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Bishop David Stancliffe blesses the congregation with the book of the Gospels - click for large image »
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Re-affirming Catholicism
On 2nd December, 2006, we celebrated our fifteenth anniversary at a service in St Mary le Bow, Cheapside, London.
Preaching at the event, The Rev’d Angela Tilby, the well known writer and broadcaster, said ‘It is time for the Catholic movement in the Anglican Communion to recover its intellectual authority and spiritual fire.’
The movement came into being in 1990 at the height of debates in the Church of England about the ordination of women, and we were joined for our celebration by many of the founding activists such as Prebendary John Gaskell, Dame Rachel Watershouse and the Rt Rev’d Richard Holloway, all of whom were original signatories of the Trust Deed which formed the Charity. Another one of those original signatories, and now the Chair of Trustees, the Rev’d Canon Nerissa Jones, MBE, said in an opening address:
From the outset Affirming Catholicism has been about friendship and the desire to explore together an outward-looking, inclusive and Catholic attitude to life, faith and work. The delight is that so many people say that at last they can be themselves, say what they feel, and recognise everyone as equal members of the Church. As we deepen our faith in Jesus Christ and enlarge our understanding of humanity and its needs, we discover constructive Catholic theology in action.
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The Rev’d Angela Tilby, who preaced the sermon - click for large image »
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Since its foundation, the movement has clearly positioned itself on the progressive wing of the Church and represents a distinctively Anglican approach to Catholicism, affirming the importance of convergence with Roman Catholics but stressing equally the distinctive contribution Anglicans can play in helping the Church respond positively to developments in contemporary society.
The Rev’d Dr Barry Norris, Chair of the Charity’s Executive committee said:
We’re celebrating today the foundation in 1991of the Charity, Affirming Catholicism. But the emphasis is on looking forward. We’re convinced that Anglicanism needs to draw on the resources of the Catholic tradition to connect deeply with people today, and we’re determined to provide the resources parishes need to do that, while emphasising the inclusive and joyful elements in the tradition.
Fifteen years after a small group of friends met together for mutual support, friendship and action, the movement has nearly 1500 supporters in Britain and Ireland, local activists in nearly every English Diocese as well as Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Twenty percent of members of General Synod have aligned themselves with the group and there are supporters and groups in other parts of the communion including North America. New projects launched at the event include production of a range of teaching publications for use in parishes, a co-operation with the international theological publisher T&T Clark, a revised statement of aims and values and a new web-site.
The President of the organisation, the Rt Rev’d Dr David Stancliffe, the Bishop of Salisbury, who presided at the celebratory service, said:
The essential Catholic faith is this: God in Christ first shares our life; then he transforms it. This pattern of engagement and transformation is what he hands on to his Church to bring about: its what we are called to do and how we are called to be. The transformation of our lives, the church and all creation is Good news, and as the movement celebrates this anniversary we proclaim it joyfully and confidently.
You can view pictures of the event, and order copies online, by visiting the web-site of the photographer, picturepartnership.
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