Friday 11 February 2011

More Revs



Today was very good. Bishop Crispian of Portmouth made us very welcome, and although there was only a handful of us in his private chapel for my ordination to the diaconate, we had some good music. For Our Lady of Lourdes, we'd chosen a bit of the Anglican Patrimony. We sang as an introit: Bishop Ken's "Her Virgin Eyes saw God Incarnate born", to Lawes' tune 'Farley Castle'. I was not the solitary deacon on parade; Stephen (good name for a Deacon) Morgan, who is finance secretary to the Diocese, propped me up and ensured I did not fall over my feet. He is the handsome chap on the Bishop's right hand. To his right is the Chancellor of the Diocese.


Jane, formerly known as the Flying Buttress when I was a Flying Bishop, was also present but as ever wanted to take a back seat. She was eventually inveigled into a photograph. We had a very jolly lunch after the Ordination. Bishop Crispian is clearly keen to make the Ordinariate work in his diocese, and has given great encouragement to the three groups in his territory which are in process of formation. As he pointed out, my duty and that of my fellow priests is not to him but to our Ordinary, and he was only able to Ordain me because he had been asked to do so by Fr Keith Newton. For all that, he is doing everything he can to ensure that we are made welcome by all the catholic clergy and laity within his diocese. For ourselves, I must say Jane and I have felt a great warmth of affection and a welcome we could not possibly deserve. If anyone is holding back from the Ordinariate fearing that a clergy wife might not be welcome, please speak to Jane or any of the other bishops' or priests' wives who have made the journey. I hope that even after our local Anglicanorum group is running, I shall still be some use to priests and parishes in this southern part of Portsmouth diocese.

16 comments:

  1. May God bless you both on this beautiful Catholic feastday!

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  2. Congratulations, Padre! Celebratory rum pansies flowing nicely here in the Mess. The chaps promising to behave themselves this time - let's hope not, eh?!!!

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  3. We remembered you at Mass today at Our Lady of the Atonement, San Antonio, Texas, giving special thanks for your ordination to the diaconate.

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  4. Congratulations! One more step along the way.
    I, too, hope you will be able to help out the parishes along the southern part of the diocese. They would love to have someone like you ministering to them. God bless you and Jane.

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  5. Many many congratulations.
    Should you happen to be coming by Wonersh, do say hello.

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  6. Dear Father:

    we are from catholicismpure.wordpress. On this delightful occasion, we would like to offer our congratulations on your ordination to the Deaconate today and assure you of our prayers. May St. John Vianne guide you as you prepare for your Sacred Ordination next month.

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  7. My warmest congratulations. You will be in my memento vivorum in the morning.

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  8. Congratulations to you both. We are down in the New Forest for a few days from tomorrow, so MAY bump into you at Mass somewhere ???

    I will be praying for you on the 5th March especially.

    AD MULTOS ANNOS !

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  9. Be assured of my prayerful best wishes from over the water!

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  10. Thanks to all who have offered prayers and good wishes. Edwin.

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  11. Dear Edwin and Jane
    What a pleasure it is to welcome you into our diocese, and if course into our Church. We will be following your journey with interest, and will be praying for you both on March 5th. We pray that your decision brings you both joy and peace.
    With our love
    John and Margaret

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