leters to the editor


From Major D. R. Wilson I read the article in your issue of


March 2011 by Father Peter Mullen with great interest. We too, are staying in the Church of England to ‘fight our corner’. If, years ago, some bishops and priests had not scutled off to Rome, but thought of their congregations and flocks rather than their own consciences by staying to fight their corner, we, faithful Anglicans and indeed, the Church of England which we love so well, might not be in the mess in which we find ourselves today. I was baptised into ‘Te Established Catholic Church of England’ exactly 91 years ago at St Gabriel’s, Plymouth and confirmed 80 years ago at St Stephen’s Lewisham. We should reflect upon what we owe our Church today. Does the word ‘loyalty’ spring to mind, and not only our Church but to Her Majesty the Queen? Denys Wilson 14 Constable Way, West Harnham, Salisbury SP2 8LN


Quarantine


Brooke Lunn offers some thoughts on the ‘eucharistic fast’ observed between Ash Wednesday and the Triduum by the first wave of those joining the Ordinariate


F


riends and colleagues who are amongst the first to join the


Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham have said that they have ceased to be communicant members of the Church of England on Shrove Tuesday, and will be received into full communion with the Roman Apostolic See at the Triduum. The intervening period, they say, is a ‘eucharistic fast’. As an Anglican papalist for sixty years


now, I am totally committed to seeking full communion with Rome as essential for Christian unity. Anglicanorum Coetibus provides ‘for those Anglican faithful who desire to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church in a corporate manner’. That is a key text for Anglican papalists, for it recognizes the need for corporate reunion with Rome, and also, in the two words ‘Anglican


faithful’, it indicates a profound change from a hitherto negative attitude towards Anglicans (most specifically seen in the unacceptable use of the word ‘convert’) to a positive view that Anglicans entering into full communion with Rome bring with us an Anglican patrimony which is ‘a treasure to be shared’. So Anglicanorum Coetibus does not make provision for ‘disaffected’ Anglicans. It is a basic principle that the ends do not justify the means. Anglicanorum Coetibus makes provision


for ‘good


means’ to achieve that end. For me the above-mentioned ‘eucharistic fast’ is not compatible with Anglicanorum Coetibus, nor with the official position of the Roman Catholic Church. Regarding that last point, give Apostolicae Curae, Anglicans entering into full communion with Rome at the Triduum will be


making their First Communion. How does one fast, give up for a period, something one has not had in the first place? Perhaps ‘abstinence’ would be slightly more accurate? There is, however, a ready-made word which fits this Ash Wednesday to Triduum ‘denial’ – quarantine. The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary reads: ‘Quarantine. 2. A period of isolation, orig. of forty days, imposed on a person, animal, or thing that might otherwise spread contagious disease, esp. on one that has just arrived from overseas etc or has been exposed to infection.’ My thoughts and best


wishes go


with those who have set out on Ash Wednesday towards full communion with Rome. I believe that their eyes are set on a good end. But the means?


April 2011 ■ newdirections ■ 21


From The Reverend Alan Cooke With pious unction Ed Tomlinson


compares the journey of those entering the new Ordinariate with the journey of Jesus to his crucifixion. Without going to any such lengths, I would remind Ed that those who (for the time being at least) have chosen to remain within the Church of England also have their own hardships to bear, hardships which can only increase if suitable provision is not made for them. Father Alan Cooke Te Vicarage, Milne Street, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 0HR


From Mr John Bayley As a Roman Catholic, I read with


interest in the February edition of New Directions the article you produced on the excerpts from the Homily of the late Pope John Paul II that he gave on the first Divine Mercy Sunday in 2001. Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday aſter Easter each year. It is wonderful that


the Beatification of Pope John Paul II should take place in Rome on Divine Mercy Sunday, the 1st May 2011, when over two million pilgrims are expected in Rome for the Beatification. Leaflets on the Divine Mercy Chaplet can be obtained from the following address: Divine Mercy Publication, Maryville, Skerries, County Dublin, Ireland. Most people nowadays have Sky


television, and if they go to channel 589 they can watch EWTN. On this channel viewers can watch the Daily Mass, Te Divine Mercy Chaplet, Stations of the Cross and Benediction and Devotion. More details on the channel can be obtained from the following address: Saint Clare Media (EWTN), PO Box 913, Enfield EN2 0WY, England. John Bayley bayleyjohn23@yahoo.com


Leters for publication should be sent to: Te Editor, NEW DIRECTIONS


2A Te Cloisters, Gordon Square London WC1H 0AG


nd.editor@forwardinfaith.com


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