THE PORTAL - Becket Exhibition at the British Museum - July 2021 - The Portal Magazine
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THE P R TAL
The Portal is the monthly review of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham
July 2021
Becket Exhibition at
the British Museum
THE P RTAL
is the monthly review of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham
July 2021 Volume 11 Issue 127
Contents
Page 3 Portal Comment – The Becket Exhibition
Page 4 Let’s teach history! – Joanna Bogle
Page 5 Birthdays – Snapdragon
Page 6 Goings on in Monks Kirby – Fr Matthew Pittam
Page 7 Discernment, Selection and Formation Matters
– Fr Michael Halsall
Page 8 ‘Grief to Grace’ – Fr Dominic Allain
Page 10 Saint Agatha’s – Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane
Page 11 Lay Conference – Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane
Page 12 News from the Ordinariate – around the UK
Page 12 After the third Collect – Fr David Lashbrooke
Page 13 Calendar and Prayer Intentions
Page 14 Finding us at prayer – in England, Scotland and Wales
Page 17 No Ordinary Shepherds – Book Review
Page 18 Ministry of catechist – Dr Caroline Farey
Page 20 Aid to the Church in Need – Fionn Shiner
Page 21 On the Move… – Mother Winsome
Page 23 Our window on the CofE – The Revd Paul Benfield
Page 24 Thoughts on Newman – Revd Dr Stephen Morgan
Cover: Reliquary casket, c.1220–50 from Hedalen Stave Church, Norway
- by kind permission of Hedalen Stave Church, photo by permission of the British Museum
THE P RTAL
Co-Editors: Ronald Crane, Jackie Ottaway - editors@portalmag.co.uk
Editorial Board: Jackie Brookes, David Chapman, Gill James,
Ian O’Hara (Podcast Editor), Cheryl Pittuck, Fr Matthew Pittam, Cyril Wood
Registered Address: 56 Woodlands Farm Road, Birmingham B24 0PG Advisors: Fr Neil Chatfield Fr Aidan Nichols OP, Fr Mark Woodruff
www.portalmag.co.uk The views expressed in The Portal are not necessarily those of the Editors or the Ordinariate
THE P RTAL July 2021 Page 3
Portal Comment
The Becket Exhibition
at The British Museum
Eliza Trebelcock has visited and tell us about a wonderful display
T homas Becket was born in 1120 at Cheapside just by St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
He had a comfortable childhood. His parents, Gilbert and Matilda, were part of a wealthy merchant
community living in the commercial heart of London.
The exhibition is wonderful that Becket was tall in stature,
and believe it or not, full of handsome in appearance, acute
artifacts from the twelfth in intellect, and possessed of
century. One of the first things such great keenness of reason
to see is a document with the that he wisely solved unusual
only surviving wax impression and difficult questions.
of Becket’s seal.
Henry of course
Aged 18 years, Becket went to wanted Becket to remain
study in Paris. It was a formative Chancellor and Archbishop,
experience. He studied the but Thomas would have none
liberal arts, grammar, rhetoric, of that. The trouble between
dialectic, arithmetic, geometry, them escalated in 1164, with
music and of course astronomy. Thomas escaping across the
Personifications of these channel to exile in France.
appear on the front and back
of a wonderful, beautiful little There is a panel from an
casket. altarpiece about Canterbury
Cathedral. It shows the moment
Back in England, Becket worked of transformation from Becket
worked for Theobald, the being Chancellor to being the
Archbishop of Canterbury. Archbishop of Canterbury. He
He was one of a group of stands between two bishops,
ambitious young men. and above we have the Father,
Canterbury was the centre of the Son and the Holy Spirit with
learning and artistic patronage. two angels presiding.
He spent nine years with
Theobald. They were life changing for Becket. There are many objects from the period, including
a bishop’s crozier and a mitre. Again the colours
There is an image of the church at Canterbury, are just so vibrant. The rare crozier and ring and
with Christ in the doorway and rather a marvellous a mitre, from the date come from the grave of the
birds-eye view of the cathedral. It is probably on Bishop of St David’s in Wales, and the ring from
vellum. It is absolutely stunning and the colours are a grave for a Bishops in Verdun. The mitre, one
absolutely vibrant. It goes over two pages of what of the earliest of English embroidery was kept for
would be an A3 paper. centuries in France. Once again the colours are
almost unbelievable for their age.
The exhibition has the document promoting Becket
to Royal Chancellor, together with King Henry II’s seal The exhibition continues until the 22nd August. It is
showing him on the throne holding a sword. John of not to be missed. I am grateful to the British Museum
Salisbury, Becket’s clerk and biographer (1171/72) said for facilitating the visit.
THE P RTAL July 2021 Page 4
Let’s teach
Auntie Jo a n
history!
Joanna Bogle
Next time you hear someone complain that children today
are not taught history properly at school, please recognise that
it’s not a cliché, it’s simply a grim statement of fact. One major
problem is that it is impossible to understand Britain’s history
without understanding the central role played by Christianity.
na
Regular readers of The Portal will know about Then walk along
wri tes
the History Walks that I lead – and enjoy – around the river to Ham, and you will find Grey Court House
London. A Walk that has proved popular starts at the with its blue plaque commemorating Newman. Better
Ordinariate church of the Most Precious Blood, near still, walk across Richmond Bridge and walk along the
London Bridge. Twickenham river bank, passing Marble Hill House
and Orleans House (discover their history). Then
A walk across the Bridge, with its stories of Viking catch the small ferry that takes you across to Ham,
battles and St Olaf, takes you to the City, and to St John and to the Newman house. Take a look at the Jacobean
Henry Newman’s birthplace at 60 Threadneedle Street Ham House on the way.
near the back of the Bank of England.
Catholic schools should be at the forefront of teaching
Central to an understanding of the Viking/Saxon history vividly and well. Stories of saints and heroes
story is that the Saxons – having invaded Britain as should not drift vaguely in sentimental mist: they
the Roman Empire collapsed – were pagan and were must be rooted in the events of time and place. And we
converted to Christianity in their turn by the efforts need to emphasise heroism: St Alban martyred under
of St Augustine (of Canterbury) and others from the the Roman Emperor, St Elphege martyred by pagan
590s onwards. Vikings by the Thames at Greenwich. There are lessons
for today: we need to remind each other of the need
The Vikings came from lands even further away from for courage as we stand firm to Christian marriage, for
the Roman Empire than the Saxons, and remained the importance of truth in human relationships.
pagan for many years. When they invaded Saxon
London they brought fear and terror in their wake. I’m London-based, so can’t offer Walks elsewhere on
Only with the conversion of one of their leaders, Olaf, any regular basis. But if you are in or around London,
did things change. and are serious about using Catholic History Walks
to teach the rising generation some history, please
Discovering the story brings the whole history of contact me. I relish leading Walks for parishes, schools,
London alive. You can see the office block near the youth groups, whatever. I’m at chwalkslondon@gmail.
Thames that depicts St Olaf. You can learn the alleged com and if you start thinking and planning now, you
origins of the Song “London Bridge is falling down” – could get something organised for the Autumn.
and it’s fun to get a group to sing it on London Bridge!
