Priests ordained to the world’s first ordinariate
By Anna Arco on Saturday, 15 January 2011
Three former Anglican bishops were ordained to the Catholic priesthood today as the founding members of the world’s first ordinariate.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster ordained the three men this morning at a packed Westminster Cathedral.
Keith Newton, the former Bishop of Richborough, Andrew Burnham, the former Bishop of Ebbsfleet, and John Broadhurst, the former Bishop of Fulham, were ordained Catholic priests just two days after their ordination to the diaconate and only two weeks after they were received into the Catholic Church.
The three men become the first clergy members of the world’s first personal ordinariate, established by a papal decree and known as the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, under the protection of Blessed John Henry Newman. The Ordinary, or head, of the ordinariate will be Fr Newton.
Fr Newton, Fr Burnham and Fr Broadhurst were three of five Anglican bishops in England and Wales who publicly announced that they would take up the offer made in the Pope’s November 2009 decree Anglicanorum coetibus.
All three were flying bishops in the Church of England, ministering to Anglo-Catholics who were not able in good conscience to accept the ordination of women priests. Their flocks are preparing to enter into the new ordinariate during Holy Week.
At the start of the Mass, Archbishop Nichols read the Bull establishing the ordinariate. In it, Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said the ordinariate “marks a unique and historic moment in the life of the Catholic community in this country”.
The three men were presented for ordination by Westminster auxiliary Bishop Alan Hopes, himself a former Anglican.
In his homily, Archbishop Nichols thanked the Church of England, especially the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
Archbishop Nichols said: “I want in particular to recognise your dedication as priests and bishops of the Church of England and affirm the fruitfulness of your ministry.
“I thank so many in the Church of England who have recognised your sincerity and integrity in making this journey and who have assured you of their prayers and good wishes. First among these is Rowan, Archbishop of Canterbury, with his characteristic insight and generosity of heart and spirit. This journey of course involves some sad parting of friends. This too we recognise and it strengthens the warmth of our welcome.”
He added: “We thank our Holy Father Pope Benedict for not only placing this ordinariate under the protection of Our Lady of Walsingham but also for givuing it Bl John Henry Newman as its patron.”
Referring the Pope’s December 20 speech, Archbishop Nichols spoke about Blessed John Henry Newman’s idea of conscience.
He continued: “Today we thank the Holy Father for the courageous leadership he gives in establishing the first personal ordinariate. His intentions are clear. It is as he said, ‘a prophetic gesture’. It is to contribute to the wider goal of visible unity between our two Churches by helping us to know in practice how our patrimonies of faith and living can strengthen each other in our mission today.”
Archbishop Nichols said the Pope’s ministry was central to the visible unity of the Church.
He said: “It is central to the faith of those who enter into full communion in this ordinariat. It is central to the werlcome, encouragement and support the Catholic community in England and Wales gives to this development and to allk who seek to be part of it.”
He entrusted the ordinariate to the intercession of Our Lady of Walsingham.
After the laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination, Mrs Broadhurst, Mrs Burnham and Mrs Newton brought their husbands the symbols of the priesthood, the vestments.
The three former Anglican Sisters at Walsingham, who were received into the Catholic Church with the former bishops, brought up the gifts to Archbishop Nichols.
The music at the Mass was sung by Westminster Cathedral choir. The Mass was Missa O quam gloriosum. There was music by Elgar and Stanford. The closing hymn was Newman’s “Praise to the Holiest in the Height”.
More than 60 priests from across England and Wales concelebrated at the Mass of Ordination and laid their hands on the ordinands. Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham, Auxiliary Bishop William Kenny of Birmingham, Bishop Hopes and Bishop Thomas McMahon of Brentwood were among the bishops concelebrating at the Mass.
At Communion, many people came up to receive blessings from the new priests.
Fifty priests and 35 groups of Anglican lay people are expected to go through the Evangelium course and be received into the Catholic Church at Easter. The former Anglican clergy entering into the ordinariate will then be ordained priests at Pentecost.
There were at least three Anglican bishops from the Catholic wing of the Church of England in the congregation, the Rt Rev Lindsay Urwin, the administrator of the Anglican shrine at Walsingham, the Rt Rev Robert Ladds, former Bishop of Whitby, and Rt Rev Tony Robinson, Bishop of Pontefract.
Edwin Barnes, the retired Bishop of Richborough, David Silk, the retired bishop of Ballarat, and Robert Mercer, the former Bishop of Matabeleland, of the Traditional Anglican Communion, were in the congregation. So was Dr Robin Ward, the principal of St Stephen’s House, Oxford.
Edwin Barnes will be received into the Catholic Church at the church of Our Lady and St Joseph, Lymington, at the end of January and will become a priest just before Lent begins, on March 5.
David Silk has already been received into the Catholic Church and will be ordained a priest of the ordinariate on February 18.
After the Mass, one young woman in the congregation who hopes to be in the first wave of the ordinariate, said: “I thought it was tremendous and very moving and utterly joyful and historic. I feel so proud and thankful to the Pope. It’s just beyond our wildest dreams.
“I want to say it’s like coming home. I know that’s a cliché, but that’s what it feels like.”
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Homily 2nd Sunday Ordinary Time January 15-16, 2011
“Who are you, who, who; I really want to know who are you.
Tell me who you are, cause I really want to know.”
Pete Townsend wrote these lyrics in the seventies for a group called The Who. I guess The Who needed to know who The Who were. And I seriously doubt he ever thought these lyrics would find their way into a Catholic homily. Who knew?
How often in life do we struggle with “who are you”? We go through life all too often with many people at school, work, every week at Church and often we don’t know each other. But I’m also talking about those we may even be familiar with. How do we know them, by what they do or who they are?
Throughout my formation in the Permanent Diaconate, my director and my instructors would remind us: it’s not what you do but who you are. It took a long time for me to truly understand this; but it is indeed who you are.
