Recently in Anglican Ordinariate Category

A dear friend of mine, Father Richard Cipolla published an article today in the Wall Street Journal on what it means for a faithful Christian to belong to Christ faithfully, moving from an Episcopal Church to full communion with the Catholic Church and being a married Catholic priest. The life of sacrifice and joy is clear in Cipolla's story. For me, it is a testament of grace to know Father Richard and his wife, Cathy, and to have met his children. Wouldn't be good if all the clergy could say that with conviction and love. Last week Father Richard celebrated his anniversary of ordination to the Catholic priesthood on January 28 in the Diocese of Bridgeport. Let us pray for him and Holy Mother Church.


The WSJ article follows:


Being a Catholic Priest--and Married

The pope has created a new diocese for bringing Episcopalians into the church.


By Richard Cipolla


Richard Cipolla.jpg

Last month, Pope Benedict announced the formation of an American "ordinariate," or special diocese for Episcopal congregations that want to move to Roman Catholicism (driven largely by Episcopalianism's liberal drift). These congregations, the pope ruled, could keep some of their Anglican liturgy. More significantly, a small but sizable number of married Episcopal priests will now become married Catholic priests.

As a married Catholic priest ordained in 1984 under a special provision set forth by Pope John Paul II (for individual priests, judged on an individual basis), I have closely followed Pope Benedict's announcement. I rejoice in this catholic and generous gesture by the pope and am overjoyed that these priests and their families will be welcomed into the Catholic Church. But that is not to say it won't bring its own share of challenges.

My experience as a married Catholic priest for 28 years brings to mind several thoughts, both practical and spiritual. First, the church must support new priests' families financially. During my first years as a married Catholic priest, there were times when we could not pay the heating bill. When I was ordained, it was made quite clear to me that I should not look to the church as my main source of income but rather to a full-time job outside of the church. My parish duties have thus always been secondary.


Report
on the Implementation of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus
November 15, 2011
by
His Eminence Cardinal Donald Wuerl
Archbishop of Washington

Donald Wuerl, cardinal.jpg
Thank you Archbishop Dolan.  With me for this presentation are Bishop Robert McManus and Bishop Kevin Vann, the other members of the Conference's ad hoc Committee on the Implementation of Anglicanorum coetibus.

With us, as well, are Father Jeffrey Steenson and Father Scott Hurd, who have worked with the committee.

At our June General Assembly meeting in Seattle, I provided a brief report and update on the progress being made in the implementation of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus. At that time, I asked for and received a show of support for the material I presented by way of a consultation with the bishops.
Enhanced by Zemanta
Kevin W. Vann.jpgAt the general assembly of the US Bishops today, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, DC, announced the Vatican appointment of Bishop Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Fort Worth Texas, to be the Ecclesiastical Delegate for the Pastoral Provision (in effect since 1981). Vann succeeds Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark. Vann will oversee the  the formation and admittance of former Anglican clergy to the Roman Church. He will work closely with Cardinal Wuerl who has oversight of the temporary church structure of the Anglican Ordinariate in the USA.

Bishop Vann writes about the work on his blog.

January 1, 2012 is the date slated for the establishment of the new American, Personal Ordinariate for former Anglican Clergy and people coming into full communion with the Rome Church. The official name of the Ordinariate has not been announced.

You may be interested in "Anglicanorum Coetibus: Questions and Answers." It is quite helpful in terms of defining meaning, significance and timeline of events.

I've known Bishop Vann for some time and he's an excellent choice for the good shepherd who will help the former Anglican clergy.

Decree of erection of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham

The supreme law of the Church is the salvation of souls. As such, throughout its history, the Church has always found the pastoral and juridical means to care for the good of the faithful.

With the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus, promulgated on 4 November 2009, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, provided for the establishment of Personal ordinariates through which Anglican faithful may enter, even in a corporate manner, into full communion with the Catholic Church. On the same date, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published Complementary Norms relating to such Ordinariates.