If schools aren’t going to teach history, then let’s get You are invited to join the
our churches doing it. And it is not just children that
need instructing…it’s adults too. Have you visited St Rosary Fellowship
John Henry Newman’s childhood country home? For full details and an application form
please contact Barry Barnes at:
As with his birthplace in the City of London, you will rosaryfellowship@yahoo.com
learn other history on the way. Start at Richmond (20
minutes from London Waterloo). Discover Richmond 01328 853015
Palace and its links with Henry VII, Henry VIII and Please could clergy bring this initiative to the attention of any of
Elizabeth I. your people who do not have access to this publication
THE P RTAL July 2021 Page 5
ragon Snapdragon has
been reflecting on
Birthdays
Snapd
T he row about statues, sparked off in Bristol last summer, is now a year old, and
it seems to have cooled down. By the time the Church manages to remove the odd
memorial to British officers and regiments in 19th-century Afghanistan, or takes down one
or two over-regarded admirals from their plinths, all the public will learn of it will be how
dilatory the Church has been in dismantling these marks of her collusion in Empire, and
how “more needs to be done.”
The tradition of secular statuary with sometimes exemplary bravery and clarity - from
in churches great and small is a curious outgrowth the constraints of being the nation that England had
of the Protestant Reformation - pious squires and formed herself into, the nation built up from Drake and
their families quickly adorned the village churches of Elizabeth to Wellington and Nelson in those first two
England, and in a land of secular religion, her soldiers, hundred years of pre-imperial empire, a nation built up
scholars and statesmen soon appeared in stone in with idle, primitive and unconscious acquiescence on
England’s increasingly secular streets and squares. the foundations of slavery - and not just any slavery, but
Secular England grew imperial - once, accidentally, racial slavery, an economic and social (or, truthfully,
with little reflection, and then once again, self- an un- and anti-social) pattern of existence within the
consciously and with much self-examination - and her world founded upon “us” and “them” - a nation further
Church and her stone heroes grew likewise with her. isolating and refining its “us” into the children and
descendents of those squires and their households and
Until recently there have been few analogous all who found shelter under their protection, those who
memorials to her shrinkage, perhaps of course because had found their identity in being free of the Catholic
the mind of England has taken as long a time to Church and free of the one true human commonwealth
abandon the colonial stamp as it has the monarchical; that subsists in her, and being instead (as Thomas
though the names listed in the cartouches beneath Cromwell phrased it in the Act in Restraint of Appeals,
the battle-dressed soldiers of 20th-century’s war 1533) members of “this realm of England…an empire,
memorials may be an unconscious recognition of how and so…accepted in the world, governed by one
bitter the process has been. supreme head and king”, the source of a new identity
that spread and split and re-coalesced and flourished in
Bitterness marks the spot, though - for almost the explosion of West European colonial enterprise that
two centuries the English have told themselves that followed the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries.
England has been trying to Do Good - stepping away
from slavery herself and subsequently campaigning to This was the great flood-tide of all the western
stop it across the globe; giving political and economic fringe of Europe, Europe’s shattering of the Church
refuge to those who struggled against tyranny in that imposed the reflections and redactions of the
every country in Europe; wresting control of India peculiar character of Europe’s fragmentation upon the
from the exploitative and incompetent Company, and world (which was, of course, already shattered) for five
leading a great and complex civilisation to maturity; centuries.
struggling (twice) through slaughter and bankruptcy
to overthrow nationalism, dictatorship and the The shattering of statues - and of language, and of
enslavement of Europe and the world. politics, and of so many other things that strike at
people’s hearts in the world right now - is a cry for
This record of England is not a bad record: but it’s a vision of the unity of humanity to be placed again
- at most - only half the record, and though people within the reach of our thinking and our actions: a
tried and tried hard to make it the whole record they vision, in reality, of the new unity of a new humanity
could never finally succeed because England has that it is only to be found in one community, and in
never escaped - though many of her children have the Head of that community, the crucified and risen
struggled and writhed within the sack, and cried out Jesus Christ.
THE P RTAL July 2021 Page 6
Goings on
in Monks Kirby
Fr Matthew Pittam has some good news to tell us
There have not been many positive things to emerge over the last two years.
However, in my parish the pandemic has opened up new possibilities in the life of our community. Like
many Churches our capacity has been severely reduced over the last few months. I have begun to feel like a
ticket tout as, each week, parishioners seek to book places in order to attend Mass.
As Christmas approached and then
Holy Week and Easter, it seemed
almost impossible as the numbers of
those who wished to attend Mass far
exceeded the number of places that
we had.
A solution came in the form of the
huge Church of England Church in
our village. St Edith’s can easily seat
four hundred people. Before the
Reformation it was a Benedictine
Priory and continues to have the
presence of a Cathedral in the rural
landscape.
St Edith’s, Monks Kirby © G-Man at English Wikipedia
The Church is part of a large benefice
and so often their services rotate around the group of Christmas and the whole of the Triduum and Easter.
churches in the neighbouring villages. This meant that It allowed us to celebrate the liturgy with renewed
for Christmas, Holy Week and Easter the church was vigour and allowed the space to create much more of a
available. The Churchwardens were very welcoming sense of occasion.
and put the Church completely at our disposal.
Many people were drawn to the celebration of the
The church is a Grade I listed building and the parish liturgy in such an historic setting and for Christmas
guide book claims that it is the largest parish church in we had more people in attendance than we would
Warwickshire. The first church on the site of St Edith’s normally have had in our small building at the other
is said to have been founded in 917 by Ethelfleda, end of the village. We now look forward to using the
daughter of Alfred the Great. However, the current Church in July for our First Holy Communion Mass
Priory Church of St Edith’s dates from 1077 and was and Confirmation.
originally dedicated in honour of the Virgin Mary and
St Denis. The people of St Edith’s were also glad that the
building is being more widely used and this has helped
The nave and tower were rebuilt in the 14th and 15th develop further the good relationships which existed
centuries. The porch and priest’s room above are 14th between the two communities. We are now looking at
century. The 100 years war with France also caused further possibilities for shared use of the building for
the dedication of the church to be changed to St Edith special occasions.
of Polesworth, a Warwickshire Saint. The church was
again altered in the late 15th century, and an octagonal Apology
spire added: this blew down on Christmas night 1722. In the June edition of The Portal we got the date
of the Crypt at St Mary’s Lastingham wrong. It
The whole place was built for Catholic worship and ought to have been 1078 and not as stated in the
so it was a huge privilege to celebrate Mass there for magazine. We apologise for our mistake.
THE P RTAL July 2021 Page 7
Fr Michael Halsall writes:
Discernment,
Selection and
Formation Matters
Fr Michael Halsall
In the past few years we have been developing and refining the manner in which we assist men in the
discernment of their vocation towards either the permanent diaconate or priesthood. For the first time
in our short ten year history, we are beginning to speak to men who are seeking a vocation from within
established Ordinariate groups, as well as enquiring from previous ministry in the Church of England.
The Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham is no different than any of the dioceses in England, Wales, and
Scotland, in that we have to comply with particular guidelines, as well as having a duty to take seriously and
prayerfully men who are seeking to discern a vocation.
