THE P RTAL


March 2011 Fr David Silk’s Ordination Observed by Edwin Barnes


WITH BREATHTAKING SPEED, David Silk was advanced from the Diaconate, which he received on Tuesday, to the Priesthood on Friday. Te Abbey Church at Buckfast was filled with friends of David and Joyce, and it was unusual to see four mitres being sported, and only two of them worn by bishops. Te first was Bishop Christopher Budd of Plymouth, who ordained David, the other Alan Hopes, Auxiliary of Westminster, who has been the link between the Ordinariate and the Bishops’ Conference of Bishops of England and Wales. Te mitred Abbot of Buckfast was the third, and it was very good to see the Ordinary himself (Fr Keith Newton) properly attired. Quite like old times.


Buckfast Abbey If you have not visited Buckfast


(“the fourth most popular Tourist Attraction in the West Country”), then you should at the earliest opportunity. When the religious life was re-established on that holy ground, the monks themselves erected the Church, following the plan of the long-demolished Cistercian Church swept away in the unpleasantnesses of Henry VIII of unhappy memory.


is an austere building within, but


the sanctuary, filled with


concelebrating priests on this occasion, glows with light from a huge candelabrum suspended over the sacrarium.


Pastoral Staff Despite struggling with a


rebellious sound system, Bishop Christopher was warm in his welcome.


To mark the very


special nature of the occasion he carried the pastoral staff which David had been given when bishop of Ballarat. It was a giſt to him from the linked diocese in Papua New Guinea and looked like the sort of weapon which could have felled at one blow any number of rebellious inferior clergy.


Anglican Patrimony Aſter the razzmatazz of Westminster (was it


really only a month ago ?) Buckfast was splendidly restrained – but then, it has oſten been claimed that Anglicanism continued some of the better features of the Benedictine tradition.


though some of the Anglican Patrimony was already becoming apparent.


“Praise to the Holiest” rang out for the Entrance, and “We pray Tee, Heavenly It certainly felt as It


Father” was sung at the Offertory. Tese and other hymns made a lovely contrast with the singing of the Abbey Choir, under their Director, Michael Vian Clark. Tey sang the Gloria from Byrd’s Mass for Four Voices, and led us in responsorial psalm and plainchant Alleluias, Sanctus, Veni Creator and Agnus Dei. Te Motet at Communion was again by Byrd, his “Laudibus in Sanctis”.


Joyce Silk took her part Joyce assisted in vesting her


husband in the chasuble – this seems to be a habit (no pun intended) – perhaps it will be different in Portsmouth ? With some of her family, she was in the easternmost block of stalls, facing some of the monastic community.


Blessings At the end of Mass David stood


at the east end of the choir, while a long queue formed seeking the new priest’s blessing - once again, there were many more than had received communion. If these people are preparing to declare themselves for the Ordinariate, there will be a great shot in the arm for West Country Catholicism in the next few months. Tere was much hilarity over lunch, some of David’s closest friends joining the family in a small upper room over the Granary Restaurant.


So the


Ordinariate progresses, in joyful steps. If this was one man’s ordination, what will it be like at Pentecost when dozens are to be ordained?


Saturday March 5th


Edwin Barnes’ Ordination is on at 2.30 pm in the Catholic


Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, Portsmouth


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