On 4th November 2001, Benedict XVI signed the Apostolic Constitution,
Anglicanorum Coetibus, on the subject of ‘corporate reunion’ of
Anglicans with the Catholic Church. At first sight this might appear as
a laudable measure aimed at facilitating the collective conversion of
‘our separated brethren, so that with us in the one true fold they may
be united to the chief shepherd, the vicar of Thy Son,’ as we pray frequently
to the Holy Mother of God in the ‘Prayer for England.’
The document introduces a novel canonical structure for such corporate
conversions, namely a ‘Personal Ordinariate,’ which is best explained
as a sort of non-territorial diocese, which would allow Anglican
groups to ‘enter full communion with the Catholic Church while
preserving elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical
patrimony.’
Indeed, the ‘liturgical, spiritual and pastoral traditions of the Anglican Communion,’
which have been approved by the Holy See, are referred to as ‘a precious gift nourishing
the faith of the members of the Ordinariate and as a treasure to be shared.’
Those in charge of the new Ordinariates, (the Ordinary), priests, married or celibate,
or celibate bishops. Former Anglican ministers, whether married or celibate, would
be ordained as Catholic deacons or priests, but the episcopacy would be restricted to
celibate priests. Interestingly, the use of the mitre and crosier would be allowed to
those priests, married or single, who became Ordinaries.
The breakaway ‘Traditional Anglican Communion’ is expected to give a formal
response to the Apostolic Constitution after Easter.

A closer look at the Roman initiative however, reveals a truly disturbing scenario
which is based upon the premises of false ecumenism and a misconception of the
Anglican Communion as a ‘Sister Church.’
The Constitution appeals to the new Vatican II definition of the Church of Christ,
which is said to merely subsist in the Catholic Church, and which recognises that
‘many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside her visible confines.’
Such elements or gifts, ‘properly belonging to the Church of Christ,’ are ‘forces
impelling towards Catholic unity.’ In other words, the divisions which separate the
different parts of Christ’s Church must be overcome for there to be true unity. Traditional
teaching however says that the Church of Christ is the Catholic Church, which
already possesses the fullness of unity, and consequently condemns endeavours to
find a lost unity!
Whilst ‘Uniate Churches,’ as Schismatic Eastern Orthodox churches which have
returned to union with Rome are known, had previously preserved apostolic succession,
valid sacraments, and most elements of Catholic doctrine, and were rightly
allowed to retain their authentic liturgical books, the Anglican Communion has,
since its inception in the sixteenth century, continued to be founded upon protestant
errors. These include ‘Justification by faith alone,’ the rejection of the Mass as a
propitiatory sacrifice, a denial of the privileges of the Holy Mother of God, the intercession
of the Saints etc. Even figures such as ‘Archbishop’ Laud, as venerated by
Anglo-Catholics to this very day, rejected the Mass as a sacrifice for sin. Consequently
it is entirely misleading to treat its ‘spiritual and liturgical tradition’ as being
compatible with the Catholic Faith.
Also, in times past, converts from Anglicanism would have been instructed in the
Catholic Faith, and would have solemnly renounced heresy and made a profession
of Faith. Now they are merely called to make a written request to enter these personal
ordinariates in addition to accepting the New Catechism.
It must also be remembered that many ‘disaffected’ Anglicans today primarily disagree
with the Anglican Communion over recent trends with regard to such issues as
women ‘priests,’ women ‘bishops,’ gay marriages, and so on, but such disagreements
do not, of themselves, constitute grounds for conversion. As the great nineteenth
century convert, Cardinal Newman, wrote: ‘You are not at liberty to join the
Catholic Church merely because you cannot subscribe to the Anglican formularies.’
In consequence of the above it must be said Anglicanorum Coetibus in fact causes
confusion and scandal to faithful Catholics whilst confirming Anglicans in their doctrinal
errors. Of great concern also is the view held by different Roman commentators
that this Constitution may serve as a model for the integration of Traditional
Catholics, who in turn would be able to retain their ‘old-fashioned’ identity but ‘in
communion with’ the inclusive conciliar and ecumenical New Church.