We are delighted to be welcoming two more men There will be an opportunity to meet with men who
into a three year part time formation programme at are currently in formation for both the diaconate and
Allen Hall Seminary in September – Alex Garner and priesthood, along with the Ordinary and Episcopal
Timothy Ezat. They will be joined by Neil Scott and Vicars. We shall celebrate mass together at midday,
Matthew Topham, who are currently preparing for and there will be an opportunity also for private
ordination as transitional deacons in the autumn. discussions/interviews.
Those currently in formation for the permanent The morning session will be an open meeting,
diaconate are Carl Watson and Timothy Graham. where we can explain and discuss the process of
Stephen O’Connor is to be ordained to the permanent discernment, accompaniment, and selection for the
diaconate on the 3rd July, and will serve the Ordinariate various formation routes towards ordination. Lunch
group and parish of St Margaret Mary, New Moston, will be provided, and there will be seminarians to give
Manchester. you a tour also.
Please pray for these men, their families and their Please contact me on the email address below, so
groups. You can use the Rosary for Vocations, which that we can plan the day properly. We look forward to
can be found on the Ordinariate website, or sponsor a meeting you. You will find a lot of useful information
votive mass for vocations in your group/parish. on the Vocations pages of the website, and this should
help raise the right kind of questions which may help
If you are currently a member of the Ordinariate, direct you in God’s path for your life.
and are worshipping in one of our groups, then you are
welcome to join us for a day of discovery and encounter, It may be that, after preliminary discussions, the
as to how we may help develop your vocation towards Ordinariate is not for you. If this is the case, then
the next level of discernment and formation. we can help introduce you to the diocesan vocations
network instead.
VOCATIONS OPEN DAY Fr Halsall is the Director of Vocations
and Formation for the Ordinariate
Allen Hall Seminary, Chelsea of Our Lady of Walsingham,
and is a member of the permanent
22nd July 2021 staff at Allen Hall Seminary
He may be contacted as follows:
10am to 4pm michaelhalsall@rcdow.org.uk
THE P RTAL July 2021 Page 8
‘Grief to Grace’
Fr Dominic Allain
Grief to Grace was first piloted in the UK 10 years ago. Founded in the
USA in 2006 by Dr Theresa Burke. Grief to Grace works to heal survivors of
historical sexual, physical and emotional abuse and neglect, particularly survivors
of clergy abuse. We do this with an intense, residential healing programme.
We call it a retreat but it is not an invitation to pray the lie that it was something about the victim, rather
the pain away, rather, a skilful integration of spiritual than the perpetrator which caused what happened.
and psychological approaches to healing allows us to Peer modelling and therapeutic guidance from the
engage with the defences and resistance which impede team allow a range of strong emotions to be safely
the deepest action of the Holy Spirit. Recently we approached and processed within the group without
have also added support groups and some counselling the kind of exclusive transference which occurs if
outreach to our work, because we have increasingly counselling from a therapist or priest is the only
become the ‘go-to’ ministry for people who need vehicle for exploring the past.
Christian spirituality and anthropology to be respected
if they are to open themselves up to healing. When healing for a survivor is predicated on a
long-term, exclusive therapeutic alliance with one
Abuse leaves not just a psychosocial wound, but person, this can easily feel all too reminiscent of the
also a profound spiritual wound. It leaves survivors original attachment and replay unhelpful aspects of its
isolated, full of shame, and feeling complicit either by dynamic. It is not unusual for clients to be abused once
virtue of the fact that they didn’t resist or because their more by a priest or counsellor from whom they sought
defence mechanisms became increasingly toxic and help with recovery from childhood abuse. The group
extreme as they sought to process a horror which was means that connection to community and a broader
secret and uncomforted; symptoms which are actually range of objects can be restored. Different relational
a façon de parler, revealing an experience too shameful scenarios offer the chance to explore powerful feelings
to be verbalised. and to practice different ways of relating safely within
the group where there is shared accountability.
The Grief to Grace retreat programme offers
sanctuary space in which to explore the wounds of A retreat group comprises 15 men and women
abuse. It is led by a team of mental health professionals, of different ages and half as many team. Would-be
priests and trained volunteers, all of whom understand participants are interviewed and offered preparatory
how the trauma of abuse impacts every aspect of one’s sessions with a therapist. They complete a detailed
identity and relationships. The team includes many intake questionnaire to make sure the programme is
survivors of abuse. The fact that this is so, and that it is appropriate for that person at this time. Not everyone
a ministry of both the hierarchical and the charismatic is ready for a group process. People approach us at
Church helps give it credibility with survivors, different stages of their healing journey. Some have
especially those who have endured clerical abuse. Not been dealing with their abuse for years. For others,
all survivors of clergy abuse hate the Church or priests. a trigger in their own life, or something like a media
Most are just deeply hurt by them, and cannot fully report of abuse, forces them to confront its impact and
heal whilst that alienation persists. Even anger with significance in a way hitherto denied or minimised.
the Church is a sign of a wounded attachment. This is
a righteous anger and the Church needs to get better The team members have a specialist understanding
at hearing it and validating the anger of clergy abuse of abuse trauma, but essentially to heal from abuse you
survivors, for anger is a stage of grief. need a community of safety in which your voice is heard
and your story believed. This community must give due
It might seem counter-intuitive to explore such weight to your spiritual beliefs. Survivors need deep
shame in a group setting, but the group quickly compassion, including for what each may have had to
bonds when people realise that they share similar become in order to adapt and survive. Our focus is not
experiences and anxieties. Group work is key to on ‘what’s wrong with you?’ but ‘what happened to you?
ending the secrecy, isolation and shame which are How did being forced into survival mode affect your
the legacy of abuse. Sharing within a group addresses ability to engage with life afterwards?’ Survivors are
Ø
THE P RTAL July 2021 Page 9
encouraged voice to the shame, anger and grief, the grace, the grace of resurrection and a reclaiming of my
lingering doubts about complicity, and the confusion true identity not just as the ‘inner child’ of psychology,
about having returned to an abuser. Such feelings but as the baptismal child, the child of light whose true
are fearful to confront but lose some of their power identity is hidden with Christ in God. The Child of God
when validated as adaptive responses to impossible who survived can then be reclaimed and embraced not as
circumstances and overwhelming threat and pain. To corrupted but as a beloved child of the Father, redeemed
process such emotions safely and usefully one must by Christ. Thus an identity shadowed by abuse and
be grounded and soothed victimhood, if grieved and
not just with words but surrendered in union with
with techniques which Christ’s saving death can be
help regulate the body’s recovered in the light of His
autonomic nervous system resurrection. The sight of
and prevent instinctive His own glorified wounds
survival reactions from can free the heart and the
shutting down the executive, psyche from the residual
rational parts of the hold of a perpetrator’s
brain. More primitive brain actions sloughing off the
circuitry designed to deal limitations of the identity
with extreme threat triggers formed in suffering.
fight/flight and freeze/fawn
survival responses which quickly and easily overwhelm Perhaps testimony to its effectiveness is the fact
the present moment for survivors who could not enact that the UK team is currently training G2G teams
these responses effectively when they were originally for France, Spain, Slovenia, Austria and Australia. In
being abused, because of the imbalance of power. each case the team is spearheaded by an alumnus/a of
the retreat who having experienced profound healing
We unlock these histories gently through artwork, want to bring it to their home. In England, Grief to
journalling and body work. The unique and central Grace has recently leased from a religious order a
feature of the programme we call ‘Living Scriptures.’ large house in London to be our ‘Garden Enclosed,’
In each one, some aspect of Salvation History is our own designated space for our retreat and support
proclaimed in a biblical passage. This is followed by a programmes as soon as lockdown permits. It will
carefully designed guided meditation on the Scripture house a community of priests and brothers whose
which seeks to involve the participant in the drama, charism will be to work as part of the retreat teams
and finally there is a ritual associated with it. For but also to intercede for victims and survivors of abuse
things which cannot be adequately expressed in words, and to offer penance and Eucharistic Reparation for
humans must use rituals. These rituals provide a way the healing of the Church and the renewal of the
of embodying emotions to process them. Priesthood day in, day out.
