I imagine most of you will already know that I have resigned as Bishop of Richborough as from 31st December and will not be conducting any public episcopal services between now and then. I will, in due course, be received into full communion with the Catholic Church and join the Ordinariate when one is erected in England, which I hope will happen early next year. This has been a very difficult decision and has not been taken without much thought and prayer over the last year. For more than 8 years I have enjoyed being Bishop of Richborough; I have particularly valued the many visits to parishes for confirmations and other occasions. I am more grateful than I can say for the warmth, friendship and support I have experienced from so many priests and faithful lay people. I did not deserve it but I thank God for all I have received from you.
I am sure it will be said that I am leaving because of the issue of the ordination of women to the episcopate. While it is true that this has been an important factor in my thinking it is not the most significant factor. The publication of the Apostolic Constitution, Anglicanorum Coetibus, just one year ago, came as a surprise and has completely changed the landscape for Anglo Catholics. Since the inception of the ARCIC process, set up by Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey in the 1960s, most of us have longed and prayed for corporate union with the Catholic Church; union which in our own time has seemed less likely because of the new difficulties concerning the ordination of women and other doctrinal and moral issues affecting the Anglican Communion.
gracious, loving, gentle, inspiring and timely. What a great bishop he is and the Church of England will be the poorer for losing him.
Amen, RPP. I agree.
As I’ve said here before, the historical record seems plain that there is a big “trade deficit” when it comes to the exporting and importing of clergy between Rome and Canterbury. Unfortunately, even since Newman departed in 1845, we’ve tended to lose many of our finest and most godly clergy, and some of the Roman clergy we’ve gotten in exchange (like say, Matthew Fox and other liberals) have been, to put it charitably, not nearly their equal.
This is a fine letter from +Keith Newton. He will be sorely missed.
Blessings on you, RPP, whenever you follow him across the Tiber.
David Handy+
All too true, too true, alas.