The Icon of Our Lady of Kazan

This is a photograph of the icon of Our Lady of Kazan that was kept by the Blue Army of Fatima in its Fatima headquarters (Domus Pacis) until it was entrusted to Pope John Paul 11. The Holy Father kept it in his private chapel and was aware of the Blue Army's intention that it should be returned to the Moscow Patriarchate following the conversion of Russia.

It was returned in 2004 in circumstances that some considered were not ideal. The Patriarch (the late Alexei) attempted to downplay the importance of the icon and it was clear that he was suspicious of the Pope's intentions. In fact John Paul 11 had hoped to visit Moscow personally. It must have been one of his personal regrets that this never happened.

The Icon of Kazan is said to have been discovered in 1579, in the Tartastan capital of Kazan, by a ten-year old girl called Matryona. It was said that the Holy Virgin appeared to the girl and instructed her to dig in the ashes of a burnt-out house. It was there that she discovered the original icon. The holy icon became famous and many miracles were connected with it, including the liberation of Moscow from the Poles in 1612.

We do not know which of the two authenticated versions is the original icon. Many believe that the Blue Army had the original and that there was a reluctance to acknowledge this on the part of the Moscow Patriarchate. The two icons were housed in the Cathedral in St. Petersburg and the Church of Our Lady of Kazan in Moscow. Both icons disappeared in the 1900's.

The icon which eventually found its way to Fatima and then to Rome was rescued from the hands of a private collector by Fr. Karl Patzel, the founder of the Byzantine Catholic Church of Our Lady of Fatima in San Francisco. He raised more than a million dollars for the purchase of the icon. It was first venerated in his church before being entrusted to the Blue Army which later gave it to the Pope who kept it for ten years before returning it to the Russian Church.

This icon is very important to Russia. Our Lady of Kazan also has the title of "Protectoress of Holy Russia". On a visit to Leningrad (St. Petersburg) in 1989, a Catholic layman, attorney Peter Anderson who knew the history of the Blue Army icon, was told by a Russian Orthodox deacon that the icon returned by the Pope was actually the original.

The "Softener of Evil Hearts" icon

The "Softener of Evil Hearts" Icon was present at the election of the new Russian Patriarch, and was seen by witnesses to be damp with myrrh. I suppose they knew it was myrrh because of the aroma. What is the significance of this?

First of all, it is necessary to know something about the Icon. It is believed to have come from southwestern Rus', but there is no real evidence that this is true. This means that we cannot say how old the original Icon was. It is unusual in its depiction of the seven swords or "sorrows" of the Mother of God with one sword piercing the heart from below. It is connected with the story of the Presentation of Christ when Simeon predicted that a sword would pierce the soul of Mary. In Orthodox teaching - as in other Christian traditions -following the Hebrew understanding, the number seven means "fullness" or "abundance". In this case the seven swords symbolise the fullness of the sorrow, pain and heartache experienced by the Immaculate Mother of God in her earthly life.

The Icon has been seen as "prophetic", pointing to a time when justice, peace and charity will be seen throughout the earth. Myrrh is not just a symbol of death (as in the gifts of the Magi). It is also a healing agent and is one of the ingredients of the oil of anointing connected with the Aaronic priesthood. In this Icon, and in the contect of the elction of a new Patriarch, the miraculous appearance of Myrrh cannot mean "future death", rather does it point towards healing and the anointing of a chosen servant of God. Many Russian Orthodox believers will no doubt see the miracle as a confirmation of the choice of Metropolitan Kirill, and will be hoping indeed that a time of peace and charity will come not only to Russia but to the world beyond.

Icons have been particularly important in the history of Russia and the Russian Church. There are another two Icons which are particulalry interesting in relation to the sufferings of the Russian people since the Revolution. The first is the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan, of which there were two significant copies. The original Icon was carried into battle by Peter the Great. One of the versions of the Icon was housed in the Cathedral of Our Lady in St. Petersburg. Under the communists this was turned into a museum. There is also a church dedicated to Our Lady of Kazan in Moscow and another connected to the csar's palace.

