Church History was made in London, England on January 1, 2011. It was no accident that it occurred on the Feast of the Mother of God in the Roman Liturgical calendar - when the Church paused to commemorate the humble Virgin whose obedient "Yes" brought heaven to earth and earth to heaven. In Westminster Cathedral, a prophetic sign of the coming full communion of the Church took place.
Without any fanfare the former Anglican Bishop of Ebbsfleet, Andrew Burnham, former Anglican Bishop of Fulham, John Broadhurst and former Anglican Bishop of Richborough, Keith Newton, all dressed in suits and ties, were called forward during Holy Mass. Along with them were several members of their families and three Anglican sisters from the Anglican community at Walsingham. As Baptized Christians already, they made the profession of the Ancient Creed adding "I believe and profess all that the Holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God." They were then confirmed and returned to their seats to what one observer called "gentle applause". When the time came to receive Holy Communion, they came forward, now as Christians in full communion with the Catholic Church, to receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.
Accounts indicate that the simplicity of the reception caught the Press off guard. They probably expected a lot more fanfare. It was "Marian" for a reason. Humility forms the path toward the healing of the divisions in the Body of Christ. Those who came forward did so with humility. They gave their own "Yes" to the invitation of the Lord who continues His redemptive mission through His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Pope Benedict XVI is the Pope of Christian Unity. Do not underestimate the significance of what occurred. We will mark January 1, 2011, the Feast of the Mother of God, as the beginning of the healing of a division in the Body of Christ. It was no accident that the seed of the healing began in the land of John Henry Cardinal Newman. He prayed for this day. It is also no accident that the Pope of Christian unity raised him to the altars just months ago. It was a prophetic act.
Andrew Burnham, John Broadhurst and Keith Newton will be ordained to the Diaconate on Thursday 13th January. Then, two days later, Saturday, January 15, 2011 they will be ordained to the Holy Priesthood. They will be set aside to serve a beautiful expression of legitimate diversity within the Unity of the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. January 1, 2010 marks the beginning of a new chapter in Church history.