The Pope’s recent visit to the synagogue in Rome has also been widely commented
upon, with one Rabbi reported as saying that, in so doing, Benedict XVI is institutionalising
the revolutionary! The great fallacy in the ecumenical overtures towards
‘that people, once the chosen people,’ is to consider Talmudic Judaism as being the
same as the Old Testament Judaism based upon the Torah or Law. This disregards
entirely the former’s rejection of Our Lord as the Son of God made Man, as well as
their rejection of the Messianic scriptures in favour of anti-Christian commentaries
as drawn up by the Pharisees in the first centuries A.D.
In a recent frank interview with the Grand Rabbi of Rome, Dr Riccardo Di Segni,
accorded to an Italian press agency, he was reported as saying that, if peace with the
Lefebvrists signified renouncing the openings of Vatican II, then the Pope would
have to choose between the Jews and the Lefebvrists!
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Please note that as the Priests’ Retreat coincides with Ash Wednesday this year, the
imposition of the Blest Ashes will take place on the First Sunday of Lent. There will
however be Ash Wednesday Masses, complete with the blessing and imposition of
Ashes, in London, Bristol and Leicester.
Following a good response to the proposed Holy Shroud pilgrimage (Turin), I am
happy to confirm that this pilgrimage will indeed be going ahead as planned. As
there are still ten remaining places, interested parties should send their names and a
hundred pounds deposit to Saint George’s House as soon as possible. Mr John
Wetherall has kindly accepted to be the pilgrimage coordinator again and so he may
be contacted forthwith regarding any details or queries. Further details regarding the
pilgrimage are to be found elsewhere in this newsletter.

Father Summers, headmaster at Saint Michael’s School, led a successful school trip
last month to the battlefields of northern France. Several members of staff accompanied
the group of senior school boys for the occasion which took place from 22nd-
25th January. The Technology teacher, Mr Alan Petit, was the guide for the event,
and shared his extensive knowledge of the battle sites for the benefit of all. The Society’s
boys’ school at Camblain l’Abbé, itself attended by several British pupils,
kindly hosted our group for the weekend, and by all accounts the entente cordiale
prevented any potential historical re-enactments of battles past!

 

Further details of Lord Monckton’s talk on ‘Climate Change,’ schedule for 25th February
at St Michael’s School, Burghclere, are announced elsewhere in this newsletter.

 

Please note also the changes to the venue and time of Sunday Mass in Liverpool.
The protracted ‘rejuvenation scheme,’ which led to the compulsory purchase of our
Church of SS Peter and Paul by developers working for Liverpool City Council,
resulted in the closure of the church on 18th January 2010. The last Sunday Mass

was celebrated the day before, with the church furnishings then being taken away
for storage in our Keighley church hall. Negotiations with the city council are ongoing
about finding a suitable replacement church building, but this intention is
certainly one to keep in our prayers. Meanwhile Holy Mass will be celebrated in a
neighbouring school at a revised time, which also affects the time of Mass in Rhoson-
Sea. At the occasion of the first Mass in the new temporary venue on the following
Sunday, Father Brendan King, prior of St Mary’s House, Preston, remarked
how it was like a time warp, with the setting up and dismantling of a makeshift
altar taking him back to the early days of the Society in this country!

 

There will be a weekend recollection for ladies at Saint Saviour’s House, Bristol,
from 25th-27th February, for the convenience of those who might find it difficult to
do a week-long retreat. A retreat-flyer is now available from Fr Paul Kimball at
Saint Saviour’s (and on our website), containing details of this and other retreats throughout the year.
‘Seek a proper time to retire into thyself, and often think of the benefits of God.’
Imitation of Christ, I, XX]