THE
P RTAL
Walsingham Supplement
Page i
Walsingham Supplement
Only the rocks and
stones will sing
Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane talk to Bishop Lindsay Urwin,
Administrator of the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham
Walsingham in
North Norfolk is never an easy place to reach; on a cold and damp November
evening it is a difficult journey. The dual-carriageway that skirts Peterborough gives way to a single-
carriageway road around Wisbech, and eventually one drives on what can only be described as country lanes.
Bishop Lindsay’s thoughts and
feelings on that day. It was obvious
to those who attended that he was
visibly moved by the occasion.
Bishop Lindsay settled back in his
arm-chair, smiled and said, “I was
looking forward to welcoming Mgr
We wondered what his reaction
Keith Newton and the Ordinariate.
was when he heard about the
Bonds of friendship are strong. I
Ordinariate? He thought for
was glad it rained, as it forced us
fully two minutes before saying:
all into the Shrine Church. This
“Curiosity: what would the Pope
brought an intensity that would
say to those Anglicans who had
approached him? I had known something was afoot, have not been there if the Sprinkling had taken place
but not the details. I was grateful for what seems to me in the Gardens.”
a warm-hearted offer from the Holy Father for those
That day many Ordinariate members were fearful
seeking communion with him.”
of entering the Shrine Church. It held too many
patronage of Our Lady of Walsingham memories. Bishop Lindsay expressed understanding
Bishop Lindsay is delighted that the Ordinariate and empathy with these feelings. He said, “I was
is under the patronage of Our Lady of Walsingham moved. Why? Well, I am always moved by people’s
because, as he says, “It means we all continue to share love for Walsingham. As Administrator one is keeper
her prayers.” He went on, “We now we have a new for a season of something, a treasure that has a great
category of pilgrim; the Ordinariate Pilgrim. It will influence on people’s spiritual lives.”
change us, and bring something new to Walsingham.
He continued, “I knew their hesitation. There seemed
Of course there are members of the Ordinariate who
remain members of the Society of the Holy House of to me a profound sense of vulnerability in those who
Our Lady of Walsingham, though we have lost numbers had made the journey to the Ordinariate, not knowing
of priests associate and there is some sadness in that. quite what was in store. They had made themselves
The first members of the Ordinariate were sisters from vulnerable before the Lord, and vulnerable before the
here, and we miss them! But we all see the Holy House Church, vulnerable before this place which had meant
as central to our experience of pilgrimage. Many cradle so much to them, still does. I was also moved because
Catholics love the Holy House too, especially those of the new sense of pain through this separation. I am
who originate from other countries, but now there are not among those who are cross about the Ordinariate.
Catholics in the Ordinariate who love the Holy House It is not my place to make a judgement about what folk
have done in good conscience.” Then he thought for
as it were from the inside.
a moment and said in a serious voice, “As long as I
Reparation Pilgrimage
am Administrator, I will not allow the Shrine to be a
Ronald asked about the Reparation Pilgrimage and political football.”
It was after dark when we arrived
at Walsingham. We found Bishop
Lindsay in the Shrine Church. He
took us to his cottage and we settled
down.