As people of faith who are you? And who is Jesus to us? Do we recognize Him as he comes toward us?
In our liturgy today we find ourselves in Ordinary Time. The all too familiar green is back and the readings now focus on the public ministry of Jesus. Today the Church gives us a glimpse into the Gospel of John the Evangelist to build upon Matthew’s account of the Baptism of Jesus celebrated last week. John the Baptist has already baptized Jesus when he sees Him again. Scripture says Jesus is coming toward him. In his excitement and joy, John the Baptist declares boldly: Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. The Baptist explains that he witnessed the Holy Spirit coming upon Jesus and remaining with Him. Boldly prophesying The One who is to come, He is now here and John the Baptist declares who is Jesus, not by what He does but who He is: The Lamb of God. And by boldly declaring that Jesus is the Lamb of God he reveals to all people in every time that Jesus is the Savior of the World. In the words of this passage, John the Baptist gives us a model to follow: recognize Jesus by who He is and boldly proclaim it for the world to know.
How do we recognize Jesus? Certainly we recognize Him in the ordinary gifts of bread and wine as they become His Body and Blood. And we recognize Him in ordinary words that truly are the Word of God, the Word that was in the beginning and the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. But do we recognize Jesus in each other, our own family and friends and in those we may not think about every day? Ordinary people but created in the image and likeness of God. Do we recognize Jesus in the poor and marginalized, the elderly and the lonely, the unborn baby, the patient in hospice, the prisoner and the homeless? Do others recognize Jesus in us?
From the “who we are” then flows naturally the “what we do”. Because if Jesus is recognizable in others and in us we will respond generously when confronted by poverty, hunger, injustice, illness, and tragedy. If Jesus is recognizable in others and in us we too will respond with love, friendship, warmth, hope and joy.
I mentioned earlier we are now in Ordinary Time. This week, be extraordinary. Ordinary Time is a season of the Church. The extraordinary mission of Jesus Christ is alive and active even in Ordinary Time. By being who we are; the reflection of Jesus for others; be extraordinary. Tell someone this week you love Jesus. Tell someone this week you love your Catholic faith. Tell someone this week that Jesus loves them as He loves you too.
John the Baptist recognized and knew who Jesus is: The Lamb of God. Recognize and know Jesus so others may recognize and know Him too.
It’s not what you do but who you are!
Who are you, who, who, I really want to know; who are you?
Tell me who you are, cause I really want to know.”
Pete Townsend wrote these lyrics in the seventies for a group called The Who. I guess The Who needed to know who The Who were. And I seriously doubt he ever thought these lyrics would find their way into a Catholic homily. Who knew?
How often in life do we struggle with “who are you”? We go through life all too often with many people at school, work, every week at Church and often we don’t know each other. But I’m also talking about those we may even be familiar with. How do we know them, by what they do or who they are?
Throughout my formation in the Permanent Diaconate, my director and my instructors would remind us: it’s not what you do but who you are. It took a long time for me to truly understand this; but it is indeed who you are.
As people of faith who are you? And who is Jesus to us? Do we recognize Him as he comes toward us?
In our liturgy today we find ourselves in Ordinary Time. The all too familiar green is back and the readings now focus on the public ministry of Jesus. Today the Church gives us a glimpse into the Gospel of John the Evangelist to build upon Matthew’s account of the Baptism of Jesus celebrated last week. John the Baptist has already baptized Jesus when he sees Him again. Scripture says Jesus is coming toward him. In his excitement and joy, John the Baptist declares boldly: Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. The Baptist explains that he witnessed the Holy Spirit coming upon Jesus and remaining with Him. Boldly prophesying The One who is to come, He is now here and John the Baptist declares who is Jesus, not by what He does but who He is: The Lamb of God. And by boldly declaring that Jesus is the Lamb of God he reveals to all people in every time that Jesus is the Savior of the World. In the words of this passage, John the Baptist gives us a model to follow: recognize Jesus by who He is and boldly proclaim it for the world to know.
How do we recognize Jesus? Certainly we recognize Him in the ordinary gifts of bread and wine as they become His Body and Blood. And we recognize Him in ordinary words that truly are the Word of God, the Word that was in the beginning and the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. But do we recognize Jesus in each other, our own family and friends and in those we may not think about every day? Ordinary people but created in the image and likeness of God. Do we recognize Jesus in the poor and marginalized, the elderly and the lonely, the unborn baby, the patient in hospice, the prisoner and the homeless? Do others recognize Jesus in us?
From the “who we are” then flows naturally the “what we do”. Because if Jesus is recognizable in others and in us we will respond generously when confronted by poverty, hunger, injustice, illness, and tragedy. If Jesus is recognizable in others and in us we too will respond with love, friendship, warmth, hope and joy.
I mentioned earlier we are now in Ordinary Time. This week, be extraordinary. Ordinary Time is a season of the Church. The extraordinary mission of Jesus Christ is alive and active even in Ordinary Time. By being who we are; the reflection of Jesus for others; be extraordinary. Tell someone this week you love Jesus. Tell someone this week you love your Catholic faith. Tell someone this week that Jesus loves them as He loves you too.
John the Baptist recognized and knew who Jesus is: The Lamb of God. Recognize and know Jesus so others may recognize and know Him too.
It’s not what you do but who you are!
Who are you, who, who, I really want to know; who are you?
Friday, January 14, 2011
Why Pope John Paul II mattered (and still matters)
9 Reasons Pope John Paul II mattered
By Dan Gilgoff, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor
Pope John Paul II is in the news today in a big way, with the Vatican announcing he will be beatified in May - the last step before sainthood.
Most people know that John Paul was hugely important - one of the most consequential popes in history - without exactly knowing why.
Here are 9 reasons:
1. John Paul II turned the role of pontiff into global celebrity. "He was the first pop pope," says Stephen Prothero, a Boston University religion professor and CNN Belief Blog contributor. "Although rather conservative theologically he was the first to marry the papacy to the cult of celebrity."