One of the versions of the Icon was bought at great expense from a private collector and found its way into the hands of the Blue Army (an association connected with the Message of Our Lady of Fatima). This was given to the Pope who said that he would return it to the Russian Church when he was sure it would be safe. Pope John Paul 11returned it to the Moscow Patriarchate in 2004. A picture of this Icon will be in my next posting.

Metropilitan Kirill is the New Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia - Deo Gratias!

The delegates to the Church Council meeting in Moscow have elected Metropolitan Kirill as the 16th Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. He received 72% of the votes. He needed just over half of them. There were three candidates, but one withdrew in favour of Kirill only two hours before the voting. The announcement was accompanied by the traditional peal of bells of the Cathedral of The Saviour.



It was reported on Russian television that the The Softener of Evil Hearts Mother of God Icon was streaming myrrh during the election. This Icon is always present at the election of a new Patriarch. It is seen as a prophetic Icon, promising a time of peace and charity. Because of this important and encouraging event, I hope to post more about this and other icons of Our Lady in the near future. Thanks be to God.

Valkyrie - A Short Meditation

This is my day off (or is that "off day"?). I went to the Cinema. I saw "Valkyrie", and was surprised at how good it is. In fact, in my opinion, it is excellent. Tom Cruise plays the real-life character Colonel Klaus Von Stauffenberg. He eventually became the leader of the plot to assassinate Hitler (July 1944). The story is pure tragic-opera. There is no singing until the wonderful music at the closing credits, but Wagner has a part to play.

Coming out of the cinema I was suprised to find myself moved (as they say). Questions arose as to how we are any better now than then. Whatever were the mixed motives of the conspirators (and they were truly mixed), whatever we may say about the mistaken way they went about their business, some of them, at least, were sickened by the continuing brutality of the war and, certainly, Stauffenburg was alarmed at the useless loss of life in the German Army.
The film suggests that he was also concerned about the plight of the Jews, but there is no proof of that. Still, the question is unavoidable; are we any better now?

Having seen a film like this, which is good enough to make me think about the horrors of Nazi Germany, and the plight of so many who wanted to live in peace and know the "good times" once again, I cannot help focusing on the tragedy of abortion. If governments uphold and promote the so-called right of parents to kill their own unborn children, can abortion be classed as a systematic act? Theologically I think there is a case to be made for this. If God "respects" the use of human authority - in the sense of "respecting" the freedom of will and the choice of citizens to agree with the rule of their governments - then what we have in legalised abortion is a systematic sentence of death against the most vulnerable members of human society. I have in mind Our Lord's words to Pilate; "You would have no power over Me unless it had been given you from above", and it is clear that the consequences of King David's sins could be visited on the people.

No, we are no better. When we consider the dreadful sufferings of the people of Zimbabwe, and the situation in Gaza, we can easily admit that human lives are being used, abused and destroyed for the vain material and "political" ambitions of a few. The uniforms and vehicles have changed, the names look very different, the methods used are just as barbaric, (even if sometimes more refined), and brutality, torture, murder, false imprisonment and hatred are still with us, and they are just as bad - if not worse - than before. There is some concern that anti-semitism is still with us, but what we have in abortion is worse than that. This is not an attack against a particular people within the human race; this is fundamentally an attack on the human race itself. Just as much as the Nazi Party, it is the work of Satan. The unblinking inability to hear the truth of those who perpetrate this madness suggests the presence of another intelligence. It is the same as that which inspired the madness of Hitler, and just as well-hidden from the minds and hearts of the majority of people as it ever was. The light and truth of the Gospel have never been more needed.

A False Prophet

President Obama is testimony to the true Godlessness of so many in Western society. The hopes of many center around the economy, health and opportunity. Freedom, the cause of the great black marches and the cry of Martin Luther King is not "freedom for all". Obama and his supporters have betrayed Martin Luther King and other black Christian leaders. In celebrating their own "liberty" they have agreed to consign the weakest of the weak - weaker than even the disenfranchised blacks of the '50's - the unborn, to the rubbish bins and the incinerators.

