Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Tuesday 4 January 2011

Moving into full peace and communion


I have adapted and combined the two most recent posts from the Friends of the Ordinariate.

The resignations of Andrew Burnham as Bishop of Ebbsfleet, John Broadhurst as Bishop of Fulham, and Keith Newton as Bishop of Richborough, came into effect at 12 midnight on Friday 31st December 2010

Andrew Burnham and Keith Newton, together with Judi Broadhurst, Gill Newton, Sister Caroline Joseph, Sister Wendy and Sister Jane Louise were received into the full Communion of the Catholic Church on Saturday 1st January 2011 by Bishop Alan Hopes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Westminster, in Westminster Cathedral during the 12.30pm Mass. John Broadhurst was also restored to full communion.

From valleadurni.blogspot.com

"The whole thing was very low-key, really. I turned up early, and was saying a prayer at Our Lady of Pew when I was joined by a man in a purple tie. He asked for assistance in a small matter, and I recognized John Broadhurst (hard to know how to title him right now). We chatted for a minute, and he parted with the line 'Nellie the elephant has packed her trunk and is getting out of the circus!'. He seemed in very cheerful humour."

"Only the three active flying bishops were received, all modestly and humbly in ties, together with some members of some of their families, plus the three sisters from Walsingham. ... They were then confirmed - some in accord with tradition took confirmation names; one of the former bishops took Benedict, another Joseph, others used their baptismal names - and they returned to their places to gentle applause. One of the sisters, descending the steps grinned at the congregation and gave two thumbs up."

These comments were extracted from the above blog on 1st January 2011

From areluctantsinner.blogspot.com

"The 12.30pm Mass at Westminster Cathedral was packed this afternoon, though most of those in the congregation had no idea that they were about to witness history being made. It was during this Mass, with no prior warning or publicity, that three former Anglican bishops, three young nuns from the Anglican Shrine at Walsingham, and two others - the wives of two of the bishops - were received into full communion with the Catholic Church, and the See of Rome."

"Bishop Alan Hopes preached a sermon on Mary, the Theotokos, and how the Church overcame disunity and strife to proclaim her "the Mother of God". At the end of his homily, the Bishop referred to the Ordinariate and welcomed those who were about to be received into the Church. Bishop George Stack, also an auxiliary of Westminster, was present, too, and made a point - after Mass - of welcoming those who had just been received."

"The manner in which these former Anglicans were received today was both dignified and sacred - and I am glad that no fuss was made prior to the event. There is no need for the Church to seem "trimuphalist" or for the press to be informed of every detail surrounding the setting up of the Ordinariate. For now, these men and women are travelling a very personal journey - in time, though, it will become a matter of great public interest."

These comments were extracted from the above blog on 1st January 2011

The dates of Ordination of Andrew Burnham, John Broadhurst and Keith Newton are:

The Ordinations to the Diaconate

will be on Thursday 13th January

The Ordinations to the Priesthood

will be in Westminster Cathedral
on Saturday 15th January at 10.30am
all are welcome to attend

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