THE P RTAL
December 2011 Page 10
The Right Revd Thomas McMahon
The Bishop Of Brentwood speaks to Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane
It was a damp and dark November afternoon when we arrived at Cathedral House in Brentwood to keep our appointment with Bishop McMahon . Yet once the Bishop ’ s Secretary , Mrs Janet Steele , admitted us and provided tea and coffee , all was warm and welcoming .
Bishop McMahon is a quiet man with an engaging smile and a warm personality . He put us at our ease straightaway . We asked what he thought when he first heard of the plans for the Ordinariate ; he said like everybody it was surprise ! “ Of course ,” he went on , “ one knew discussions had gone on , but we had no inkling it was about to come about .”
Ronald wanted to know how the Ordinariate clergy had been received in Brentwood Diocese . The Bishop responded , “ I must point out they have only been in situ for little more than a month ; but we are delighted . They have been exceedingly well received by clergy and people .”
Jackie wondered if the presence of married priests had been a problem . The Bishop was emphatic “ No it has not . We have had married priests in the Diocese for at least thirteen years . Fr David Prior some thirteen years ago was , I think , in the first batch in the 1990s . Half of them were married . They have been well received by people .”
Jackie continued to ask how the Bishop assessed the Ordinariate clergy . Bishop Thomas stressed that they were a huge asset , a great enrichment . He said , “ For us as a Diocese – and part of the Diocese – it is enrichment for them and for us . Working together it is a strength on both sides .”
Ronald turned the conversation to the fact that some had been appointed Parish priests . He pointed out “ There are clearly plus points and negative ones in this arrangement . From the point of view of the Diocese , how is this working out ?”
The Bishop wanted to draw attention to the fact that married clergy cannot , by Canon Law , be Parish priests , they are Priests in Charge . He turned his attention to the question , “ It is early days , just the past month really , although one or two have been in post longer : John Ravensdale at Greenstead , for example . They are an excellent enrichment for the Diocese , and have been placed in small parishes . I keep to the forefront of my mind that they are Ordinariate priests .
Their first responsibility is for their own people . But some parishes are larger , some smaller . In larger parishes they must spend a larger part on parish business . Smaller parishes would have to be linked together without the Ordinariate clergy , so they have helped the Diocese .”
Jackie raised the question of the Ordinariate having its own Church buildings . The Bishop replied , “ Nationally , I do . I have spoken with Mgr Keith Newton about this and nationally , in London there could be an Ordinariate Church . However locally , although the idea has been around , it is not in the foreseeable future .”
Ronald asked about finance . It is , of course , a problem for everyone . He wondered if the Bishop had any advice for the Ordinariate . Bishop Thomas ’ s answer was instructive . “ Without being factious , I believe in providence . I had to build the Cathedral here , and it opened without debt . It was blest by the Lord . He does provide .
The hierarchy has provided a substantial sum ; there