Scripture and meditation presenting Jesus’ Paschal Ministering to survivors involves many of the same
Mystery provides the core of the work. Participants ecclesial challenges as survivors themselves encounter
explore their own agony, betrayals, outraged in the Church. We too have sometimes struggled
innocence, brutal suffering and sense of abandonment to be heard and attract the financial resources the
in union with Jesus’ Passion. For the person of faith, programme needs. We offer it at a fraction of its true
these are not just archetypal stories or psychodrama. cost and ensure that no one is ever turned away for
The psychological identification with the Suffering lack of funds. God has blessed our ministry and our
Servant at the heart of these stories facilitates a deeper, outreach has grown steadily, largely through personal
spiritual interiorising of God’s solidarity with human testimony. A common reaction to our programme
suffering, with my suffering. There was someone who is, ‘at last, someone in the Church finally gets it.’ My
knew and cared about what happened to me, who favourite evaluation of G2G from a retreatant was,
also suffered. To explore my own wounds as I journey ‘The Church’s field hospital acting its professional best,
through the horrific abuse that was Christ’s Passion is deep behind enemy lines.’
no play-acting, but an invitation to unite the abused
and tortured self with Christ on the cross and to bury
Fr Dominic Allain is a priest of the
it in the tomb with him in ritual. Archdiocese of Southwark and International
Pastoral Director of Grief to Grace
This brings not just psychological ‘closure,’ but www.grieftograceuk.org
spiritual renewal as grief is emptied out to make way for info@grieftograceuk.org
THE P RTAL July 2021 Page 10
Saint Agatha’s Church
Portsmouth
Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane make a Sunday visit
It has always seemed to us that the Sunday Mass ought to be an occasion. It is disappointing when it is
not. At St Agatha’s, Sunday Mass is always an occasion. It was no different for our visit.
We were welcomed by the Priest, Fr
John Maunder, and after Mass we were
able to chat with some members of the
congregation. Richard Storey has been
attending St Agatha’s for about three years.
He was raised a liberal Catholic, a very
nominal Catholic. “My Grandmother is
Italian with a fairly strong faith. I went to
a Catholic school but it was never central
to my life or thoughts. In late teens I began
to explore religion for myself, I had a
strong conversion experience on meeting
the New Testament among other things. I
eventually wound up becoming a Calvinist!
“I became a lay theologian studying
the early church and the second temple Katie Brady and Martin Petch
period. Eventually I came to a very
deep reverence for tradition, especially Catholic “The extensions are to be on the north side, because
and Orthodox tradition. A friend said that I ought to that’s where they should have been initially. We’re going
go to the Ordinariate Church in Portsmouth. I did and to rebuild one side and then the other. One will be for
was attracted by the artwork here. I fell in love with Our Lady which you can see.
the beauty, it reminded me a lot of my Grandmother,
I have been coming here ever since.” Richard teaches “The Government has taken over the homeless
English as a foreign language. accommodation. There is a new initiative because of
the parking outside, and there is going to be housing.
Elfi comes from Bavaria, but loves England in St Agatha’s will have a parish again.
general and St Agatha’s in particular. She ran a health
shop until retirement. “The people from City Council want a surgery for
the council members to meet the people. We shall
Katie Brady is a physicist specialising in solar have rooms and such like as well.”
eclipses. “My dear friend Martin Petch introduced
me to the Ordinariate. I found it to be wonderful. The Helen Mary Pollard has been attending St Agatha’s
liturgy is beautiful isn’t it? Yes: I like it. Sometimes I for the last few months. She was born in Sunderland
joke with Fr John and tell him it’s not long enough! I but has lived in Greece. She works for an accountancy
was received into full communion with the Catholic firm. She is the first Catholic in her family. The others
Church here just two weeks ago. I live in Southampton are Orthodox.
and was born there.”
“I love St Agatha’s. It reminds me of the Latin Rite
Leonardo Da Vinci (yes, that is his name!), Leo to his but obviously it’s translated.”
friends. We spoke with him when we reported on the
wonderful project at St Agatha’s to feed the homeless. We joined the traffic on the journey home,
Now he is masterminding some extensions to the our thoughts full of St Agatha’s Portsmouth.
church.THE P RTAL July 2021 Page 11
Lay Conference via Zoom
Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane
Many of you will remember that the Ordinariate held a successful Lay Conference at Worth Abbey.
It was planned to hold another such event this year. Covid-19 put paid to that.
Instead, a virtual conference was held on 12th June He said that the things that we have brought from the
2021. Mgr Keith Newton began proceedings. He Anglican Church are attractive, joyous and wonderful.
looked back over ten years and then forward. He
referred to the document “Our calling and Our Fr Lindlar said that evangelism is important. It is to
mission”. He recommended that we all read it. Copies be regretted that some Ordinariate Groups have not
are available from Golden Square. Mgr Keith was admitted one new member in ten years! Others have
especially anxious that people become acquainted been more pro-active in this regard. He made the point
with our Mission Statement. that evangelism is the role of the laity and his job, as
Episcopal Vicar for Evangelism, is to encourage and
“To realise the vision of the apostolic facilitate them to do so.
constitution Anglicanorum coetibus, as a
concrete means of bringing lay faithful, clergy, Among the questions asked was one about what
and religious to a faithful and authoritative happens when an Ordinariate Group Pastor becomes
expression of the Catholic faith through the the Parish Priest. There is a tendency for people to stop
liturgical, spiritual, and pastoral traditions giving to the Ordinariate and start giving to the Parish.
of the Anglican tradition now within the full We were encouraged not to do this, but to give to the
communion of the Catholic Church, cultivating Ordinariate, who would then make a contribution to
bonds of unity, and promoting this precious gift the Parish.
as a means of building up the Body of Christ,
which is the Church, though love.”