2. He made people rethink the Catholic Church, updating its image and strengthening its influence with everyday people and world leaders alike, through a vigorous campaign of global engagement. "For the most part popes had been viewed as old Italian guys in white sitting on some gilded baroque throne in Rome," says David Gibson, who has authored multiple books on the papacy. "But in demonstrating a willingness to think and act outside the papal box, John Paul inspired many Catholics and, just as important, he made billions of others look at the Catholic Church in a new way."
"John Paul II embodied in change in so many ways," Gibson says, "that he seemed to signal to the world that the Catholic Church could be as agile as any institution in the modern world."
3. He left Rome. A lot. John Paul II was the first globetrotting pope, drawing huge crowds in corners of the world that no pope had ever visited. "He broke out of the golden cage of the Vatican and its protocols and took the papacy to the world rather than expecting the world to follow the road to Rome," says Gibson. And people responded. When John Paul II celebrated mass at Grant Park in Chicago - a city no pope had visited before – in 1979, 1.2 million people showed up.
4. He helped end Communism. A year after his election to the papacy, John Paul returned to his native Poland to "strengthen the brethren" there in the face of Soviet rule. His visit, in which he repeatedly told Poles "Don't be Afraid," helped inspire the launch of the Solidarity in Poland, the most powerful anti-communist movement until that time, which in turn triggered similar resistance across the Soviet Union. When Communism collapsed in 1989, many credited John Paul with helping lay the groundwork.
5. He was one of the world's great communicators. Fluent in 8 languages, the John Paul II often addressed audiences in their native tongue. "He spoke everyone else’s language, and his Latin wasn’t so great," says Gibson. And he wasn't shy about using the media to get his message out. 'If it doesn’t happen on TV, it doesn’t happen,” John Paul used to say, according to Gibson.
And he was even more effective in person. "Almost everyone who ever met him describes it exactly the same way, that when he was speaking with you, it was as if you were the only person in the world," says Joseph Zwilling, who directs communications for the Catholic Archdiocese of New York. "He saw in every person a real reflection of the image and likeness of God, and lived that out in a radical way."
Even when he was suffering from Parkinson's late in life, Pope John Paul was unafraid to be seen. "His willingness to appear in public bearing the effects of Parkinson's reminded the world that for the Christian, suffering is nothing to be ashamed of, or hidden away," says James Martin, a Jesuit writer.
6. More than previous popes, he inspired young people, the lifeblood of any religious tradition. John Paul II "logged hundreds of thousands of miles in tours that brought vast crowds of adoring adolescents," says Prothero. Adds Tom McClusky, director of government relations for the conservative Family Research Council in Washington: "He empowered youth throughout the world to make holiness a part of their lives."
7. While revolutionizing the papacy, he strictly adhered to traditional church teaching. "Change is often seen as a dirty word in the church, as though altering the smallest custom or tradition would start a crack in the entire edifice of faith," says Gibson. But John Paul reaffirmed the church's conservative stances on social issues like abortion and contraception, signaling a change of course after what some saw as the more liberal reforms of the Second Vatican Council.
"He ended the dominance of liberation theology... revivified the grandeur of traditional Catholic liturgy, and he reconnected Catholic social teaching to the witness of scripture," says Deal W. Hudson president of Catholic Advocate.
"John Paul II energized the 'evangelical' wing of the Catholic Church, meaning Catholics who embrace church teaching and want to take it to the streets to change the culture, which in the United States you see most clearly on the 'life issues' such as abortion and gay marriage," adds John Allen, Jr. CNN's Vatican analyst. "There’s now a whole generation of younger 'John Paul II' priests and bishops who share that mindset.
8. John Paul reset Catholic relations with other religious traditions. He was the first pope to visit a synagogue and a mosque. "Many Jews think of him as the greatest pope in history," says Allen. "He also managed to pioneer better relations with Islam - two pretty remarkable things to have accomplished at the same time."
He also improved Catholicism's relationship with other Christian traditions. "John Paul II won an unprecedented level of respect for the Catholic Church among evangelical Christians, removing the anti-Catholic tinge of much of their preaching, teaching, and cultural commentary," says Hudson.
9. He de-Italianized the papacy, the first pope born outside of Italy in centuries.
By Dan Gilgoff, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor
Pope John Paul II is in the news today in a big way, with the Vatican announcing he will be beatified in May - the last step before sainthood.
Most people know that John Paul was hugely important - one of the most consequential popes in history - without exactly knowing why.
Here are 9 reasons:
1. John Paul II turned the role of pontiff into global celebrity. "He was the first pop pope," says Stephen Prothero, a Boston University religion professor and CNN Belief Blog contributor. "Although rather conservative theologically he was the first to marry the papacy to the cult of celebrity."
2. He made people rethink the Catholic Church, updating its image and strengthening its influence with everyday people and world leaders alike, through a vigorous campaign of global engagement. "For the most part popes had been viewed as old Italian guys in white sitting on some gilded baroque throne in Rome," says David Gibson, who has authored multiple books on the papacy. "But in demonstrating a willingness to think and act outside the papal box, John Paul inspired many Catholics and, just as important, he made billions of others look at the Catholic Church in a new way."
"John Paul II embodied in change in so many ways," Gibson says, "that he seemed to signal to the world that the Catholic Church could be as agile as any institution in the modern world."
3. He left Rome. A lot. John Paul II was the first globetrotting pope, drawing huge crowds in corners of the world that no pope had ever visited. "He broke out of the golden cage of the Vatican and its protocols and took the papacy to the world rather than expecting the world to follow the road to Rome," says Gibson. And people responded. When John Paul II celebrated mass at Grant Park in Chicago - a city no pope had visited before – in 1979, 1.2 million people showed up.
