THE P RTAL
February 2011 Page 9
The Ordinary Writes
Well , it has begun . The first fruit of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus , the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham , has begun to bud . The name , and the patronage of Blessed John Henry Newman , have delighted us all as Walsingham , the Shrine of Our Lady , has a very special place in our hearts . It is also a special place for ecumenism . At present there are two shrines but who can doubt that it is God ’ s will that there should be only one . I heard a priest in Italy describe Our Lady as the ‘ Star of Ecumenism ’ because she points us to her Son and draws us together in common devotion to him .
The First Ordinary
At the same time as the announcement of the Ordinariate , His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI , appointed me to be its first Ordinary . This is a tremendous privilege and responsibility as we try to develop an entirely new structure in the Catholic Church . No doubt we will experience setbacks and difficulties over the next few weeks and months but we can be sure that many people are praying for us and that you will receive a warm welcome in the Catholic Church wherever you are .
The Beautiful Ordination Mass
I am writing to you in the aftermath of the beautiful Ordination Mass in Westminster Cathedral on 15 th January , when John Broadhurst , Andrew Burnham and I were ordained to the Catholic priesthood in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity .
It has been said that the ordination was an historic moment and it certainly felt like that . ‘ This is how Church history is made ,’ said the Archbishop of Westminster at the end of the ceremony . His homily was masterful and deserves further reading . In it he said :”
Today we thank the Holy Father for the courageous leadership he gives in establishing the first Personal Ordinariate . His intentions are clear . It is , as he has said , ‘ a prophetic gesture ’. It is to contribute to the wider goal of visible unity between our two Churches by helping us to know in practice how our patrimonies of faith and living can strengthen each other in our mission today .
Undermining Ecumenical Progress ?
For many it may seem like that at present . Some no doubt will see the formation of the Ordinariate as undermining the progress that has been made between Catholics and Anglicans over the last 50 years . It will be up to us , the priests and people forming the first groups entering the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham , to ensure the Holy Father ’ s vision is made a reality and that we do indeed become , in a very small way , a bridge for unity .
Holy Hour on 22 nd February ?
You will remember that last year Fr Andrew , Fr John and I encouraged you to organise times of prayer for the forthcoming Ordinariate with your local Catholic parish on 22 nd February , the Feast of the Chair of St Peter the
Holy Hour 22 nd February Feast of the Chair of St Peter the Apostle Ponder on the role of the Bishop of Rome
Give thanks for the vision of Pope Benedict which has brought us to this point .
Apostle . This is a particularly good day to ponder on the role of the Bishop of Rome and give thanks for the vision of Pope Benedict which has brought us to this point .
I would like to suggest that those groups planning to join the Ordinariate in the coming months join with their Catholic brothers and sisters again sometime on 22 nd February , perhaps for a Holy Hour , to ask God ’ s blessing on what lies ahead .
Pray for those groups planning to join the Ordinariate in the coming months
With the assurance of my prayers for all of you .
Our lady of Walsingham pray for us . Blessed John Henry Newman pray for us .
Father Keith Newton