ACC UK Magazine of the Diocese of the United Kingdom (Anglican Catholic Church)

Issue 48 Free - Donations Welcome - Free Pentecost 2017 INSIDE THIS NEW PROCATHEDRAL ISSUE:

The Bishop’s Charge to 2 Synod

First Time at Synod ... 7

Synod News 10

A f t e r a l m o s t 2 y e a r s past 10 years at a commercial rent. Diocesan of searching and 1 year of Commenting on the news, Bishop News Round 14 negotiations and patiently waiting, Mead said “A combination of Up the congregation of St Augustine’s increasing parking charges in the Church, Canterbury have had their City car parks, the high rent and a offer to purchase a former need for better stewardship of our What Should Methodist Chapel in the village of resources, strongly indicated to us You Get Out Painters Forstal, just outside Continued on page 22 25 Canterbury, finally accepted. of Worship? On Ascension Day, 25th May, Bishop Damien Mead received SILVER JUBILEE 25 YEARS confirmation that ‘Kingdom Bank’, a Diocesan Christian Bank, had agreed a OF CONTINUING News Round 16 mortgage in principle to enable the Up congregation to buy the building. This year we The current home for St celebrate the 25th Anniversary Augustine’s is a former Brethren Where to Meeting House / Chapel, in of the foundation 34 Canterbury City centre which the of our Diocese. Worship congregation has leased for the

 ORTHODOX FAITH  ANGLICAN WORSHIP  CATHOLIC ORDER  P A G E 2 FROM THE BISHOP

I have decided ued to seek the answer to that that my regular question. Not just as individuals column in this but also collectively as the Pentecost Issue Body of Christ. Whether in the of ACC-UK will be given over to great Ecumenical Councils my Charge to the XXVI Synod. As of the undivided Church, Local is our custom I delivered this in Councils, Holy Synods, The Right Revd the form of a Sermon to the Provincial Synods, Diocesan Damien Mead delegates assembled during the S yn o d s , l i k e o u r s , i n Synod Mass. Convocations and Congresses. Bishop Ordinary “Lord Jesus, what must we do?”

Forty years ago, this year, in 1977, in the North American City of St Louis, Missouri an international gathering of nearly 2,000 Anglicans, met to ask of Jesus, “What must we do?” The faithful Anglicans who attended this congress were united in their rejection of the theological and liturgical Forty years changes and innovations ago, this year, introduced by the Anglican in 1977, in the Church of Canada and by North American the Episcopal Church in the City of St Louis, United States of America and Missouri an “My brothers and sisters. We felt that they amounted to international know that every Christian, serious foundational alterations gathering of individually at various times in in these two provinces of nearly 2,000 their pilgrimage of faith asks the the Anglican Communion and Anglicans, met question “Lord Jesus what must consequently this meant that to ask of Jesus, I do?” Perhaps I over simplify - they had both "departed from “What must we but the essence of our disciple- Christ's One, Holy, Catholic and do?” ship is really that simple. During Apostolic Church." His time on earth Jesus was asked that question, or variations At the end of the Congress of it, on numerous occasions. some delegates returned home “What must I do?” to continue their fight for orthodoxy within their local In the 15th Chapter of the Book Churches. Some decided that of the Acts of the Apostles, we the time had come to join the read an account of the First Roman Catholic Church or the Church Council in Jerusalem. A Eastern Orthodox Churches. gathering to decide what would be But many others decided, quite in accord with Jesus’ will for the simply, that what Jesus wanted government of the Church. Since them TO DO was to continue that time Christians have contin- in the Faith and Practice of their ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 3

“It is interesting to read that in the Affirmation that communio in forefathers. The ‘Anglican which have arisen since the late sacris with Continuum’ was born then and by 1970’s. It is interesting to read that Canterbury and far the larger group, the following in the Affirmation that communio other Provinces year, adopted the name Anglican in sacris with Canterbury and of the Anglican Catholic Church for the structure other Provinces of the Anglican Communion within which they chose to Communion was intended and was intended ‘continue’. importantly proclaimed. and importantly These first ‘continuers’ were However, the changes proclaimed.” labelled schismatic’s by those who introduced in Canada and the USA began to cross the Atlantic and in had introduced the troublesome changes in their respective 1992 traditionally inclined j u r i s d i c t i o n s . U n d e r t h e Anglicans in the United Kingdom, circumstances, I suggest, those first placed themselves under the c o n t i n u e r s c o u l d p e r h a p s jurisdiction of the Anglican Catholic legitimately be called “stubborn” Church and a Diocese was – I have had the privilege of meeting established and our first Bishop some of them in the USA - so I know consecrated. To begin with we what I am talking about – But, were called “The Missionary personally, I think they could be Diocese of England and Wales” better called “brave” and I think, some years later we were renamed without doubt, they could be to include the Kingdom of Scotland described as “Faithful”. I think and the Province of Northern ‘schismatic’, however, is definitely Ireland. misnomer. These past 25 years are, in A Statement of Faith, “The reality, only a small part of the Affirmation of St Louis”, was picture, a small part of our history. produced as a result of the Our Faith and Practice stretches Congress. It is a foundational back through the Oxford Movement document for the Anglican Catholic of the 1800 and 1900’s, through the Church and for many of the other Non Jurors of the 1700’s, through traditional Anglican Jurisdictions the Caroline Divines of the 1600’s, P A G E 4

with the spread of Anglicanism around what was to become the English Speaking World, and to the English Reformation of the 1500’s. Of course, our history doesn’t begin with the Reformation! Our history, our faith and practice stretches back to the 6th Century Mission of St Augustine to the English, and still further to the arrival of Christianity in these Islands with the Roman legionaries and traders. Back to Seven Great Ecumenical Councils, to the first Council of Jerusalem mentioned in way. the Book of Acts. Back to those first However, my brothers and disciples of Jesus. Our Faith is the sisters, it is important for us to faith once delivered unto the remember that being a ‘continuing’ Saints. This is not, of course, a Church isn’t just about being heritage unique to us – we rejoice to anchored in the past. It is also about share it with other Orthodox, being firmly attached to a traditional Anglican and Catholic destination in the future and Christians – but this is, after all, an trusting in God who has provided ACC Synod. us with that future.

This, my brothers and sisters, is There will be times when along what we claim to ‘continue’ – but with the question “Lord Jesus, we are also sometimes asked Why what must we do?” we may be are we continuing? tempted to ask the same question we find St Peter asking Jesus in St To us, the answer is self Matthews Gospel (19:27) “Behold, Donations to evident. We continue because we we have forsaken all, and aid the ACC have asked “Lord Jesus what followed thee; what shall we have in our work must we do?” and we believe that therefore?” this is the answer He has given us, can be made The Christian Church is a Pilgrim His will for us. online. Visit Church. We are not alone on this the Diocesan pilgrimage. Our Lord Jesus Christ, We may inhabit a tiny corner of Website and didn’t just set the Church on course the greater One Holy Catholic and click on and then abandon it, rushing Apostolic Church. But we do so forward in time to those of us who because Jesus calls us to follow have been tough enough, or him and to do so in the footsteps stubborn enough(!), to manage to of our forefathers. stay the course at the end. Our

Lord Jesus is with us every step Today IS a milestone. It IS a way mark on our journey. We can afford of the way. to pause and catch our breathe. We can look back on the trail we have God’s Elect have always been a left behind us. We can rejoice in pilgrim people. If we feel uncomfort- fellowship with each other and able with the things going on around mourn the loss of old friends on the us in this fallen world, it should not ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 5 be a surprise. We can never, and must never, become too comfortable in this world, as we await a newer, better, transformed world.

But we ARE called to live out our faith in this world we find ourselves in. Jesus reminds us we are “in the world but not of it”, (John 17:14-15). As a result there will always be a tension in the Christian life. On one hand, we are “strangers in a strange land” as Moses puts it (Exodus 2:22). And on the other, we or may be quite hostile. are as Jesus tells us “to be salt and “... we have a light in the world”. (Matthew 5:13- duty and No matter, we have a duty and 16). responsibility responsibility to continue to Sing the to continue to Lord’s Song! To call everyone to Sing the As we ‘continuers’ await the New repentance and to believe the Good Lord’s Song! Jerusalem, we are still in a strange News. To invite them to join our To call land. So how do we live while we are pilgrimage of Faith. about our continuing? We should not everyone to allow our confidence in our traditions What of the accusation that repentance and their practice to make us we are schismatic’s? Are we and to believe haughty. We must not allow our continuers really a legitimate part the Good confidence in our Faith to make us of the Body of Christ? Judge us by News. To remote. We may be numbered the fruit that we bear. The Christian invite them to among God’s Elect but we are not church has always insisted that the join our His Elite. Jeremiah 29:7 seems to be proclamation of the Gospel be ac- pilgrimage of part of the answer. We are to seek companied by acts of kindness, Faith.” the welfare of the place we find mercy and social care. Our branch of ourselves in and of those around Christ’s Church, small though we us. maybe, has a splendid history of such achievement. Our job has never been one of simply trying to get individual souls The ACC now has a presence into a heaven – certainly not just our on every continent except own. The point of our journey, our Antarctica (we haven’t converted any continuing, our pilgrimage, is to penguins as far as I know)! proclaim the Good News of Jesus to everyone. We can’t make the seeds grow but we can sow the seeds.