4. He helped end Communism. A year after his election to the papacy, John Paul returned to his native Poland to "strengthen the brethren" there in the face of Soviet rule. His visit, in which he repeatedly told Poles "Don't be Afraid," helped inspire the launch of the Solidarity in Poland, the most powerful anti-communist movement until that time, which in turn triggered similar resistance across the Soviet Union. When Communism collapsed in 1989, many credited John Paul with helping lay the groundwork.
5. He was one of the world's great communicators. Fluent in 8 languages, the John Paul II often addressed audiences in their native tongue. "He spoke everyone else’s language, and his Latin wasn’t so great," says Gibson. And he wasn't shy about using the media to get his message out. 'If it doesn’t happen on TV, it doesn’t happen,” John Paul used to say, according to Gibson.
And he was even more effective in person. "Almost everyone who ever met him describes it exactly the same way, that when he was speaking with you, it was as if you were the only person in the world," says Joseph Zwilling, who directs communications for the Catholic Archdiocese of New York. "He saw in every person a real reflection of the image and likeness of God, and lived that out in a radical way."
Even when he was suffering from Parkinson's late in life, Pope John Paul was unafraid to be seen. "His willingness to appear in public bearing the effects of Parkinson's reminded the world that for the Christian, suffering is nothing to be ashamed of, or hidden away," says James Martin, a Jesuit writer.
6. More than previous popes, he inspired young people, the lifeblood of any religious tradition. John Paul II "logged hundreds of thousands of miles in tours that brought vast crowds of adoring adolescents," says Prothero. Adds Tom McClusky, director of government relations for the conservative Family Research Council in Washington: "He empowered youth throughout the world to make holiness a part of their lives."
7. While revolutionizing the papacy, he strictly adhered to traditional church teaching. "Change is often seen as a dirty word in the church, as though altering the smallest custom or tradition would start a crack in the entire edifice of faith," says Gibson. But John Paul reaffirmed the church's conservative stances on social issues like abortion and contraception, signaling a change of course after what some saw as the more liberal reforms of the Second Vatican Council.
"He ended the dominance of liberation theology... revivified the grandeur of traditional Catholic liturgy, and he reconnected Catholic social teaching to the witness of scripture," says Deal W. Hudson president of Catholic Advocate.
"John Paul II energized the 'evangelical' wing of the Catholic Church, meaning Catholics who embrace church teaching and want to take it to the streets to change the culture, which in the United States you see most clearly on the 'life issues' such as abortion and gay marriage," adds John Allen, Jr. CNN's Vatican analyst. "There’s now a whole generation of younger 'John Paul II' priests and bishops who share that mindset.
8. John Paul reset Catholic relations with other religious traditions. He was the first pope to visit a synagogue and a mosque. "Many Jews think of him as the greatest pope in history," says Allen. "He also managed to pioneer better relations with Islam - two pretty remarkable things to have accomplished at the same time."
He also improved Catholicism's relationship with other Christian traditions. "John Paul II won an unprecedented level of respect for the Catholic Church among evangelical Christians, removing the anti-Catholic tinge of much of their preaching, teaching, and cultural commentary," says Hudson.
9. He de-Italianized the papacy, the first pope born outside of Italy in centuries.
On the road to Sainthood: John Paul II
It is official; Pope John Paul II to be beatified on May 1st, the Feast of Divine Mercy. Read the entire proclamation at this link:
http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/Articolo.asp?c=454138
Pope John Paul II, pray for us!
http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/Articolo.asp?c=454138
Pope John Paul II, pray for us!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The week that has been...
In so many ways; what a week. It's been very difficult to avoid media coverage of the aftermath of the Tuscon tragedy. My initial reactions have proven to be true as such partisan reactions have dominated the discourse in these past few days. Right blaming left, left blaming right, both sides defending, not so graciously, their partisan perspectives. I have heard so much slander, ironically in such a contradictory manner, that I can't understand how some of these folks don't realize they are making things worse.
At least the news of the recovery of Representative Giffords is encouraging. I hope we all are praying for her continued improvement. And today in a sad yet beautiful funeral liturgy, they said goodbye to little 9 year old Christina Taylor Green. May she rest in eternal peace and for the other five who lost their lives.
But in this week, our lives go on. I returned to work, my daughter back to college and routines begin anew. In this week I sat in on my first staff meeting at my new parish, Most Holy Trinity. Early on, I am most impressed with the staff at our growing parish and the organization in running the everyday operations of our local church. I have already witnessed the beautiful spirituality of the good people at MHT. Tuesday night brought time with many fellow deacons from throughout the Archdiocese as we begin a class of canon law and specifics on annulments and marriage issues. And then Wednesday night brought me back to Rayburn, after a two week hiatus. On this very cold night I brought with me a new intern, if you will, as one of the candidates of the 2012 class will complete his clinical pastoral training(CPT) at the prison. A strong turnout greeted us as the men are ready to worship God in these early ordinary times of 2011. Finally tonight, a nice evening spent with my brother Knights of Columbus in St.Jane Parish.
This was a special meeting. One of our older but dearest members, a founder of our Council, and a faithful parishioner died. Mr. Warren Galjour was loved and respected by all and we will miss as we prepare for his funeral. I was so happy that this past Sunday many Knights and wives gathered at Mr. Warren's hospital bed to pray a Rosary. Even though he never awoke, we knew he heard every prayer.
So as I prepare to get under some warm covers on this unusually cold night, I am thankful for another wonderful week of ministry. I hope we will continue in the days and weeks ahead, as we reflect on recent current events, to pray for each other, to seek justice and peace and to treat each other with kindness, dignity and respect.
At least the news of the recovery of Representative Giffords is encouraging. I hope we all are praying for her continued improvement. And today in a sad yet beautiful funeral liturgy, they said goodbye to little 9 year old Christina Taylor Green. May she rest in eternal peace and for the other five who lost their lives.
