My earlier (and supposedly lighthearted) post on the subject of a Catholic Guild (of which I heartily approve) seems to have produced a spate of worried concerns about "exclusions". I don't think that exclusions are on anyone's mind at all other than a few who appear fearful of such a fate. So, in an effort to redress the situation here is my (emphasis on the 'my') take on the issue following on from Fr John's comments.
Fr John Abberton from the North of England poses the question of eligibility; in addition, he has certain reservations about such a Guild. What will its Mission Statement be? (gosh, it's ten years or more since I heard that phrase), Will a test of faith be required? is it even necessary? And, finally, he will not be joining.
The answer is, I have no idea. I presume those involved and those of us attending will hammer out a plan and a format.
But I can give the Father a guesstimate about a few things. And here I hasten to add that the following is my analysis of how things will broadly pan out, not rocket science, as is said.
1. I hope there will be no Mission Statement but just an overarching descriptor.
2. All Catholic bloggers will be free to join as long as they abide by the teachings of Holy Mother Church. That means that a blogger from the (shall we say) left wing, charismatic type end of the Church is just as welcome as one from the right wing end. But it has to be said that, from those who are present on the average blogroll, most are traditional and would perhaps be described as right of centre.
3. No test of faith is required. Other than the normal ducking stool immersion for ten minutes. If you come out alive after that, you're in.
4. Is a Guild necessary? Well, with the Father coming from the North I would have thought that the answer to that one was obvious. The Guilds in the past were a wonderful way of bringing together people united in their industry. A chance for a little feasting on high days and holy ones and with more than a smattering of regular daily devotions plus an annual Mass and bun fight on the feast of their patron saint. A good and Catholic way of carrying on, praying, rousting and supporting one another. Sounds pretty good to me.
5. And what of those who do not join? Well, that's up to them. My father used to be a Knight of St Columba but I never joined - no big deal! As for planning to exclude people...I think not, provided they meet the basics.
I make the above comments without any recourse to Dylan Parry, Jane Mossendew, Mac McLernon and others so I could well be shot down in flames but basic Catholic common sense tells me I'm in the right neck of the woods. (I hope).
Fr John Abberton from the North of England poses the question of eligibility; in addition, he has certain reservations about such a Guild. What will its Mission Statement be? (gosh, it's ten years or more since I heard that phrase), Will a test of faith be required? is it even necessary? And, finally, he will not be joining.
The answer is, I have no idea. I presume those involved and those of us attending will hammer out a plan and a format.
But I can give the Father a guesstimate about a few things. And here I hasten to add that the following is my analysis of how things will broadly pan out, not rocket science, as is said.
1. I hope there will be no Mission Statement but just an overarching descriptor.
2. All Catholic bloggers will be free to join as long as they abide by the teachings of Holy Mother Church. That means that a blogger from the (shall we say) left wing, charismatic type end of the Church is just as welcome as one from the right wing end. But it has to be said that, from those who are present on the average blogroll, most are traditional and would perhaps be described as right of centre.
3. No test of faith is required. Other than the normal ducking stool immersion for ten minutes. If you come out alive after that, you're in.
 |
| Yep, he's breathing, enrol him! |
4. Is a Guild necessary? Well, with the Father coming from the North I would have thought that the answer to that one was obvious. The Guilds in the past were a wonderful way of bringing together people united in their industry. A chance for a little feasting on high days and holy ones and with more than a smattering of regular daily devotions plus an annual Mass and bun fight on the feast of their patron saint. A good and Catholic way of carrying on, praying, rousting and supporting one another. Sounds pretty good to me.
5. And what of those who do not join? Well, that's up to them. My father used to be a Knight of St Columba but I never joined - no big deal! As for planning to exclude people...I think not, provided they meet the basics.
I make the above comments without any recourse to Dylan Parry, Jane Mossendew, Mac McLernon and others so I could well be shot down in flames but basic Catholic common sense tells me I'm in the right neck of the woods. (I hope).
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