We may be tempted like the exiled Babylonian Jews to ask the question

“ How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?” (Psalm 137:4) when so many people we encounter on our journey may not express a desire to hear the Gospel P A G E 6

Travel around our world-wide travel around my Diocese at the Church and you will see ACC love commitment and devotion to Our ”I am proud and compassion in action. There are Blessed Lord and his church that of you and children in Pakistan using School you and the people you are here thank God Books we have provided being taught representing today display. I am for your faithful by teachers we have trained; Women proud of you and thank God for your witness and who have suffered rape and abuse in faithful witness and earnestly pray earnestly pray the Congo, using sowing machines to that you will aspire to deepen that that you will work their way out of poverty, old faith and expand that witness in aspire to peoples homes and orphanages in your communities. deepen that Columbia, the Caribbean and South faith and Africa; People in draught ridden South At the first Synod I presided over expand that Sudan drawing water from wells we as your Bishop in 2009 I challenged witness in your have helped to dig; not to mention the the Diocese to keep me busy – communities.” response we made to ACC disaster doing the things bishops do. That appeals in Haiti and the Philippines. All challenge I renew today - along with have benefitted from what little acts of a fresh challenge for the next 25 charity our Church has been able to years and beyond - let us, my perform. brothers and sisters, continue singing the Lord’s Song in a These acts of mercy do not replace Strange Land! or negate the need to proclaim that even greater act of mercy – the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Singing the Lord’s Song – this is our primary duty – but the acts of mercy are among the fruit we bear.

I am always heartened when I ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 7

FIRST TIME AT SYNOD …

The Bishop asked Fr Gareth Parry (Priest at Central Hall just before ten. in Charge — Good Shepherd & St Tudwal, What struck me in particular about Conwy, North Wales) and Mr James Tuite (Lay Reader at Our Lady of Glatonbury, this Synod was that I was among kindred spirits and among friends. Bristol) to share their thoughts on attending the Diocesan Synod for the first time. Some people I had already met but others I had only seen their photos on the ACC website. It was good to chat with people and to share things. It may sound surprising to hear me say that I “It was good felt among kindred spirits and friends. to chat with Isn’t that what the Christian Church is people and about? Yes it is, if we follow Jesus and to share bear the hallmarks of His love, so things. It outsiders may say, “See how these may sound Christians love one another.” It is, surprising to however, not a feeling I have always hear me say had in church gatherings and clergy that I felt synod. As a traditionalist in a see of among liberalism, I was not made to feel kindred comfortable. I’m sure many of my spirits and brethren can testify to this, but this friends. Isn’t was a breath of fresh air, and a new that what beginning. the Chris- Just before the Mass, the Bishop tian Church licensed Mr James Tuite, the convener is about?” of the newly-established Bristol

th Mission, as Lay Reader in that On Saturday, 29 April, I was Mission, and the Synod congratulated privileged to attend the Annual him and wished him well in his new General Synod for the first time, since calling. my reception into the ACC on th The Mass was celebrated with February 5 this year, and to be a gusto, dignity, solemnity and joy. The priest delegate at synod. choir was a joy to hear and the singing People arrived by 10 a.m. for the was uplifting. The Bishop celebrated Solemn Pontifical Mass at 11 a.m. and gave a very inspiring and Some had come down the night before challenging sermon, which doubled up for the annual meal, while others were as his charge as well. The subject was making a weekend of it in London. As “What does the Lord want of us?” The for me, I made a day trip from North message was encouraging and Wales by train. We are blessed with an comforting but yet urged us all to think excellent service between Llandudno about how we are best to respond to Junction and Euston, a service which Jesus’ call and to consider how we are takes around three hours. It was an to fulfil His great commission. early start, at 5.30 a.m. There was a After a very enjoyable picnic lunch quick change at Crewe and we were in with tea, coffee and biscuits provided, Euston by 8.55 a.m. A no-nonsense we gathered for the business meeting trip by tube to Westminster and I was in the afternoon. I am sure we have all P A G E 8 attended such meetings in the past have to have been present to get and have wished our lives away or the feel of what I mean is hard. just fallen asleep. This meeting To start with let me just say that was very different. The Bishop it was holy ground. I don’t say that conducted business with efficiency lightly I mean it. Our Lord was and a great deal of humour and there with us and I am sure we all there was no obfuscation or felt the Holy Spirit guiding us wasting time with trivialities. during the day. Priests were given their supplies I have never been to a synod of oils, recently consecrated by the before. I was very anxious about it Bishop at his Chrism Mass in if I am honest. I didn’t know what Canterbury. There were nine people were going to be like … or priests and two deacons present, if I would have anything in with only one priest who was not common with them. I was, need- able to attend. Parishes and less to say, worrying about missions were well-represented by nothing. The warmth and genuine lay members and, dare I say, great Christian love which permeated fun was had by all. our mass, our socialising and our I am just starting the ACC work deliberations was an outward sign in North Wales in a provisional of our inward shared sense of mission dedicated to the Good purpose. Shepherd and St.Tudwal. There At synod, we were truly what we are many challenges ahead but we are, part of the catholic church. A will see what the Lord has in store united people, gathered around a for all of us in the coming months shepherd, who is himself united to and years. his college of Bishops. Our Thank you all for a lovely diocese might be small; we might experience at Synod and for not have that much money… but making me feel that I belong. we do have faith! And, as we are Fr Gareth Parry told “faith as small as a mustard seed, can move mountains” if it only takes a mustard seed to move a mountain, then I am confident that the faith in the gospel of our Is God calling Lord Jesus Christ, which drives our YOU to Ministry diocese, can, and will do all which in His Church? our Lord is asking of us. The deliberations were, ordinary. He has called many There was no arguments or hot throughout history to topics being debated. We were serve him in many and simply taking care of the routine varied ways. To explore this more things which are necessary to talk to your priest or govern our diocese. contact the Diocesan What was extraordinary was the Office way in which people related to one another. It was this love, this “Behold, how good and how genuine family atmosphere, which pleasant it is for brethren to dwell I will never forget! together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1 kjv) At Methodist Central Hall an When the Bishop asked me to amazing act of reparation write about Synod, I said “not a happened, it went unnoticed by problem” … I was wrong! Speaking most people but It happened none about something which you would the less. ISSUE 48 P E N T E C O S T P A G E 9

A Solemn Pontifical High Mass was celebrated. It was celebrated XXVI SYNOD in a beautiful and dignified way. The English language was used, but this took nothing away from the REPORT … beautiful and ancient western expression of the divine liturgy. This reclamation of our heritage, of the beauty of holiness, of the object of worship being the most holy trinity, rather than the aesthetic sensibilities of mankind, was a small but nevertheless mighty act of reparation, for the liturgical innovations and deviations which have come about in recent years. I take away from synod, the full “I take away realisation of what it means to be from synod, in communion with one another the full realisation and in communion with the church. of what it I must wait for the beatific vision Report of the XXVI Annual Synod of means to be in before I know what it feels like to the Diocese of the United Kingdom 29 April 2017 – The Methodist Central communion be in full communion with Christ… Hall – Westminster, London with one but two out of three is not bad! another and in I have confidence that the next Once again the Pre-Synod communion with twenty-five years will be even more Dinner was held at The Kensington the church. glorious than the twenty-five which Gardens, Thistle Hotel, Bayswater I must wait for have preceded! Rd., London the evening before the beatific I would invite anybody who Synod. vision before reads this who perhaps had yet to I know what decide to join us, to come and see. it feels like to Come and meet with us and share be in full in our worshipping life. Come and communion meet our communities of believers with Christ…” who, despite all the challenges which come from being a small church without the resources of much larger institutions, are nevertheless seeking to be faithful to our King, the Lord Jesus Christ, in these ever-secular times. Come and see … you might be very [Editors Comment: Always an enjoyable pleasantly surprised! Meal - and well worth attending if you are staying close by for Synod] Mr James Tuite The Synod began with a Solemn Pontifical High Mass. The Right Reverend Damien Mead (Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the United Kingdom) was the P A G E 10

