This evening S. Barnabas PCC (Parochial Church Council) gathered for its November meeting. Our main item was the consideration of recent events within the life of our national church with special attention given to ‘Anglicanorum Coetibus’ – the papal offer of sanctuary for Anglicans feeling unable to live out the Catholic life within the evolving Church of England.
I was proud of my PCC tonight. Everyone was encouraged to speak openly and honestly and all did. It was a special time, a sense of love abounded and this led to a very gentle and reflective evening. I honestly cannot remember a single voice raised or a single person upset. Not surprising really- S. Barnabas’ has a long tradition of holding together and upholding the Catholic faith.
Some were full of joy at this offer from Rome, viewing it as the answer to prayer after years of struggle. Others were more cautious but nevertheless open to the notion, wanting clarification on certain issues and pondering the consequence of taking things further. That shows great wisdom because, if we do decide to go down this path, it will be a momentous decision. All agreed that the treatment shown to Anglo-Catholics thus far by the C of E is totally unacceptable.
Nonetheless we are not at that point quite yet and this was no time for crunch decisions! We must be careful not to jump the gun or speak for the wider congregation. Hence we merely pledged care and determination for those wanting to take up this offer and the same love and support for those who don’t. None of us saw any reason for this to lead to anger, agreeing that we can do much better at a managing this at the local level than the church of England seems to be doing at the national level. Unlike certain voices in synod, none of my PCC is seeking the extermination of those holding different views. We prefer to love them and care for them as family members and friends.
So pastoral concern was offered to those we disagree with….except that, in a move which surprised me, no-one did disagree. Everyone feels the C of E has acted wickedly in opting to provide no meaningful provision for Catholics. Furthermore, after years of us limping along with false carrots dangled before our noses – far-off hopes and feeble promises that never materialise- even those with lower-church tendency have said, ‘Enough is enough’! Hence this offer needs looking at seriously for it seems to everyone now, following the revision committee’s report, the only show in town. Synod might think our people are fir turning. Not a bit of it- we are Catholics first and members of the C of E second. For one is our faith and the other merely an institution.
This was a first tentative step then in what could become a long, gruelling process. The overall purpose being to discern if our true home remains within Anglicanism (hard to imagine after the Revision Committee’s conclusion) or comprises something new within the Roman fold. ‘What does Jesus want?’ was our overriding question! It will remain so in the coming weeks and months.
Here then are the three motions we unanimously passed. It was also agreed that we will hold three similar sessions for the wider congregation before ascertaining if there is a group desiring to take things even further:
1) ‘The PCC of Saint Barnabas’ TW wish to offer +John Broadhurst their utmost support at this challenging time for Anglican Catholics’
2) ‘The PCC of Saint Barnabas TW wish to explore the possibility of accepting ‘Anglicanorum Coetibus’’
3) The PCC of Saint Barnabas’ TW pledges its full support to those who wish to explore ‘Anglicanorum Coetibus’ and also to those who do not. It is the expressed desire of this PCC that all and any future decisions be made with love, compassion and regard for all’
Finally I have long thought that those in the pews throughout Britain neither want nor support the direction the C of E is moving in. The Synod certainly suggest so. Everyone agreed that they barely recognise the Church of England anymore. ‘It has lost its faith’, said one. ‘It doesn’t stand for anything anymore’, said another. ‘It has lost its breadth and generosity’. It seems clear then, at least to my PCC, that the C of E does not really want us- or if it does has no way of showing it!
That being the case- what are the options before us? Might this last month’s news turn out to be a wonderful gift from the Lord? Our readings at Mass were certainly uncannily apt. The first from Maccabee’s concerned the struggle to stay faithful to the Old Covenant when a King desired to change the Jewish faith. And the Gospel saw Jesus warn people about death and destruction should they ‘fail to act when God provided for them’. ….it put the hairs up on the back of my neck!
Hello. Being a (Roman) Catholic in the southern part of France, I had very little knowledge of Anglicanism. I have spent some time, in the last few months, discovering its many subtleties. Above all, I was delighted to realize how close your Anglo-Catholic tradition could be to us.
!
The night before the papal offer was first announced, I was in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament (a continuous adoration has been set up in my parish this year) and asking Jesus to give us true and visible unity. I was specially thinking of the TAC’s demand, and didn’t expect so much would happen ! One has to be cautious before asking God for something
I have been reading your blog ever since, and will pray for you, your family and your parish to keep mutual love and serenity while trying to discern God’s project for you.
I share in the prayers of Fabrice and indeed of Jesus that we all may be one. It is therefore depressing that the mixed response to Anglicanorum Coetibus demonstrates how Christian unity is damaged by well meaning people defending their own corner instead of reaching out to others as witnessed by some of the sparring in this, my favorite blog.
Your PCC sets a good example to those who think they have a monopoly on truth, an example the Anglican Church needs urgently to heed. We have it in our grasp to show how a shared faith can be expressed in love, tolerance, and understanding for one another.
Shame on us that +Rowan has not been able to carry that message with him to Rome.
Petros
I’m glad to hear that there will be an opportunity for discussion. I hope that the consultation process will be open and honest about what is on offer and what is at stake. I hope that everyone at S. Barnabas will be encouraged to have their say, and that they take the opportunity to engage in the discussion.
but of course Rod, I think motion 3 makes that abundantly clear