The first principle of the Ordinariate is then about Christian unity. St. Basil the Great, the Church’s greatest ecumenist, literally expended his life on the work of building bridges between orthodox brethren who shared a common faith, but who had become separated from one another in a Church badly fragmented by heresy and controversy. He taught that the work of Christian unity requires deliberate and ceaseless effort...St. Basil often talked with yearning about the archaia agape, the ancient love of the apostolic community, so rarely seen in the Church of his day. This love, he taught, is a visible sign that the Holy Spirit is indeed present and active, and it is absolutely essential for the health of the Church.

- Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson, Homily on the Occasion of his Formal Institution as Ordinary

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Statement on St. Mary of the Angels, Hollywood, CA

from the web site of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter

May 5, 2012

The rector, wardens, and vestry of the Church of St. Mary of the Angels, Hollywood, CA, have previously expressed a desire to become a part of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter within the Catholic Church. However, a number of issues relating to the parish's corporate structure, the Catholic formation of its clergy and members, and the resolution of some management concerns have yet to be resolved. The Ordinariate thus has no jurisdiction over St. Mary of the Angels; however, individual parishioners are welcome to join the Ordinariate if they wish to do so. The gift of full communion requires a spirit of reconciliation and the healing of relationships, and to this end, the Ordinary, Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson, offers his prayers for all involved.

Earlier today a letter was posted online that purports to be from Msgr. Steenson on this very topic. Whether the letter as posted is accurate or not, I certainly cannot say, but it certainly was not addressed to the part who posted it, and it seems inappropriate to repost it here. Interested parties will find it via a simple search.

What is clear is that the Church of St. Mary of the Angels in Hollywood is having a difficult time of it, and as we can be sure that the last thing the enemy of Christ wants is a thriving, orthodox parish in that area, and so has long fought against them. I hope my readers will join me in praying for this parish and all those places that preach Christ in the face of opposition from the world, the flesh and the devil.

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)