(St Augustine, Canterbury) and The Rev Deacon Roger Bell ((Our Lady and St Edward Confessor, Bolton) acted as Acolytes. Dr Roy Fidge (St Mary and St Eanswythe, Dartford) was Sidesman and Steward. The Director of Music, Organist and Choirmaster, Mr Philip Norman, di- rected a choir of volunteers. Before the Synod Mass the Bishop conferred the Office of Lay Reader on. Mr James Tuite (Our Lady of Glastonbury, Bristol)

The business of Synod:

In his opening remarks, Bishop Mead welcomed the Delegates to the XXVI Synod of the Diocese of the United Kingdom which marked our Twenty-fifth Anniversary. Bishop Mead paid tribute to the late Reverend Dr Jonathan Munn (Non- Bishop Dawson, who had retired to Parochial Diocesan Priest) was the United Kingdom several years Deacon. The Reverend Anthony ago, but died recently from cancer. Chadwick (St Mary the Virgin, In praying for him and other Hautot Saint Sulpice, France) members of the ACC who had was Sub-Deacon. The Reverend recently died a minute’s silence was Howard Marsh (Our Lady and St observed. Edward Confessor, Bolton) was Following the Credentials Report Crosier bearer. The Venerable and Roll Call, the Diocesan Sec- Raymond Thompson (Archdeacon retary, Dr Fidge (St Mary and St of the Diocese) was the Master of Eanswythe, Dartford) reported that Ceremonies. Mr Roy Hipkiss (St. the DUK had consolidated the Augustine, Canterbury) was increase of last year and had Thurifer and Mr David Yates (Our finished the year with a very Lady and St Edward Confessor, noteworthy increase in membership Bolton) was Crucifer. The Rev of just under 17% (an increase of Deacon Richard Mulholland twenty-five people).

Continued on page 12

Consecration DVD on Sale ...

To raise funds for the Bishop’s discretionary fund, copies of the DVD

of Bishop Mead’s Consecration as Bishop (on 20th Sept 2008) are

still available.

Priced at £18 plus £2 p&p The DVD is 2 1/2 hours long and filmed in ‘HD’

- high definition. Please make sure your machine plays HD.

Cheques to be made payable to

“The Rt Revd D Mead — Bishops Fund” and sent to:

The Diocesan Office, 42-48 High Street, Lydd, Kent TN29 9AN

ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 11

CelebrantACC Booklets, and Preacher. The

Leaflets and Merchandise

The following are available free of charge

ACC 3-fold Leaflets  “Why Anglican &

Catholic?”;  “Why Go To Church?”;  “The ACC - An Introduction) ACC Booklets: Please add 20% Postage and  “Same Sex, Same Marriage?”; Packing.  “In Persona Christi”;  “Ordination Guide”; Cheques Payable to  “Thinking About Baptism?”; “Anglican Catholic Bookshop”  “Diocesan Prayer Cycle 2017”. Anglican Catholic Bookshop Other Merchandise ACC Diocesan Office

ACC Ordo Kalendar 2017 £7.50 St Nicholas House Anglican Missal (Peoples) £25.00 42-48 High Street Ritual Notes (11th Edition) £45.00 Lydd Anglican Catholic Faith & Kent TN29 9AN

Practice” £12.50

“Mass Booklet for the Laity” £3.50 ACC Pin Badges £1 each

P A G E 12

The Bishop’s Charge to Synod and Synod agreed a budget of was centred on the question every £33,215 for 2018. Christian, asks “Lord Jesus what Dr. Roy Fidge (St Mary and St must I do?” Not just as individuals Eanswythe, Dartford) presented his but as the Body of Christ. He Diocesan Secretary’s Report on the referred us back to 1977, in work of the Council of Advice during St Louis, Missouri when an the year. international gathering of nearly Synod consented to the Bishop’s “Jesus wanted 2,000 Anglicans, met to ask of appointments of: them to continue Jesus “What must we do?” They  Dr Frank Wiswall, (Original in the Faith and felt that the Episcopal Church in Province) as Chancellor Practice of their North America had "departed from  Dr Roy Fidge (St Mary and St forefathers so the Christ's One, Holy, Catholic and Eanswythe, Dartford) as Diocesan ‘Anglican Apostolic Church." At the end of Secretary Continuum’ was the Congress many decided, that  The Rev Deacon Richard born rooted in Jesus wanted them to continue in Mulholland (St Augustine, Canter- ‘The Affirmation the Faith and Practice of their bury) as Diocesan Treasurer of St Louis’.” forefathers so the ‘Anglican  Mrs Margaret Mead (St Continuum’ was born rooted in Augustine, Canterbury) as Historian “The Affirmation of St Louis”. and Archivist  Mr Roy Hipkiss (St Augustine, In other actions: Canterbury) as Safeguarding Officer  Dr Roy Fidge (St Mary and St The Rev Deacon Richard Eanswythe, Dartford) as Assistant Mulholland (St Augustine, Canter- Safeguarding Officer bury) Diocesan Treasurer  The Rev Deacon Richard presented the Accounts for the year Mulholland (St Augustine, ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 13

Canterbury) Risk Assessment Deacon Richard Mulholland Officer (St Augustine, Canterbury)  The Rev Canon Donald Walker House of Laity: (St Bede, Thames Ditton) as Chair-  Dr Roy Fidge (St Mary and St man of the Board of Ministry Eanswythe, Dartford)  Mr Roy Hipkiss (St Augustine,  The Rev Howard Marsh (Our Lady and St Edward Confessor, Canterbury) Bolton) as Northern Deanery  Mr James Tuite (Our Lady of Chaplain to the Anglican Catholic Glastonbury, Bristol) Fellowship  Bishop’s Nominee - Deferred  The Rev Canon Donald Walker (St Bede, Thames Ditton) as Synod received Reports from the Southern Deanery Chaplain to the Bishop, Diocesan Secretary,

Anglican Catholic Fellowship Diocesan Treasurer and other  The Rev Deacon Richard Officers of the Diocese and all the Mulholland (St Augustine, Canter- Parishes and Missions in the bury) Endowment Investment Fund Diocese. Secretary  Mr Greg Nicholls (non-ACC) as Independent Examiner/Auditor

For the Council of Advice, This year the Synod elected The Reverend Bishop’s Award Anthony Chadwick (St Mary the for outstanding Virgin, Hautot Saint Sulpice, Lay service to France) for three years. The the Diocese Bishop’s nominee for the House of was awarded Clergy was The Rev Deacon to Mrs Modupe Richard Mulholland (St Augustine, Ighodaro Canterbury). For the House of Laity (St Alban Synod elected Dr Roy Fidge (St the Martyr, Mary and St Eanswythe, Dartford) Salford, Greater for two years, and Mr James Tuite Manchester) (Our Lady of Glastonbury, Bristol) for three years. The Bishop deferred making an appointment to Synod sent Loyal Greetings to the House of Laity for the time Archbishop Haverland (Above). being. The Council of Advice is therefore as follows: The Bishop announced details of the prospective delegates from the House of Clergy: DUK for the Provincial Synod in  The Reverend Howard October the USA. Including the Marsh (Our Lady and St Bishop it is hoped that 6 members of Edward Confessor, Bolton) the Diocese will be able to attend.  The Reverend Anthony Chadwick (St Mary the Virgin, This year the Bishop’s Award for Hautot Saint Sulpice, France) outstanding Lay service to the  The Reverend Canon Donald Diocese was awarded to Mrs Walker (St Bede, Thames Modupe Ighodaro (St Alban Ditton) the Martyr, Salford, Greater  Bishop’s Nominee: The Rev Manchester) unfortunately she was unable to attend the Synod. The P A G E 14

Bishop will make the award to her when he visits the parish in June. It was agreed that the XXVII Synod of the DUK would be held on Satur- day 14 April 2018 at a venue yet to be chosen.

Report by Dr Roy Fidge. (Diocesan Secretary)

DIOCESAN NEWS ROUND UP Name Day Gift On Wednesday 10th May at 12:30pm the Bishop celebrated Mass in the Chapel of St Patrick, within the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey.

On Wednesday 10th May, the Feast of St Damien of Molokai, the Bishop was in Glastonbury to celebrate Mass for the small group of ACC Pilgrims gathered there. Before the service, Bristol Mission Stalwarts; Lay Reader James Tuite, Mrs Jackie Fussell and Dr Robert Wilson, presented It is hoped that the Bishop, on his Name Day, with this pilgrimage an Icon of the Saint. (to Glastonbury) will become a Glastonbury Pilgrimage 2017 This pilgrimage was arranged by regular feature the newest Mission in the Diocese - in our Kalendar. Our Lady of Glastonbury, Bristol. Although the number of pilgrims was small this first year, they were joined by other folk visiting the ruined Abbey including one lady who stayed for the healing service after the Mass.

It is hoped that this pilgrimage will become a regular feature in our Kalendar.

ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 15

Rededication of Church & He will also license and induct the Induction of New Parish Priest Revd Dr Jeen Thomas (above) as the Fourth Parish Priest of the Parish. The Mass will begin at 12noon and will be followed by light refreshments.

Ordination in Bolton

On Saturday 3rd June 2017, the Vigil of Pentecost, the Bishop will, Dv, celebrate Pontifical Sung Mass and rededicate the Church of Our Lady of Walsingham & St Francis of On Saturday 24th June 2017, The Assisi, Rochester, after the Chapel's Feast of the Nativity of St John the recent redecoration and reordering. Baptist, the Bishop intends, Dv, to (Above: The work in progress) ordain the Reverend Roger Frederick Bell to the sacred order of Priest at the Mission of Our Lady & St Edward, Bolton, meeting in the Church of All Souls, Astley St, Bolton BL1 8EY.

Lay Reader Licensed

Before the Synod Mass on Satur- P A G E 16

day 29th April 2017, the Bishop Diocesan Chrism Mass licensed James Tuite as Lay Reader for the Mission of Our Lady of Glastonbury, Bristol.

Intellectual Property

The Bishop celebrated the Diocesan Chrism Mass on the Wednesday of Holy Week, at 12 noon in St Augustine's Church, Best Lane, Canterbury. The Venerable Raymond Thompson, Archdeacon, assisted the Bishop. The Holy Oils consecrated were distributed to the clergy, by Fr Thompson, at the Diocesan Synod on 29th April in Westminster.

South Sudan Appeal

In recent months both the ACC website and The Trinitarian news- paper have reported on the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan. Though many have The total With the increasing occurrence of responded, the situation remains number of food the ACC Name and Shield being dire, leading Bishop Wilson Garang insecure people used in unauthorised ways, to make the following appeal. is expected to including from time to time people “In February 2017 the United rise to 5.5 million falsely claiming to be members and Nations formally declared famine in at the height of priests of our Church in the UK and South Sudan. According to a the lean season Europe. The Bishop and his Council recently released report, 4.9 million in July if nothing of Advice recently applied to the people are in need of urgent is done to curb Intellectual Property Rights food. This is more than 40 percent the severity of the Department of the United of South Sudan's total population. crisis. The UN Kingdom's Patent Office to register The total number of food report also notes our Shield and Name as a Trade insecure people is expected to rise that more than Mark. to 5.5 million at the height of the one million Already around the world the lean season in July if nothing is children are ACC has taken this step - it has done to curb the severity of the currently only taken us 25 years to catch up! crisis. The UN report also notes that estimated to Of course this doesn't prevent more than one million children are be acutely p e o p l e s t i l l c l a i m i n g a n currently estimated to be acutely malnourished unauthorised association or indeed malnourished across South Sudan. across South to be priests of our Church. If in The ACC Diocese of Aweil has Sudan. doubt of someone's identity either also been severely affected by the

contact the Diocesan Office or visit famine since last year. Many have this Diocesan website which lists migrated from Aweil to North Sudan the Clergy of our Diocese. in search of food. Others have resorted to collecting wild fruits and ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 17 leaves for food. I am therefore appealing to well-wishers to donate funds to provide famine relief. Donations will be used to distribute food to the most severely affected and the vulnerable -- pregnant mothers, households with children below five years of age, and the elderly. Items to be distributed will include sorghum, maize, beans, powdered milk, Unimix, and Plumpy'Nut. Your brothers and sisters in South Sudan pray for aid. Those who are in need will not forget what you do. May God bless you. +Wilson”

Golden Wedding Congratulations

devotion to each other, deep love and their relationship is a beautiful example of Christian Marriage. They are a blessing to their family and friends and it is a privilege for me to call them my friends."

Westminster Attack 22/03/2017

The Diocesan Secretary, Dr Roy Fidge and his wife Mrs Dulcie Fidge held a celebratory meal at Birchwood Golf Club, near their home in Dartford, Kent. The occasion on Sunday 26th March 2017 was to mark their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Family and In response to the March terrorist friends (including Bishop Damien incident in London Bishop Mead Mead) gathered for a delicious 3 issued a statement: course meal. "As the United Kingdom, and the Commenting on the Golden World, witnesses the aftermath celebration Bishop Mead said "Roy unfolding of the terror attack in and Dulcie are high up on my list of Westminster on Wednesday. We the most amazing people I know. pray for those who have died and They are so generous in their their loved ones and all involved. support of both the ACC and the Roman Catholic Church - Dulcie’s We must not take for granted the own Church. But more especially debt we owe the Police and Security they are a wonderful example of forces for their bravery and vigilance P A G E 18

and for the Medical professionals On March 14th The Most who responded so quickly. Neither Reverend Mark Haverland, should we lack appreciation for the Metropolitan Archbishop of the resilience and generosity of the Original Province and Acting human spirit in the actions of Primate of the Anglican Catholic members of the public in trying to Church appointed the Right help those so barbarously injured Reverend Damien Mead as his and killed. Episcopal Commissary for Europe (i.e., for those portions of Europe As to the perpetrator (s) of this not in his own Diocese of the United violent act and those they represent Kingdom). Since continental Europe and their hateful and wicked is not part of an existing diocese, it ideology, I am reminded of a falls within the jurisdiction of the passage from the Book of metropolitan. Ecclesiastes; Chapter 9 verse 3 (KJV): This appointment gives Bishop Mead formal authority to deal with "This is an evil among all things that ACC clergy (two live in Europe at are done under the sun, that there present) and persons interested in is one event unto all: yea, also the joining the ACC or forming heart of the sons of men is full of congregations there. evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they The Deanery of Europe will be go to the dead." administered for the time being by Bishop Mead on behalf of the In Time of Calamity. (Book of Metropolitan and will be treated as Common Prayer) an 'honorary deanery' within the Diocese of the United Kingdom. O GOD, merciful and compassion- ate, who art ever ready to hear the San Damiano Cross prayers of those who put their trust in thee; Graciously hearken to us Our Church in Rochester has who call upon thee, and grant us been closed for redecoration, inside thy help in this our need; through and out, and a certain amount of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." reordering before Fr Jeen Thomas takes over the Parish in June. European Deanery Co-dedicated, as it is, to St Francis of Assisi the Bishop thought that a San Damiano Crucifix constructed to grace the sanctuary of the Church, would enhance the Chapel's interior.

Commenting he said "Having checked out the cost of a shop bought Icon of sufficient size I decided that it would be more cost effective to create one ourselves. So purchasing an appropriate sized poster and digging out some plywood from my garden shed, the ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 19

clever Mr Andy Hall, (under my Priest Joins in North Wales minimal direction), turned my conceptualisation into the finished On Sunday 5th February 2017 product!" the Diocese of the United Kingdom welcomed Fr Gareth Parry, who was ordained in the Church in Wales and lives in North Wales, into the full communion of the Anglican Catholic Church. Fr Parry was received into the Church, and made his canonical oaths to, Bishop Mead at the beginning of the 11am Sung Mass at St Augustine's Church, Best Lane, Canterbury, Kent.

A little bit more about the latest clergyman to join us in our work and Bishop Mead used the completed ministry. Fr. Gareth Parry is a na- Cross to illustrate a Study Group tive of Pwllheli, North Wales and is session at our pro-Cathedral Church an indigenous Welsh speaker. He is in Canterbury. a graduate of the University College P A G E 20

The Bishop was in Bristol on Sunday 29th January to visit the newest venture in our Diocese and celebrate the inaugural Mass for the Mission of Our Lady of Glastonbury, Bristol. He confirmed Jackie Fussell and Dr Robert Wilson.

of Wales, Aberystwyth and worked as a secondary school teacher for The Bishop also presented the ten years at Conwy before training Mission with a Statue of Our Lady of for Holy Orders at Westcott House, Mount Carmel - which will suffice Cambridge. He was made deacon until a suitable depiction of Our Lady in 1996 and priested the following of Glastonbury can be found. year, serving four years in parochial The new group meets every Sunday ministry in the Church in Wales be- at 2.30pm (by kind permission) at fore returning to teaching. He The Horfield Quaker Meeting served as school Chaplain for House, 300 Gloucester Rd, Bristol eleven years in the West Midlands BS7 8PD for Evensong. Future and Shropshire before returning to Masses will be announced. the North Wales coast. He now works as a supply teacher in local Exciting secondary schools. His main hobby ‘continuing’ is railways, particularly mechanical Anglican News signalling, and for the last seven- teen years he has worked as a The leaders of Welcome to Fr volunteer signalman on the Severn four Continuing Gareth Parry in Valley Railway. Anglican Churches North Wales! have announced Inaugural Bristol Mass plans for their Synods to meet at the same time in Atlanta, Georgia, the week of October 2nd to 6th.

