Eurobishop bloGSPOT

Cardinal Cormac on Unity and Mission

Posted: 07 Mar 2010 07:25 AM PST

The Spectator magazine sponsors a series of debates in England. One occurred on Tuesday 2 March. The topic, as provocative as ever, was “"England Should Be a Catholic Country Again".

Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor (left), the retired Archbishop of Westminster, was lined up to speak for the motion. Leading the speakers against the motion was Lord Richard Harries, the former Bishop of Oxford. The irenic words of the Cardinal deserve our attention. He and I worked closely together when he was the Roman Catholic Co-Chairman and I was the Anglican Co-Secretary of ARCIC, so his ecumenical vision is no surprise, but it is still very encouraging.

The Cardinal said:

“In speaking of a Catholic Country, let us agree that the Reformation conflict is over. We do not need to trade history. And I for one would be the first to be grateful for so much that the Anglican Church and other Christian Churches have brought to this country that has been of such benefit over the past four hundred years.

Instead, let me give you a better starting point for our debate. Go back to the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1982. For many, the key image was the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury, kneeling before the shrine of St Thomas a Becket, side by side in prayer. It was extraordinarily moving. Our two churches have already come a long way on the path back to the unity which Christ called for. And it will take more than even The Spectator to push us apart again. I am a convinced and dedicated ecumenist and I believe that the ecumenical movement is like a road with no exit. We are not in competition but in a shared endeavour. It is not a choice between the Church of England or Catholic England: it is a choice for the Church in England”.
Cardinal Cormac went on to say what a united and strong Church in England would do:

“This English Church would speak to the nation of true belief, of the dignity of the human person from the beginning of life to its natural end. It would preach a Gospel of life and truth. It would speak of what the Church is for, not so much of what it is against. It would speak for the poor, for the prisoner, a voice for the voiceless. It would speak of the family, to help forge a healthy nation, and seek to defuse, as the Chief Rabbi has said, the bomb that has been put under the cement that brings life together here in our country, namely, the family. A culture that encourages sex without love, marriage without commitment, children without the stability to nurture them properly, is a culture that needs a Church in the market-place; and a voice that speaks about the place of religion in society and of God who, in Christ, shows Himself a God of forgiveness, acceptance and love”.
Although refering to the English context, the Cardinal's words can be applied to a divided Church everywhere. Here is a vision both of unity and what that unity is for: the mission of the Church.

Storms in France

Posted: 01 Mar 2010 01:32 AM PST

As we get news of the clean up under way in Madeira, we now know of hurricane force winds and fierce rains which have battered many other areas of Europe this past weekend, but France in particular. At least 55 deaths are reported, mostly in France, but fatalities have been reported also in Portugal, Spain, Belgium and Germany.

The Archdeacon of France, the Venerable Ken Letts, sent me a message early this morning to say that he has been in touch with the clergy in the Atlantic coast of France, the Revds Peter Dawson (Biarritz), Paul Vrolijk (Aquitaine), Michael Hepper (Poitou-Charentes), Brian Davies (Vendée), Gareth Randall (Dinard), and Hazel Door (Brittany) about the storms and damage in their areas. Fr Letts reports that although there continues to be no electricity in some places and flooding in others, no-one directly connected to our churches has been hurt. Small numbers braved the elements for Sunday services and in the Vendée, services had to be cancelled.

O Almighty Lord God, our heavenly Father: Look, we beseech thee, in thy loving-kindness upon us thine unworthy servants, and grant us such weather as may relieve our present distress, to our comfort and to the glory of thy holy name; through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Advocate. (Irish Prayer Book).

Madeira Update

Posted: 28 Feb 2010 10:41 AM PST

Last Friday, the Revd Neil Dawson, priest-in-charge of Holy Trinity Madeira, wrote with an update on the situation on the island that was devastated by floods a week ago. Fr Neil writes ...

