The end of the Marian Franciscans




The quiet dissolution of the Marian Franciscans marks the end of one of the most intriguing and symbolically important traditional Catholic apostolates to emerge in Britain during the pontificate of Pope Francis. The official statements released by the community itself, alongside subsequent statements from the Dioceses of Dunkeld and Portsmouth, are restrained, sorrowful and carefully ecclesial in tone. There are no accusations, no denunciations, no appeals to factional outrage. Instead there is gratitude, obedience, prayer and an unmistakable sense of grief.

Yet underneath that restraint lies a profound story about the state of the Church in post Francis Catholicism and the increasingly fractured ecclesial culture which now exists within diocesan life itself.

Read my full report here.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What happened in the Conclave?

Image
A report from Ines San Martin provides some insight into what led Cardinal Prevost to choose the name Leo XIV. She got some intel into it from Chilean Cardinal Fernando Chomali, who just happened to share a dinner table with the Pope, soon after the 267th Successor of Saint Peter was introduced to the world:   Chilean Cardinal Fernando Chomalí described the conclave that elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV as a profoundly spiritual and joyful experience, rooted in prayer and unity. "It was a very impressive ecclesial, spiritual and human experience," Cardinal Chomalí told OSV News on May 9. "I have no idea why, but I felt like I was carrying all of Chile in my heart, in my mind, even in my skin." Cardinal Chomalí, the archbishop of Santiago and Chile's only voting cardinal, said the weight of helping to elect the successor of Peter left him deeply moved. "You become aware of the responsibility of helping name the successor of Peter,...
Read more

Real Life Catholics on BBC TV defend Church Teaching on Contraception.

Image
This morning on BBC TV Sunday Morning Live there was a good debate inspired by Melinda Gates (who identifies as Catholic) comments about the pope potentially changing doctrine on contraception. The Catholic contributors were Fr Paddy McCafferty, Clare Short and Obianuju Ekeocha. I think they did really well. Uju's direction is very interesting and easily wrong foots those who want to impose western ideas of morality on Africans in an imperialistic way. Interesting that the presenter agrees with her on this. Fr Paddy gave a great account of his experience as a priest. He was compassionate, realistic and honest, while upholding the value and importance of the doctrine. Clare said she had experience of both ways and the Catholic way is better by far. I thought that was awesome! I especially liked her focus on equality and bringing the responsibility of both husband & wife into the discussion. Watch out for the bit where the other lady says "Pope Francis has ind...
Read more

Priest Writes to Pope Francis Addressing his Pluralism

Image
  An Open Letter to His Holiness, Pope Francis       The inside of the dome of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome with the words of Our Lord to St Peter,   Tu es petrus, et super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam; et portae inferi non prevalebunt adversus eam; et tibi dabo claves regni coelorum.   Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.   Mt 16:18-19 Most Holy Father,   Recently, you addressed the young people of Singapore. You encouraged them to engage critically with the world around them. You urged them to take risks. You warned them of the danger of becoming enslaved to social media and discouraged them from becoming closed in on themselves as a result of living their lives too much through social media. And you highlighted the need to be brave in standing up to bullies. The young p...
Read more