I am extremely grateful to +Andrew Burnham who left this very thoughtful and corrective message on my post yesterday. He puts his finger on the pulse and we all do well to dwell on his words:
I think we have to stand back from the conflict a little and remain in the desert of prayer. Anglicanorum coetibus (the Pope’s offer) is either a gracious gift from God, whereby Catholic unity is possible for those Anglo-catholics who have longed and prayed for unity with the Holy See or it is a distraction from the task of bringing the whole of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion safely into the ambit of Catholic Faith and Order.
If this second possibility is ruled out by the Church of England’s own actions – and that seems to be an ever stronger interpretation – then we need to accept the Holy Father’s offer, not as Plan B but as Plan A++. But, if we accept the offer, we need to be careful not to damage our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Church of England and the mission of Reformed Christians in this country – a mission which God also enables and inspires. And we must make the journey in humble faith and trust. + Andrew
Quite. However angry and hurt we may be feeling that does not relinquish us from our Christian duty to love and to forgive. The wider Church of England has chosen a liberal protestant identity for the 21st Century. It has also realised, to its own horror in all but the most aggressively progressive quarters, that it leaves us traditionalists totally out of the picture. So be it. We must pray for them and they must pray for us and together we should seek a way forward that is both encouraging and helpful to all. If we Catholics now face a death of sorts we must do so confident in resurrection elsewhere.
I was thus very impressed with the Rt. Revd. Nick Baines, a Bishop who does not share my views, for his blog post. It is both honest enough to admit that we have indeed been stranded and gracious enough to voice concern for us. You can read his contribution to the debate here. If only all those promoting the new liberal Anglican theology were as kind as him.
A gracious comment from the Bishop of Ebbsfleet for which I commend him. This morning I am even less sure of the lie of the land. I have read a number of reactions including at Anglican Wanderings which can only be described as bewildered at the volte-face by the Revision Committee.
Reform has this:
http://www.reform.org.uk/pages/press/latestpress.php
Of course what would help is clear advice from the “leadership” of our church but all we get is delphic asides, which could mean, well anything really. I do however feel that we have not heard the last of this and things are in flux. But what do I know?
I woke up this morning with the realisation that having been completely anti GAFCON [and Roman] interference in the CofE, that in fact if we are going to continue along the lines of the Synod ’08 CofE then I really don’t have much of an argument against people finding alternative oversight wherever they wish that enables them to keep faithful to their understanding of the Christian faith. Perhaps we are getting what we deserve.
But that is what happens when you have a total vacuum of leadership at the top of your church.
I am sorry but I see Nick Baines’s response as rather self-serving, consisting as it does of “oh my — looks like you folks will have to decide to leave or stay right NOW because of this moment of clarity” — when in fact, the “moment of clarity” is actually — and always has been — the Synod vote which folks like Nick Baines MUST WIN BY 2/3.
Easy for him to say “bye-bye — moment of clarity is here — see you later” — but of course that’s what he hopes for.
I rather agree with Sarah’s reading. Of course people must make decisions right now to leave the Church of England. Upon no account must they come together and organise themselves to oppose this legislation. That would be very unfair as it is likely to mean that in 2012 it will not pass the 2/3 majorities required in each house of Synod. Waiting and organising for next year’s Synod elections with 2012 in mind just wouldn’t be playing the game now would it?
But then Nick Baines, coming from the disfunctional diocese of Southwark, wouldn’t mind it if people did that now would he?
This I like. Bishop Nick Baines wrote: “Perhaps the creation of an ordinariate within the CofE for them is a solution,with similar rules for those within the RC Church. It would be taking the Pope’s idea and turning it around to keep them within the CofE.”
We need to explore every possible avenue before thinking of climbing into the lifeboat. I am happy for those for whom the Pope’s offer is the answer to their prayers but let us not forget those who, for whatever reason, would if necessary have to go down with the ship.
Petros
Apologies for the above typing error. It should have read “Bishop Nick Baines Blog:”.
Petros
The wisdom of Bishops…
…Is like the driving skills of cats.
Petros
What you quote (Ordinariate wihtin the CofE) is surely what we have been asking for for years, yet consistently been refused? In the last few weeks we dared to hope it may at last be seriously considered. Not so, even what we have is to be taken away.
I don’t want to go anywhere. I desire to remain within the CofE and within the Aglican Communion, it is the church of my Baptism and has nourished me as a Catholic Christian all my life. What happens next lies in the hands of others. Sadly, some who shout loudest seem less able to understand the legality of what is proposed, nor the concept of collegiality, do not care anyway and do not want us to stay.
Can’t help thinking of Elijah in the Wilderness: ”The Israelites have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword. I only am left, and they are seeking my life to take it away.”
I hope that did not sound to uncharitable, but that’s the view from down here. What is needed is precisely what our Bishops have advised. To step back from the noise presently drowning out the still, small voice, and to reflect in patience and penitence.
Roll on Advent, but will there be room at the Inn? We’ve already been offered a stable.
Indeed, Woggler. We bishops need cats’ eyes so we don’t woggle over onto the wrong side of the road. God bless you as you woggle away. Keep woggling.
+ Andrew
Frances,
I understand your sentiments but I can’t sit by any longer while the likes of Ms C Rees and her WATCH sympathisers bellow when there is a sniff of things veering off the course they have set for themselves. For their own selfish ends, they falsely accuse us of misogyny which is offensive enough but worse, I have seen far too many saintly women despair of their sex, some losing their faith feeling abandoned by the Church that nurtured them.
Reflection and penitence yes, patience I have lost.
Petros