The inauguration of this false prophet is surely one of the darkest days in America's history. I have an image of the angels in the United States standing aghast at the stupidity and recklessness of so many who voted out of pride, fear, ambition and poverty, without recognising they were about to contribute to the impoverishment of their souls and their nation.

Pro-Life activists and groups, the real Catholic Church in The United States, Orthodox Christians, Jewish people and others who are against abortion are now called upon to give of their very best in the fight for the most helpless ones amongst them.

In Great Britain, the godless caverns of the TV companies have spewed out a sickening pro-Obama catalogue of praise. I heard in passing that Obama had somewhere said, "I was not born in a stable!". Dear Lord, can't people see what is going on? After all this time, are so many still so blind?

Pope Speaks of the Need for "Authentic Spiritual Renewal" for Christian Unity

Follow this link to CNA (Catholic News Agency) to hear the Holy Father's words about the need for interior renewal in the cause of Christian Unity.

Orthodox Easter in Alexandria 2008; an exercise in Ecumenism.

Above is a photograph of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria distributing traditional Easter eggs at a celebration at the Greek Consulate after the Easter morning Liturgy. I was there.

I went to Alexandria with around 160 other Christians (Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican and others). We had been invited by Vassula Ryden who is Greek Orthodox and was going back to her home town (she was born in Egypt) to celebrate Easter.

When Vassula came to England last year I saw on at least one blog the statement that she is not in good standing with her own Orthodox Church. I wrote to correct this. The Orthodox Communion is constantly suffering internal disagreements. As I said then, when I first became interested in Orthodoxy I began reading an Orthodox journal in which it was quite common to read of one bishop excommunicating another! In recent times the late Patriarch of Moscow threatened schism with the Greek Orthodox Church over a celebration organised by the Ukranian Orthodox Church to which the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Archbishop of Athens had been invited - but not the Russian Patriarch! It was actually the Patriarch of Constantinople who helped to mend this apparent breach by calling ALL the Patriarchs together and inviting them to pledge unity with each other.

Vassula was born in Egypt and spent her childhood there. Although she spends much of her time in Rhodos where she has a family home (when not travelling to some part of the world), she regards the Patriarch of Alexandria as her Patriarch. Whatever the clergy may say about her in Athens - or in Rhodos - you will see from the video below that she is certainly on good terms with the Patriarch of Alexandria, as are all those who accompany her on her journeys and pilgrimages.

This is not the only example of Orthodox openness. I was present at an Orthodox Liturgy (and with others invited to receive Holy Communion) at one of the strictest Greek Orthodox monasteries in the world - on Mt. Tabor. The Archimandrite who arranged it for us told us that we were making history! I was also able to take part (never as a concelebrant, please understand) in the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy in the Church of St. James in Jerusalem (next door to the Holy Sepulchre). Ecumenism doesn't get any better than this just now - but it will!

By the way, the camel was not one of the party!

Christian Unity, Vassula Ryden and "True Life in God"

This is a photograph of Vassula Ryden with Cardinal Toppo of India. We had just celebrated Mass at the shrine of Our Lady's House at Ephesus and the Cardinal had said, in his homily, the future is "True Life in God"! Below in the blog list, you will see some links to information about Vassula and her writings. Now for a few basic facts.


The Notification against Vassula and her writings, issued by the Roman Catholic Congregation for The Faith has not been removed. There are a few reasons for this. First of all, every statement made by the Holy See passes into the archives and remains there. Secondly, there can be no definitive statement made about "True Life in God" at this time, whilst Vassula is still alive. The Notification was not a condemnation, but a "warning". It was Cardinal Ratzinger (now His Holiness) who said this in answer to a question in the Italian journal "30 Days" (see the blog links below). The Notification was not personally issued by Card. Ratzinger. A Brazilian bishop, Rt. Rev. Joao Evangelista Terra, S.J. who at that time worked under him and was a member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission personally asked the Cardinal what he should do about these writings which he, the Bishop, had found to be in agreement with Catholic teaching and personally inspiring. The Cardinal's answer was to carry on as before (that is reading and meditating on the "messages") but to do so carefully.


