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THE P RTAL


March 2011


Father Peter’s Page Always a Convert ...


RONALD KNOX – the famous son of a Bishop of Manchester - was renowned for his wit and wisdom, which showed itself in countless articles and scholarly books. Even today, I oſten refer enquirers to his short, but thorough, little book Te Belief of Catholics. It is still, I believe, one of the best summaries of the faith for Anglicans who are searching.


known , told this story against himself.


‘Ronnie’, as he was Not


long aſter he had been ordained as a Catholic priest


he was made


welcome at an Irish presbytery. As his host generously filled his whisky glass, (or should it be ‘whiskey’?), Ronnie exclaimed: “Oh, not too full


! Remember I am


only a convert.” Only a convert “Only a convert . . .”


For many of you – at whatever stage you are on your journey – you will always be referred to as a ‘convert’. Strictly, for most people, this is the wrong word to describe someone who has/or is about to go through the “Rite of Reception of Baptised Christians into Full Communion with the Catholic Church”. Te word ‘convert’ should, properly, only be used for referring to a person who comes from unbelief to Christian belief- as the foreword to the Rite makes clear.


Evangelium Yet in two ways it is the right word. Teasingly, I


always ask my students when I am instructing them – especially if they are doing post-graduate studies in English etymology! – that if they can find a better single word, would they please tell me; and also put it on a postcard and tell the Vatican as well – since they too would like to know of one!


And in another important way it is the right word. As the Rite’s foreword


makes clear: “conversion of life is the continuing imperative of Christian believers”. And as the Decree on Ecumenism makes abundantly plain: “men who believe in Christ and have been truly baptised are in communion with the Catholic Church even though the communion is imperfect”.


Tus the word conversion is


“applied


NOT to describe ‘conversion’ to Christian faith, but rather admission, reception, and welcome into the fullness of Catholic


Communion”. Tis Rite has to be kept entirely distinct from the catechumenate of Christian initiation: “Any confusion between catechumens and candidates for reception should be absolutely avoided.”


How wonderful – and pastoral – it is that this It is, technically, a misuse of the word to apply


it to an already baptised Christian – let alone a deeply committed Anglican entering the Ordinariate!


fundamental truth is now more clearly perceived, and practised, with the arrival of Te Ordinariate and magnificent courses like Evangelium, which did not exist 20 years ago.


But be warned: When you go through the Rite of


Reception everyone then – and forever aſter – will refer to you, (as they do to me), as a ‘Convert’. But because we know that ALL our Christian life is one of conversion - “from truth into deeper truth” - don’t be embarrassed by it!


‘Convert’ you will be; ‘Convert’ you are; and


‘Conversion’ is what the Christian life is all about. Accept the title and wear it with pride . . . .


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