Vincent Nichols UK.jpg

Many ordinations have taken place in this Cathedral during the 100 years of its history. But none quite like this. Today is a unique occasion marking a new step in the life and history of the Catholic Church. This morning the establishment of the first Personal Ordinariate under the provision of the Apostolic Constitution 'Anglicanorum Coetibus' has been announced in our hearing. So I too salute John Broadhurst, Andrew Burnham and Keith Newton who are to be the first priests of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. In particular I offer my prayers and best wishes to Keith, chosen by the Holy Father to be its first Ordinary.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

William Levada.jpg

The Ordination to the Priesthood of our three friends, Andrew Burnham, John Broadhurst and Keith Newton, is an occasion of great joy both for them and for the wider Church. I had very much wished to be present with you in Westminster Cathedral today in order to demonstrate my own personal support for them as they make this important step. Unfortunately, however, a long standing commitment of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to meet with the Bishops and theologians of India in Bangalore has meant that I am unable to be in London today. I am very happy, therefore, to have the opportunity of sending this message and am grateful to Archbishop Nichols for agreeing to represent me and for his willingness to deliver my best wishes.

Keith Newton.jpg

I am humbled to have been appointed by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, as the first Ordinary for the Personal Ordinariate to be erected in Great Britain under the provisions set out in the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus. This is not an honour I have sought or expected but I pray that God will give me the wisdom and grace to live up to the trust the Holy Father has placed in me.

My wife and family have been a great support to me throughout my ministry and I know they will continue to do so. I am delighted that Gill was received with me into the full communion of the Catholic Church at Westminster Cathedral on 1 January 2011.

With the priestly ordination of John Broadhurst, Andrew Burnham and Keith Newton, the Pope has created the official structure to welcome Anglicans who want to be Catholic. The Mass and Rites of Ordination today in Westminster Cathedral was very well attended as the historic moment was formally announced by Archbishop Vincent Nichols reading the CDF letter inaugurating the Ordinariate was greeted with great enthusiasm. The whole work was placed under the patronage of the newly beatified Blessed John Henry Newman.

The newly ordained Father Keith Newton, 59, is the first Ordinary for Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in England and Wales. Newton will be assisted by the Broadhurst and Burnham for catechetical matters. Others will be ordained to the Order of Deacon at Eastertide and then priested at Pentecost.

Faith matters; the true faith revealed by the Trinity and lived in the fullness of the Catholic Church. People point to the displeasure of some over the leadership of gay clergy and women's ordination as the point of departure for these Anglicans but there are far more serious issues that would make me "jump ship" like the voting on theological facts, the objectivity of truth and faith, life issues, and principles of communion which are both vertical and horizontal.

Here is Anna Arco's story in the Catholic Herald: "Priests ordained to the world's first ordinariate."

The Holy See's statement on the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in England and Wales

R & B.jpgThe Roman See is moving ahead with welcoming Anglicans who want to swim the Tiber. People are talking of an announcement of a structure around January 15. Recent ceremonies of welcome and communion signal the serious of many who want to be in communion with the Lord but also with the Lord's Church. In coming weeks some are being ordained priests. Benedict's providing space for those who want to be in full communion with the Catholic Church while keeping cherished patrimony alive --but fixing some theological and liturgical infelicities.

London's online news, The Daily Mail has not new news but some noteworthy things. Their headline is a bit misleading and aims to be contentious....

The Catholic News Agency also has a story on the forthcoming Ordinariate.
Wuerl2.jpgA recent interview with Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, concerning various issues relating to Anglicans seeking to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church was published the other day. Wuerl fills in some gaps in the process and hope that has been generated by Pope Benedict's motu proprio Anglicanorum Coetibus. Recall that the Pope named Wuerl and 2 other bishops to head a task force that would evaluate and offer guidance to interested Anglicans. Those Anglicans seeking communion with the Roman Church, and live in the USA, ought to write to Cardinal Wuerl. The cardinal is aided by Father Hurd, himself a former Anglican minister now an ordained Catholic priest.

The interview was published by the Catholic Standard on December 17, 2010.

On another front, an Australian newspaper believes that about 1000 members of the Church of Australia will swim the Tiber. The article really offers no new information, but it is interesting to note how focussed the liberal media is on issue of women's ordination as being the central issue for Anglicans entering the Catholic Church.

