Tuesday 23rd June 2015
On 19th of June, at 11:50am, the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Walsingham with Saint Cuthbert Mayne, Torquay, by permission of our Ordinary, came into being. Over this last year the Torbay Ordinariate Mission faithfully witnessed in the Methodist Church, Chelston, which then became the former Methodist Church at Chelston and after an appeal, which was generously supported by so many people and groups, it is now a catholic church. The Methodist community hoped they would be able to sell the Church to another Christian community and this hope has been realised.
Like many groups in the Ordinariate, the Torquay Group, since coming into being, sought ways to fulfil something of the prophetic vision of Anglicanorum Cœtibus. The local diocese had been very generous in its welcome and support of the Ordinariate and continues to be so, but it proved impossible to house priests of the Ordinariate in the South West close to their groups. This hampered growth and a solution had to be found.
With the purchase of the Church, the group can now lead a full liturgical life, offer hospitality and be a centre for teaching. The next goal is to build, within the existing buildings, a presbytery where a priest can be resident to serve the group and the community and be able to give the necessary pastoral care.
Please pray for all at Our Lady of Walsingham with Saint Cuthbert Mayne as they continue this exciting journey in the service of Christ.
