THE
P RTAL
November 2018
Page 8
Once again, in due course this will be available on our
Facebook page.
gave some suggestions for how we might approach
some of these challenges, although recognising that
there are many major differences between how the
Tuesday evening’s thoughts from Mgr Armitage Ordinariate is working in America compared to here.
over supper focussed on what Walsingham really
means and the significance of the Holy House. These
For example, the majority of the Ordinariate priests
thoughts linked beautifully with Bishop Lopes’ homily in America do not have other roles (eg chaplaincies and
at mass describing how we are a community of faith parish responsibilities) whereas most of our priests do.
nourished in the Holy House of the Blessed Virgin. The He encouraged our priests to demonstrate leadership,
significance of Mary’s Holy House being the centre not to challenge people when preaching but also to explain
only of our devotion and spirituality but of our very why the Catholic Church teaches certain things, not
identity in the ordinariates, perhaps helped to explain just to state that it does.
the atmosphere of joy amongst our priests and their
families spending time there. Mgr Armitage’s welcome
The question was asked if the three ordinaries
and support for the ordinariates was much appreciated might collaborate in some way in providing training
by all. Walsingham really feels like our true home; our for seminarians, particularly in terms of Anglican
priests are asking to spend more time together there patrimony, and they felt this might be a good agenda
and I can see why.
item for their next meeting.
Mgr Armitage also outlined some very practical
The update by Mgr Entwistle from Australia (and
issues about the development of the shrine which were in particular the interest being shown about the
interesting. For example, the development of more Ordinariate in New Zealand) was also interesting to
facilities for the disabled and the difficulties that bats hear about.
and greater crested newts were causing to the timetable
of development!
In summary: this particular meeting was so special
for because one felt (as Bishop Lopes so beautifully
Another major highlight was the honesty of debate put it) as “a community of faith nourished in the
in the panel discussion with the three ordinaries and Holy House of the Blessed Virgin”. We also went away
Fr Tad Oxley of the CDF.
refreshed knowing that we can “return to the virtues
received in the Holy House”.
The debate was encouraging because we were
reassured of the real support that there is in Rome for
The whole thing was very well organised, and the
the work of the Ordinariate. Bishop Lopes was also very Ordinariate owes thanks to Fr Chris Pearson, and
helpful in that he was able to offer us fresh perspectives others, who put in so much work.
on some of the challenges we are currently facing. He