The Saint Barnabas’ Blog

Three more photographs arrived courtesy of Fr. Tomlinson Sr this week, who continues to sort out his old slides. The lead photograph provides evidence of an early call to holy orders, though perhaps also a slight huberis mingled with delusions of grandeur…still I won a prize as I remember!

This next shows my sister and I sharing a bath in younger days (Dad thought I wouldn’t dare include this one!) Well I don’t mind, Ruth might concerning what certainly seems a happier occasion for her!

Finally here is this fantastic shot which presents evidence that I suffered from cold hands as a child…at least I HOPE that is what it suggests?!!!

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Advent, a time of joyful expectation for Christians everywhere as we start to prepare ourselves spiritually for the incarnation of Our Lord. As well as the usual 8am Low Mass and 10am Solemn Mass (at which the Advent wreath will be blessed) a special Advent Carol Service will take place at 5pm. It is hoped as many as possible will be present for this devotional service which always ushers in Advent so beautifully. My thanks to the choir who have worked hard to prepare for this and all our services that take place in the coming weeks.

I am going to ease up on the political postings during Advent, but I do want to commend some very good articles as we reflect together on recent events in the life of the church. As a great analysis and backdrop to current events I commend this article written by an evangelical clergyman, John Richardson. It really does provide us with a great insight to the general malaise that so infects the 21st Century in the West.

I then suggest you find time to read this summary of the emerging identity of C of E following events in the last few years. It really does make clear the reasons why Anglo-Catholics feel desperate yet sad when faced with an Anglican future.

And finally there is this very balanced proposal from a Roman Catholic commentator who makes some extremely useful points concerning the practical challenges that might await the new Ordinariate. Lots to read….enjoy!

A huge thank you to the many people who combined to make the Pre-Christmass Fayre such an enjoyable occasion. No grand totals to announce just yet but it was encouraging to see the steady stream of human traffic throughout the morning. Jemima certainly enjoyed herself and returned home with an abundance of second hand toys, cakes and assorted bric-a-brac.

So well done to everyone and do bring your pennies to church again in the morning- there are still a few goods left for sale!

Is there a delicious irony in the plight of Anglo-Catholics in our day? Here is a body of Christians, taking seriously an offer from Rome. Why? Firstly (and most importantly) because we have long taught the Catechism and see Rome as our natural home, but also as an act of sincere protest at the direction of the Church of England is heading in. Our national church has become, to our Catholic eyes, totally corrupt as it waters down doctrine to appease secular thinking. It no longer affirms an orthodox faith but embraces a post-modern understanding of political correctness instead. That, more than any single issue, is something which we simply cannot tolerate in good conscience as Catholics in doctrine as well as practice.

In a strange twist of events then, those seeking to ‘go home to Rome’ do so as thoroughly modern ‘protestants’!!! Just as our forebears felt unable to tolerate the indulgences and excesses of Rome in the 16th Century, so we can no longer tolerate the indulgences and excessses of modern Anglicanism in the 21st Century! We protest! We rejoice in being ‘Protestants’!

Why? Because we no longer see any problem with Rome, it not only offers Mass in the venacular and makes scripture readily available, but it also stands up for the orthodox faith of Jesus Christ incarnate. Wheras we do see huge need for reform in a spiritually barren Anglicanism, in rapid decline as it seeks relevance over truth and values the experiences and feelings of man over the obedience of a revealed faith. For how could the desire of God ever trump the will of man when what Anglicans uphold is now decided by a show of hands in Synod?

Thus history repeats itself. The original gamekeepers have now become the poachers! They govern a church which is increasingly heterodox and unreliable. In this time of prayer we must look ahead with courage and also with joy! For we who protest, however difficult the road ahead may be, face the very real prospect of unity and reconciliation with the rock from which we were hewn. I pray that this may not only become reality but a movement leading to genuine unity for orthodox Christians throughout the world. That we may be ONE.

Today has been a full day and its not yet over! This morning, after my office, I took Jemima to ‘Barna-babies’, our mother and toddler group. Hayley joined us once Benedict had been fed which released me for my usual Thursday morning round of sick communions and parish visits. I am thankful to Michael Smith who also went out to the sick with the sacrament in his role as parish pastoral assistant.

At lunchtime I drove to Sevenoaks to pick up Fr. Ivan and escort him to the Rochester Forward in Faith meeting, known as ‘Chapter 17′. The journey was welcome as it gave us time to share news and catch up. The trusty satnav then took us to St Augustine’s parish in Belvedere where Bishop John Broadhurst had said Mass. Thanks go to Fr. Clive and his parishioners who put on a splendid lunch. Pate & bread, lamb stew and vegetables, trifle, cheese and biscuits were washed down with wine, fizzy water and coffee. Delicious!