Mgr Keith stressed the point that the Ordinariate is WALSINGHAM
Catholic, but distinctive. There is the constant danger
of absorption. He pointed to three aspects of the
ASSOCIATION
Ordinariate: the Liturgical, Pastoral Practices and our
Common Life. He introduced us to the Vicar General, Uniting those who love
Fr Waller and the two Episcopal Vicars: Fr Halsall for Our Lady of Walsingham
Vocations, and Fr Lindlar for Evangelism. Supporting the National Shrine and
Basilica at Walsingham
These then addressed the Conference about their
areas of responsibility. They were followed by the MEMBERS…
Deans. Fr Starkie for the North, Fr Lashbrooke for the *spread devotion to Our Lady
West and Fr Waller for London and the South. *receive regular Newsletters
*join or share in pilgrimages,
Mgr Keith said that a united church does not have retreats and meetings
to be a uniform church. The Ordinariate – us – are the *share in the spirituality of
only people who have actually put this into practice, Walsingham
apart from some in the East. *are remembered in the
daily Masses
Fr Lashbrooke and Fr Lindlar spoke about the *support and promote the
forthcoming Divine Worship Office Book, and Shrine
encouraged the laity to use it. Fr Lashbrooke *unite with others in prayer
encouraged us to raise our standards higher in respect *are entitled to various discounts on
of life in the Ordinariate. purchases and accommodation
What can we do more and better? We must set our Find out more by requesting an information pack:
WA Pilgrim Bureau, Friday Market, Walsingham NR22 6EG
bar higher and Groups may offer the Divine Office. 01328 800953 www.walsingham.org.uk/waTHE P RTAL July 2021 Page 12
News from the Ordinariate
Divine Worship : Daily Office
Daily Prayer for the Ordinariate. All
registered members of the Ordinariate are
strongly encouraged to order their copy of this
A special discount from the retail price of £45.00 is
available only to Ordinariate members, who order
through their Group Pastor. Order your copy today -
beautiful new Office book through their Group Pastor. through your Group Pastor!
Leicester Ordinariate Group
T he Leicester Group will start their new It is hoped to begin a midweek Mass in the autumn.
Mass according to Divine Worship on 4th July The group are very grateful to the Friends of the
at 11am in their new home, St Mary’s, Husbands Ordinariate who have provided a grant for a new
Bosworth. On 18th July Monsignor Keith Newton will external notice board and servers’ cassocks and cottas.
be visiting the Church to celebrate Mass.
Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Walsingham
D etails of the Ordinariate Pilgrimage to for now, book the date in your diaries: Saturday 4th
Our Lady of Walsingham nearer the time, but September 2021.
Tenth Anniversary Autumn Symposium
ASymposium will be held on Saturday
20th November in Westminster Cathedral Hall.
The day will include a celebratory mass in Westminster
Symposium and we are awaiting confirmation from
our invited keynote speaker. Please make sure the date
is in your diary and look out for further information
Cathedral in the afternoon. The new Apostolic over the summer.
Nuncio, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, will open the
After The Third Collect
Fr David Lashbrooke
The Parish Evensong of my childhood, has gone into the mist of time but
the description that follows may spark a memory in some and for others it will
be an unknown experience.
At Evensong the psalms, Magnificat and Nunc while a hymn was sung: however we
Dimittis were sung to Anglican Chant and the would be but two thirds through the
Versicles and Responses to a simple four part time given in the worship and service
harmony. At the Magnificat the altar was censed, of God. A sermon would be preached or a
The lessons were read in a subdued manner passage was read from the Fathers and after another
and the Apostles’ Creed was recited in congregational hymn the celebrant would come to the prie-dieu,
unison. After the third collect the candles on placed in the Nave to pray for the needs of the Church,
the altar were extinguished to mark end of the Office the World and the Parish using prayers from many
... continued at the foot of page 16 Ø
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Lapel VISIT Ladies Wrap, Facemask,
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THIS MONTH HOLY FATHER’S INTENTIONS
The Most Precious Blood Social Friendship
We pray that, in social, economic and political situations of conflict, we
may be courageous and passionate architects of dialogue and friendship.
1 T Thursday of Trinity 4 (The Most Precious Blood, Most Precious Blood, London Bridge
St Oliver Plunkett Bp, M)
2 F Friday of Trinity 4 The Revd Lee Bennett
3 S St Thomas the Apostle (Feast) The Church in India
4 S X 5th Sunday after Trinity Your Group, Mission or Parish
5 M Monday of Trinity 5 (St Anthony Mary Zaccaria Pr) The Revd Stanley Bennie
6 T Tuesday of Trinity 5 (St Maria Goretti V M) The Revd Paul Berrett
7 W Wednesday of Trinity 5 The Revd Simon Beveridge
8 T Thursday of Trinity 5 The Revd Len Black
9 F Friday of Trinity 5 (St Augustine Zhao Rong, The Revd Timothy Boniwell
Pr & Comp Ms)
10 S Saturday of Trinity 5 (Our Lady on Saturday) The Revd Stephen Bould
11 S X 6th Sunday after Trinity Your Group, Mission or Parish
12 M Monday of Trinity 6 (Wales: St John Jones Pr, M) The Revd David Boundy
13 T Tuesday of Trinity 6 (St Henry) The Revd James Bradley
14 W Wednesday of Trinity 6 (St Camillus de Lellis Pr) The Revd Allen Brent
15 T Thursday of Trinity 6 (St Bonaventure Bp, Dr) The Revd Mgr John Broadhurst
16 F Friday of Trinity 6 (Our Lady of Mount Carmel, The Revd Tim Bugby
& St Osmund Bp)
17 S Saturday of Trinity 6 (Our Lady on Saturday) The Revd Paul Burch
18 S X 7th Sunday after Trinity Your Group, Mission or Parish
19 M Monday of Trinity 7 The Revd Mgr Andrew Burnham
20 T Tuesday of Trinity 7 (St Apollinaris Bp, M The Revd David Butler
& St Margaret of Antioch M)
21 W Wednesday of Trinity 7 (St Lawrence of Brindisi Pr, Dr) The Revd Michael Cain
22 T St Mary Magdalene (Feast) All Holy Women
23 F St Bridget of Sweden, Rel, Patron of Europe (Feast) Europe
24 S Saturday of Trinity 7 (Our Lady of Saturday The Revd Deacon Roy Cavey
& St Sharbel Makhulf Pr)
25 S X 8th Sunday after Trinity Your Group, Mission or Parish
26 M Ss Joachim and Anne, parents of the BVM All Grandparents
27 T Tuesday of Trinity 8 The Revd Deacon Richard Cerson
28 W Wednesday after Trinity 8 The Revd Neil Chatfield
29 T St Martha All Working Women
30 F Friday after Trinity 8 (St Peter Chrysologus Bp, Dr) The Revd Simon Chinery
31 S St Ignatius Loyola Pr The Jesuits
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Please help us by making a
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CAF online. Just point your
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Thank you. from 6pm at www.portalmag.co.ukTHE P RTAL July 2021 Page 14
Ordinariate Mass times
Where to find us at prayer in England, Scotland and Wales ...
check before travelling, as not all will have returned to normal times
Birmingham St Margaret Mary, 59 Perry Gainford, County Durham DL2 3DZ Mass: Sundays:
Common Road, Birmingham B23 7AB Mass: Sunday: 9.30am and 11.30am (to book: 07434 522754 - please
11am (Divine Worship). Contact: Fr Simon Ellis: provide name, day, Mass time, number of individuals,
0121 373 0069 - birmingham@ordinariate.org.uk contact phone number). Contact: Fr Thomas
Mason: 07876 308657 - info@ordinariate-darlington.
