The Church Mouse has posted on this earlier. The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have made an announcement about the Ordinariate, which provides for an implementation time table for receiving the departing Bishops, Clergy and groups of the faithful on a schedule between early 2011 to Pentecost 2011.
The full text of their statement is:here. Having a history with the RC Church, I can only hope that they are received with good grace and that their hopes and desire for a new start in faith in communion with Rome are realized. I am very aware that after the Ordination of Women as Priests in the C of E, many went across to Rome at that time, some came back, completely disenchanted. I am also aware that the C of E, occasionally receives former RC priests into Anglican Orders. But, of course, we do not make a song and dance about it.
For those leaving, it will be a huge upheaval and life changing, perhaps with some personal sacrifice and hardship, particularly for stipendiary clergy and their families - it remains to be seen what effect their presence within the RC Church will have upon those existing elements within it, who seek both the Ordination of Women and the end of celibacy.
The one thing that I do know, is that having come from Rome to Canterbury, I could not conceive of returning, the freedom of thought and belief I enjoy as an Anglican, along with so much more, within my Parish is a new, transformed life of faith and love.
I will be praying for all of those involved, who must be allowed to go with grace and with our continuing friendship and blessings.
Friday, 19 November 2010
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Remembrance Day
Today at 1100 hrs I led a small act of Remembrance at a Rural Church, with about a dozen people. This was the second time I was privileged to share with those there the words and prayers of reconciliation and forgiveness which allows us to pay our respects to all who have suffered and died through the wars since WW1.
Coming from a military background, so having been involved for over 45 years with these ceremonies, perhaps I might feel a little jaded, but on the contrary, each passing years makes it more poignant and I grieve for those I know who have suffered.
I find myself wondering why mankind seems to be so set on its own mutual destruction through war, and its causes. As a soldier, I was sent to places, where I did my duty, and If I am honest, did not really think about why I was there, or what I was doing. It was enough that the Government sent us and we were doing our duty.
How my perspective has changed, now I see war as an evil and perhaps a manifestation of that evil which is the diametric opposite of good. And I wonder how I would justify my actions in those situations if challenged by someone, particularly my grand children, and perhaps to my maker.
Life is so precious, it should never be sacrificed in any war, and I pray that we will all come to the realization of how unnecessary it actually is.
Coming from a military background, so having been involved for over 45 years with these ceremonies, perhaps I might feel a little jaded, but on the contrary, each passing years makes it more poignant and I grieve for those I know who have suffered.
I find myself wondering why mankind seems to be so set on its own mutual destruction through war, and its causes. As a soldier, I was sent to places, where I did my duty, and If I am honest, did not really think about why I was there, or what I was doing. It was enough that the Government sent us and we were doing our duty.
How my perspective has changed, now I see war as an evil and perhaps a manifestation of that evil which is the diametric opposite of good. And I wonder how I would justify my actions in those situations if challenged by someone, particularly my grand children, and perhaps to my maker.
Life is so precious, it should never be sacrificed in any war, and I pray that we will all come to the realization of how unnecessary it actually is.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)