Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 22nd September 2023
Abbot Paul • September 21, 2023
There is much debate today as to the role and ministry of women in the Church. The Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church and the ancient Churches of the East do not ordain women to the presbyterate, even as deacons, whereas the Anglican Church and other reformed Churches do, but these tend not to have the same theology of priesthood. I remember once a lovely United Reformed lady minister asking me why we didn’t have women priests in the Catholic Church. I replied by asking if she was a priest. No, she said, I’m a minister, quite horrified at the thought of priesthood. I replied by saying that the Catholic Church was just like her Church, that we have many women Taking part in ministry in the Catholic Church, but not as priests. Think of all the vital ministries being fulfilled by women in your parish and you’ll see what I mean, which brings us to today’s short Gospel passage from Luke, (8: 1-3), who highlights the participation of women in the life of Jesus and his disciples and in the life of the early Church.
Luke tells us that, “Jesus made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God.“ Jesus is on a mission. He knows that time is short and that the Good News of the kingdom of God must be proclaimed in as many places as he can reach, but he does not travel alone, there must have been quite a retinue with him. In fact, Luke tells us who accompanied him on this journey, this pilgrimage of salvation. “With him went the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own resources.” First of all, we have the Twelve, but then Luke tells of the women who also went with him. These were women who had been healed by Jesus and were moved by loving gratitude to follow him and, like the disciples, leaving the security of home and family. More than that, it was these women who made the mission possible by their logistical and financial support. We read of similar support in the Acts of the Apostles. We are given the names of three of them, with some detail about the first two. They are Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna, but there are several more besides. They obviously played an important role in the ministry of Jesus, which would not have been possible without them. This leads us all to ask ourselves today. What can I do to help Jesus, to support his ministry of salvation? How can I help proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God?
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We are sad to announce that Fr Stephen died on Monday 21st October 2055. He was 94. He died peacefully in hospital, having recently fractured his shoulder. He was a beloved member of the monastic community, who had settled back at Belmont after many years on Belmont parishes, including in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford and Weobley. He will be much missed. His Requiem Mass will be at Belmont on Wednesday, 5th November at 11.30am followed by burial in the monastic cemetery. The Reception of his Body into the Abbey Church will take place on Tuesday, 4th November, at 5.45pm.
With honoured guests we were delighted to open our doors again of our new guesthouse and conference centre: The Chapterhouse.
"A hymn to the human body." Abbot Brendan's Homily at the annual Mass celebrated at Rotherwas Chapel in Hereford that dates from the 1580s on the feast of the Assumption.
From Francis to Leo: A special event with Christopher Lamb of CNN in conversation with Austin Ivereigh who commentated for the BBC on the transition from Pope Francis to Pope Leo.
On 12th June an Ecumenical Service was held at Hereford Cathedral to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.
