Fr. Jeffery writes – in answer to questions posed

Many are feeling unsettled by the prospect of women bishops in the Church of England and what may or may not happen at St. Saviour’s as a result. I received a ‘phone call on Sunday morning from someone I hardly know asking if I would be following the example of St. Peter’s Folkestone and opting for the Ordinariate. The simple answer is no. Like so many people I cannot see myself yet as a Roman Catholic. I still believe that the Church of England has a unique mission in spreading the Faith to those of our nation. On his recent historic visit Pope Benedict reminded us that though not everything in our history should make us proud, faithfulness to the Gospel of Christ has led our nation and our church to do great things in the building of the Kingdom and the development of the world. Why are we so ready now to ditch that heritage and confidence in Church and Nation?

That is the question for each one of us as individuals. That challenge for us all is to ‘Keep the Faith’. It is one that should exercise the debates in General Synod. It is one which will, I hope, galvanise all of us at St. Saviour’s as, together, we seek to maintain our resolve to Keep the Faith and pass it on intact to those who come after us.

But history, especially recent history, has shown us that following the liberalising trends of society will lead us nowhere except self-destruction. A society or a church built, not on the reality of ultimate Truth and ultimate Right and Wrong, but rather on the relativism which simply ‘goes with the flow’, is doomed to fail and to fall.

At St. Saviour’s we try to maintain that grounding on the solid foundation of the Faith. It must mean maintaining the doctrinal and moral basis of that Faith and practice. It must include our commitment to faith, holiness & worship.

Whatever happens next we should appreciate that the Pope’s offer has been an unprecedented step and is the first sign of Anglicans being welcomed back to the mother Church corporately rather than individually since the Reformation. The official title of this decree of welcome is an Apostolic Constitution. We do not yet know the full details, there will be much speculation and comment in the press.

Anglican Catholic bishops including the Bishop of Chichester, have announced that in addition to the provision of an Ordinariate (offering full communion with the Holy See – a non-geographical entity for Anglicans who feel they cannot or do not want to remain) offered recently by Pope Benedict, there is to be a new Society (of St Wilfrid and St Hilda) for bishops, clergy, religious and laity in order to provide a place within the Church of England where catholics can worship and minister with integrity without accepting innovations that further distance the Church of England from the greater churches of the East and West.

The unveiling of this Society reflects a determination not to accept a Code of Practice as currently suggested by the General Synod but to work for and create a more realistic approach which allows the integrity of those who cannot accept this innovation to be preserved, to flourish and grow within the Church of England. This development represents a constructive initiative on the part of those who cannot accept the innovations proposed, and who are hurt and frustrated by the General Synod’s inability to provide for their theological position. As with the Ordinariate further details about the Society and its life will emerge in the coming months.

Another tricky question was posed recently. I was asked why I don’t let alternative ministries operate in St. Saviour’s. Again, a simple reason – I can’t. Everyone who exercises a recognised ministry – whether that be priest or lay assistant – has been properly trained and authorised by the bishop. Additionally, everyone who has contact with people, either children or vulnerable adults, has to be thoroughly vetted through the Criminal Records Bureau. No one can exercise any ministry, or be given a licence by the bishop unless that person has been cleared by the CRB. This applies not only to churches, but any voluntary organisation, and includes members of our own congregation who are volunteers with other worthwhile charities and groups. I have recently supported people for chaplaincy work in the local hospital, in the Arndale Centre and elsewhere.

Contact the Webmaster here

Admin

Designed by E J Reeve