The Daily Telegraph has become rather limp wristed of late and the letters page today, typifies just how politically correct this once great newspaper has become.
There is some correspondence on the possible uses that 'redundant' Protestant churches could bring to utilise in making them meaningful and useful places in the community.
They could, the paper warbles, become the centre point of the country living English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish men and women's social and cultural life.
Lord Kenyon advocates them becoming the focal point for those who wish to show their holiday snaps to the community. Zzzz!
Well that calls for a dance around the room punching the air and high fiving all in sight!
And to think that senile old me was under the illusion that the role of any Christian church was to be at the heart of the community providing worship, pastoral care and succour to all of us folk who have straw in our hair and rather smelly stuff on our boots!
Well, I have a suggestion to make (I have two, in fact, but only one is fit for purpose).
Why not hand themback over to the Catholic Church so that we may restore them to their intended use?
Whoa! You say. We have no need of these old buildings that are so cold and drafty that our priests from darkest Africa and all points further East, would find most inhospitable.
Quite. I have to concede that point.
But they could be given (entrusted, even) to some of our traditional orders such as the FSSP, the ICKSP and even, (whisper it softly) the SSPX.
What! The SSPX? Well, why not?
The SSPX is in need of putting down some pastoral roots and I'm sure there are many additional orders such as the FFI and others who would put them to good use.
It could be the first step to returning England (and all others) to Mary's Dowry.
There is some correspondence on the possible uses that 'redundant' Protestant churches could bring to utilise in making them meaningful and useful places in the community.
They could, the paper warbles, become the centre point of the country living English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish men and women's social and cultural life.
Lord Kenyon advocates them becoming the focal point for those who wish to show their holiday snaps to the community. Zzzz!
Well that calls for a dance around the room punching the air and high fiving all in sight!
And to think that senile old me was under the illusion that the role of any Christian church was to be at the heart of the community providing worship, pastoral care and succour to all of us folk who have straw in our hair and rather smelly stuff on our boots!
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| Perhaps the Oratorians could make good use of York Minster? |
Why not hand them
Whoa! You say. We have no need of these old buildings that are so cold and drafty that our priests from darkest Africa and all points further East, would find most inhospitable.
Quite. I have to concede that point.
But they could be given (entrusted, even) to some of our traditional orders such as the FSSP, the ICKSP and even, (whisper it softly) the SSPX.
What! The SSPX? Well, why not?
The SSPX is in need of putting down some pastoral roots and I'm sure there are many additional orders such as the FFI and others who would put them to good use.
It could be the first step to returning England (and all others) to Mary's Dowry.
You're not being a good comrade, Richard. The ube-comrades could herd...um...encourage us to gather in The People's Palaces for jolly sing-alongs ("Raise High the Red Flag" and "The Internationale" come to mind), uplifting speeches, and public readings from the works of Marx and Engels.
ReplyDelete"People's Palaces" - love it Mack. Echoes of Don C.
DeleteHave a wonderful time in Lourdes Richard. I can't make after all so please pray for me and mine. You love all the ICKSP Masses.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chloe but we don't arrive until 2nd May....will the ICKSP still be there?
DeleteFull of typos. Sorry! Rewritten:
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time in Lourdes Richard. I can't make it after all so please pray for me and mine. You will love all the ICKSP Masses. I envy you!
Splendid idea! If ever you're in north London, drop in to S. Joseph and S. Padarn's church in Seven Sisters and have a look at the wonderful job the SSPX has done with a redundant church of England!
ReplyDeleteIan in England
Ian, I know St J & P's well. Our two eldest children were confirmed there by none other than Bishop Fellay - Feast of the Epiphany 1990.
DeleteGreat idea. Have a great time in Lourdes. Please say a quick prayer for me. God bless
ReplyDeleteJolly good idea and perhaps it could take on here in Australia,especially as there are a few chapels of the Culturally relevant Uniting church in rural Victorian up for sale.The SSPX already have a base south east of melbourne they could expand even more other wise HILLSONG might get onto it-ahhhh
ReplyDeleteYou are saying what I have thought for years. When I hear of an historic church like St Mary's Lambeth turned into a museum (in lieu of demolition) I want to cry. And Catholics in England attend "Mass centres" because of lack of churches!
ReplyDelete