Bristol St Joseph, Camp Road, Weston-super- co.uk - www.ordinariate-darlington.co.uk
Mare BS23 2EN Mass: 2nd Sunday of the month 12
noon (Divine Worship), followed by shared lunch DEAL St John the Evangelist, St Richard’s Road,
and Benediction at 2:30pm (subject to change in the Mongeham, Deal, Kent CT14 9LD Mass: Sunday:
summer months) Contact: Deacon James Patrick: 11am, 6pm Evensong Contact: Fr Christopher
bristol@ordinariate.org.uk Lindlar: 01304 374870 or 07710 090195 - c.lindlar@
btinternet.com or deal@ordinariate.org.uk
BUCKFAST St Mary’s Abbey, Buckfast TQ11 0EE
The Ordinariate Mass is not currently being offered at the DERBY/NOTTINGHAM Our Lady and St
Abbey due to present restrictions. Fr Hellyer is offering the Thomas, Nottingham Road, Ilkeston DE7 5RF Mass:
Ordinariate mass in his parish in Plymouth. Contact: Sat before 1st Sun 6.30pm (Divine Worship), Thu
Fr Ian Hellyer: 01752 600054 - ian@hellyer.org 9.15am (Divine Worship) St Paul, Lenton Boulevard,
Nottingham NG7 2BY Mass: Sun 6pm (Divine
CHELMSFORD Blessed Sacrament, 116 Worship). Contact: Andrew Harding 01159
Melbourne Avenue, Chelmsford CM1 2DU Mass: 325642. Fr Christopher Cann: 01889 569579, Fr Peter
Sunday: 9.30am and 11.30am, (on 1st Sunday of Peterken: 01332 766285, Fr David Jones: 01162 302244
the month, specifically Ordinariate), also on Mon - derby-nottingham@ordinariate.org.uk
to Sat at 9.15am with RC community Contact:
chelmsford@ordinariate.org.uk Eastbourne St Agnes, 6 Whitley Road BN22
8NJ Mass: Sunday: 4pm (Divine Worship) Our Lady
CHICHESTER St Richard, Cawley Road of Ransom, Grange Road BN21 4EU Mass: Mon:
Chichester PO19 1XB Mass: Saturday 4.15pm Sung/ 7:30pm (Divine Worship) Christ the King, Princes
Solemn (Divine Worship) Contact: Fr Graham Road BN23 6HT Mass: Thur 8pm (Divine Worship)
Smith: 07710 328685 - fr.graham.smith@gmail.com Contact: Fr Neil Chatfield: 07718 123304 - neil.
chatfield@eastbourneordinariate.org.uk- www.
CORNWALL St Augustine of Hippo, St Austell, eastbourneordinariate.org.uk
PL25 4RA Mass: Sunday: 5pm, also on Wed 7pm
Contact: Fr David Lashbrooke: 07427 107304 - FOLKESTONE/DOVER St Paul’s, 103 Maison
cornwall@ordinariate.org.uk Dieu Road, Dover CT16 1RU Mass: Sunday: 11.30am
(with parish) Contact: Fr James Houghton -
COVENTRY The Precious Blood of Our folkestone@ordinariate.org.uk
Lord Jesus Christ & All Souls, Kingsland Avenue,
Earlsdon, Coventry CV5 8DX Mass: Sundays HARLOW The Assumption of Our Lady,
10.30am, Mon-Wed 9.30am, Thu 7.30pm, Fri- Mulberry Green, Old Harlow, Essex CM17 0HA
Sat 9.30am - all Masses currently live streamed Mass: Sunday: 10am and 6pm (Divine Worship 1st
Contact: Fr Paul Burch: 02476 674161 - paul. Sun), Wed 10am (Divine Worship). Check bulletin
burch@ordinariate.org.uk at www.catholicchurchoftheassumption.co.uk or
Contact: Fr John Corbyn: 01279 434203 - john.
Croydon At the moment the Croydon Group corbyn@btinternet.com
does not have any Ordinariate Masses, but it is
hoped thinks might begin again soon - for further HEMEL HEMPSTEAD St Mark’s, Hollybush
information Contact: Jackie Brooks: 0208 777 Lane, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2PH Mass: Sunday:
6426 - jaxprint@btinternet.com 9.30am, Wed: 7pm Contact: Fr Simon Chinery:
07971 523008 - hemel.hempstead@ordinariate.org.uk
Darlington St Osmund, Main Road,
ØTHE P RTAL July 2021 Page 15
ISLE OF WIGHT St Thomas of Canterbury, OXFORD Holy Rood, Abingdon Road, Oxford
Terminus Road, Cowes PO31 7TJ MASS: (Divine OX1 4LD Mass: Saturday (of Sunday) 5pm (Divine
Worship) for details, CONTACT: Fr Jonathan Redvers Worship), Sunday 11.15pm, Wed 9am, Thu 7.30pm
Harris: 01983 292739 - frjonathanrh@btinternet.com (Divine Worship), 8pm Adoration & Confessions,
9.40pm Compline and Benediction, Fri 12.30pm
LONDON Central Our Lady of the (Latin), Sat 9am Contact: Fr Daniel Lloyd: 01865
Assumption and St Gregory, Warwick Street, 437066 - daniel.lloyd@ordinariate.org.uk or Mgr
London W1B 5LZ (Nearest tube: Piccadilly) Mass: Andrew Burnham: 01235 835038 - andrew.burnham@
Sunday: 10.30am Solemn Mass with choir, Weekdays: ordinariate.org.uk - www.thamesisis.org.uk
8am and 12.45pm (all Divine Worship), Sat 6pm
(Novus Ordo), Feasts and Solemnities as advertised. PLYMOUTH St Edward the Confessor, Home
Contact: Fr Mark Elliott-Smith 07815 320761 - Park Avenue, Peverell, Plymouth PL3 4PG MASS: Sunday
markelliottsmith@rcdow.org.uk 11.30pm, Fri 12 noon (both Divine Worship) Contact:
Fr Ian Hellyer: 01752 600054 - ian@hellyer.org
LONDON Leytonstone St John Vianney,
1 Stoneleigh Road, Clayhall, Ilford IG5 0JB MASS: RAMSGATE Shrine of St Augustine, St
Sunday: 9am, 10am, 4.30pm Adoration, 5pm (Divine Augustine’s Road CT11 9PA MASS: Sunday 5pm
Worship), Daily: 8.30am Adoration, 9am Mass, (Divine Worship), followed by refreshments
5.30pm Evening Prayer. CONTACT: Fr Rob Page: 020 Contact: Fr Simon Heans: 07305317642 - office@
8550 4540 - vianney.clayhall@btinternet.com augustineshrine.co.uk
LONDON South Most Precious Blood, PORTSMOUTH St Agatha, Cascades Approach,
O’Meara Street, The Borough, London SE1 1TE Portsmouth PO1 4RJ MASS: Sunday 11am (Solemn),
Mass: Sunday: 8.30am, 11am; Mon-Fri 1.05pm, Mon, Fri (Requiem) and Sat 11am Contact: info@
Thur (term time) 6.30pm (Divine Worship); stagathaschurch.co.uk - www.stagathaschurch.co.uk
Walsingham Mass: 1st Sat of the month 10am
(Divine Worship); Holy Days: (additional) 6.30pm READING St James, Abbey Ruins, Forbury Road,
(Divine Worship); Evensong: Thur 6pm (term Reading, Berkshire RG1 3HW (next to old Reading Gaol)
time); Confessions: Sun 10.30am, Mon-Fri 12.30pm Mass: Sunday: 9.15am. Contact: Fr David Elliott:
Contact: Fr Christopher Pearson 0207 407 3951 - 07973 241424 - reading@ordinariate.org.uk
parish@preciousblood.org.uk - www.preciousblood.
