Dear Brothers and Sisters,
‍

I am delighted that the publication of this first edition of our Ordinariate Newsletter happily coincides with the first anniversary of my ordination as your Bishop. I would like to share with you just a few reflections on the past year and my excitement
regarding what lies ahead.

The celebrations a year ago enabled many who are not members of our ordinariate, including those from overseas, to experience our joy and vibrancy for the first time. Many wrote or blogged about our deep sense of fellowship, our clear commitment to the faith, the beauty of worship, and the vital role we have to play in the New Evangelization. The presence of Cardinal Fernandez as the main consecrator and his rich homily have done much to clarify our identity as a Particular Church and were also clear demonstrations of the Holy See’s commitment to the Ordinariate.

Since my Ordination the three Ordinariate Bishops around the world have met twice: a weekend in Rome and a week in America. It has been good to get to know one another and to identify areas of common concern as well as to discover how different our respective communities are. There is a clear agreement that, in our different ways, each Ordinariate needs to reflect on its history and future priorities in the light of Cardinal Fernandez’s homily. That is, to focus on our mission as a Particular Church: to use the rich treasures of our Anglican Patrimony to draw others into the worship of God and the life of His Church.

The life of the Ordinariate is directly dependant on its members, gathered in groups up and down the country. It has been a great joy to visit many Ordinariate communities and, in particular, to celebrate the sacraments of initiation. In many places we are seeing adults become Christians through the Ordinariate. It is clear that we are playing our part in evangelizing and welcoming new Christians. It is also good when we are able to gather together nationally, whether that be for key liturgies such as the Chrism Mass or for longer periods such as our recent festival in Coventry. We also need priests for the future and we are truly blessed that in September we will have five men in seminary.

We must always remember that we are a full part of the Catholic Church, not a ghetto or sideshow. In that spirit, I want to commend to you the We Believe event at Oscott in July (details are elsewhere in this newsletter). The organisers are very committed to the Ordinariate and are keen that we are present and involved in a number of ways. Please book and come if you are able to: there are various options and it is not necessary to come for the whole weekend.

Be assured of my prayers for you all as I celebrate this anniversary and please continue to pray for me as together we build on what the Lord has given us and develop this Ordinariate as a place of holiness and a vehicle of evangelization.

In Christ
+ David