But in this week, our lives go on. I returned to work, my daughter back to college and routines begin anew. In this week I sat in on my first staff meeting at my new parish, Most Holy Trinity. Early on, I am most impressed with the staff at our growing parish and the organization in running the everyday operations of our local church. I have already witnessed the beautiful spirituality of the good people at MHT. Tuesday night brought time with many fellow deacons from throughout the Archdiocese as we begin a class of canon law and specifics on annulments and marriage issues. And then Wednesday night brought me back to Rayburn, after a two week hiatus. On this very cold night I brought with me a new intern, if you will, as one of the candidates of the 2012 class will complete his clinical pastoral training(CPT) at the prison. A strong turnout greeted us as the men are ready to worship God in these early ordinary times of 2011. Finally tonight, a nice evening spent with my brother Knights of Columbus in St.Jane Parish.
This was a special meeting. One of our older but dearest members, a founder of our Council, and a faithful parishioner died. Mr. Warren Galjour was loved and respected by all and we will miss as we prepare for his funeral. I was so happy that this past Sunday many Knights and wives gathered at Mr. Warren's hospital bed to pray a Rosary. Even though he never awoke, we knew he heard every prayer.
So as I prepare to get under some warm covers on this unusually cold night, I am thankful for another wonderful week of ministry. I hope we will continue in the days and weeks ahead, as we reflect on recent current events, to pray for each other, to seek justice and peace and to treat each other with kindness, dignity and respect.
Anglican Bishops become Catholic Deacons
GLOBAL ZENIT NEWS
Rome's Zenit News
Online Magazine Following Birth of 1st Ordinariate
Today, former Anglican Bishops Andrew Burnham, John Broadhurst and Keith Newton became Catholic deacons, and on Saturday they will be ordained Catholic priests.
The first "personal ordinariate" is being born, though its official birth awaits a decree from the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith and the Holy Father's naming of an ordinary.
The possibility of this ecclesiastical structure is outlined in "Anglicanorum Coetibus." It is designed for groups of Anglicans and Anglican pastors who wish to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. It is expected that further ordinariates will be established around the world to respond to the desire of those Anglican communities who also seek full communion with the Catholic Church.
A free monthly online magazine is following the birth of this first ordinariate.
Titled The Portal, the magazine will be published on the first of each month, and is designed for those in the U.K. ordinariate, those Anglicans who are interested in the ordinariate, and all Catholic friends of the ordinariate. It is receiving financial support from The Catholic League and Cost of Conscience, and it defines itself as "an independent review in the service of the ordinariate."
The first issue is now available online.
The 12-page review features a profile of Deacons Burnham, Broadhurst and Newton, as well as an interview with Auxiliary Bishop Alan Hopes of Westminster, a former Anglican priest who became Catholic 17 years ago, and who has been charged with setting up the ordinariate. It announces that future issues -- "hopefully from February onwards" -- will include a reflection from the ordinary, whom the Pontiff has yet to name.
Contributors Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane -- described in the staff box as "Anglicans exploring the ordinariate" -- spoke with Bishop Hopes. He told them he expects between 50 and 60 priests and 30 and 40 groups to "move over." But, he added, "We are not in the numbers game."
Father Peter Geldard, Catholic chaplain of the University in Canterbury, will write a column for the Portal. He notes how he served as a priest in the Church of England for 23 years and worked with Cardinal Basil Hume, late archbishop of Westminster, to try to create a possibility for groups of Anglicans to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. That possibility only became a reality with Benedict XVI's document, and Father Geldard, and those who shared his views, were received individually into the Catholic Church.
Drawing from his personal history in the process of Anglican-Catholic relations, he calls the beginning of the ordinariate the "most exciting ecumenical event to have ever occurred in my lifetime."
Rome's Zenit News
Online Magazine Following Birth of 1st Ordinariate
Today, former Anglican Bishops Andrew Burnham, John Broadhurst and Keith Newton became Catholic deacons, and on Saturday they will be ordained Catholic priests.
The first "personal ordinariate" is being born, though its official birth awaits a decree from the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith and the Holy Father's naming of an ordinary.
The possibility of this ecclesiastical structure is outlined in "Anglicanorum Coetibus." It is designed for groups of Anglicans and Anglican pastors who wish to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. It is expected that further ordinariates will be established around the world to respond to the desire of those Anglican communities who also seek full communion with the Catholic Church.
A free monthly online magazine is following the birth of this first ordinariate.
Titled The Portal, the magazine will be published on the first of each month, and is designed for those in the U.K. ordinariate, those Anglicans who are interested in the ordinariate, and all Catholic friends of the ordinariate. It is receiving financial support from The Catholic League and Cost of Conscience, and it defines itself as "an independent review in the service of the ordinariate."
The first issue is now available online.
The 12-page review features a profile of Deacons Burnham, Broadhurst and Newton, as well as an interview with Auxiliary Bishop Alan Hopes of Westminster, a former Anglican priest who became Catholic 17 years ago, and who has been charged with setting up the ordinariate. It announces that future issues -- "hopefully from February onwards" -- will include a reflection from the ordinary, whom the Pontiff has yet to name.
Contributors Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane -- described in the staff box as "Anglicans exploring the ordinariate" -- spoke with Bishop Hopes. He told them he expects between 50 and 60 priests and 30 and 40 groups to "move over." But, he added, "We are not in the numbers game."
Father Peter Geldard, Catholic chaplain of the University in Canterbury, will write a column for the Portal. He notes how he served as a priest in the Church of England for 23 years and worked with Cardinal Basil Hume, late archbishop of Westminster, to try to create a possibility for groups of Anglicans to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. That possibility only became a reality with Benedict XVI's document, and Father Geldard, and those who shared his views, were received individually into the Catholic Church.