…Though the centre was certainly an awful mess of mud and debris, with assistance of soldiers from the mainland and many volunteers and workers from here, ladies in head scarves and muddy aprons, lines of scouts looking muddy but stoic, with buckets and brushes, most of the mess has been cleared up and the town is getting back to normal. Shops, restaurants and banks are back open - cash machines work! Hopefully schools will open next week. Telephones and power is on in most places. One hears so many stories of sadness and near misses.

There are of course serious pockets of damage especially around the three rivers running down through the city which became such swollen torrents. Some of the roads near them have been badly damaged, a good knowledge of the back allies is useful when getting about. The member of our congregation we couldn't contact is OK.

Work is concentrated in Funchal and Ribiera Brava, a sea side town at the head of a long steep valley which was also badly affected. Apart from the tragic loss of life - it all happened so quickly - the long term problem is going to be rehousing people and replacing jobs and lively hoods. Many people rely on their plots of land on the hill side terracing for vegetables, and I fear many of these will have been washed away. Some of the mountain and coastal villages are in a serious state and were for a time cut off.

Our appeal at the church, which is now our Lent Project, has so far raised on the island, about €600 and more will be collected at the regular concerts, the Saturday Coffee mornings, and at Sunday and week day services. The "Friends of Holy Trinity" have all been informed and we are hoping that there will be collections in many of their churches in England and elsewhere: my old church in Knightsbridge is having a collection on Sunday. And of course there is the generous donation from the Diocese...

...We have already started to distribute aid through "Caritas" who are helping 300 hundred homeless people at the local army base. We have at their request, bought hair brushes, safety pins, vacuum cleaners, deodorants, umbrellas, and basic food, milk, bread etc. We are organizing at the Parish Centre, a collection point to be supervised by two members of the congregation, for any dry goods and tins, clothes.

...The message is to everyone, "don't stop coming," the island needs you and you will receive the usual warm welcome.

We have been invited to come to the Requiem Mass at the Cathedral on Sunday afternoon.

All best wishes (and rainbows) - Neil

Workshop for Readers and Readers in Training in Málaga

Posted: 25 Feb 2010 03:17 PM PST

10 readers and readers in training from Costa del Sol East and West, Madrid, Lisbon, Monaco. Torrevieja, Aquitaine and Pau gathered at the Casa de Espiritualidad of the Diocese of Málaga from 24 to 26 February for a training course on bereavement and funeral ministry. The keynote speakers were the Revd Peter Moger, the Church of England’s national liturgy advisor and the Revd Canon Hugh Broad, the Area Dean of Gibraltar, supported by the Revd Ulla Monberg, the Diocesan Director of Training. The workshop covered many areas related to the pastoral and liturgical ministry around death, including:

• The history of Christian funeral rites, including developments in Anglicanism since the reformation
• The purpose of the funeral liturgy, and who funerals are for
• The grieving process
• The liturgical resources for funerals, authorised and commended for use in the Church of England
• Issues in hymnody and music
• Practical aspects to presiding at funeral services
• The newer provisions for the various moments surrounding death apart from the funeral itself
• Preaching at funerals
• Memorial services and the celebration of All Souls’ Tide

Daily morning, evening and night prayer and the eucharist undergirded the life of the workshop.

This is the third such event in the past 2 years. As in earlier workshops the participants expressed how much they value not only the learning, worship and exchange of experiences but the building of a community and network of mutual support for their minsitries. "Meetings like this are so valuable because we realise we are not alone in our ministry”, said one reader from Spain.

During a session chaired by the Director of Training, the participants reflected on more general matters concerning reader ministry in the diocese. Topics for future workshops were proposed as well as a residential conference for all readers and readers in training, perhaps in 2011. The possible change in terminology that the Church of England is considering was discussed and received a generally positive response, that the name of this ministry be changed from “reader” to “licensed lay minister”.

There are now over 100 licensed readers in the Diocese and about another 35 in training. The Diocese in Europe is grateful for the ministry of her readers, without which, the pastoral ministry in our over 270 congregations would be impossible to sustain.