After lunch we welcomed + Michael Nazir Ali and his chaplain Fr. Tony to our meeting. Our discussion centred around events in the national and international church and we ended with a blessing. It was then time to return to the Vicarage where my joy at discovering Jemima finally wants to use the potty….turned to despair on discovering she makes this decision as a bout of diarrhea strikes!! No more will be said about this matter- save that I need counselling for post traumatic stress!

Once finished blogging (and mopping) my next chore is to prepare a fire for the church book club which meets with Hayley at the Vicarage tonight. I myself will be meeting the treasurer and churchwarden to prepare materials for our forthcoming stewardship campagin- it will then be time for Mass. After that a few parishioners are accompanying me for a beverage or two in order to ‘wet the babies head’. What a wonderfully full but enjoyable day! Any captions for the photograph?

It is often said you cannot judge a book on its cover. I am not so sure! Certainly we must not judge on covers alone, but it is equally true that how we choose to present ourselves says much about what we are. For example those meeting me for the first time will soon discern, quite correctly, that I lack discipline as regards my diet! My greed is expressed in my podgy frame every bit as much as the prematurely aged face of the homeless or addict gives testament to the misfortunes of their lives. How we dress and how we look after ourselves says much about our outlook on life and ability to care for others.

But what of the garments worn by priests called vestments? Do they reveal anything? I believe they do, but first let us remember why they are worn in the first place. Vestments are traditionally worn to strip the priest of ego that he might better represent Christ at the altar. The colours will reflect the theme of the Mass and not the taste of the incumbent. Hence green is worn in ordinary time, gold at Christmas and Easter, purple in times of penitence and so on and so forth.

When I said Mass this morning then, Ed Tomlinson the man – with his penchant for rugby shirts and jeans- was covered up by the vestments of the Church. I withdrew that the priest, in persona Christi, might come forth. It was, after all, Jesus and not me that my parishioners came to visit. When we understand this we also see why it is that the sacrament is never invalidated by a sinful priest– though it is totally invalidated by a pure soul not ordained! It is the office and not the man who is required at this moment.* At Mass we are not there to look pretty nor to make bold statements about ‘self’. Now look at my lead photograph at the top of this page and see just how anonymous the priests in this concelebration have become. They are gather as one body, a united priesthood. They are not simply a gathering of distinct individuals.

Ok! Now take a peek at Katherine Jefferts-Schori, head of the American Episcopal Church. As is the case with so many of her theologically liberal counterparts her vestments are turning into clothes. She stands adorned, in what I can only describe as a foul duvet from the 1970’s, next to a man robed in red. Just what was the occasion being celebrated??! Red suggest a martyr’s feast but her purple contradicts this, suggesting Lent or Advent. Only one conclusion can be made. The desire to reflect the holy days of the Christians Kalendar has been abandoned in favour of a personal statement of fashion. A desire to obey the teaching of the Church gives way to an expression of self belief. It is lamentable but very revealing about what is befalling many within the church at this time.

And if you think me cruel here is another shot taken only last week at the consecration of Anders Redwyj in Sweden. (Another controversial moment for the Church which will lead to difference of opinion, as she is a partnered lesbian with children) I do not wish to make any statement here about her sexuality, merely her clothes. Once again we discover a huge collection of foul horse blankets, in all the colours of the rainbow, when white or gold is the only option deemed appropriate according to the teaching of the church. Worship of man eclipses obedience to God once again. Could it get worse? Of course! I recently heard of an ordinand wanting Winnie-the-Poo sewn onto her stole as an expression of her identity. A ‘look at me’ liturgical moment in this decadent age of ‘self’ and individualism.

NB: CLEARIFICATION: Some comments suggest I was merely mourning poor taste. Far from it! What the post is trying to suggest is that we become what we pray, we eventually embody what we believe. Hence that wing of our church that sees fit to ignore historic church teaching regarding holy orders, et al in order to rejoice in an inclusive celebration of mankind, soon manifests this celebration of ’self’ in the vestments and liturgies it opts for. Hope that clears things up a bit….

(*That is not to say his maleness is not important. For the priest represents Christ whose own male nature is revelatory and not incidental. He comes to us in the Mass as the groom – to marry his bride the holy church (we his people) , to impregnate us with his word that we may give birth to the fruits of his Spirit. Hence orthodox priests grow long hair and beards, to even better represent Christ at the altar. Their maleness emphasises his, their personal desire for short hair or shaven chin surrendered that He might be better represented.)

