Monsignor Keith Newton, the Ordinary of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, was granted an audience with the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. This is, according to those in the know, a great privilege, and quite a rarity (compared to the number of audiences granted by Pope John Paul II) demonstrating that our Holy Father is taking a keen personal interest in the former Anglicans who are swimming the Tiber!
This is very positive news for them, and I'm sure that it must be encouraging for all those former Anglicans who might have wondered what sort of a reception they'd get from the rest of us. It must take an incredible amount of courage to leave the faith in which one has been brought up, perhaps having to face opposition from those nearest and dearest, especially if one is unsure how much of a welcome one will get.
Just over halfway through Lent, I would like to offer my encouragement to the members of the Ordinariate who are preparing to be received this Easter.
A mantilla-twitch in the direction of Fr. Tim.
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