Floods in Funchal

Posted: 22 Feb 2010 02:58 PM PST

Messages of support from around the diocese are being received in Madeira, which has been hit by devastating floods and mudslides due to torrential rain last weekend. Many telephone lines are still not operating but I reached Tony Hughes-Lewis, one of the Churchwardens at Holy Trinity, Funchal, this morning for an update.

Tony confirmed that the situation has now been declared a national disaster by Portugal and three days of national mourning have been called for. The military are assisting with the clean-up, rescue and relief efforts. The official death toll is 44 (including one British visitor) but a further 250 persons are missing. There is concern for one member of the congregation who is still missing at time of writing.

Funchal is located geographically in a "bowl" and the water from the mountains literally poured in, and the storm drains simply could not cope. The centre of town is now in parts, “head deep” in mud and boulders. There is widespread fear that when underground car parks are cleared even more bodies will be found. Fr Neil Dawson (left), the Priest-in-Charge of Holy Trinity, Funchal has been out to view the stricken areas of town which are now "a mess of water, mud, boulders and debris". The populace of Madeira is very closely-knit. It is highly likely that almost everyone in the population of 240,000 will know someone who has been a casualty of this disaster.

Holy Trinity Church and parsonage have escaped damage. Fr Neil presided at the Sunday service as normal, although attendance was down to about 60 from the usual over 150 as people were advised by the authorities not to venture into Funchal unless absolutely necessary. The service began with a minute's silence to remember the victims of the disaster.

There is a note about the floods on the Diocesan website here. Holy Trinity has a page on its website about the disaster. Here is the link.

Please continue to pray for Madeira.

Gracious God, through your Son you have taught us that nothing in life or in death is able to separate us from your love. Look in mercy on all to whom great sorrow and distress has come through the floods in Madeira. Help those who are injured, support any who are dying. Strengthen the members of the emergency services and all who bring relief and comfort. Console and protect those who have lost loved ones. Give your light in darkness to all who are near to despair, and assure them that you hold all souls in life; through Jesus Christ our Risen Lord.

ARCHDEACONRY SYNOD 2010 - PORTUGAL

Young People Take the Lead in Gibraltar Archdeaconry Synod

Posted: 02 Feb 2010 04:52 PM PST

Children from the St Vincent's Anglican Parish in the Algarve provided leadership in music, reading and prayers at the opening eucharist of the synod of the Archdeaconry of Gibraltar meeting in Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal. It was a joyful celebration of the feast of the Presentation, Candlemas, at which the chaplain of St George's Madrid, the Revd Ian Hutchinson-Cervantes, presided. My own chaplain, the Revd Deacon Frances Hiller, was the preacher who reminded us of the gifts which more senior members bring to the community of faith, drawing on insights from the Gospel story of the role of "ancient Simeon and Anna". Deacon Frances also paid tribute to the Revd Deacon Dr Lindy Jordan, the Assistant Curate of St Andrew's, Costa del Sol East, whose sudden death on 23 January has touched so many in the Archdeaconry and Diocese.

Clergy and lay representatives from the 70 Church of England congregations in Spain (including the Balearic and Canary Islands), Portugal, Andorra, Gibraltar, and Morocco are meeting for 3 1/2 days for synod business, prayer and worship, fellowship and shared learning and planning for the mission and ministry of the Archdeaconry. Daily Bible studies are being led by Reader Eckart Floether of St Vincent's. The theme of the synod is "Making a Difference" and much time will be spent focussing on pastoral care issues in the Archdeaconry, with some specific recommendations being presented on several topics:

the role of the laity
the appointments process
pastoral support to the clergy
communications
the role of the Archdeacon and Area Dean

A report will also be received from the partnership visit by members of the Archdeaconry to the Anglican Church of Peru at the end of 2009.

The Revds Haynes Hubbard and Bob Bates are the priests who serve the three congregations which presently make up St Vincent's, the host parish for this year's synod meeting. The sessions are chaired by Archdeacon of Gibraltar, the Venerable David Sutch. The good wishes and prayers of the synod were sent to Area Dean of Gibraltar, Canon Hugh Broad, who is recovering (well!) from some recent surgery.

************************************************************

Mojácar Anglican - Spain