When Vassula issued a document answering all the questions raised by the Notification (made possible with the help of Fr. Prospero Grech who had worked on the staff of the CDF) it was Cardinal Ratzinger who, in writing to some Bishops' Conferences, said that she had provided "useful clarifications". He then sent a message to Vassula telling her that her clarifications should be published in her books, thus allowing for the possibility of her books being obtained and read. In other words, the books are NOT, in any way, banned! Catholics are free to read and profit from Vassula's writings, and are free to decide, according to human faith, whether they be inspired by God or not. In issuing the "warning" the CDF did not prohibit Catholics from reading the books, and neither did the Cardinal.



We have moved on from there. The books have received an imprimatur from Bishop Toppo (no relation to the Cardinal above) and he has explained how and why he did this in a video interview which can be accessed through the main TLIG web site (see below). Bishop Toppo is a Jesuit and was for a time a Novice Master and seminary professor.



My own story regarding "True Life in God" begins with my disapproval of it. I am not without some experience in these matters. For over 25 years I have been the spiritual director of a mystic (I took this on with my bishop's knowledge and continued at his request). I am also a diocesan exorcist. I had not read much of Vassula's writings, and like most people who hear about her, I had relied on second and third hand information, some of it from people I admired and trusted, and had formed the opinion that she and her writings were highly suspect and should be avoided. I even told some Catholics who were interested her to have nothing to do with her.


However, visiting a pilgrimage hostel in Wales, I discovered a copy of her book on sale in the corridor, and warned the manager, Sister Mary, that this was a mistake on her part and that the book should be immediately removed. She told me that it was a local hermit who had placed it there. I spoke to the hermit. She, quite reasonably asked if I had read any of the writings, and suggested that I might look at them before condemning them! I agreed. From the first page I felt that I had recognised a "voice" I had known since my childhood. I realise that this is subjective, but I could not deny this inner certainty. Who was it? I can express it best by saying that I identified it with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Real Presence in the Tabernacle, the Face on the Shroud, and the One who, I believed, had called me into the priesthood. Another thing happened which was very odd and inexplicable (I will not go into that here - it might take too long). Very quickly after that I met Vassula in Rome and celebrated Mass in her house. From that day I became convinced that she is completely sane and extremely honest and open. She appears to have no psychological issues and is "ordinary" in the best sense. She does not promote herself, as though she is some celebrity, but speaks openly about her faith and about the God she loves and serves.


I mention her now because one of the main reasons for the "messages" is the call to unity. In these writings we find the elements of the One Church and the spiritual path to unity. There is nothing new here, but the writings contain a sense of urgency and are full of spiritual wisdom. One Catholic bishop compared them to the writings of St. Catherine of Sienna. The keys to unity are "humility and love", and it is clear that the One Church will contain all that is best and essential in Catholic and Orthodox and Protestant churches. The Petrine ministry is central, as is the Real Presence. As far as Roman Catholics are concerned these writings reaffirm Catholic Tradition as they do Orthodox Tradition. Protestants of different backgrounds will recognise here something that is central to their faith - as it is to the faith of all Christians - the personal call from God to an intimate relationship with Him. These messages also contain what I believe are some of the most beautiful words written about the Mother of God. The books are read by Christians (and others) throughout the world in almost every language. They are read by Christians of different denominations including Greek and Russian Orthodox, Lutherans, Evangelicals, Marionites, Greek Catholics, Copts and Catholic Copts, Armenian Orthodox, Anglicans and others. More information can be found on the web site (see below).

Here is the video of the Brazilian bishop speaking about Vassula, Cardinal Ratzinger and the writings known as "True Life in God"

Pray for the Russian Orthodox Church

The Russian Orthodox Church will have a new Patriarch at the end of January. The "caretaker" is Metropolitan Kiril (seen here). He is the most ecumenical of the candidates and for that reason is not popular with most of the Bishops who tend to be more nationalistic.

