UNITED KINGDOM - Ordinations
Saturday 1st October 2005
The Reverend Anthony Murley, presently Deacon at St Agatha's Church, Portsmouth. Is to be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on the 22nd October 2005 at St Agatha's Church. The new priest will serve in London under the direction of the Southern Area Dean The Reverend John D. Maunder. The Right Reverend Robert Mercer CR presiding, with letters mandatory from The Right Reverend David Moyer, Episcopal Visitor to the United Kingdom.
* * * * *
AUSTRALIA - Ordinations
28 September 2005
MR. Tony Iball to the Sacred Diaconate at Saint Stephen's College Chapel, Coomera, on Tuesday 4 th October at 7.30p.m. being the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. The new deacon will serve on the staff of Patmos House, Brisbane. Archbishop John Hepworth presiding.
THE Reverend Howard Dann, presently Deacon-in-Charge of St. Peter Apostle and Martyr Parish, Deception Bay, Queensland is to be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on 3 rd December at St. Thomas's parish church, Maroochydore, Queensland. Bishop David Chislett SSC presiding.
THE Reverend Dennis Priestley who ministers among 40,000 Maori Christians in and around Brisbane is to be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on Saturday, 10 th December at their place of worship in Brisbane. Bishop David Chislett SSC presiding.
* * * * *
American Primate Archbishop Louis Falk to retire
General Synod adopts new structure
27th September 2005
DURING the General Synod of the Anglican Church in America (ACA), held Portland Maine 20-24 September, Archbishop Louis Falk announced his intention to retire as Primate of the (TAC's) Anglican Church in America at the end of this year, after more than 14 years in that role, most of it spent also as Primate of the worldwide Traditional Anglican Communion. The ACA Synod did not elect a successor, but instead voted to eliminate the position of Primate of the American church and adopt a new structure, whereby a"President of the House of Bishops" will be elected for a 3-year term at the time of each General Synod. The action leaves Archbishop John Hepworth as the only bishop of the TAC designated as Primate.
Following the decision to eliminate his current office, Archbishop Falk was elected as the ACA's first President of the House of Bishops, agreeing to serve in that capacity for at least the first year of the 3-year term while the ACA completes the transition from Primate to President. Bishop George Langberg, of the ACA's Diocese of the Northeast (New York and New England), was elected as the church's Vice-President.
Immediately following the national event, Bishop Langberg addressed the Synod of the Diocese of the Northeast, saying that the Traditional Anglican Communion had "embarked on a journey toward unity in direct response to Jesus' prayer that his followers all be one." After quoting that prayer from the 17th chapter of the Gospel of John, Bishop Langberg said, "We are accustomed to say, 'Lord, hear our prayer.' Tonight Jesus says to us, 'My people, hear my prayer.' "
Due to the timing of its National Synod, the American church was the last of the TAC jurisdictions to officially endorse the efforts of the Primate, Archbishop John Hepworth but it did so in resounding fashion with a unanimous vote of support.
The Traditional Anglican Communion will now prepare a formal unity plan to present to the Vatican next year, outlining how intercommunion could be accomplished, recognizing that the two churches have similar theological beliefs. The Traditional Anglican Communion has members in 44 countries around the world. Its College of Bishops is scheduled to meet in plenary session next year, possibly at Rome.
* * * * *
TRADITIONAL ANGLICAN CHURCH BISHOPS ENDORSE EFFORTS TO SEEK INTERCOMMUNION WITH ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
September 23 2005
THE Archbishop of the Traditional Anglican Communion and primate of the largest conservative Anglican Church in the world has received an endorsement from the U.S. and Central American Church bodies meeting in Portland, Maine this week to begin developing a plan for intercommunion and unity with Rome . The Most Reverend John Hepworth, the Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion, attended the meeting of the General Synod of the Anglican Church in America during the week of September 20-24. The Church bodies gave him an endorsement of his efforts to re-establish formal unity with the Holy See in Rome .
He has led efforts on behalf of the Church to re-establish unity with the Roman Catholic Church with whom he has had discussions for the last several years. He has also made an effort to establish communion with European Lutherans seeking similar common ground with Rome . "We have no doctrinal differences with Rome which would keep us from being in full communion with each other " said the Archbishop in a recent interview. " The climate is brewing for the Traditional Anglican Communion to be the 27th ecclesial group accepted into communion with Rome and the first church touched by the Reformation to do so. " My broad vision is to see the end of the Reformation of the 16th century. Archbishop Hepworth said if Christians truly believe in the notion of an undivided Church, they ought to discover what it takes to find unity with both East and West and "be liberated from everything that stops it."
The General Synod of the Anglican Church in America , including the Bishop of Central America, endorsed the efforts of the Primate today in a strong vote of support. The worldwide Traditional Anglican Communion will now begin the preparation of a formal unity plan to present to the Vatican next year outlining how intercommunion may be accomplished. The two churches have similar theological beliefs. The American Church was the last of the jurisdictions to endorse the efforts of the Primate due to timing of their National Synod. The Traditional Anglican Communion has members in 44 countries around the world.