I am delighted that Fr. Tomlinson Sr. has fuelled a nostalgic moment with his decision to convert some ancient slides into digital format. What a dashing young chap I was! The photographs were all taken during the late seventies when our family was living in Santiago, Chile. My father was a missionary for the South American Missionary Society, known as SAMS, whose headquarters are ironically here in Tunbridge Wells! The photographs, which also show my sister Ruth, certainly amused Jemima- who delighted in the discovery that her daddy was once a little boy!

Looking forwards, I am astonished at how quickly Advent has crept up on us! Thus this morning I updated the parish website in order to make all the forthcoming services public knowledge. If you are a local (or even if not!) do put the dates into the diary and help us make Advent & Christmass 2009 a truly special one here at Saint Barnabas. Special attention in Advent should be given to our Advent Carol Service – 5pm this coming Sunday and our Service of 9 Lessons and Carols at 5pm on the Sunday before Christmass. On Christmass Eve the crib and Christingle service is taking a slightly different format and children are being encouraged to come dressed as a character from the nativity story. As the crass are fond of saying, ‘bring it on!’

Please pray for Fr Waller and the parish of Saint Saviour’s Walthamstow, who woke up to discover church notice boards vandalised. Furthermore Fr David had a threatening message left on his ansaphone- warning him of violence if his church should opt for the Roman option. Clearly this is criminal behaviour and a matter for the police- but what sort of person stoops to this level in order to hurt another? We should pray for this person as they are clearly lost and full of hatred.

This is the sort of sectarian nastiness one might have (sadly) expected at the height of troubles in N. Ireland but within the Diocese of Chelmsford? It comes as a stark warning to everyone -be careful what emotions you sow! Regardless of our theological views and differences we must work together in love, showing the world how we Christians can handle difference with generosity and integrity.

So a plea from me today! Let us stop the in-fighting- it only ever adds power to the devil’s elbow and creates an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. The problem is really straight forward- liberals and traditionalists have met a stale-mate over the need to consecrate women. One’s gain becomes the other’s loss- so how do we move forward in love?

Love comes through honesty and at this moment of crisis we desperately need clarity not fudge. From my perspective, and after a lot of reflection, there are only two options available that offer hope for the future of the Church of England and both come at a cost.

1) The General Synod decides it wants to keep its traditional Catholics. This requires offering a structural solution akin to that being offered by Rome, not simply as a bargaining tool, but in honest recognition that this is the minimum Catholics need to remain in the church with integrity- adhering to their sincerely held Catholic doctrine as well as practice. Which leads to the cost with this option- Diocesan Bishops of the future might need to relinquish control over a small number of parishes and our unity and ecclesiology would look a little odd from the outside.

2) The General Synod decides it wants a cohesive church and consecrates women without such provision for opponents. If this path is chosen, as now looks certain, then it needs doing honestly. Let us not pretend ‘codes of practice’ work, they are only smoke and mirrors- ingenious ways of helping parishes pretend their Bishop does not exist! This second option comes at the cost of unchurching a minority of members. A moral obligation then exists to assist those departing to the ordinariate through prayer, financial help, generosity with buildings (shared or loaned?) and love.

What is not acceptable is to pretend that Catholics can remain with integrity in a church which accepts women bishops. Our faith is based on principaled doctrina and is not simply an ‘expression’ open to compromise on matters of holy orders.To force us to remain with no provision – or force us out with no assistance is akin to stabbing someone in the back whilst smiling into their eyes. So let the church decide. Either take a small hit on women bishops, but keep the Catholics on board- or- proceed down a path of full power for women bishops but accept responsibility for helping trad. Catholics to get out. But whatever we opt for let us do it in love of one another…please?

Pray today then for our common future amd spare a thought for Anglo-Catholics who cannot accept the ordination of women. It really does feel horrid being in the Church of England currently. Father Waller’s board expresses what many of us are starting to fear- that we are actually hated within our own family, who have no real desire to help us, but will seek to hurt us if we stay and hurt us if we go. Pray God that this fear is entirely unfounded.

Today a healthy number gathered in Saint Barnabas’ church to celebrate the glorious Feast of Christ the Universal King. Apologies for a forgotten camera- this archive shot of our servers awaiting the Angelus will have to do! The hymns today were wonderful (if predictable) ‘All hail the power of Jesus’ name’, ‘Christ triumphant’, ‘Crown him with many crowns’ and finally ‘Laud O sion’ which accompanied our Benediction precession before we ended proceedings with ‘All for Jesus!’ Wonderful stuff to mark the end of another liturgical year and it was especially pleasing to note two new choristers in readiness for the next…if the choir keeps expanding at this rate we will soon have more in the stalls than pews!

