From the Rector

Dear friends,

When the ordination of women to the priesthood was first permitted, the Act of Synod which set up the Provincial Episcopal Visitors (or PEVs, sometimes referred to as “flying bishops”) enabled those of the two integrities to get on with things, and indeed during those years some wonderful things have happened for which we give thanks to God. The reason for the setting up of this structure of bishops was to reflect what the General Synod at the time said was “an honoured and permanent place”, “a legitimate Anglican opinion”, “no bar to preferment” for those who were trying to remain faithful to the two thousand year-old Catholic tradition. It was said that there would be “equal treatment for ordination selection”. In fact parliament insisted that there should be permanent provision for those whose were theologically opposed.

Looking back on all this we can see that these words have proved to be completely empty. As soon as the Act of Synod was passed, a group was set up to campaign for its abolition. This month the General Synod reneged on all these promises. It has turned its back on what it said it would do. Such was the intransigence of Synod that the two Archbishops were totally humiliated in their attempt to try and hold together the situation. Most of those in Synod supported them, but as the voting was by houses it was defeated because the house of clergy won by only FIVE votes. The liberals have achieved virtually everything that they wanted and the “traditionalists” have been left with virtually nothing. One cannot help but come to the conclusion that the General Synod has said to priests and laity like myself, “Go away, we don’t really want you”.

Cranford has never been a “high church” parish; it is a parish within the Catholic tradition of the Church of England. A church can be “high church” with incense and bells and vestments but at the same time it can fail to teach the Catholic Faith that we have inherited from the apostles. The Catholic tradition is one which has been upheld by the priests who have served in this parish for at least the last 75 years, in addition to several hundred years of worship on the site. One of them (Blessed John Hale) even gave his life for the Faith. It is as if the Church of England does not want this tradition to continue.

So what happens now? The earliest that women could become bishops in the Church of England would be 2014.

In the meantime, Forward in Faith has issued a statement. “The draft Measure to permit the ordination of women as bishops, approved today by the General Synod and sent for discussion and approval by Diocesan Synods, contains nothing which can satisfy the legitimate needs of members of Forward in Faith. Now, though, is not the time for precipitate action. There will be ample opportunity for priests to take counsel together at the Sacred Synods called by the Catholic Bishops in each province in September, and for Forward in Faith to take stock at the National Assembly in October."

We really need to follow the advice of the Bishop of Ebbsfleet: "In the meantime, be tranquil and say your prayers: God is working his purpose out."

Yours in Christ

Father Michael