org.uk SALISBURY Most Holy Redeemer, Fortherby
Crescent, Bishopdown, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 3EG
LONDON WALTHAMSTOW Christ the Mass: Sunday: 11am, 6pm Evensong and Benediction
King, 455 Chingford Road, Chingford, E4 8SP Mass: (2nd Sunday), Wed: 7pm (in St Osmund’s, Exeter
Sunday: 11am Contact: Fr David Waller: 020 8527 Street, Salisbury SP1 2SF) Contact: Fr Jonathan
4519 - walthamstow.south@ordinariate.org.uk Creer: 07724 896579 - jonathan.creer@hotmail.co.uk
or salisbury@ordinariate.org.uk
MAIDSTONE Mass: Sunday 9.30am, Weekdays
as announced. Contact: Fr Alastair Ferguson Southend St Peter’s Eastwood, 59 Eastwood
for location: 01892 838230 - 07887 925356 alastair. Rd North, Leigh on Sea SS9 4BX Mass: Sunday:
ferguson@ordinariate.org.uk 10.15am (said 8.30am & 6pm), 1st Sun: 12noon (Divine
Worship), Mon-Sat (except Tues) 9:30am followed
Manchester St Margaret Mary, St by Rosary, Thur 7:30pm (check website), Confession:
Margaret’s Road, New Moston M40 0JE Mass: Sat 10am Contact: Fr Jeffrey Woolnough (Group
Sunday: 10.30am (Divine Worship) Mass during Pastor): 01702 525323, 07956 801381 - fatherjeffw@
the week please check the Sunday notices on gmail.com, Fr Bob White: 01268 543910 - pilgrimclub@
the website Contact: Fr Andrew Starkie: 0161 waitrose.com, Dcn Richard Cerson: 07910 388795 -
681 1651 - manchester@ordinariate.org.uk - www. rcerson@gmail.com - www.stpetereastwood.org www.
ordinariatemcr.com jeffwoolnougholw.blogspot.co.uk
NORTHAMPTON Our Lady of the Sacred TorbaY The Personal Parish and Church
Heart, 82 Knox Road, Wellingborough NN8 1JA of Our Lady of Walsingham with St Cuthbert
Mass: First Saturday of the month: 6pm (Sung Mass) Mayne, Old Mill Road (junc of Ashfield Road), Chelston
Contact: Mgr John Broadhurst: 01933 674614 - TQ2 6HJ Mass (Divine Worship): Sunday: 10am,
frjohnbroadhurst@btinternet.com Mon: 12 noon, Tues: Adoration 5pm, Mass 6pm, ØTHE P RTAL July 2021 Page 16
Wed: 12 noon followed by lunch, Thurs: 10am, Fri: Worship) - please check: www.ordinariate.scot
Adoration 5pm, Mass 6pm, Sat: 10am Contact: Fr Contact: Fr Len Black: 01463 235597 - fr.len@
David Lashbrooke: 07427 107304 - david.lashbrooke@ ordinariate.scot
ordinariate.org.uk - www.ourladyofwalsingham.com
Whithorn St Martin and St Ninian, George
WALSINGHAM Dowry House Chapel, 47-49 Street, Whithorn DG8 8PZ Mass: Wednesday:
High Street, Walsingham, Norfolk NR22 6BZ Mass: 10.30am (Divine Worship), Sat 5pm (with parish)
1st Sunday: 3pm (Divine Worship) Contact: Fr Contact: Fr Simon Beveridge: 01988 850786 -
Gordon Adam: 01553 777428 - gordonadam1962@ whithorn@ordinariate.scot
btinternet.com Dcn Shaun Morrison: 07880 600094 -
shaunmorrison1975@btinternet.com NAIRN St Mary, 7 Academy Street, Nairn IV12
4RJ Mass: 1st Mon 10am (Divine Worship)
SCOTLAND - www.ordinariate.scot Contact: Fr Cameron Macdonald: 01667 453867 -
Edinburgh St Columba, 9 Upper Gray St, nairn@ordinariate.scot
Edinburgh EH9 1SN Mass: to resume soon on 2nd
Sundays: 11.30am (Divine Worship) Contact: Fr Wales: South East St Albans-on-the-
Len Black: 01463 235597 - fr.len@ordinariate.scot Moors, Swinton Street, Splott, Cardiff CF24 2NT Mass:
Sat: 12 noon (All Masses Divine Worship) St David
INVERNESS Royal Northern Infirmary Lewis and St Francis Xavier, 26 Porth-y-Carne
Chapel, Ness Walk, Inverness IV3 5SF Mass: Sunday: Street, Usk NP15 1RZ Contact: Fr Bernard Sixtus:
11.30am (Divine Worship) Oratory of St Joseph, 02920 362599 or 07720 272137 - wales@ordinariate.
49 Laurel Avenue, Inverness IV3 5RR MASS: Tues, org.uk - www.ordinariate.org.uk/groups/wales-se.php
Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat and Feast Days: 11.15am (Divine
Please help us and let us know of any changes . . . email us at info@portalmag.co.uk
After the third collect ... continued from page 12
sources, both well known and from the series of ‘After Many prayer books of the late 17th Century onwards
the Third Collect” before the Grace and final hymn. would include at the back a hymn book such as Tate or
That time after the extinguishing the candles was a Brady (whose forerunner by Thomas Sternold) had, to
time of worship, reflection and joy because it was a large extent , been suppressed after the publication of
a response to the Office itself. In the BCP, following the 1552 prayer book.
the third collect, comes, most probably, the best known
rubric of the BCP. ‘In quires and places where they sing, What is the point of a hymn book attached to
here followeth the anthem.” and its simplicity hides its your prayer book if it was not to be used for public
importance to our patrimony. worship and why do we find so many examples? It is
because the diversity of this space after the third collect
There is the most beautiful elasticity of this rubric became important in the life of prayer of this nation
which appeared in post Elizabethan editions of the BCP not least in hymnody.
because of the actual practice of many parishes within
this realm. This practice of doing more than the Office, My concern is that this lost patrimony (babies and
in essence, began life as a rebellion against a conformity bathwater comes to mind) can be regained only if there
which precluded the ability to respond to the prayer is a move to restore the public recitation of the Office
of the Office. The necessary response to sanctification which, by default, is the vehicle of this wonderful
of the day through the Office was by the vehicles liturgical space.
of anthems and hymns, and eventually sermons,
intercessory prayer and a much later date in Anglo In these few words, I hope I have shown that this
Catholic parishes ‘Evensong with Devotions’ which was space is firmly ensconced within our forgotten
code for Evensong and Benediction. patrimony and needs to be reclaimed. I rejoice that
the essence of the rubric, alongside the helpful notes
The elasticity of this liturgical space created by the of The General Introduction of the new Office Book
clergy and the faithful, especially the influential, led to be published later this year is in itself a declaration
to the rubric creating the space. Although the rubric of intent of the Ordinaries’ wish, not only to restore
would denote anthems it was always a code for a the Office to public recitation, but to include this vital
greater breadth than the singing of some of the great space. In quires and places where they sing, an Anthem
16th and 17th anthems by a few proficient choirs. may follow.’THE P RTAL July 2021 Page 17
No Ordinary Shepherds
Catholic Chaplains to the British
Forces in the Second World War
James Hagerty - Gracewing 2020 - ISBN: 9780852449554
Reviewed by The Revd Simon Ellis
F ollowing his unforgettable and Herculean volume on the Chaplains to the First World War
British Forces, published in 2017, James Hagerty (former Headteacher of St Bede’s Grammar School in
Bradford) has delivered a second tour de force; this time exploring the Padres of World War II. Whereas in the
First World War there were approximately 500 Chaplains serving, by 1940 fewer than 120 were available to
serve the British forces. Pope Pius XII wrote of his “deep anxiety for the fate of those in the fighting services
who are always in great danger both to the soul and to the body”. Even on D-Day they were 40 priests short.