At the conclusion of the week it is the intention of the Churches to sign an agreement establishing full communion (communio in sacris) among the four bodies as well as a pledge to pursue in a determined and deliberate fashion increasingly ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 21 full unity. The Churches will discuss L o n d o n . F o l l o w i n g f u r t h e r common plans for mission and investigation I find this 'clergyman' is evangelism. Each Church will hold not alone. He has links to a second its own mandatory business meet- man, using the name 'Philip ings and Synods, but the four will Sylvester' based in Cornwall. join together throughout for common Neither of these men are members worship and social occasions. of the Anglican Catholic Church - and certainly not clergy. The four Churches and their Both the Archdeacon and I have Episcopal leaders are the Anglican approached them and they have Church in American (The Most responded with rudeness. Reverend Brian Marsh), the Anglican Catholic Church (The Most Although the ACC doesn't have a Reverend Mark Haverland), the monopoly on these three individual Anglican Province of America (The words, when used together to Most Reverend Walter Grundorf), describe a particular Church body - and the Diocese of the Holy Cross as these two gentlemen have done - (The Right Reverend Paul Hewett). we do!” “Our Diocese Our Diocese will be represented at Canterbury Lending Achievement will be this historic event in the life and represented at witness of our Church by the Bishop, this historic Fr Roger Bell, Deacon Richard event in the Mulholland, Dr Roy Fidge, Mr Roy life and Hipkiss and Mr James Tuite. This witness of will be the largest delegation our our Church by diocese has sent to Provincial the Bishop, Synod during the past 25 years. Fr Roger Bell, Deacon Richard Clergy Scam Alert! Mulholland, Dr Roy Fidge, Mr Roy Hipkiss The pro -Cathedral Parish and Mr James celebrated Christmas with the news Tuite. This will that since joining the micro finance be the largest organisation Lendwithcare.org in delegation our November 2012, the Anglican diocese has Catholic Church of St Augustine, sent to Canterbury, Kent, has, with an initial Provincial investment of £1000, loaned Synod during Bishop Damien Mead has issued £3,724.46 and helped 392 the past 25 the following warning: Entrepreneurs (and their families) in years.” developing countries to help them- “Following an enquiry from a mem- selves. ber of the public who was recently approached by a man, using the Micro Finance isn't perfect and not name Havard Stevenson, on Social everyone in need can qualify but it is Media, claiming to be a Priest in the worthwhile and helps individuals, Anglican Catholic Church. I made groups and communities. some enquiries and discovered he states he is based in Islington, P A G E 22

A NEW PROCATHEDRAL ...

Continued from the Front Page. ... the need to find a new home.” Methodists had allowed for 20 years Bishop Mead went on to explain or so. Worship having stopped 8 how things developed. “When we years ago in the building. I therefore began to look, we originally confined reluctantly withdrew because I didn’t ourselves to other rented properties. want to undermine local community Although our income is generous efforts. and has created stability for us in A year later I discovered that the Canterbury, we lacked the money Local Community had fallen well necessary to put towards a short of the asking price and the commercial deposit. With property in building was once again available. SE England among the highest Unfortunately our first offer was not priced in the UK, we didn’t think we accepted and the Methodist Church would ever save enough. However determined to maximise the in 2015 I received, what I initially financial return on the building by dismissed as a ’spoof’ or ’scam’ Auction. One of our fears had been letter from a Solicitor purporting to that we could not compete with be the executors of an estate in interest from property developers! I which St Augustine’s had been left a therefore increased our offer to the legacy. I must confess, since the maximum we could afford ... and letter asked for bank details - into offered a lot of prayers! Amazingly which they claimed they would they reversed their decision and deposit our legacy - I threw that first accepted our offer. The Mortgage letter way. A few weeks later proved a little difficult until Kingdom another letter arrived and this time I Bank came to the rescue! telephoned the solicitors and found that it was true! But why a ‘ProCathedral’? St Augustine’s was left a legacy Apparently a local CofE bishop in the estate of a lady named Eileen delighted in mocking our referring to Donations to Fyfe-Graham. How or why this our little shoe-box sized Church in assist us in the happened we don’t know. We are the city centre as a ‘cathedral’. Of Pro-Cathedral just grateful that somehow our course a cathedral is so named project are faithful witness to the Faith of Christ because it house a bishop’s welcome. was recognised by Eileen and she ‘Cathedra’ (his throne or seat). Cheques decided to help us. This money A procathedral is simply any payable to enabled us to look in earnest and church used as a cathedral by a ‘ACC St widen our search to include bishop until a more permanent or Augustine’s property for sale. suitable church is built. Its rights and Church’ A chance email to the Methodist privileges are identical with those of may be sent Church in London asking if they had a cathedral. Thank you for your to the Bishop any Churches or Chapels for sale in continued prayers.” or Visit Kent resulted in a member of staff the Diocesan responding that he was personally The Future... Website and aware of a Chapel near Canterbury Increasing our offer has had an click on that was coming up for sale. I made impact on the money we had local enquires and discovered that earmarked for the redecoration and the Chapel, although indeed for refurbishment of the building. We sale, was to be purchased by the now need to raise money for new local community for continued use heating, lighting and carpeting. as a village hall — which the Contributions Welcome! ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 23

THE VINCENTION CANON of St. Vincent of Lerins

Editors Note: It is sometimes the case that articles sent to me for ACC-UK become backlogged due to space constraints. I regret I cannot recall who sent this to me — if you recognise it please let me know and I will mention this in the next edition.

In the 5th century, St. Vincent of Lerins saw that the people were faced with various errors and heresies of Donatus, Arius, “ ... bad doctrine Photinus, Pelagius and others, and gave them this good advice on how should not be they could know with security the accepted by true Catholic Faith. Even if it is Catholics, who taught by distinguished men or Prelates, the bad doctrine should not should cling be accepted by Catholics, who to Tradition should cling to Tradition and what and what has has been believed everywhere, always, and by all [quod ubique, been believed quod semper, quod ab omnibus everywhere, creditum est]. Actually, he stated: "I always, and have continually given the greatest pains and diligence to inquiring, from Church?’ The answer is that by all the greatest possible number of men because of the profundity itself of outstanding in holiness and in Scripture, all men do not place the doctrine, how I can secure a type of same interpretation upon it. The fixed and, as it were, general, statements of the same writer are guiding principle for distinguishing explained by different men in the true Catholic Faith from the different ways, so much so that it degraded falsehoods of heresy. seems almost possible to extract from it as many opinions as there "And the answer that I receive is are men. Novatian expounds in one always to this effect: That if I wish, way, Sabellius in another, Donatus or indeed if anyone wishes, to detect in another, Arius, Eunomius and the deceits of heretics that arise and Macedonius in another, Photinus, to avoid their snares and to keep Apollinaris and Priscillian in another, healthy and sound in a robust faith, Jovinian, Pelagius and Caelestius in we ought, with the Lord's help, to another, and latterly Nestorius in fortify our faith in a twofold another. Therefore, because of the manner, first, that is, by the authority intricacies of error, which is so of God's Law, then, by the tradition multiform, there is great need for of the Catholic Church. the laying down of a rule for the exposition of Prophets and "Here, it may be, someone will Apostles in accordance with the ask: ‘Since the canon of Scripture is standard of the interpretation of complete, and is in itself abundantly the Catholic Church. sufficient, what need is there to join to it the interpretation of the "Now in the Catholic Church itself P A G E 24

we take the greatest care to hold provided always that, though they that which has been believed every- belonged to diverse times and where, always and by all. That is places, they yet continued in the truly and properly 'Catholic,' as is faith and communion of the one shown by the very force and Catholic Church; and let them be meaning of the word, which teachers approved and outstanding. comprehends everything almost And whatever he shall find to have universally. We shall hold to this been held, approved and taught, not rule if we follow universality, antiq- by one or two only but by all equally uity, and consent. We shall follow and with one consent, openly, universality if we acknowledge that frequently, and persistently, let him one Faith to be true which the whole take this as to be held by him Church throughout the world without the slightest hesitation." confesses; antiquity if we in no wise depart from those interpretations (The Vincentian Canon, in Commonitorium, which it is clear that our ancestors chap IV, 434, ed. Moxon, Cambridge Patristic Texts) and fathers proclaimed; consent, if in antiquity itself, we keep following

the definitions and opinions of all, or certainly nearly all, Bishops and Doctors alike. Archiepiscopal "What then will the Catholic Visitation Christian do, if a small part of the Church has cut itself off from the The Most Revd communion of the universal Faith? Mark Haverland, The answer is sure. He will prefer Metropolitan the healthiness of the whole body to Archbishop of the the morbid and corrupt limb. Original Province and

Acting Primate of “What then "But what if some novel the Anglican will the Catholic contagions try to infect the whole Catholic Church Christian do, if Church, and not merely a tiny We hope will be visiting the a small part of part of it? Then he will take care Diocese from 25th August to 5th the Church has to cleave to antiquity, which cannot now be led astray by any September. cut itself off from the communion deceit of novelty. The draft itinerary — subject to change of the universal  Faith? "What if in antiquity itself two or Sunday 27th August The answer is three men, or it may be a city, or St Deniol & St Asaph, sure. He will even a whole province be detected in error? Then he will take the Pembroke Dock, prefer the  healthiness of greatest care to prefer the decrees of the ancient General Councils, if Wednesday 30th August the whole body St Augustine's, Canterbury, to the morbid there are such, to the irresponsible ignorance of a few men.  and corrupt Saturday 2nd September limb.” "But what if some error arises St Alban the Martyr, Salford, regarding which nothing of this sort  is to be found? Then he must do his Sunday 3rd September. best to compare the opinions of the Our Lady & St Edward, Bolton, Fathers and inquire their meaning,  ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 25

WHAT SHOULD YOU GET OUT OF WORSHIP THE REVD FR JONAH BRUCE

THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED ON THE INTERNET AND IS REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION.