Drawing from his personal history in the process of Anglican-Catholic relations, he calls the beginning of the ordinariate the "most exciting ecumenical event to have ever occurred in my lifetime."
Innocent and precious; the funeral of an angel
TUCSON, Ariz. – The casket for Christina Taylor Green seemed too small to hold the grief and despair of the 2,000 mourners who packed into a church Thursday to say goodbye to the 9-year-old girl whose life began and ended with two soul-searching moments for the country.
Reminders of the innocence of the bubbly girl born Sept. 11, 2001 were everywhere: A group of little girls dressed in frilly dresses and white tights craned to see as their friend's casket rolled into the church and Christina's best friend sneaked them a wave from her place in the processional line.
Outside the church, more little girls — and hundreds of other people — wearing white and waving American flags lined both sides of the street for more than a quarter-mile to show their support. Hundreds of motorcycle riders from all over stood guard and more than a dozen residents were dressed as angels.
Before the service, Christina's family and closest friends gathered under the enormous American flag recovered from Ground Zero and paused for a moment of silence, holding hands and crying. White-gloved state troopers escorted family and dignitaries into the church as a choir sang hymns.
"She would want to say to us today, 'Enjoy life,'" said Bishop Gerald Kicanas, who presided over the funeral. "She would want to say to us today, 'God has loved me so much. He has put his hand on me and prepared a place for me.'"
"Her time to be born was Sept. 11, 2001," he said. "Her time to die was the tragic day, Jan. 8, 2011, just nine years old she was. But she has found her dwelling place in God's mansion. She went home."
As Christina's family grieved, new developments emerged in the case when a man walking his dog found a black bag containing ammunition that authorities believe was discarded by the suspected gunman, 22-year-old Jared Loughner.
The third-grader was one of six people shot Saturday when a gunman opened fire at a meet-and-greet event for Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot through the head but survived. Thirteen others were injured.
Michelle Obama urged parents in a statement to talk to their children about the shooting to help them work through the questions they may have — even those who didn't know Christina.
"The questions my daughters have asked are the same ones that many of your children will have — and they don't lend themselves to easy answers," she said in a statement. "But they will provide an opportunity for us as parents to teach some valuable lessons — about the character of our country, about the values we hold dear, and about finding hope at a time when it seems far away."
At the church, the focus was on the little girl who was an avid swimmer and dancer, a budding politician and the only girl on her Little League team. Mounds of flowers — pink roses and wreaths — surrounded the closed casket and a large photo of Christina and her older brother, 11-year-old Dallas, stood at the entrance to the church.
Her father, John Green, recalled in an emotional eulogy how his daughter used to pick blueberries, loved snorkeling and played for hours with her cousins and brother behind the house, directing the activities.
He recalled how once, upon returning from a two-week trip, he found his daughter and his wife dancing in the hallway, full of life and happiness.
"Christina Taylor Green, I can't tell you how much we all miss you," her father said, according to the Arizona Daily Star. "I think you have affected the whole country."
Dante Mitchell, 8, was one of Christina's classmates who came to say goodbye and try to make sense of losing a friend he chased on the playground and battled with in break-dancing contests. He's been sad since the shooting, his mother said, and asked to bring a giant teddy bear to Christina's funeral because she loved animals.
"This was kind of a closure for him. He was in the car coming here saying he was feeling sad about it," said Leshan Mitchell, as she and her son left the service. "He said, 'Mom, I'm feeling really sad now' and I said, 'People who didn't know her are feeling sad, too, and it's OK to cry and it's OK to be angry."
Angie Yrigoyen, who knew Christina through her 11-year-old grandson Dominic, was still emotional as she left the church and said the funeral captured the little girl's spirit in a way that moved her profoundly.
"She was like a grown-up in a child's body," said Yrigoyen, 77, as she broke into tears. "I saw her as a very happy child. I hope the one thing that she brings to our city, our state and country is peace."
Reminders of the innocence of the bubbly girl born Sept. 11, 2001 were everywhere: A group of little girls dressed in frilly dresses and white tights craned to see as their friend's casket rolled into the church and Christina's best friend sneaked them a wave from her place in the processional line.
Outside the church, more little girls — and hundreds of other people — wearing white and waving American flags lined both sides of the street for more than a quarter-mile to show their support. Hundreds of motorcycle riders from all over stood guard and more than a dozen residents were dressed as angels.
Before the service, Christina's family and closest friends gathered under the enormous American flag recovered from Ground Zero and paused for a moment of silence, holding hands and crying. White-gloved state troopers escorted family and dignitaries into the church as a choir sang hymns.
"She would want to say to us today, 'Enjoy life,'" said Bishop Gerald Kicanas, who presided over the funeral. "She would want to say to us today, 'God has loved me so much. He has put his hand on me and prepared a place for me.'"
"Her time to be born was Sept. 11, 2001," he said. "Her time to die was the tragic day, Jan. 8, 2011, just nine years old she was. But she has found her dwelling place in God's mansion. She went home."
As Christina's family grieved, new developments emerged in the case when a man walking his dog found a black bag containing ammunition that authorities believe was discarded by the suspected gunman, 22-year-old Jared Loughner.
The third-grader was one of six people shot Saturday when a gunman opened fire at a meet-and-greet event for Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot through the head but survived. Thirteen others were injured.
Michelle Obama urged parents in a statement to talk to their children about the shooting to help them work through the questions they may have — even those who didn't know Christina.
"The questions my daughters have asked are the same ones that many of your children will have — and they don't lend themselves to easy answers," she said in a statement. "But they will provide an opportunity for us as parents to teach some valuable lessons — about the character of our country, about the values we hold dear, and about finding hope at a time when it seems far away."
At the church, the focus was on the little girl who was an avid swimmer and dancer, a budding politician and the only girl on her Little League team. Mounds of flowers — pink roses and wreaths — surrounded the closed casket and a large photo of Christina and her older brother, 11-year-old Dallas, stood at the entrance to the church.
