THE P RTAL
August 2014
UK Pages - page 17
News from the UK Groups
Called To Be One
Pope Francis
has said he is praying for
the success of the Personal Ordinariate of Our
Lady of Walsingham’s forthcoming “Called To Be One”
exploration day, which aims to increase understanding
of the Ordinariate’s purpose and reach out to those
who may feel called to join it.
the Catholic Church with Catholic aspects of the
beautiful heritage and culture of Anglican patrimony
and advances the cause of unity which must be the
ultimate aim of all ecumenical activity... I wish you
every success with this initiative. I hope it will attract
many interested enquirers”.
The endorsement was delivered in a letter from
Monsignor Keith Newton warmly invites all those
the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop who are interested in the Ordinariate to attend the
Antonio Mennini, to Monsignor Keith Newton, the exploration day “whether because they are considering
Ordinary of the Ordinariate.
their future or just because they would like to see more
of what we are and what we do”.
The full text of Archbishop Mennini’s letter reads as
follows: “At the request of the Secretariat of State, I have
Mgr Newton’s invitation came in his response to
been asked to inform you that the Holy Father Francis, the Church of England General Synod’s decision to
on learning of the national day of exploration entitled allow women to be ordained as bishops. In the same
“Called to be One” organised by the various Groups of statement Mgr Newton said that, though that decision
the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham and due was a very happy one for many within the Church of
to take place on Saturday 6 September 2014, wishes to England, it made the position undeniably harder for
convey his good wishes and prayers for a successful those within the Anglican Church who still longed for
and inspiring event. The Holy Father cordially imparts unity with Rome.
his Apostolic Blessing upon all those persons who are
participating in this significant event and working in
When the Ordinariate was set up by Pope Benedict
any way for the promotion and presentation of the in 2011, it was to make it possible for Anglicans who
Catholic Faith and the Gospel in Great Britain”.
wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic
Church to do so, bringing with them much of the
The Nuncio ends with his own prayerful good wishes heritage and traditions of Anglicanism.
for a very successful day.
Pope Benedict described these as “treasures to be
Pope Francis’ blessing on the exploration day and shared”. On the exploration day, each of the 40 or
Archbishop Mennini’s words of support for it follow a so Ordinariate groups across the country will host
statement of welcome for the initiative from Cardinal a different event, with the common theme of the
Vincent Nichols. In his capacity as President of the vision for Christian unity which is at the heart of the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Ordinariate.
the Cardinal said: “the Ordinariate both enriches
Portsmouth celebration
Saint
Agatha’s,
Market Way, Portsmouth,
will be celebrating the Feast of
Our Lady of Walsingham on
Saturday 27th September at
11am with Solemn High Mass
with Procession.
The Music will be the “Sparrow
Mass” by Mozart and the homilist
will be Fr Matthew Goddard
FSSP. There will be a reception
after Mass.
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