THE
P RTAL
November 2018
after seeking his intercession had been approved by
the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints and it
was expected that they would decide early next year
whether or not to forward their decision to the Holy
Father, who alone can decide in these matters. We
were urged to pray earnestly for a favourable outcome.
“Of course”, Fr Ignatius concluded, “we Oratorians
don’t much care, in a way, as we know that John Henry
Newman is already a saint!”
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being made to found a monastery in Walsingham, but
it was true that there was a decline in vocations in all
areas of the church, though less so in the traditional
and contemplative orders. It was hoped to have some
meetings around the country to encourage vocations
generally. Bishop Steven added that as yet there was
no community in his area but that it was hoped that
the Gilbertines (Augustinian Canons Regular) could
be a useful model for communities in the future. He
had good relations with other religious orders within
his area.
The three Ordinaries, Bishop Steven Lopes, Mgr
Q. Are Evangelicals and the Royal Family a
Harry Entwhistle and Mgr Keith Newton next formed
challenge to the Ordinariates?
a panel, chaired by Fr Tad Oxley, the member of the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith with special
Mgr Keith said that the Royal Family were not a
responsibility for the Ordinariates, and took questions challenge or a problem in themselves but the fact
from the floor of the meeting.
that Parliament could determine Church of England
doctrines, a form of Erastianism, was a problem and
Q. What advice should be given by priests to
that he had himself left the CofE over the issue of
people losing their faith or leaving the church
authority. On Evangelicals, he said that he often found
because of the abuse scandals?
that he had more in common with them than with
liberal mainstream Anglicans.
Mgr Keith urged all to be faithful and to realise that
the Church is a divine institution. It has sinful people
Q. Could the use of ‘Divine Worship: the Missal’
in it, but that should not take us away from Christ. We
be made mandatory?
must remain faithful and TEACH the faith, knowing
that truth will prevail.
Bishop Steven said that all his parishes used
Divine Worship exclusively. Mgr Keith explained the
Q. How can the Anglican pastoral tradition of
problem in the UK in that many Anglo-Catholics had
‘care for everyone’ be applied?
abandoned the Book of Common Prayer in seeking
to emphasise their Catholicity. so the use of Divine
Mgr Harry questioned whether this was part of the Worship was not mandatory but was encouraged,
patrimony or something that was there because the and was increasing. Mgr Harry said that all his
Church of England was an Established church. He communities used it and also said that where diocesan
noted the great pastoral care shown in the Ordinariates priests had experienced the rite they had loved it –
and urged them to continue to be open and welcoming some even used it themselves!
and to teach the truth. He suggested that modern
Anglicanism had become so accommodating to the
Q. How important is music?
wishes of the people that God’s truth had been eclipsed.
Bishop Steven said that the Ordinariates had brought
Q. What of the Missionary aspect of the
an important patrimony of sacred music to the
Ordinariates?
Church and it had to be taken seriously. The ‘St Peter
Gradual’ had been prepared and was now available
Bishop Steven said that all his communities in America to communities who wished to use the chant, but in
were concerned with mission and evangelisation. English. The instruction of children in sacred music
Many people were drawn into the church from the is important. Mgr Keith said that the Ordinariates
home-schooling world and he emphasised that people had the unique opportunity of being able to use the
received sacraments when they were ready – it was a great music of their Anglican past in the service of the
matter of people, not programmes.
Catholic Church.
Q. What of vocations to the religious life?
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Mgr Keith said that the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin
More conviviality followed at a fund-raising
Mary, currently living in Birmingham, were the only reception which brought to a close a far from ordinary
community in any Ordinariate. There were attempts event.