Her father, John Green, recalled in an emotional eulogy how his daughter used to pick blueberries, loved snorkeling and played for hours with her cousins and brother behind the house, directing the activities.
He recalled how once, upon returning from a two-week trip, he found his daughter and his wife dancing in the hallway, full of life and happiness.
"Christina Taylor Green, I can't tell you how much we all miss you," her father said, according to the Arizona Daily Star. "I think you have affected the whole country."
Dante Mitchell, 8, was one of Christina's classmates who came to say goodbye and try to make sense of losing a friend he chased on the playground and battled with in break-dancing contests. He's been sad since the shooting, his mother said, and asked to bring a giant teddy bear to Christina's funeral because she loved animals.
"This was kind of a closure for him. He was in the car coming here saying he was feeling sad about it," said Leshan Mitchell, as she and her son left the service. "He said, 'Mom, I'm feeling really sad now' and I said, 'People who didn't know her are feeling sad, too, and it's OK to cry and it's OK to be angry."
Angie Yrigoyen, who knew Christina through her 11-year-old grandson Dominic, was still emotional as she left the church and said the funeral captured the little girl's spirit in a way that moved her profoundly.
"She was like a grown-up in a child's body," said Yrigoyen, 77, as she broke into tears. "I saw her as a very happy child. I hope the one thing that she brings to our city, our state and country is peace."
More on beatification of Pope John Paul II
Evidence mounts over John Paul II beatification
VATICAN CITY – Evidence is mounting that the pope will soon approve the miracle needed to beatify Pope John Paul II, setting the stage for a major celebration this year for a Catholic Church trying to recover from the clerical sex abuse scandal.
Italian news media have been reporting that in recent weeks Vatican-sponsored panels confirmed that a young French nun was miraculously cured of Parkinson's disease after praying to the Polish-born John Paul.
Pope Benedict XVI now must sign off on the miracle and set a date for the beatification, the first major step to possible sainthood.
Polish Bishop Tadeusz Pieronek, former No. 2 of the Polish Bishops' Conference and an old friend of the late pope, told The Associated Press on Thursday that he understood an announcement could come Friday, though he stressed he didn't have independent confirmation.
He said the beatification date could be as early as May 1, though other reports have said it would be later in the year given the enormous preparations that will be necessary to host the influx of pilgrims for the event.
On Thursday, workers began restoring a mosaic in a chapel near the entrance of St. Peter's Basilica, where John Paul's remains presumably would be moved for better public access once beatified.
His tomb is currently in the grottoes underneath the basilica, where a short line of tourists waited Thursday to pay their respects.
The Vatican will not publicly discuss the possibility of such a move ahead of a formal announcement by Benedict, said the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi.
Benedict put John Paul on the fast track to possible sainthood just weeks after he died in 2005, responding to the chants of "Santo Subito!" or "Sainthood immediately!" that erupted during his funeral Mass.
Benedict waived the typical five-year waiting period before the process could begin, but he insisted that the investigation into John Paul's life be thorough so as to not leave any doubts about his virtues.
The last remaining hurdle concerned the approval by Vatican-appointed panels of doctors and theologians, cardinals and bishops that the cure of French nun, Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre, was a miracle due to the intercession of John Paul.
The nun has said she felt reborn when she woke up two months after John Paul died, cured of the disease that had made walking, writing and driving a car nearly impossible. She and her fellow sisters had prayed to John Paul, who also suffered from Parkinson's.
Last year, there were some questions about whether the nun's original diagnosis was correct. But those doubts were apparently put to rest after more doctors examined her case.
Il Giornale, a conservative newspaper which covers the Vatican closely, reported earlier this week that the nun's case had cleared the panels and that all that remained was Benedict's approval.
"The pope still needs to pronounce himself but it has not happened before that he would not accept such an opinion (confirming a miracle)," Pieronek told the AP.
A second miracle, occurring after beatification, must be confirmed for John Paul to be declared a saint.
Since John Paul was such a universally beloved figure, his beatification is expected to be a major boost for a church reeling from the fallout of the clerical sexual abuse scandal, which saw thousands of new cases in Europe and beyond come to light last year.
Cardinal Jose Saraiva-Martins, the former head of the Vatican's saint-making office, said the beatification would be a "moment of joy" for the church which has been grieved not only by the abuse scandal but the persecution of Christians around the world.
"Something so joyful is certainly very important for the church," he told the AP.
VATICAN CITY – Evidence is mounting that the pope will soon approve the miracle needed to beatify Pope John Paul II, setting the stage for a major celebration this year for a Catholic Church trying to recover from the clerical sex abuse scandal.
Italian news media have been reporting that in recent weeks Vatican-sponsored panels confirmed that a young French nun was miraculously cured of Parkinson's disease after praying to the Polish-born John Paul.
Pope Benedict XVI now must sign off on the miracle and set a date for the beatification, the first major step to possible sainthood.
Polish Bishop Tadeusz Pieronek, former No. 2 of the Polish Bishops' Conference and an old friend of the late pope, told The Associated Press on Thursday that he understood an announcement could come Friday, though he stressed he didn't have independent confirmation.
He said the beatification date could be as early as May 1, though other reports have said it would be later in the year given the enormous preparations that will be necessary to host the influx of pilgrims for the event.
On Thursday, workers began restoring a mosaic in a chapel near the entrance of St. Peter's Basilica, where John Paul's remains presumably would be moved for better public access once beatified.
His tomb is currently in the grottoes underneath the basilica, where a short line of tourists waited Thursday to pay their respects.
The Vatican will not publicly discuss the possibility of such a move ahead of a formal announcement by Benedict, said the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi.
Benedict put John Paul on the fast track to possible sainthood just weeks after he died in 2005, responding to the chants of "Santo Subito!" or "Sainthood immediately!" that erupted during his funeral Mass.