* * * * *
Controversial Episcopal Bishop at TAC Mass
Friday 23rd September 2005
[In David Virtue's recent "Viewpoints" we read this]:
"IN CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, this past Sunday, Bishop V. Gene Robinson turned up at All Saints Anglican Church, an Anglican Church in America/TAC parish not quite two years old, many of whose founding members broke away from the Episcopal Church over his consecration in 2003. A source who asked not be named wrote VirtueOnline to say that Bishop Robinson showed up unannounced at about a minute before 1 p.m. (Mass is at 1 p.m.) in a purple shirt/collar and pectoral cross. He came in the entrance at the front of the church next to the pulpit (everyone could see him enter), and he sat in a pew in the middle of the church. He stayed for the entire service. He went forward to the rail for communion but instead received a blessing. He was not disrespected by anyone during the service. "I'm sure it was obvious to most everyone present who he was," the source said. "He stayed to the end of mass, introduced himself to a few people on a one-on-one basis, had a few words with the rector (he was heard to say that he was 'disappointed' that he couldn't receive) and left. He did not stay for coffee fellowship, for any type of ecumenical 'speech,' or to explain or comment on his unexpected and unannounced visit."
Ironically' the first service of All Saints was on the feast of All Saints (Nov. 1, 2003). which incidentally was the eve of Robinson's consecration in Durham, N.H. One wonders how this will go down with the revisionist parishes and their priests in New Hampshire when they get this news!"
Footnote:
Since many are so quick to jump on David Virtue, the following verification of the above from a "totally trustworthy source" has been received:
The event was as you posted. Our fearless leader and Senior Warden contacted the rector and he confirmed the facts as described. When Bishop Robinson approached for the reception of communion the rector made the sign of the cross on his forehead only. Robinson was dressed as reported, excused himself from the coffee hour since he had to "get on to other matters" or somesuch.
After the service the rector also invited him to return (with the thought that V G Robinson might again find the Faith with their parish). Cordially, John"
* * * * *
Pope urges the reading of Bible
16 th September 2005
POPE Benedict XVI told biblical experts that the ancient tradition of "lectio divina", or sacred reading of Scripture, should be promoted as a way to enrich the spiritual life of the church.
"The church must always renew and rejuvenate herself" through "the Word of God, which never gets old or expires," he said.
Catholic News Service reports that the Holy Father urged a renewal of this ancient tradition, saying he was convinced it would "bring a new spiritual springtime to the church if promoted effectively."
The pope's message came in an address on Friday at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo to some 500 biblical experts, scholars and pastoral leaders attending an international conference in Rome.
The Catholic Biblical Federation and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity sponsored the congress commemorating the 40th anniversary of "Dei Verbum," the Second Vatican Council's document on Scripture and revelation.
SOURCE: Catholic News Service
* * * * *
September Issue "The Messenger" now uploaded & available to download
Wednesday 21st September 2005
* * * * *
Lincoln's Priory Centre for the use of the Community
TAC Primate, Archbishop John Hepworth, attended by a number of the clergy and Bishop Robert Mercer CR, blessed the new completed Priory Centre located in the central business district of Lincoln for the use of the general community on August 13.
It is a marvellous centre with different rooms, and facilities to serve the community. Activities include dance, drama, LearnDirect courses, computer studies, courses in basis Food Hygiene, First Aid training, Mothers and Toddler group and the Priory Coffee Shop offering refreshments daily from 10.00a.m. until 4.00p.m.
The main church itself is not yet fully restored but work progresses especially now that the Centre is complete and working.
After blessing the Centre the Archbishop celebrated the Mass for the making of a Deacon in the Church of God, and ordained Brian Uffindell to the Deaconate. This service was held in the St. Gilbert's Hall, as the Lady Chapel was too small for the large congregation.
For reports and pictures of the Synod held at the Priory Centre mid-August 2005 refer to www.thetraditionalanglicanchurch.org.uk
* * * * *
Bishop warns babies set to become 'consumer products'
Wednesday 14 th September 2005
BABIES could become consumer products within 10 years, due to the mentality being promoted by the contraceptive and IVF industries, according to Sydney's auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher.
Bishop Fisher told the Catholic Weekly that many people are questioning the supposed freedoms those industries offer.
The bishop was responding to comments by Carl Djerassi, designer of the first oral contraceptive, who said that we may be as little as 10 years away from a world where sexual intercourse is entirely separated from reproduction.
The Stanford University emeritus professor said he believed women will be "happy" to be sterilised after having their eggs frozen, knowing they can have eggs thawed, fertilised and implanted when they choose to have a child. He believes the technology will be developed "easily in the next 10 years" and that the movement towards completely controlled conception is already occurring.
He rejected the claim that the decline in fertility in many countries was due to the contraceptive pill.
Pope Benedict XVI used a recent public audience to pray for societies suffering a declining birth rate, saying they are "lacking in energy and hope".
In Australia, the birth rate is 1.75 and has been below the replacement rate for the past 20 years.
Bishop Fisher agrees that we may well be on the path to Dr Djerassi's dream world where sex, love, marriage and children are entirely disintegrated from each other, because it is in the best interests of contraceptive and IVF industries.
"These entrepreneurs have been very successful in getting us to adopt a consumer mentality towards the body, sexuality and children," he says.
"They brag that birth rates have plummeted and that many people now have sex not just without children but without love or commitment, merely for 'fun, lust, curiosity or excitement', as Dr Djerassi says.
"The contraceptive manufacturers have taught people not to love their bodies, life and children but rather to fear their fertility, to withhold it even from their spouses, to cauterise it temporarily or permanently."
Prof Djerassi, who concluded his visit on Saturday, was invited to Australia by the federally-funded education body Australia Science Innovations.
* * * * *