In my opinion (shared by many others, I'm sure) it would be better for future ecumenical relations and the hope of Christian Unity if Kiril was elected. However, there may be other factors that we know nothing about. We must pray that God's candidate is elected and that fear and prejudice play little part in the choice. The Russian Orthodox Church is a powerhouse of prayer and devotion. As Pope John Paul 11 wrote, The Body of Christ needs to breathe with "both lungs" and this means that East and West must be reconciled. Let us pray-fervently-that the coming election of the new Patriarch ushers in a new era in Rome/Russia relations.

Choking on "Holy Smoke"

Being relatively new to blogging, I investigated Catholic and Christian blogs to see what others were reading and following. I had some respect for Damien Thompson, a Catholic journalist who has often been quite forthright and also insightful. His blog, "Holy Smoke" is disappointing, being full of rumour and satirical invective against the bishops of England and Wales. Some of the "posters" are very angry and disappointed people. Others seem to be just hurt, confused or looking for answers. I decided to try my hand at posting a few comments. I tried to defend my bishop against some of the, frankly, ridiculous accusations thrown at him (of course he is not there to defend himself). I mentioned a priest who has been supported against my bishop and merely said that the whole truth was not known and pointed out that there were faults on the other side. In my view they are "shocking" faults (but this is my opinion). What followed was a searing rebuke from one person in particular, and he was supported by a few others. The suggestion was that all priests of my generation are to blame for the whole sad situation of the church in these islands. Of course I realise that this was hyperbole, exaggerated to get some kind of fighting response, but I refuse to be drawn into arguing against what I consider to be a childish and uncharitable display of - let's say it - arrogance.

I decided to leave, and did. I then revisited briefly - twice - to see if there was any chance of my participating in the future. I then discovered that I was being accused of having a "martyr complex" of running away from a fight (I think this is called cowardice) and of not being open enough about my defence of my bishop, the cause of the present malaise(es) in the local church, the comments I made about a fellow priest etc.

I did not say any more about my fellow priest because I felt unable to do so, for more than one reason. Of course, some of those posters would have insisted I explain myself. In that blog everything has to be made plain, revealed and examined. However, I am not prepared to do this to another priest. That fact that I said he had made mistakes and that not everything could be blamed on my bishop was not enough for some of them and it was clear - whatever some of them now say - that the exchanges had become personal because I would not do what they want. Because I did not follow their instructions or wishes I am now regarded as a coward or less than honest.

I don't know what Damien Thompson's motives are in running this blog. I find it absurd - a theatre of some sort which includes comic horrors - and as much as I value satire (I am a great admirer of Ian Hislop), this blog is less than helpful except to those who post on it. Some of them seem to be fairly reasonable people. Perhaps they think this is where they will get the support and friendship they need - perhaps it is not about that at all. Whatever they think it is about or want it to be about (some say it is precisely a "place" for vituperative, blunt, bad-mannered exchanges - all in the service of Church and country) to me it seems a waste of time and ultimately useless as a debating forum or echange of views. Why so many other Christians keep it on their blog list is now a puzzle to me. Do they actually read it or participate in it? Perhaps that is the thing to do - read it only, like holding a spitting cat at a distance so you don't get scratched. Of course I shall be criticised for that one - cowardice again, but I am a cat lover and have been deeply scratched more times than I care to remember. I'm just a bit fed up with it now, and I see it as unnecessary - like "Holy Smoke".

Thicket Priory

I just returned from three nights at Thicket Priory, near York. It houses a community of Carmelite nuns. It is built on the site of a 12th century Cistercian Monastery (of nuns) which was destroyed during the Reformation. The present house belonged to Lord and Lady Dunnington-Jefferson who generously sold the house to the sisters, taking only the proceeds from the sale of the Exmouth Carmel where the community was originally established.

Since I have been visiting (on and off for over twenty years!), the community has become smaller. The house, which is big enough for an old-fashioned private school, is too big for the sisters - and quite cold! Now they are to move to a purpose built convent with ecological features such as geo-heating and a certain kind of seed plant on the roof which both insulates the building and releases ecological gasses into the air (I can't quite remember the details).

