Vatican City, Sep 19, 2013
Quoting the Vatican II document “Lumen Gentium”, Pope Francis reminded new bishops participating in a private audience that “the Bishop is a man of communion and unity, the ‘visible principle and foundation of unity.’”
The pontiff pressed the bishops to ask themselves during their daily work, “how to live the spirit of collegiality and collaboration in the Episcopate” and how “to be builders of communion and unity in the Church the Lord has entrusted” to them.
“They call you and establish you as Pastors not from yourselves, but from the Lord; and not to serve yourselves, but to serve the flock entrusted to you, to serve it even to the point of giving your life, like Christ, the Good Shepherd.”
If they “welcome with magnanimity” and with an open door, those who are in their care, said the Pope, “will experience the paternity of God and understand how the Church is a good mother that always loves and welcomes them.” The Holy Father also imparted to the new bishop’s the necessity to journey with one’s flock, a journey which cannot be completed without affection for his priests and his presence among his people.
Lampeter, Sep 12, 2013
THE Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales will "not please everybody" with a code of practice containing provisions for those who dissent from women bishops, the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, has said.
"Well, we are at variance with the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches. If that was the only issue that divided us, I would say: 'Well, let's hang on a minute.' But, of course, the Roman Catholic Church doesn't actually recognise our orders.
Jerusalem, AD 33
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
This speaks volumes of the difference in approaches. I doubt any member of the Bench of Bishops in Wales truly undertakes any of what Pope Francis was speaking about. Starkly contrasted with the words of Archbishop Barry. Of course, ordaining women is hardly a move towards Rome recognising the orders and will prove a great barrier.
ReplyDeleteToday at the consecration of the Bishop of Monmouth, a women bishop took part in the proceedings, what a divisive move to make. In addition the Archbishop of Cardiff was in attendance, how likely is that to happen when the first women is consecrated. We will be pulled further from unity with the Universal Church.
Don't worry about today, Elliott, it was all over last week when the Church in Wales voted formally to end its claim to any apostolic succession. What they do from now on is quite simply irrelevant to anyone except themselves.
ReplyDeleteA piffling little province with scarcely enough members to constitute one decent sized diocese, has opted to go its own way and to turn its back on the great churches of Christendom. They have their reward here and now.
You all follow well what Pope Francis says, and will know of his encouragement for Anglicanorum Coetibus , brought into being by Emeritus BenedictVX1. The Church in Wales becomes more (if possible) Protestant by the day. Have you heard of The Gathering set up by Barry in which C in W members together with Methodists,some Baptists, United reformers all receive 'bread and wine ' together? Who celebrates? But I don't suppose that matters or makes any difference?
ReplyDeleteFor readers not familiar with The Gathering, see Churches Together in Wales http://www.cytun.org.uk/
DeleteFrom the confession in the 'Order for the Holy Communion' for covenanting churches:
Christ proclaimed truth.
Response: We obscure it.
Christ opened the way to the Father.
Response: We shut people out.
One of the delegates from the Church in Wales, Llandaff Deanery, is the Revd Jennie Wigley who co-sponsored the divisive amendment to allow women bishops in the Church in Wales.