The English Ordinariate: Fr Dwight Longenecker

I think I am of the mindset of one of the commenters at Fr. Longenecker's blog that not many will come across in the end. But, I am happy to be wrong again as I never believed or imagined anything so creative, clear and charitable to be offered to Anglicans from Rome. I sit back, watch, wait and pray. Here is Father Dwight.

1. The Church of England allows them to use their existing parish churches. Many of the Anglo Catholic churches are in areas of town that are otherwise 'no go' areas for Christians. They were built in the slums by the Victorian slum priests and no one else will really want to occupy them.

The Church of England has far too many churches. Many of them are huge Victorian buildings which are a drain on the Church of England. Without the Anglo Catholics to look after them they will only decay and have to be closed. The C of E should hand them over and realize that to do so will be a win-win. A Christian presence will be maintained in these areas, the Anglo Catholic tradition will be retained (albeit with a different hierarchy) and this act of charity and generosity will resound to the credit of the CofE.

2. The Church of England could offer the Anglican Ordinariate buildings that are surplus to requirements. Every English town of any size has too many Anglican churches. There was a huge wave of church building in the nineteenth century and the Church of England should be glad to find occupants for them. They needn't hand them over lock stock and barrel. They could lease them to the Ordinariate congregations. It would be of benefit to the Church of England to have tenants, and the fledgling Anglo Catholics will have a home, and the generosity and charity of the offer will strengthen links between the churches.

3. The Catholic Church could offer the Anglican Ordinariate congregations some of their churches. In many dioceses the Catholics are struggling with a priest shortage and are facing the closure and merging of parishes. Why not take a parish church that would otherwise close and ask the Anglican Ordinariate to take over? The newly ordained former Anglican priest could live in the presbytery, celebrate the Anglican Use at one hour on the weekend and the Latin rite for the other Masses. Immediately the Catholic Church would solve a priest shortage, welcome new members and also keep parishes going that would otherwise close. They would also have an immediate infusion of enthusiasm, strength and the gifts of the newcomers.

4. Churches could be shared with other denominations. The Anglican Ordinariate could share a church not only with the Catholic parish, but share with the United Reformed or Methodist or Anglicans.

5. Redundant churches could be bought and converted for Anglican Ordinariate congregations.

Whatever the solutions, what will be required is creativity, generosity and genuine Christian charity. Catholics should not be triumphalistic about this step and Anglicans should not be bitter. They should see the departure of Anglo Catholics as a win-win situation. If I were a feminist Anglican on the General Synod I would see this as a wonderful opportunity to be rid of my opponents and I would make every effort to facilitate their departure.

We are at a juncture in church history where we are being given increased clarity. People are beginning to see very clearly where they are and where they are going. Let us combine clarity with charity and assist one another on the path we have chosen. This will be for the good of all and for the eventual purification of Christ's church.