Benedict waived the typical five-year waiting period before the process could begin, but he insisted that the investigation into John Paul's life be thorough so as to not leave any doubts about his virtues.
The last remaining hurdle concerned the approval by Vatican-appointed panels of doctors and theologians, cardinals and bishops that the cure of French nun, Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre, was a miracle due to the intercession of John Paul.
The nun has said she felt reborn when she woke up two months after John Paul died, cured of the disease that had made walking, writing and driving a car nearly impossible. She and her fellow sisters had prayed to John Paul, who also suffered from Parkinson's.
Last year, there were some questions about whether the nun's original diagnosis was correct. But those doubts were apparently put to rest after more doctors examined her case.
Il Giornale, a conservative newspaper which covers the Vatican closely, reported earlier this week that the nun's case had cleared the panels and that all that remained was Benedict's approval.
"The pope still needs to pronounce himself but it has not happened before that he would not accept such an opinion (confirming a miracle)," Pieronek told the AP.
A second miracle, occurring after beatification, must be confirmed for John Paul to be declared a saint.
Since John Paul was such a universally beloved figure, his beatification is expected to be a major boost for a church reeling from the fallout of the clerical sexual abuse scandal, which saw thousands of new cases in Europe and beyond come to light last year.
Cardinal Jose Saraiva-Martins, the former head of the Vatican's saint-making office, said the beatification would be a "moment of joy" for the church which has been grieved not only by the abuse scandal but the persecution of Christians around the world.
"Something so joyful is certainly very important for the church," he told the AP.
Haiti one year later
>>>We all should recall that Haiti was devasted one year ago this week by a massive earthquake and much remains ruined. But because of the efforts of so many there is some relief, some joy and hope. Can we continue our prayer for our brothers and sisters in Haiti and any support we can still give. Contact Catholic Relief Services.
May God have mercy on the people of Haiti!
Much of Haiti still in ruins a year after massive quake
By Catholic Online
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
Haitian faithful still gather at ruined cathedral
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - One year later after a massive earthquake sent most of Haiti tumbling to the ground, much has remained unchanged. Once proud landmarks are still little more than mounds of rubble. Haitians considers themselves very lucky if they still have a roof over their heads, as much of the displaced populace still remain in hastily constructed tent cities.
Many of the faithful still come to what remains of the Cathedrale Notre Dame de L'Assomption. Mounds of pink and cream-colored concrete contain twisted steel rods, jutting out here and there like medieval weapons, a year after the quake. Shards of red carpet and shattered stained glass lie strewn about the rubble. The roof at the Cathedral has collapsed completely, letting sun and rain wear away at the sanctuary. "What took 30 years to build came tumbling down in 35 terrifying seconds," Moni Basu, a correspondent with CNN writes.
But - in an evocative illustration that points out that a church is far much more than a building, the faithful still gather there every Sunday. Some bring plastic or folding wooden chairs, as there is no place to sit. Others bring umbrellas, as there is no roof for shelter.
"Dear God," 54-year-old Pierre Richard Vinson, who prays here every day. "Forgive me for my sins. I am your son. After all that happened, you gave me my life, you gave me my health." Vinson, who has six children at home to feed says the Cathedral is the only place in Port-au-Prince where he feels calm.
Vinson had attended mass at the cathedral since he was a little boy. After the earthquake, after he lost his house, lost his job, lost every remnant of his life, he heard others say: This is what God did.
Vinson thought at first that perhaps this was God's wrath. How could God let his people, who have already endured so much, suffer like this?
As time went on, he looked inward for strength. He began stopping at the cathedral every morning, before he headed downtown.
Father Glandas Toussaint echoes Vincent's sentiment to the people who have gathered on this Sunday morning.
"Forget your suffering while you are here," says the priest, his voice booming through loudspeakers set up in the park in front of the cathedral's rubble.
"We will be happy."
May God have mercy on the people of Haiti!
Much of Haiti still in ruins a year after massive quake
By Catholic Online
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
Haitian faithful still gather at ruined cathedral
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - One year later after a massive earthquake sent most of Haiti tumbling to the ground, much has remained unchanged. Once proud landmarks are still little more than mounds of rubble. Haitians considers themselves very lucky if they still have a roof over their heads, as much of the displaced populace still remain in hastily constructed tent cities.
Many of the faithful still come to what remains of the Cathedrale Notre Dame de L'Assomption. Mounds of pink and cream-colored concrete contain twisted steel rods, jutting out here and there like medieval weapons, a year after the quake. Shards of red carpet and shattered stained glass lie strewn about the rubble. The roof at the Cathedral has collapsed completely, letting sun and rain wear away at the sanctuary. "What took 30 years to build came tumbling down in 35 terrifying seconds," Moni Basu, a correspondent with CNN writes.
But - in an evocative illustration that points out that a church is far much more than a building, the faithful still gather there every Sunday. Some bring plastic or folding wooden chairs, as there is no place to sit. Others bring umbrellas, as there is no roof for shelter.
"Dear God," 54-year-old Pierre Richard Vinson, who prays here every day. "Forgive me for my sins. I am your son. After all that happened, you gave me my life, you gave me my health." Vinson, who has six children at home to feed says the Cathedral is the only place in Port-au-Prince where he feels calm.
Vinson had attended mass at the cathedral since he was a little boy. After the earthquake, after he lost his house, lost his job, lost every remnant of his life, he heard others say: This is what God did.
Vinson thought at first that perhaps this was God's wrath. How could God let his people, who have already endured so much, suffer like this?
As time went on, he looked inward for strength. He began stopping at the cathedral every morning, before he headed downtown.
Father Glandas Toussaint echoes Vincent's sentiment to the people who have gathered on this Sunday morning.
"Forget your suffering while you are here," says the priest, his voice booming through loudspeakers set up in the park in front of the cathedral's rubble.
"We will be happy."
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