THE
P RTAL
July 2011
Page 15
Book Review
“Sea without a shore” by Simon Ellis
Review by: Ronald Crane
On the shelf above the fireplace in my study, beside the crucifix, the small statue of Our Lady,
the picture of Pope Benedict XVI and the card with a picture of an excessively ultramontane High Altar
festooned with candles, stands a framed photograph of Michael Houghton, the second Bishop of Ebbsfleet.
He is in the foreground and behind him sits an out-of-focus George Carey. The picture appeared in the press
following the press conference after this appointment as Bishop of Ebbsfleet had been announced.
Bishop Michael was special
the Additional Curates Society.
It is there because Michael was special. In the darkest
hour, he was a tower of strength. In those days around
You can get a copy of “Sea without a shore” by Simon
the turn of the millennium, there were lots of dark Ellis from:
hours for those of us who called ourselves Anglo-
Catholic and were of the traditionalist variety rather
ACS, Gordon Browning House,
than “affirming”.
8 Spitfire Road, Birmingham B24 9PB
Bishop Michael stood by and supported in every
way, many who were in trouble. He supported. He
went out of his way to visit. He wrote to those
who needed a word, he telephoned when
encouragement was required. One wonders
just how many relied on his strength and
support, let alone what it cost him.
Therefore when I received this little book
of no more than sixty seven pages, I was
delighted. It is high time someone produced a
biography of Michael Houghton.
From childhood onwards
Fr Ellis has done a good job. He takes us from
childhood to university and on to teaching:
Marriage to Diana before Saint Helena via
Wellingborough and on to Folkestone.
Finally he takes us to Ebbsfleet and
inspiration for a whole constituency, before
the tragic end, his death all too early. I well
remember that funeral and the tears, as well as
Diana’s kindness.
Fitting tribute
This little book deserves to be read by
everyone who knew Michael. It is a fitting
tribute to him and his ministry.
“Sea without a shore” is published by the
Church Union in association with the Anglo
Catholic History Association and printed by
or online from www.churchunion.co.uk