I have usually stayed in the lovely cottage in the grounds, though sometimes I have been billeted in the rooms annexed to the convent. In the cottage we fend for ourselves (though the sisters have always stocked up the larder!). In the annex I was fed by the sisters - I should say, overfed!

I love this place, and this community. There is a wonderful sense of humour in the place as well as the inevitable peace that comes from entering a place of prayer. I hope they continue to provide a suitable spot for pilgrims like myself.

What on Earth is Happening to Some People

A student has been expelled from the Young Conservatives for dressing up (at some party or other) as Madelene McCann and then boasting about it on the web, describing his costume and props. Other young conservatives seem to have gone along with his tasteless behaviour.

When I read or hear about this sort of thing I ask myself what is happening to people. Why are some people apparently so insensitive and even deliberately cruel these days? I know, of course, that some people have been like this in the past. However, some of the things people do to each other now - and I am talking about apparently ordinary, well-educated, apparently sensible people - belong in the darkest corners of the Middle Ages. I must admit the same question entered my head regarding the famous Jonathon Ross/Russell Brand idiocy when they rang Andrew Sachs. Of course, we then found out that the grandaughter possibly did sleep with Brand. She belongs to a rock band which trades on the explicit promotion of sex (not a new thing I know, but this is not your average band!).

As a priest I have sensed a change even in Mass-going Catholics. Sometimes I hear the most appalling condemnations of others coming out of their mouths and criticisms that - for my ears perhaps - stop short of bad language. I am not talking about someone condemning someone like Adolf Hitler, but another parishioner who "says this" or "does that" or, even worse, is "that kind of person". Fortunately I have to say this is not a big problem in my present parish, but it certainly was in the last place.

I wonder, though, at how a student -presumably with more than half a brain - could have thought that that kind of activity - even in private - was acceptable. He apologises now because he has been exposed. Presumably he does not believe in God and therefore does not know that even his thoughts are known. Ultimately this is the answer isn't it - lack of faith, even for our fellow Christians who "slag" each other off and then go to Holy Communion without any regrets?

It isn't just lack of faith, it's the quality of our faith, and then there is the related issue of how much we value or de-value human life and hence the beliefs, sufferings, feelings of other people.

Reception of Holy Communion

I was very impressed with the following, found on the blog, massinformation. It comes from an Anglo-Catholic parish, Christ Church, Tunstall. The priest, Father John Stather SSC, writes the following (in italics below) in his Parish Magazine to encourage a move away from 'dunking' the host into the chalice during Holy Communion.

I have been present in Roman Catholic churches where some members of the congregation did the same thing. It is forbidden by the Bishops of England and Wales, but when the matter is reported, usually, little or no action is taken. I once questioned whether parishioners should stand or kneel for the reception of Holy Communion. In most, if not all, Roman Catholic churches in England and Wales most people stand, and it seems to be expected that they will. I was told that it would be too difficult for people to kneel for reception of the chalice. My sister's father-in-law, an Anglican living in Italy who has special permission from the Catholic bishop to receive Holy Communion at Catholic Mass, said, "but we have always knelt in the Church of England and have had no problems".

Here we have an Anglican priest speaking about reverence and respect for the Real Presence in language which would not be used by some RC priests, and giving excellent instruction to his people.

