THE P RTAL


March 2011 PORTAL NEWS


Cardinal Levada and Fr Hermann Geissler


An Interview by Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane


IN THE TIME Cardinal Levada had with us, he was concerned to put us at our ease. Anxious we had some fine pictures, he made sure his Secretary Msgr Steven Lopes operated the camera. Cardinal Levada explained that Fr Hermann Geissler, who is the head of the Doctrinal Office at the CDF, would give us an in- depth interview the very next day. (Front cover: Ronald Crane, Cardinal Levada, Jackie Ottaway)


Cardinal William Levada We leſt the CDF aſter an hour, as we did so, the


Cardinal gave us both his blessing. One was overawed to be in the presence of such an holy man, yet at the same time totally won over by his North American charm and grace. It is clear that


the CDF is very


keen on the Ordinariate, and we were given a warm welcome by everyone. Sitting on Louis XIV chairs, with valuable paintings hanging on the wall, we chatted with Cardinal Levada and his staff.


Fr Hermann Geissler Fr Hermann is an Austrian, and a member of the


Spiritual Family Te Work (Te Sisters of Te Work run the College in Littlemore-Oxford, where John Henry Newman was received in the Catholic Church). His English is excellent. He has a keen interest in the Ordinariate and in Blessed John Henry Newman. Te issue of the Ordinariate is close to his heart, as it is to that of the Holy Father.


We were told that some two years ago members of


the Anglican Communion knocked at the CDF’s door and asked for help. It was clear that they shared the Catholic Faith and Catechism, yet needed Peter, and Communion with Saint Peter. Te CDF informed the Holy Father who said that if they shared the same Faith and sought Communion with Peter, the Vatican must be helpful.


A Working Group set up Fr Hermann informed us that a Working Group was


set up involving members of the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church. It met on and off for two years. It produced a scheme for corporate reunion that would welcome groups as well as individuals. When it was shown to Pope Benedict XIV he thought it helpful and it was presented to a group of Teologians, all twenty of them, and finally to the Cardinal Members


of the CDF. Tey pronounced the scheme good and necessary, and the Holy Father approved. Fr Hermann said, “I believe it was the Holy Spirit. He brought them to our doors, guided them and us.”


Few difficulties Te CDF foresees few difficulties between the


Ordinariate and other Catholics. We were told quite definitely that the Catholic Church was not a uniformity. Tere is unity of faith, of course; but not uniformity. Tere is already a diversity of expression among various parts of the Catholic Church. Tere are differences of liturgy and even of Canon Law. Tis is the case in India, for example, where three Ritual Catholic Churches (Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankar) exist in harmony. Fr Hermann was adamant


that


the Ordinariate and the rest of the Catholic Church complement each other.


Important to the Holy Father “Te Ordinariate is very important to the Holy


Father. In the area of ecumenism it strengthens the Catholic Church’s approach in two ways. It promotes sincere dialogue with a Christian defence of life, and the promotion of peace. Te goal of the ecumenical movement is complete visible union with one Christ and with Peter in one Church. We must co-operate and grow together.”


For the CDF Anglicans joining the Catholic Church


through the Ordinariate will receive the fullness of faith, the fullness of the sacramental life of the Church as well as unity with the Holy Father. It produces security in one’s Faith.


Not one-way traffic But this is not one-way traffic. All converts bring


enthusiasm and a freshness of faith to the Church. Tey prepare well, they do not take the Faith for granted and in that they refresh the Faith of the Church.


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