The situation was desperate There were 22 Chaplains killed
and Bishop James Dey (Episcopus between D-Day and September,
Castrensis – ‘Bishop of the Camp’) 1944, for example Fr Peter Firth
- who features as the embattled (posthumously awarded the Croix de
Ordinary of the Military Ordinariate Guerre by the French Government)
- receiving patchy support from the who was killed in action wading
Catholic hierarchy – who encouraged ashore, just after having been seen
all to see the “nobility of this mission” waving cheery encouragement to
of fighting the evils of Nazism and one of his men. A contemporary
to consider “if a Catholic soldier was of Fr Firth’s from the Venerabile, Fr
robbed of spiritual rations at his hour Michael Elcock, buried him in
of trial…then one could not appeal a quiet field near the landing
to his faith in the formation of a new beach. An Anglican colleague wrote
[post-WWII] world.” The Bishops to Fr Firth’s parents to remind them
provided roughly only 5% of their that your son “was a good and
priests because they prioritised the holy man and a zealous padre…all
need back home. chaplains deeply regret his death.”
The beauty of this work is that amongst the The book doesn’t shy away from controversial topics –
statistics and the politics of the situation, you have sacraments given in extremis to non-Catholic soldiers,
plenty of personal stories which really bring the organised Army brothels, Hospital ships bombed by
situation alive: Fr Stephen Rawlinson of Downside the Germans, the Royal Navy’s many years of injustice
Abbey, who served as a soldier in the Boer War and shabby treatment of Catholic sailors and their
and World War I, at 74, served in World War II priests, and the small number of lazy priests who were
as Chaplain to HMS Impregnable at Plymouth. despised for offering blessings “from the rear echelon.”
His ministry consisted of administration of the
sacraments, preparation of converts to the faith, I hope that many will read Hagerty’s record of
hospital ministry….and cricket! Then Fr Roderick the priests who steeled the nerves of men whom
O’Sullivan who had escaped from hostilities in Montgomery described as “integral to the morale and
France, became Chaplain to SS City of Benares (with success of a fighting Army”. They said mass in the most
evacuee children being transported to Canada) difficult and ugly of settings (with occasional exceptions
which was torpedoed and 260 were lost at sea. Fr like the bombed out Basilica of Lisieux), but the truth
O’Sullivan – and some children – survived at sea “became more solemn and more shareable”. Hagerty
for days and, within 6 months, he was aboard HMS concludes, these Padres enabled Catholic soldiers to
Dunluce Castle! Then there’s Fr Gerry Costello identify with their faith community and priests, who
(CSSR) who helped a German Chaplain bury his brought the “comfort and power of the sacraments in
dead before he was marched off to a POW camp. the midst of war.”THE P RTAL July 2021 Page 18
A formally instituted
ministry of catechist
Dr Caroline Farey
Arecent document from Pope Francis, called ‘Antiquum ministerium’ establishes a formally
instituted ministry of catechist. For this, a ‘rite of institution’ is being drawn up by the Congregation for
Divine Worship for use by bishops around the world.
Many times over recent years, ‘formal institution’ has this ministry is given in the phrase: ‘Within the
been proposed for catechists and it has now come to broader charismatic tradition’ (AM2). This situates
fruition. This is not first and foremost to acknowledge the catechist’s ministry, not within the hierarchical
the tremendous work catechists do everywhere, tradition of the ordained clergy but amongst the many
but more especially, to establish a formal system of ‘charisms’ of the body of Christ. What the pope is
commitment by the Church, properly to train and care effectively doing is distinguishing two clearly distinct
for those called to this “absolutely necessary” (AM4), kinds of ‘formally instituted ministry’.
vital and fundamental part of its mission, which is too
often neglected by bishops and priests. First and foremost are the ministries in
the hierarchical (priestly) tradition of the Church which
There will always be thousands of dedicated parents stem from the grace of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The
and catechists who assist in multiple ways in the bishop is ‘the primary catechist in his Diocese, one which
sacramental preparation of adults and children, who he shares with his presbyterate’ (AM5). No catechist
might never be formally instituted to the ministry of takes precedence over the catechetical responsibility of
catechist. In a similar way, there are many fine men the bishop or priest, ‘or to the particular responsibility
who help in parishes in multiple forms of service, who of parents for the Christian formation of their children’
have not felt or received the call to be ordained to the (AM5). The hierarchy is to guard and make clear the
diaconate. Baptism is the source of grace for all such Deposit of faith entrusted to them (cf. 1 Tim 6:20). The
service towards Christus totus, ‘Christ and his Church’ catechist is to assist in transmitting (AM2) what has
(CCC 975). A ‘stable form’ of catechist doesn’t change been guarded and clarified.
any of this general, Spirit-filled generosity.
Secondly, ‘within the charismatic tradition’ of the
‘Ancient Ministry’ Church there are multiple lay charisms. There are those
The title of this document, which means ‘ancient called ‘lay apostolates’ which are oriented towards the
ministry’, has, however, caused confusion. Firstly, this is world and ‘engaging in temporal affairs’ (AM6) and there
because the word ‘ministry’ in the formal sense, has been are those oriented towards the hierarchy for assisting and
reserved in the Catholic tradition for those ordained. cooperating with them (cf AM6). These two traditions,
Secondly the ordained ministry must claim to be the hierarchical and charismatic, make up the ‘fullness of the
most ancient, since it was formally instituted by Christ apostolate’ that resides in the successors of the apostles.
at his last supper with his apostles. The title ‘ancient
ministry’ most properly belongs to the priesthood. The document makes it quite clear that the ‘formally
instituted ministry of catechist’ is in the secular not
The document reveals that it uses ‘ancient’ in the most the clerical order. The catechist’s commitment is to be
general understanding of the term as meaning ‘rooted carried out ‘in a fully “secular” manner, avoiding any
in the New Testament’ which the document quotes form of clericalisation’. (AM7). This means that there
extensively. Its use of the term ‘ministry’ is explained is to be no special title, role or distinguishing dress or
as being a call to the ‘service of catechesis’ (AM1) not sign that could obscure their lay status.
with the graces of the sacrament of ordination but
with those flowing from the sacraments of Baptism Diakonia
and, especially, the Eucharist. The word diakonia is mentioned very early in the
document (AM2), which, in English translates as
‘Within the charismatic tradition’ ‘diaconate’. At the moment the diaconate is strictly
A key to a more precise meaning and status of part of the single sacrament of Holy Orders, that
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