Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Still no London church for the Ordinariate. Why? (Comment)

I was disappointed to miss Cardinal Levada's visit to London for a fundraising event for the Ordinariate sponsored by the Catholic Herald (I was in America researching a book that, thank God, has absolutely nothing to do with Catholic politics). 

It would have been good to hear the Prefect of the Congregation for the Faith remind us that the Ordinariate is the Pope's own project and an "important new structure for the Church".

But, talking of important structures, could I just ask: where is the London church that will serve as the Ordinariate's headquarters

The question was already a pressing one when I raised it back in January

The failure to address the matter is so morale-sapping that I really can't blame those Anglicans who are hesitating to take the plunge. 

This isn't the fault of the Ordinary or Cardinal Levada; as usual, the blame lies with the slow-acting Bishops of the Benzodiazepine Rite based in Eccleston Square.

If they don't find a church soon, there won't be a second wave of Ordinariate converts. 

And you have to ask: do they really want one?