Most people think they should get something out of worship. I was told once by a disappointed parishioner that he came to church "to get a charge" out of the service, and that he wasn't "getting a charge". I didn't ask what he thought "getting a charge" meant - but I assume he meant that he wanted “... we should the kind of experience he had at a throughout the good movie, or a good concert, or Mass identify after an exciting sports event. ourselves with the oblations - Christian worship isn't about this the bread and kind of surface engagement. It's not wine which are primarily emotional - it isn't designed placed on the to produce an emotional response. Above: Bishop Mead with Fr Jonah Bruce, altar at the And it's not primarily intellectual - it the author of this article, after Mass in Offertory. ...” isn't designed to provide information. his Church of St Francis, Gainesville, It's primarily spiritual - it's designed GA, USA in 2015. to feed the soul.

The problem is that most people are not engaged spiritually at a level of the self to God. where they're even aware of the There's a very good essay in the needs of their souls. Christian People's Anglican Missal called worship, which is nothing other than "How to Worship at the Eucharist", the making-present of the Crucified and it notes that we should through- and Risen Christ, who feeds us with out the Mass identify ourselves with his very Body and Blood, ministers the oblations - the bread and wine to us at a level so deep that most of which are placed on the altar at the us aren't even aware of it most of Offertory. It is this offering, and not the time. the money collected in the plate, But we're not Gnostics - our which is the real subject of the worship isn't disembodied: there are Offertory. When we identify many avenues for the engagement ourselves with this offering, we of the senses. There are sights, realize that our primary job as sounds, and smells associated with worshippers is to show up and to worship. There are postures (such offer ourselves. What we receive is as kneeling). There are (or should grace, and as we grow in grace we be) silent spaces. These avenues grow in our ability to undertake the for sensory engagement, however, conscious offering of ourselves to don't overwhelm. They offer. What's God. We give ourselves to God, and required of the worshipper is quiet, he gives himself to us. prayerful attention, and the offering This is why attempts to "increase P A G E 26

participation" in the Eucharist totally miss the point. Our participation in the Liturgy doesn't come from being an acolyte or an usher or a reader or a singer - it comes from praying the Liturgy and offering ourselves. If you seriously undertake this self-offering, you will quickly realize that it engages every faculty of your mind and body: it is total involvement in the movement and drama of the liturgical Action. It's After you receive Holy Communion, hard to be more involved, or to offer thanks to God for the miracle in participate more! which you have just participated and ask him to make your life conformed The way into this wonderful to the life of Christ which you have experience of worship is to abandon received. At the conclusion of the every thought of what you should Mass, don't rush out. Offer God get out of worship. Allow the another prayer of thanks and renew elements of the Liturgy (which, after your offering of yourself, asking God all, is the work of the Holy Spirit) to to be with you in the coming days support and carry you as you offer and to bring you back again to his yourself to God. Use the time altar. immediately before the Liturgy to What should you get out of examine your conscience and to worship? Christ! Some days you will pray for grace to worship. During be tired; some days affected by the first part of the Liturgy, as we other things in your life; some days pray and hear the Scriptures, think everything will seem to fit into place. of this as your re-orientation away But if you offer yourself to God in from the cares and pleasures of the the Eucharist, seeking to get out of it world and as your entry into the only God Himself, then you will find “ ... At the Tabernacle of God. At the General Consecration, that all will be well, and worship will Confession, recall the particular be a continual revelation. as the bells ring, things you covered in your remind yourself examination of conscience and that Christ has make those the things for which you re-created the are asking forgiveness. bread and wine and made them At the Offertory, imagine that you his very Body are placing yourself - your goals, and Blood; ask thoughts, priorities, likes, and him to re-create dislikes - on the altar with the you in his image oblations, and surrendering them to and likeness. God to be transformed by him. At Ask him to make the Consecration, as the bells ring, your heart his remind yourself that Christ has home.” re-created the bread and wine and made them his very Body and Blood; ask him to re-create you in his image and likeness. Ask him to make your heart his home.

ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 27

OUR JUBILEE - REFLECTIONS. Fr Anthony Chadwick

The following article began life as a post on Wright’s interest in relations Fr Chadwick’s online blog between Anglicans and Orthodox. https://sarumuse.wordpress.com Fr Wright passed me on to Bishop It has been edited for print. Hamlett who seemed to have much Our Diocese was founded in 1992 to say from his difficult experience by Fr Leslie Hamlett, a former with the Church of England and the Church of England parish priest who RC Church. attempted to get the Pastoral I returned to England in the Provision of Pope John Paul II autumn of 1995 after having implemented in England in the installed a hefty Harrison organ in Roman Catholic Church in the the Abbey of San Martino al Cimino 1980’s. It didn’t work out with the lo- not very far from Rome. A couple of cal RC bishops and Fr Hamlett and Bishop Hamlett’s faithful, Mr and several other Anglican priests Mrs Caverargh-Mainwaring, offered sought some kind of solution for the me accommodation and a workshop Continuing Church movement. at their stately home, Whitmore Hall. After a few months, I was offered a little cottage in the village for a reduced rent. I was received into the ACC as a deacon ordained in the Roman Catholic Church. I was assigned to the Bishop’s parish at Madeley Heath, in a former Methodist chapel. As time wore on, I found Bishop Hamlett aggressive and small-minded, quite stifling. One thing I had learned well at seminary was the liturgy, and I tried to be of help in improving ceremonies at Madeley Heath. This was deeply resented by the Bishop even though I brought matters up in private and respectfully. During my short time with Bishop Hamlett, I made friends with Fr I first met Bishop Hamlett Patrick McEune, (pictured above) in 1995 when I felt (pictured right) who compelled to leave my inextricable remained with the situation in the RC Church and seek ACC after the “Bishops’ Brawl” (a a return to roots in England. My first number of splits away from the ACC contact by correspondence was with to form independent jurisdictions) in Fr Michael Wright who lived near about 1997 (after I had left) and be- Bath. I was fascinated with the came the Vicar General before later notion of Orthodox ecclesiology and returning to the Church of England. I theology in a western context and Fr kept good relations with Fr Wright P A G E 28 and tended to be better with clergy had installed an organ, and he in the south of England than the returned to the Church of England. I north. I was frankly happy to get out heard vaguely about a Fr Damien of England to take an organ to Mead, who was elected to be the somewhere in France or Italy and Diocese’s Vicar General, and some spend a day or two with my old years later was consecrated a friend in Marseilles. It was a far cry bishop by the Americans. What has from the petty-minded parochialism happened since in England then is in Stoke on Trent. By September nothing short of a miracle. Bishop 1996 I was away from Bishop Damien has led the Diocese to Hamlett and returned to France in stability and a unity of purpose we late October of that year. all share. When he received me in I followed events in 1997 from a April 2013, nothing was the same. distance and was kept informed by All the parishes were in different Fr McEune. There was a big split in places. the American episcopate of the From the late 1990’s, it became ACC and several new groups came fashionable to denigrate Continuing into being. By this time, Bishop Anglicanism as being no more Hamlett totally repudiated anything stable or united than the hundreds specifically Anglican and expressed of Old Catholic denominations in a fairly “Old Catholic” type of America. We still find much of the ecclesiology with a strong leaning same rhetoric with Anglicans who towards Roman Catholic devotions. have become Roman Catholics over Eventually, there would be a split the past ten years or so. As with all between Bishop Hamlett human experience, lessons have (Archbishop by that time) and been learned, and we have a very Bishop Wright. Many of the clergy I different quality of bishops these I knew from my time have days. This October, there will be a disappeared from circulation, being joint Synod of all the main neither in the ACC English Diocese Continuing bodies to work out a as it has happily become, nor the journey towards organic unity. This, TAC. Fr McEune made a with the professionalism of our courageous effort to re-order the bishops, is cause for hope and “I was Diocese and rebuild from the ruins. I optimism. Thus we in England fascinated with frequently received e-mails from him celebrate twenty-five years both of the notion of when I lived at the presbytery of peace and progress as well as of Orthodox Bouloire after my six months in the human sin, pride and bad ecclesiology monastic desert. judgement. and theology Fr Jonathan Munn recently in a western mentioned on his blog that he was context” accused of proselytism in regard to members of Forward in Faith, unjustly. Surely, members of that body know what they want in life and are able to make up their own minds. I have very little experience of Forward in Faith, but have spent time with some of their clergy. In one parish I know – I will Fr McEune himself left the ACC. not mention the name for the sake He sold his nice little church in of discretion – the explanation Wiltshire (pictured above) where I of their position is altogether ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 29 understandable. I simply make the this perhaps keeps us humble, comparison with the Roman Catholic realistic and focused on the Church in the 1980’s, between the essentials. “hard” traditionalists of the Society of It is a historic year both for the St Pius X and others, and the brave Americans and we English. In old parish priests who stuck it out in America, the movement of unity their parishes in defiance of their between the largest Continuing bishops. Churches is forging ahead, and this The Forward in Faith position prospect is exciting and encourag- might seem to lack theological ing. In England, we celebrate twenty coherence in terms of belonging to -five years of mistakes and foolish- the Church of England. The ness, and then of sober existence of the “flying bishops” rebuilding and stabilising. We thank created a church within the God for the gift of Bishop Damien establishment Church of England, and his determined leadership and “ ... we have an where bishops who don’t ordain qualities of a true gentleman. uncompromised women are “insulated” from those By the time you read this we will ecclesial life who do. Forward in Faith parishes have held our own Diocesan Synod with a diocesan are enclaves where laity and clergy in London (Westminster Central Ordinary and a can live a very “normal” ecclesial Hall) on 29th April. We begin with college of existence with a fine Victorian or Mass celebrated by our Bishop, to priests under medieval church building and real which all are welcome. There is a his oversight. parish life. Their existence is surely good choir and a talented organist / That Bishop is a good thing where the alternative is choirmaster. It is an opportunity, in communion spiritual death and another nail in each year, to see the beauty of our with the college the coffin of Christianity in England. I worship in classical English and of bishops of the have great pleasure in visiting the what we are all about. Last year, ACC and its parish whose name I don’t mention since I had no liturgical role, I sang Metropolitan here, and the priest I go and see with the choir, this year I will be Sub Archbishop knows my Bishop. There is a sense deacon. This will be a special Mark Haverland. of stability, at least during the tenure occasion for us all. I look forward to This is as much of the parish priest in question. it. We also hope later this year to of a coherent We Continuers don’t have the have the visit of Archbishop ecclesial large congregations or the big Haverland – so I will have to make structure as any church buildings enjoyed by Church another trip to England for this. minor but of England incumbents. However, historical we have an uncompromised Orthodox ecclesial life with a diocesan Church” Ordinary and a college of priests under his oversight. That Bishop is in communion with the college of bishops of the ACC and its Metropolitan Archbishop Mark Haverland. This is as much of a coherent ecclesial structure as any minor but historical Orthodox Church. Everything is right and correct. The downside is that we are very small and our growth is slow. We have very little in terms of financial or material resources, but P A G E 30 LEGHORN LITURGY … VAIN REPETITION? Fr Jonathan Munn

