there are lots of reasons – as many as
there are potential but non-joining people. So it’s only possible to reflect
on information gained from personal knowledge.
na
wri tes
For some, it’s a non-starter. They lament the muddles crowds at World Youth Day or at Youth 2000, or who
in modern Anglicanism – especially apparent moves to have been impressed by the work of local groups of
bless same-sex unions or offer celebrations for people Mother Teresa’s nuns or similar?
announcing a change of sex – but they are uninterested
Pope Benedict, on his visit to Britain in 2010,
in the Catholic Church.
revealed a deep and realistic understanding of
They disagree with what they know, or think they Britain’s particular heritage. The call to Anglicans
know, of Catholic doctrine, and regard Catholicism to come into full communion with Rome was made
with a vague, benign distrust. Churchgoing is a matter with an understanding of the urgency of this stage in
of involvement with a local particular Anglican church. our history, and a full grasp of challenges that face all
Sometimes this extends even to simply abandoning Christians in the West over the next years.
the practice to religion when popular vicar retires, or
The Ordinariate is an adventure in which it is a
when some other change awakens a sense of irritation.
privilege to share – even in a tiny way, for example as
For others, particularly clergy, it’s a sort of endless a contributor to T he P ortal . I have Anglican friends
postponement: whatever the Catholic Church offers, who feel they have been “de-churched”: they find the
it isn’t really enough – at any rate, not yet. Things are CofE a place of worry and concern rather than of
OK as they are. Sort of. There is physical if not spiritual sacramental action.
security. Home, useful work, and hoping that things
They admit to finding themselves in agreement with
may get better, seem preferable than a complicated
the teachings set out in the Catechism of the Catholic
fresh start with all its uncertainties.
Church. They have a sense of wanting to belong to the
And, for clergy, there is uncertainty – that’s another worldwide Church. They are now in contact with the
point. The Catholic Church doesn’t guarantee to ordain local Catholic parish and are happy about it.
anyone. There is a procedure to be followed. There is
There is no Ordinariate nearby: rather a pity.
the risk of being turned down. Whether fairly or not,
one might be left stranded.
And there are many more issues, some substantial,
some apparently trivial – but nonetheless real.
Is the Ordinariate doing enough to welcome Anglican
searchers who long for clear doctrine and union
with Peter and who love an English liturgy that has
a simple, dignified and familiar feel? Do Ordinariate
events have the look and “feel” of being accessible to
evangelically-minded men and women of the sort who
have been impressed by seeing, for example, young
You are invited to join the
Rosary Fellowship
For full details and an application form
please contact Br Robert Augustine at:
The Retreat of Our Lady and St Benedict,
63a Wells Road, Walsingham NR22 6DX
[email protected]
01328 820130
Please could clergy bring this initiative to the attention of any of
your people who do not have access to this publication