The whole of our ritual at Christ Church is there to emphasise things that words alone cannot fully express. As we move, we highlight important things that are going on in the Mass, such as when we enter church and the Mass begins or at the Gospel procession. The bells are rung to give added emphasis to certain parts of the service, to remind us that something really special is happening and we are to pay particular attention and re-focus our prayers. The colours of the vestments have a message about the season of the year and the tone of that liturgical season. The whole of the liturgy of the Mass is there to support one central point; in the Mass we seek and find Jesus. We seek him in His word to us from Scripture and the way that is expounded in sermon and intercession. We need to look for and find Him in the people of God; we do this most when we share the Peace with one another, as a sign of our unity in Baptism and membership of Jesus Christ and His Church.We find Him most of all in the bread and wine which we present for His use at the offertory, which through the action of the Holy Spirit, together with the words and actions of His agent and servant the priest, becomes His actual Body and Blood. It becomes the Lamb of God, which was slain for us to bring us to God in a powerful and real way. Here, we are reminded that in each and every sacrifice of the Mass, He is present among us and for us.The Liturgy of the Mass all points us in this direction. In the Mass, Jesus Christ, God Himself, becomes present for us. It is with this understanding that great care is taken when we administer the great Sacrament of the Mass. We should prepare for the service with prayer and fasting. We at all times seek to offer the very best worship we can. We should be prayerful and devout when we come to the altar rail to receive Christ’s Body and Blood. We leave the altar humbled and awe-struck at the enormity of Him whom we have received and all that must mean for the followers of Jesus, returning to our seats with prayers of thanksgiving.As our whole reason for being finds its climax when we receive our Communion, it is so important that we receive in an appropriate way. We receive the Host itself either directly onto the tongue or on our hand and then one consumes it straightaway. We then receive the Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ directly from the Chalice. Our Lord at the Last Supper said “Take this, all of you, and drink from it”, a simple command if there ever was one. Sometimes people feel they ought not to receive from the Chalice. Perhaps they have a cold or are feeling unwell and are worried about passing that on. With the care given when the Chalice is administered and the nature of the silver used for chalice construction (silver has always been considered to have properties that will resist transfer of infection, so the chance of passing something on to others is very small indeed). Those most at risk would be the clergy, as they are required to consume all that is left of the Precious Blood from the Chalice before the Mass ends. Perhaps the only occasion one might feel one ought not to receive from the chalice could be if one has an open sore on the lips.Some people feel a way around this is to dip the Body of Christ into the Chalice. This is not a practice of the Universal Church and is one that ought to be discouraged. On health grounds one is very likely to find that the germs on ones hands are infinitely more than on one’s lips. If we have a cold, then blowing of noses will transfer bacteria to the hands in vast numbers. This is why our hospitals today all have so many points for hand cleansing, for patients, staff and visitors. Hands are dirty things. To think we are helping by using our hand to dip the Host into the Chalice will not maintain any clean or sterile procedures at all; in fact it may make things worse.There is an added problem here; one that is noticed when Holy Communion is being administered. People, who dip, may endanger the Blessed Sacrament. Endanger the Body and Blood of Jesus. This is not a reverential way to proceed. There are times when the Sacrament is dipped when things can go wrong. Too much of the Precious Blood is taken up by the Host and the Host drops into the Chalice. At other times, too much of the precious Blood is taken up by the Host and then drips on to the clothing of the person concern or onto the floor. Is this any way to treat God’s Body and Blood?If we have concerns about taking the Precious Blood of Christ from the Chalice, then we ought to receive in one kind only and receive only the Host, the small wafer that has become Christ’s Body. This has been the practice of the Church for hundreds of years. We all receive our Communion on Good Friday in this manner. If we are ill or in Hospital we would receive our Communion in this way. Whether we receive in one kind or both kinds we receive the fullness of Christ’s saving power. To receive in one kind only does not put the Sacrament at risk and will not lead us into a state of sin. The sin of not recognising God when we find Him in the Sacrament and then treating Him appropriately. To fall into this sin brings us face to face with God’s wrath, as the Book of Common Prayer puts it with regard to this particular sin.If one chooses not to receive from the Chalice, for whatever reason, that is up to one’s own conscience but if one decides not to, then one ought then to receive only in one kind and allow the chalice to pass one by. People will not think any less of us; they ought to be focused on their own prayers anyway. One would not be missing out on anything, as one will have received the fullness of the Sacrament already.Two other small points with regard to receiving from the Chalice.It is important to allow the Chalice to pass by and be at a safe distance before we stand from the altar rail and move away. A good guide is to allow the person next to us to receive their Communion and for the Chalice to pass from them before we ourselves move. If we stand too quickly, we may knock the person receiving or administering the Blessed Sacrament.If any of us find kneeling difficult or getting up from the rail difficult, please stand to receive your Communion. You may need to steady the foot of the Chalice if you stand to aid the Eucharistic Minister

The Blind that Will Not Listen

See the report on the Anglican mainstream blog

The photograph above is one I took when I was giving a retreat two Advents ago at the Carmelite Monastery near York. I've always been fascinated by this particular scene. It reminds me of the choice put before us in the Scriptures - life or death. I thought I would use it to head what I want to say about the present difficulties in the Anglican Communion.