Perhaps you remember the cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn. For those that don't, he was a rather puffed-up and arrogant rooster with precious little in the way of self- awareness. His adventures usually centred around being vindictive to the farm dog. Mel Blanc who voiced Foghorn Leghorn was a man who would often give his creations their character through a speech impediment. Sylvester and Daffy Duck had a lisp, Porky Pig a stutter, and Foghorn Leghorn used to repeat, I say, repeat himself constantly. The point is that this rooster had such a value of his own self importance that he believed that everything he said was worth repeat- ing. It was a stroke of genius on Blanc's part and shows why these cartoon characters are still loved not ye therefore like unto them: for today. your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Forghorn Leghorn might be After this manner therefore pray ye: “Our Lord described as a battologist - someone Our Father which art in heaven, accuses the who repeats himself needlessly. This Hallowed be thy name. Thy king- heathen of being comes directly from a Greek word dom come. Thy will be done in battologists (in which has the idea of empty chatter, earth, as it is in heaven. Give us fact that very or babble. Interestingly, this is a this day our daily bread. And forgive Greek word is word that appears in the Gospel us our debts, as we forgive our used in the according to St Matthew. In chapter debtors. And lead us not into original text!). six, Our Lord tells us: "when thou temptation, but deliver us from evil: What was prayest, thou shalt not be as the For thine is the kingdom, and the actually happen- hypocrites are: for they love to pray power, and the glory, for ever. ing? We must standing in the synagogues and in Amen." (vv 5-13) remember that the corners of the streets, that they the "heathen" in may be seen of men. Verily I say Our Lord accuses the heathen of this case were unto you, They have their reward. being battologists (in fact that very the Romans and But thou, when thou prayest, enter Greek word is used in the original Greeks who into thy closet, and when thou hast text!). What was actually happen- worshipped the shut thy door, pray to thy Father ing? We must remember that the Olympic gods.” which is in secret; and thy Father "heathen" in this case were the which seeth in secret shall reward Romans and Greeks who thee openly. But when ye pray, use worshipped the Olympic gods. They not vain repetitions, as the heathen would attend sacrifices, with long do: for they think that they shall be babbling prayers but lived their lives heard for their much speaking. Be as if these gods had nothing to do ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 31 with them. These gods didn't mean within himself, Though I fear not much to these heathen unless they God, nor regard man; Yet because wanted a favour: they were simply this widow troubleth me, I will paying lips service to a social avenge her, lest by her continual custom. The point is that these coming she weary me. And the Lord battologist heathen live two said, Hear what the unjust judge completely different lives. They were saith . And shall not God avenge his not sincere to their religion. Of own elect, which cry day and night course the big difference between unto him, though he bear long with the Olympic gods and Our Father them? I tell you that he will avenge who is in Heaven is that Our them speedily. Nevertheless when

Heavenly Father really does exist: the Son of man cometh, shall he “God is the gods of Olympus do not. Any find faith on the earth?" (vv 1-8) greater than any prayer to them would certainly be in judge let alone vain, but our prayers to Our God God is greater than any judge let an unjust judge. are not because He hears them and alone an unjust judge. He hears He hears they mean much to Him. prayers which are continually prayers which offered to Him. Prayer is clearly are continually That's the point that Our Lord is something that expresses our offered to Him. making when He warns us to guard relationship with God. We are to do Prayer is clearly against vain repetitions. We are not it always -pray without ceasing! - something that to babble to God with a list of things even when we don't feel like it. In expresses our we want Him to do. Prayer isn't like fact one might say that we should relationship with that, and Our Lord wants us to pray pray especially when we don't feel God. We are to properly. Thus He gives us the like it and "take Heaven by storm". do it always - wonderful Lord's prayer. Having set words helps us to pray without formulate our prayers and focus on ceasing! - even Interestingly, the Lord's prayer is how we are interacting with God. Of when we don't a prayer that we repeat often - at course, we can say our own prayers feel like it. In least three times a day. If we want to in our own way, but it is good to join fact one might avoid vain repetitions, surely we only in the same prayers with the whole say that we need to pray it once in our lives - just Church and to pray alongside count- should pray es- one sincere recitation of "Our less millions across Time and pecially when Father..." would be enough once for Space. Using the same words helps we don't feel all. Except, prayer isn't like that us do just that. Of course, Our like it and "take either. Our Lord is telling us to pray Lord's words about vain repetitions Heaven by the Our Father when we pray. We hold true here. We are not to pray in storm". don't just pray once, we pray lots of vain, i.e. without thought, just paying times. In the eighteenth chapter of lip-service to God. St Luke's Gospel we read that: Nor are we to babble without Jesus "spake a parable unto meaning: St Paul reminds us that if them to this end, that men ought anyone prays in tongues, someone always to pray, and not to faint; needs to be able to interpret what Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither they are saying otherwise it is regarded man: And there was a meaningless. We are not to use the widow in that city; and she came words of liturgy without thought. unto him, saying, Avenge me of Yes, the words will praise God, and mine adversary. And he would not the fact that we do intend to pray will for a while: but afterward he said always help us, but the words are to P A G E 32

