De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

It's been a joyous and busy week in Leigh-on-Sea. This has meant that there has been lots to blog about, but, somewhat paradoxically, I have not had time to write it up!
Last Saturday, my dear friend Michael Halsall, was ordained a priest by Bishop Alan Williams at St Peter's, Eastwood: Fr Jeff Woolnough's Parish, and the Church where Louise & I were married and which has been an integral part of our lives for many reasons. How wonderful then for us to return here to see our friend ordained.


This was the culmination of a long road for Michael, who started his journey as a child born into (what Anglican's refer to as) a very low church. He dedicated his life to building the kingdom and began ministry in the Anglican communion. He gradually reasoned his way to the Catholic Church and converted well over a decade ago at some considerable personal cost. He was ordained a transitional deacon last October (see my post here).



In this picture, Michael is vested with his c…

I notice on ICN this morning that The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham is launching an appeal for funds this week to help it to buy a redundant Methodist church in Torquay Devon. This is great news and I would like to suggest readers support this project with prayers and cash if possible (see the donation details at the bottom of this blog post).

If it succeeds, the church will be the first the Ordinariate has bought for itself since the structure was established by Pope Benedict in 2011 to allow former Anglicans who wish to enter the full communion of the Catholic Church to do so, whilst bringing with them aspects of their Anglican patrimony and heritage (like good liturgy). Pope Benedict’s vision for the Ordinariate was that it should "maintain the liturgical, spiritual and pastoral traditions of the Anglican Communion within the Catholic Church, as a precious gift nourishing the faith of the members of the Ordinariate and as a treasure to be shared".

In an a…

If you are looking to gain a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding the assisted suicide bill which will be debated in the Lords today, you could do worse than read Greg Daly's blog for Catholic Voices which I reproduce in full below. Greg picks up on comments made by Poly Toynbee in the Guardian on Tuesday which put the two sides of the argument in stark relief for me. Madeleine Teahan has also address Toynbee's chilling comments in the Catholic Herald.

Mgr Keith Newton, head of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, has also issued the following statement: The Assisted Dying BillThe Assisted Dying Bill has its Second Reading in the House of Lords on Friday 18 July. If it became law it would make incitement to suicide routine in our society, thereby putting pressure on the most vulnerable to see themselves as a burden to society. The Church’s teaching is clear: that human life, from conception to natural death, is a gift from God. Christ calls us to offer those fa…

On Monday we had wonderful celebration of our Parochial Feast. We were joined by our wonderful Ordinariate priests Fr. Jeff Woolnough, Fr. Lee Bennett, Fr. Bob White and their communications officer, Fr. James Bradley along with the Ordinary, Mgr. Keith Newton. What a pleasure it was to welcome them into our Parish. We had a beautiful Mass, and Mgr. Keith spoke brilliantly, mentioning the Pope's shock resignation, as well as preaching on the Gospel.

There's a good explanation of the Ordinariate here along with an explanation of why it was created here.

Fr. Kevin asked me to take some pictures of the occasion which you, beloved reader, are privileged to view before they are used anywhere else!


Fr. Jeff from St. Peter's Eastwood who is a great friend and is much loved and respected.


Fr. Lee from Benfleet.


My two oldest sons, Michael and William.


Fr. Kevin, our Parish Priest and Dean of Southend with Mgr. Keith Newton, the Ordinary.

The Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of …