After Mass conversation inevitably centred around events in the Anglican communion. Amongst the conversations I had there was an over-riding sense of both sadness and determination. Sadness that the Church of England seems unable or is else unwilling to provide the necessary provision for us to remain truly Catholic in doctrine as well as practice. And determination that we should keep our heads when all around are losing theirs. Everyone is determined to stay loyal and loving, mindful of those with difference of opinion. And everyone, bar none, seems insistent that there should be no change to our worship or teaching. We are, and always have been, unashamedly Catholic and our long term future can only lie within a body able to endorse, maintain and further this glorious tradition. In so many ways our procession at the end of Mass, which led us on bended knee before Jesus in the blessed sacrament, was silent but powerful testament to this fact. Not due to the smoke or umbrellina – however wonderful they may be, but because we believe so passionately in the ‘real presence’ and in the truth of the Catholic faith. May Christ the King watch over us in the coming weeks and months.

Yesterday the Archbishop of Canterbury was speaking in Rome and launched a most extra-ordinary address! I say extraordinary because the usually taciturn, gentle and measured Archbishop transformed into a strident, unapologetic and even cheeky orator! Why he even suggested Rome should adopt Anglican practice and start ordaining women! I did not know whether to be impressed, amused or outraged! As one clever spark commented elsewhere- this was akin to Gordon Brown lecturing the Chinese on sustaining a growing economy and upholding prudent economic practice!

For in depth analysis- pop over to the Sevenoaks blog and ponder Fr. Ivan’s words. As he has done such a fantastic job it is pointless my doing the same. Instead I offer three pithier thoughts that entered my own little head. Obviously this is personal reflection and I do not claim to understand the real motivation of the unfathomable Archbishop!

1) My first reflection is that, whilst this was addressed to a Roman Catholic audience, it was not meant for them. This smacked of a robust defence of Anglicanism intended to demonstrate, to watching media and a people back home, that Rowan is a force to be reckoned with. The impression given that his church is not the crumbling mess many are claiming but a wonderful communion worthy of emulation for its diversity and wisdom.

Now ++Rowan is well within his rights to do this and I commend him for it. I see here an attempt to get talks between two communions back on the track. If Rome has given up on Anglicanism as worthy of full communion, which it clearly has due to the ordination of women and practising homosexuals, Rowan must shift the goalposts. His plea is no longer for full communion, rendered impossible, but for a new focus on first and not second order issues. This becomes a plea not to totally give up on one another and I do hope that message is headed, as I am certain it will be. We Christians must be charitable with one another- an aspect often sadly lacking in these days of increasing uncertainty.

But what was intended as a noble defence of Anglicanism then descended into farce in my opinion. It lacked force, not because of the Archbishop’s integrity per se, but due to the lamentable reality of the situation at home. How can ++Rowan hold up Anglicanism as ‘model institution’ when it is so fractured at this time? Why would anyone ape it, as he encourages them to do, when it is unable to heal its wounds or gather around one altar? Thus the suggestion that Rome should adopt the ordination of women, sounded as ridiculous as it did delusional. If he really was speaking to Rome and expecting them to listen, then I suggest a visit to a psychiatrist is in order!

2) I would also highlight the point raised by Fr. Ivan. Why does the Archbishop commend use of separate structures as a menas of peace, when his own Synod and House of Bishops refuses precisely that option to Anglo-Catholics at home? If he has confidence in this, which shows wisdom, why has he not strongly defended our cause? ++Rowan cannot have it both ways! If he endorses the Revision Committee’s decision to offer us nothing, save a lousy code of practice, then he can hardly spout off about alternative provision elsewhere.

3) Finally I am amazed the Archbishop speaks so stridently in favour or women’s ordination, without aknowledging that the innovation is still meant to be in a period of reception and has inflicted such deep wounds in his own church. It would seem he is declaring the ‘process of reception’ over without waiting for the Universal Church to accept it also! Is this not huberis and a direct contradiction of his own advice?

And so we reach the thorny problem at the heart of this address. Rowan encourages Christians to grow together through obedience and love. Perfect…only he says this as unrepentant leader of a Church in blatant disregard for obedience to scripture, tradition and the mind of the Universal church. The hypocrisy is therefore breathtaking. Here is the Anglican leader, presiding over a church which sticks fingers up at critics and consecrates active gay divorcees and women, preaching to others about obedience.. so, as I said at the outset, cheeky! And hence my unease when I read it. It seems a little akin to Robert Mugabe preaching to the UN regarding a need to tacjle corruption!

As ever I cannot pin our Archbishop down. Is he a tortured Catholic doing everything in his power to turn an ailing church around? Or is he a very clever liberal who hides behind foggy words and an impressive intellect- deliberately playing for time as change is ushered forth. His unwillingness to tackle issues suggest this might be true. Either way I pray for him as he meets with Pope Benedict today. May they work for peace and seek a solution within Anglicanism that finds a sincere home for Anglo-Catholics which can clear the way for women bishops et al elsewhere!