First of all, it has to be said that the vision of unity that some hold to within the Anglican Communion is a fantasy. When Jesus prayed for His followers to be united (John's Gospel) He asked that they be one as He and the Father are one. In no sense is this reflected in the Anglican Communion. Now, I know what some will say. They will say that there are problems in the Roman Catholic Church and there are even bigger problems between different Orthodox Churches. Yes, that is true, but what we see in the Anglican Communion are problems of a different order.

Orthodoxy is strong in its teaching and Liturgy, and in spite of procedural, pastoral and jurisdictional problems (some of which have almost brought some of the Orthodox into another schism), the Orthodox faith remains intact and strong. They know what they believe and the vast majority stick to it. The Roman Catholic Church has had, and may continue to have, some doctrinal disputes - some of them quite serious - but we have the Magisterium (the Pope and the Bishops). As long as the Magisterium remains united and strong, then there will always be an official body of Catholic doctrine to which all Catholics are expected to adhere. History also shows that even when things become so bad that it looks as though chaos is about to reign, something happens to unite the Church (and I do not mean war). This has not happened to the Anglican Communion (unless, in this context, we allow for war)

How can there be any sense of real unity when one bishop says to another, "you are not a bishop"? Bishops either have the Apostolic ministry or they do not. There simply cannot be a "church" which says to itself, "Here are some bishops which all of us believe to be validly ordained, and here are some which some of us think are validly ordained - but they all belong together". No, it's sheer nonsense, and that's why I put the title, "The Blind who will not listen". This is the simple truth; there is no unity where some believe some of the bishops are not bishops. There can be no argument here. Even with the most watery meaning of "unity", there can be no argument. Many of us saw this happening with the "ordination" of women. Now it is really happening, and Anglicans seem powerless to do anything about it.

I have some Anglican friends and I respect them deeply. They are men and women of deep faith and I continue to learn much from them regarding the spiritual life. However, it has to be said that the Anglican Communion is dying - if it is, in fact, still alive. Perhaps disestablishment will simply remove the crutches that are holding it up. As for the faith that many hold, this remains, and must find its expression in another place, another communion. I am deeply sorry for so many who feel that they are losing something even more valuable than their homes. To my Anglican friends I offer my sincere prayers and my hope that they will find a solution or an end to their present sufferings.

The Feast of SS Basil and Gregory Nazianzen

The feast of these two Cappadocian Fathers is a reminder to us of the importance of Christian Unity. We know that both of them fought hard against Arianism and therefore in the cause of unity. They remind us of the need of theology to be informed by prayer - or to put it another way, that there is no true theology without a personal relationship with God. It is not simply a historical footnote that Saint Gregory Nazianzen is nicknamed "The Theologian".

Pope John Paul 11 wrote that the Church (and I presume here that he meant the Roman Catholic Church) is "breathing with one lung". He went on to explain that the other lung is in the East and that Catholic and Orthodox need to unite so that the Body of Christ can breathe with both lungs. It is a terrific image because it shows the necessity of unity. The cause of Christian Unity is not an "add-on" to the Christian life; it is rather one of our main priorities. Through my involvement in "True Life in God" I have many Orthodox friends (mainly Greek Orthodox). With them I pray daily for unity.

Thinking about the need for a truly spiritual theology, I am reminded of the late Cardinal Urs Von Balthsathar's view that the greatest theologian of the twentieth century was Karl Barth (Lutheran). It is men and women of faith AND prayer (real not lip-service "prayer") that do the best and most inspiring theology.

May Saints Basil and Gregory pray for us that we may have true theologians and that we may advance quickly towards the reunion of East and West.

The above icon is of Saints Basil, Gregory and John Chrysostom (The Three Holy Hierarchs) and Saint Paraskeva. The inclusion of Paraskeva will be understood by readers of "True Life in God".