Eternal Father, we place before you the project of forming the Personal Ordinariates for Anglicans seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. We thank you for this initiative of Pope Benedict XVI, and we ask that, through the Holy Spirit, the Ordinariates may become:

Our Lady of Walsingham.jpg

families of charity, peace and the service of the poor, centres for Christian unity and reconciliation, communities that welcome and evangelize, teaching the Faith in all its fullness, celebrating the liturgy and sacraments with prayerful reverence and maintaining a distinctive patrimony of Christian faith and culture.

Drawing on that heritage we pray:

Go before us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favour, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life; though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

V.  Our Lady of Walsingham.
R.  Pray for us as we claim your motherly care.

V.  Saint Therese of the Infant Jesus.
R.  Pray for us as we place this work under your patronage.

V.  Blessed John Henry Newman
R.  Pray that Christ's Heart may speak unto our hearts.

V.  Saints and Martyrs of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and North America.

R.  Pray for us and accompany us on our pilgrim way.

VNichols on Anglicans.jpgIncreased attention is growing in the days that lead up to the anticipated creation of an Anglican Ordinariate in England. It's hoped that the Ordinariate will be announced in early 2011. As you are aware, following the beatification of John Henry Newman 5 Anglican bishops declared that they're resigning their positions in the Church of England in favor of entering into full communion with the Church of Rome. Andrew Burnham one of the bishops seeking communion with Rome set aside his mitre and crosier at the Mary altar, saying: "It is because it is a gift of the Holy Spirit, abiding in his Church, that I believe I must accept it and invite others to come with me on the journey."
The events in Rome these past days have distracted some from mentioning the Bishops of England and Wales' statement on the apostolic constitution of November 4, 2009, "Anglicanorum coetibus." To date, this is the clearest statement of the UK Bishops' intention to positively respond to the Pope's generous gesture of working with Anglicans who themselves desire to respond more generously to Christ's call to discipleship and mission.

A few points from the statement:

1. "Anglicanorum coetibus" is a response of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict, to the repeated and insistent requests of Anglicans requesting to be in full communion with the Catholic Church while retaining some of the Anglican patrimony;
2. In conjunction with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the UK Conference of Bishops, an ecclesial circumscription called an Ordinariate in early January 2011 will be established in Great Britain;
3. In resigning their office in the Anglican Communion on December 31, 2010, the 5 bishops will be received into the Church, and prior to Lent will be ordained to the Order of Deacon and then to the Holy Priesthood so as to assist in the services of Holy Week when other Anglicans will be received into the Church after a period of preparation;
4. At Pentecost those Anglican ministers who petitioned to be ordained Catholic priests will be ordained.

The full statement is noted here: UK Bishops statement on Anglican Ordinariate.pdf

Benedict and Rowan

| | Comments (0)
Benedcit with Rowan Nov 18 2010.jpg
The Archbishop of Canterbury visits Pope Benedict XVI today.

Williams and Dias.jpg
His Grace's meeting with His Holiness was previously scheduled to but certainly follows the extraordinary announcement of the 5 Anglican bishops desire for entering into full communion with the Church of Rome. Ostensibly Williams was in Rome to participate in the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity but exact details of the discussion with the Pope are not public (yet?).

The Vatican Radio report carries more information.
maps logo.jpgYou gotta love Google Maps ... proposed parishes of the Anglican Ordinariate

Shane Schaetzel put together a map of proposed parishes that may be in a ecclesiastical jurisdiction for Anglicans entering into full communion with the Catholic Church. A lot of work went into developing this fine resource and we're grateful.

About the author

Paul A. Zalonski is from New Haven, CT. He is a member of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation, a Catholic ecclesial movement and an Oblate of Saint Benedict. Contact Paul at paulzalonski[at]yahoo.com.

Categories

Archives

Humanities Blog Directory

About this Archive

This page is a archive of recent entries in the Anglican Ordinariate category.

Advent & Christmastide is the previous category.

Archdiocese of Hartford is the next category.

Find recent content on the main index or look in the archives to find all content.