I love the opening words from former Bishop of Richborough, Edwin Barnes:
"With so many clergy and lay people leaving the Church of England for the Ordinariate, is one of those little point-making exercises that make little point and perhaps highlight something that makes me wonder a little about yet another piece of [insert your assessment here]! The opening leads one to suppose that perhaps you're in for yet another dose of posturing.
But get past the first few words and you will, I hope, like me applaud his analysis of the situation in that there's no way that those who swim will win because there are a number of wallies on all sides of the equation here! (my words, not his) The distrust and the lack of charity, from all sides, is a sad hallmark of the of the inferiordinariate and he's right when he says judgments will range from, and include:
Having been timid and held back
Having been headstrong and acted too quickly
Cast aspersions on those taking a different path (ironic how some who are staying 'faithful' to their calling are being maligned and slighted for their constancy and a determination to see the CofE remain a reformed and catholic church.
It's not just with regard to the Superiordinariate that we need to be looking restoring Christian charity amongst the brethren. edwin points out, quite rightly, that the situation is tough for those losing friends and colleagues and for those who have won them, especially those who struggle with celibacy and see their new colleagues with wife, kids and all that they are forbidden.
An interesting and wonderfully gentle read from a man who is indeed both things incarnate. Edwin Barnes
Enjoy.
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