be prayed carefully. St Benedict What about the Rosary with all suggests that monks who don't take those repetitions of "Hail Mary," care over the words of the liturgy "Our Father", and "Glory be"? should be punished! Surely these are vain repetitions? Again, not unless we make them vain through being slack in our prayer lives and just paying lip-service. However, do we really subject ourselves to the Rosary just for something to do - a way to kill an hour? Surely not! Surely, we have some desire within us to say it as a prayer in the first place! It's very hard at first to say all the prayers devoutly with attention and During the Mass, we often repeat devotion, but it does come with ourselves. For example, Kyrie practice. The words do matter, but eleison, Kyrie eleison, Christe the wonderful thing about those eleison, et c. Notice that this is not a repetitions is that it has a good vain repetition. We are addressing effect on our brains. In occupying the Holy Trinity for mercy. We need our body, we free our minds and God on our side. We need His love souls to soar to God. Repeating in action. We cry out with the whole those words reinforces our desire, Church for mercy on humanity. We and are not vain repetitions. This is are merely following Our Lord's St Luke 18 again. In saying the example in St Luke's Gospel. Rosary, we allow Our Lady to help pull us up towards her Beloved Another repetition occurs at the Son. moment we are to receive the Holy Sacrament. Three times we say "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof, but speak the word only and my soul shall be healed." Why three? Is that “It's very hard vain repetition? Not unless we make at first to say it vain by not taking care about what all the prayers we're saying. Again, we follow St devoutly with Luke's passage above, but notice attention and what effect repeating this three times devotion, but it has. Each time we say it, we Often, Protestants like to pull does come with become more aware of what is Catholics up on what they pray practice.” happening. We are forcing ourselves using Our Lord's dim view of vain to recall our need for God, our repetitions. They have a good point unworthiness to receive Him, our to make. Our lives as Christians need for faith like the centurion MUST be sincere. We cannot just whose words we are paraphrasing, pay lip-service to God. He knows and thus becoming more and more the secrets of our hearts. It is impor- aware that we are to receive truly tant that we don't live double lives of the Body and Blood of Christ into our saying one thing and doing another, fallible little bodies. but that our words and actions The repetition is not vain. This is come from the same place. We will not battologism. damage our souls if we just say the ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 33 words without trying to encounter God. Agreed, sometimes we just go off on auto-pilot. That's easily forgivable when we're tired or distracted, but when we recognise that we are going off on auto-pilot, we should use the words we're saying to bring us back to our focus A Word About Our on Almighty God. That's what they're for. House Groups … Before we pray our liturgy we should pray: Sometimes the formation of a new Mission can be daunting and Open Thou, O Lord, our lips to perhaps the very word ‘Mission’ bless Thy Holy Name. Cleanse conjures up images in peoples also our hearts from all vain, evil, minds full of expectation. Before and wandering thoughts. they are recognised and recorded at Enlighten our understanding, the Diocesan Synod our new enkindle our affections that we congregations are referred to as may say this office with attention ‘Provisional Missions’ - although in and devotion and so be meet to reality this doesn’t necessarily help. be heard in the presence of Thy Under the umbrella of The Divine Majesty through Christ, Anglican Catholic Fellowship, If you do not Our Lord. Amen. the Bishop has introduced live close to the idea that the first step to an existing However we get distracted and our establishing may well be to start a ACC words become vain repetitions, we House Group. This is easier and congregation should take comfort in the fact that more flexible. They can open and — why not consider setting God's Word is never in vain. close relatively easily too and no up a House one need have preconceived ideas Group. Whether

of what form the meetings will take. you commit to We currently have two convenors meeting weekly hoping that their House Groups will or monthly. develop in due course: We are always ready to St Cuthbert's House Group consider Durham, County Durham possibilities! Warden / Host: Please Contact: Dr Peter Hurst Tel: (0191) 3750653 Email: [email protected] Chaplain: Fr Howard Marsh Tel: 07800 744975 [email protected]

‘Oxford Movement’ House Group North Yorkshire Warden / Host: Mrs Sally Lyth Chaplain: Fr Howard Marsh Tel: 07800 744975 [email protected] P A G E 34

Where to worship …

St Augustine of Canterbury 5b Best Lane, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2JB

Sunday 11am Sung Mass (1st Sunday) 12.30pm Healing (3rd Sunday) 1.30pm Study Group Wednesday & Major Holy Days 12 noon Low Mass

Rector: Bishop Damien Mead 01797 321704 [email protected] Assistant Curate: Fr Dcn Richard Mulholland 079430001133 [email protected] The Pro-Cathedral Parish

St Alban the Martyr Our Lady of Walsingham 320a Great Cheetham Street East, Salford & St. Francis of Assisi Greater Manchester Fort Pitt Military Cemetery, Sunday City Way, Rochester, Kent 9.45am Holy Communion 10.45am Sung Mass Sunday 10am Sung Mass Last Sunday Monthly Holy Days as announced 11.45am Healing Service Parish Priest: Fr Jeen Thomas “I will go unto Parish Priest: Fr Charles Johnson 07403 543469 0161 798 6251 [email protected] the altar of God, [email protected] even unto the Our Lady & St Edward God of my joy @ All Souls Church, Astley St, Bolton BL1 8EY.

Sunday 10.30am Sung Mass and gladness” Wednesday 12 noon Low Mass (2nd Wednesday) Mass with Healing @ Cobden Community Centre, Wolfenden Street, Halliwell, Bolton, BL1 8EN.

Priest in Charge: Fr Howard Marsh 07800 744975 [email protected]

Assistant Curate: Fr Roger Bell 07962 985863 [email protected]

ISSUE 48 P ENTECOST 2017 P A G E 35

St Deniol & St Asaph St Nicholas of Myra (Eglwys Genhadol Saint Deiniol ac Asaph) St Nicholas House, 42-48 High Street, Lydd, St Giles Chapel, Upton Castle, Cosheston, Romney Marsh, Kent TN29 9AN Pembrokeshire, Wales Services: As announced

Sunday 11am Sung Mass Priest in Charge: Bishop Damien Mead Holy Days as announced NB: Every 01797 321704 [email protected] effort is Monthly Women's Prayer Group Details: Mrs Margaret Bendelow: 01646 687089 The Bishop’s Domestic Chapel taken to ensure Priest in Charge: Fr Miles Maylor these times 07967 584670 [email protected] are correct but please Lay Reader Mr Harry Bendelow telephone 01646 687089 [email protected] or email before hand to double check if uncertain

St Bede

Vera Fletcher Hall, 4 Embercourt Road, Our Lady of Glastonbury Thames Ditton, Surrey.

The Horfield Quaker Meeting House, 300 Sunday: 11.15am Low Mass Gloucester Rd, Bristol BS7 8PD Priest in Charge: Canon Donald Walker Sunday: 2.30pm Evensong 0208 398 4304 Lay Reader: Mr James Tuite 07387 297210 [email protected]

St Mary & St Eanswythe

31 Highfield Road, Dartford, Kent

4th Saturday Monthly: 12 noon Low Mass

Priest in Charge: Canon Donald Walker 0208 398 4304

Warden: Dr Roy Fidge 01322 220172

Please telephone the Warden to confirm details

Good Shepherd & St Tudwal (Cenhadaeth Y Bugail Da a Sant Tudwal) Gwydir Uchaf Chapel, Llanrwst, Conwy, Wales.

Services: Regular Mass

Priest in Charge: Fr Gareth Parry 07899 971570 [email protected]

Please Contact Fr Parry for more details

Where to worship … European Deanery

Chaplaincy of St Mary the Virgin 193 route d’Héricourt, 76190 Hautot Saint Sulpice, France.

Services: Daily Mass & Offices

Chaplain: Fr Anthony Chadwick (0033) 235 963036 [email protected]

Please Contact the Chaplain for more details

Chaplaincy of St Boniface (Gemeenschap van Sint Bonifatius) Mailing Address: Brugstraat 11, 9441 PG, Orvelte, The Netherlands

Services: Regular Mass & Daily Offices

Chaplain: Fr Gregory Wassen (0031) 06-57281018. [email protected]

Please Contact the Chaplain for more details

Publisher The Diocesan Office Donations Editor The Bishop This magazine is now provided subscription free in Address Diocesan Office, the UK! However donations are most welcome and St Nicholas House, encouraged towards both production costs and 42-48 High Street postage. Cheques should be made payable to the Lydd, Kent TN29 9AN “Anglican Catholic Bookshop” and sent to the Telephone & Fax 01797 321704 The ACC Diocesan Office, St Nicholas House, 42- Email 48 High Street, Lydd, Kent TN29 9AN [email protected] Disclaimer Diocesan Website The presence of an advertisement or article in this www.anglicancatholic.org.uk magazine does not necessarily imply that it Provincial Website represents the opinion of the Bishop, the Anglican www.anglicancatholic.org Catholic Church or the Diocese.

Anglican Catholic Church - Diocese of the United Kingdom - Registered Charity No 1068168