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

Friday, June 3, 2011

A Important Letter, and Follow-up Note, from the Rev. Mr. Jürgen Liias

April 21, 2011

Dear Friends,

On Saturday, April 3, we concluded our most recent series. The question we were
addressing:

IS GOD RAISING UP AN ANGLICAN USE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT CTR TO BE PART OF THE NEW ANGLICAN ORDINARIATE THAT POPE BENEDICT HAS ESTABLISHED?

We explored the questions: What is an Anglican use Catholic church? And what is the Ordinariate? We were instructed by Dr. Tal Howard on the ecumenical developments in the Roman Catholic Church which have led to this remarkable gesture. Fr. Sam Keyes led us in some reflections on Anglican Patrimony. We heard some personal stories of ecclesiastical journeys from Dr. Agnes Howard and from myself. Fr. Richard Bradford, an old friend, former Episcopal priest, and now Rector of St. Athanasius Anglican Use Catholic Church, with two of his parishioners, shared the story of their parish. Bishop Bill Murdoch came and addressed his support for such an ecumenical experimental project in his diocese.

Though attendance was not as substantial as in our fall series, the 10-15 participants answered the question with a solid yes and encouraged me to continue the exploration of the idea.

Recently I received some forms from the Rev. Scott Hurd, a former Episcopal priest and now a Roman Catholic who is responsible for the application process for the Anglican Ordinariate.

I would like to begin the process of application.

What I need for the next step in the journey is:

Twelve individuals who feel called to be part of this application process and to become, God willing, a founding community of an Anglican Ordinariate Catholic Church.

To meet regularly with me for prayer, catechetical instruction, and further personal and corporate discernment.

To explore the practical and logistical challenges of the application process and the starting of a new church, i.e., staff, location, worship, ministry, mission, finances, etc.

Do pray about this. If it would be helpful to discuss things further with me, do not hesitate to connect with me. If and when I have twelve folk, we will gather again and begin this newest stage in this search for God’s will. I will keep you informed as to the response.

A Blessed Pascha,

Fr. Jürgen Liias
Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, Danvers, Massachusetts

May 11, 2011

Dear Anglican Roman Catholic Conversations friends,

In my last letter, I mentioned that I am waiting on the lord for 12 folk to come forward who would like to explore further with me the birthing of an Anglican Ordinariate church at CTR. As of today, May 11, nine folk have stepped forward. Keep praying, God willing, for his spirit to move three more!

Fr. Jürgen Liias

Hat tip to Mr. David Trumbull on his blog "Ready Writers".
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3 comments:

  1. Matthew MJune 4, 2011 at 7:47 AM

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  2. Matthew MJune 4, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    This is an amazing turn of events. Don't quite know what to make of it. I corresponded with Fr. Liias and others at Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church to learn more fully their story of leaving the Episcopal Church, forming CTR and being able to purchase a former Catholic Church.
    Obviously this congregation isn't ready to cross over the bridge to Rome or more people would have signed on, so Fr. Liias must be doing this on his own.
    Whatever is going on there I hope for Many Blessings for Christ the Redeemer parish and any Orinariate group that may spring forth out of it.

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  3. AnonymousJune 6, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    You might also consider joining the Western Rite vicariate of the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia, under The Rev. Anthony Bondi, himself being under Met. Hilarion who is under Patriarch Kiril of Moscow. You will find that there is a purity and more authentic Anglo-Catholic sensibility amongst them than under the emerging Roman ordinariates.

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