THE P RTAL
November 2014
Page 21
years. It was badly handled, which is regrettable. Also
regrettable is who defines what Anglican Patrimony
is? Is it liturgy? Is it spiritual patrimony? Less inspiring
“Receptive Ecumenism is that new strategy. God is what seems to be the merely short-term tolerance of
does not push us into a corner to prod us with a married priests. Also, is there not some key Anglican
stick. We must trust the resourcing of the church may patrimony in decision making?
alter. Receptive ecumenism for us is not explaining
ourselves to others, but moving into the hardwood the gifts the Ordinariate
of a real challenge; it is the call to conversion. Roman brings to the Catholic Church
Catholics have called others into conversion, now
“The Catholic Church has a lot to learn and the
what does it mean for us to be called
Ordinariate is a laboratory where
to conversion? It is the J. F. Kennedy
this may be explored. Now that is
question.”
truly prophetic on the part of the
Catholic Church. These could be the
Ordinariate is not
gifts that the Ordinariate brings to
a fresh ecumenical
the Catholic Church.”
the end of this particular road. Is all that is left being
nice to each other? We need a new strategy.
strategy
We wondered if he saw the
We asked about ARCIC3, of which
Ordinariate part of this fresh strategy?
Paul is a member. “There is no
He said not directly. “The Ordinariate
conflict here. One, the Ordinariate, is
does not primarily represent a fresh
to be viewed primarily as a pastoral
ecumenical strategy but a pastoral
response to a pastoral request. It may
response to an Anglican request.
have ecumenical overtones but it is
That said, there are aspects of the
not an attempt at a new ecumenical
reception of Anglican ‘Patrimony’ in the Ordinariate strategy. ARCIC and the Ordinariate are not in
that do possibly have some resonance with some ways opposition