We don't need outside forces to destroy Christians

I am following the news about the conversion of ex-Anglicans Bishops and their folk to the Catholic Faith. It is truly a great news as the body of Christ has been broken for so long. This move by the ex-Anglican Bishops is a brave one although it will bring a lot of pain. What I cannot understand is why is there so much 'bad feelings' when such things happen?

Christians really do not need outside forces to destroy the Church. We can do it ourselves. We do a better job. Read this piece of news.

The Norfolk village that's known as "England's Nazareth" has become the centre of a row about defections from the Church of England to Rome. Three Anglican nuns have reportedly been forced to leave the Priory of Our Lady of Walsingham after expressing an interest in joining the Roman Catholic church. They shared the house at Walsing-ham with four older nuns, and it is believed they caused upset by stating their intention to join the Ordinariate, a structure set up by Pope Benedict to welcome disillusioned Anglicans into the Catholic fold. In a joint statement, the nuns said: "On December 2, 2010, Sr Wendy Renate, Sr Jane Louise and Sr Carolyne Joseph left the Priory of Our Lady [of] Walsingham for a period of discernment with the intention of joining the Ordinariate when established. We ask prayers for ourselves and for the sisters remaining at the Priory of Our Lady." Sr Mary Teresa, now the priory's acting reverend mother, told the EDP yesterday that the nuns' decision had come as a shock but that they had the right to follow their consciences. "It's been so awful," she added. "It's been a very uncomfortable thing to have happened. We're so devastated by all this." One national newspaper has reported that sisters Wendy Renate, Jane Louise and Carolyne Joseph wanted to stay at the priory until they were able to be received as Catholics but were told to leave as soon as possible. Fr Peter Geldard, a Catholic convert and a chaplain at Kent University, has been quoted as saying: "In the purest sense they've left with nothing and were hardly able to leave with the clothes they were wearing." They were told they could wear their habits provided they put them in the post as soon as possible... but they have won the admiration of people for the way they have taken this decision and gone into the unknown." Bishop Lindsay Urwin, administrator of the Shrine of Our Lady, said in a statement: "Because of the pain caused by their decision, they were asked to leave as soon as possible. We are very sad that the sisters have left, but I do not condemn their decision." He told the EDP yesterday that he did not wish to make any further comment other than to ask for the prayers of everyone in the continuing quest for the unity of the Church in challenging times.

December 22, 2010

What Sisters Wendy Renate, Jane Louise and Carolyne Joseph have done, reminds me of what St. Peter said "We have left everything to follow You!" Matthew 19:27

Yes, these ex-Anglicans have left everything .

To me Anglicans are the "closest relatives" of the Catholic faith than any other denominations. Let's find what we have in common and work towards. Let's hope and pray that very soon The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams himself will also make that move to come back to Mother Church.

Let's us ask Blessed Newman to pray for us.

O God, who bestowed on the Priest Blessed John Henry Newman
the grace to follow your kindly light and find peace in your Church;
graciously grant that, through his intercession and example,
we may be led out of shadows and images
into the fullness of your truth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Dedication of Risen Christ Church, Air Itam, Penang

The Dedication of the Church of Risen Christ, Ayer Itam, Penang. The church was built in 1968, renovated in 1978 and this was the third renovation. Rev. Augustine Wong undertook the third renovation which started ten years ago. Now it is truly a simple but magnificent church.

His Lordship Rev. Antony Selvanayagam, Bishop of Penang, was the main celebrant.

The Chief Minister of Penang, Tuan Lim Guan Eng was so kind to be present for part of the ceremony. He truly has the people in his heart.