What is the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross? We Are We Are Not The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Some people persist in referring to us as “The Anglican Cross is equivalent to a diocese for Roman Catholics, Ordinariate”; however, we are fully Catholic, even in initially for those who were nurtured in the Anglican having, as we were encouraged to do, brought certain tradition, or whose faith has been renewed by the Ordi- aspects of that patrimony into the Catholic Church. nariate’s liturgy and evangelising mission. The Ordinar- Our mandate for evangelisation was expanded considera- iate was created by the Vatican on 15 June 2012. bly so that, any unbaptised person, or baptised persons of a different ecclesial background other than Anglican may, with proper catechetical preparation, enter the Catholic Church through the Ordinariate.
In Oceania The Ordinariate exists for Based in Sydney NSW, the Or- those who are, and who will Around the Globe dinariate is comprised of 13 be coming into full commun- communities in Australia includ- There are three Person- ion with the Catholic Church. ing the Torres Strait, 2 in Japan, al Ordinariates in the Through the reverence and and those in formation in the world: Our Lady of beauty of our worship, the Philippines and Guam. Walsingham in the study of Sacred Scripture, and In addition to the Ordinary, there United Kingdom; the charity for those in need, we are 18 priests, 3 seminarians and Chair of Saint Peter in desire to share the joy of being 1 studying for the permanent the United States and Roman Catholic! diaconate. Canada; and, Our Lady Our Clergy of the Southern Cross here in Australia. Our People Those who join the Ordinar- iate desire full Communion with the Catholic Church because of their belief in Her teachings and authority. Lay people who are not yet Catholic and who wish to join the Ordinariate are re- The Ordinariate’s priests and quired to undergo a period deacons are clergy who were of preparation; apply in writ- ordained after an extensive ing to the Ordinariate; and to formation process in the Cath- be confirmed as Catholics— olic Church: background just as others entering the Church do. The formation process includes directed checks; acceptance of candi- study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and its Compendium, along with dacy by both the Ordinariate other resources. and the Vatican; completion of Former Anglicans and Methodists who have already become Catholic and who an approved formation pro- may now wish to join the Ordinariate may submit an application form to the Ordi- gramme; and, examination. nariate: see the “Join” tab at our web site ordinariate.org.au Celibacy is the norm for cler- gy. Permission has been giv- en, on a case by case basis, by Masses in the Ordinariate the Pope, for former Anglican The mission of the Ordinariate is particularly experienced priests who are married to be in the reverence and beauty of our worship, which fea- ordained Catholic priests for tures Anglican traditions of worship while conforming to the Ordinariate. Catholic doctrinal, sacramental and liturgical standards. If widowed, they may not re- Through Divine Worship: The Missal—the liturgy that marry. unites the Ordinariates throughout the English speaking world—we share our distinctive commitment to praising God in the eloquence of the Anglican liturgical patrimo- ny and Prayer Book English.