A holy man tipped to lead the nation’s Catholics

Paul Potts

Dear Mary (what, not another one?} I;d have thought when an outsider gets this kind of publicity, that's the end of him. Not that he wants to be cardinalised, or does he? The reason why the Vatican might be looking again for a Religious, not a Diocesan priest for the job is that there are none of the latter with remotely the required talents, none that wouldn't be simply embarrassing. It's not that they're "liberal" - they wouldn't dare. I propose the Archbishop of Canterbury to be the next Catholic Primate of England and Wales, but I've got much better bets up my sleeve if you're interested. Paolo

Vincent McKenzie

"the problem of Britain’s dwindling church attendance" The way I see it, yes personal opinion, is that the church has not kept up with the problems which face ordinary people. They don't want to hear personal opinions, nobody does unless you have letters after your name. A reply to an email to The Protestant Truth Society about the lack of empathy for working class people stated: "What we seek to do, as a society, is, to point all believers to the necessity of living their life according to the scriptures, to hold fast sound doctrine and to seek to present the Gospel to all". And that's it is it? All I can say is your churches are empty mate. I made an enquiry last week to the Midlands Bible College (http://www.midbible.ac.uk/content/view/12/41/) about studying their "Knowing Your Bible" corresponance coure, it stated that I have to provide a Christian reference! It's this level of smug elitism which keeps the pews empty on Sunday. I made the application anyway and explained that I do not require any priestly status, nor do I seek employment within the church, no reply as yet.

NC

What a beautiful soul: may he keep praying for the Church wherever God may wish to lead him. The Church certainly needs more men who sincerely affirm that "the Holy Spirit is still the Holy Spirit and can still, well, raise up children to Abraham out of the stones".

John Bishop

Oh dear.If Dom Hugh Gilbert doesn't realise that Muslims pray to 'Allah' and not to the Christians triune God the See of Westminster is in for an even worse time than under the present incumbent. If that is possible to envisage.

caesium

Dom Hugh is a decent egg but it seems strange to appoint someone from outside the English & Welsh hierarchy. He is no intellectual and it is interesting that he has not even become Abbot general of the Subiaco congregation of which Pluscarden is part. The Catholic Church in the UK remains moribund partly because CMOC and his mates are committed to its destruction from the inside. They belong to a generation that hates the Church. People talk of the failure of Vatican II. There was no failure it was a resounding success and the council was implemented in the image of Hume, Worlock and CMOC. The empty pews are the fruits of their success - it's what they wanted all along. The revival will only take place when British atheists reembrace the Faith. In other words, when Spectator journalists and their readers stop behaving like perverts and pray for to the Holy Spirit as recommended by Dom Hugh. All this banter about the next Cardinal is complete tripe.

Paul Coyle

The Catholic Church in England is turning into a very odd organisation. It seems to be increasingly made up of homosexual converts who are more interested in living out their Brideshead Revisited fantasies than the reality of the Catholic church. It was never English in nature and it despised homosexuality. I long for the good old days.

Paul Barry

Spot on Mr Coyle. It's about time that someone said it. No wonder we have all of the scandals. By the way am I the only person who feels like vomiting every time Ann Widdicombe appears. Who made this creepy convert spokesman for real catholics.

Vincent McKenzie

Dear Mr McKenzie

Thank you for your application of 18 March. Apologies for the delay in responding because of the Easter break.

I note your comment about not wishing to supply a reference. Generally speaking, given its nature we rarely take up references for this course anyway. But in light of your comments on the college which were posted on The Spectator website (http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-magazine/features/563866/part_4/a-holy-man-tipped-to-lead-the-nations-catholics.thtml), I thought it important to clarify this issue.

Most colleges, secular and theological, require at least one reference, and usually two to help determine an applicant's suitability to enrol on a course. Theological colleges require a reference for the same reason. Learning about an applicant's spiritual and theological reflection to date not only determines if they are applying for the most suitable course for them, it also helps a college provide the necessary support to ensure studies are a success.

Meanwhile, some theological colleges are confessional in nature, that is, they take a particular confessional stance and do not simply teach theology from an observer/outsider point of view. So it doesn't matter if someone is studying to be a church leader, lay minister, or simply out of interest. The confessional community requires assurances that the applicant fits in with and agrees with the confessional stance in question.

As it happens, though MBCDS is an Evangelical college, nonetheless we do not operate a strongly exclusivist admission policy. Quite the opposite. We don't have a long statement of beliefs as many other confessional colleges, preferring instead to publish a short statement of core values which applicants must agree to respect and abide by. Our college includes students from non-Evangelical backgrounds, so there is nothing `smugly elitist' about our admission policy at all. Nonetheless, we do not simply teach theology and biblical studies as phenomena to be observed from outside. Rather, we encourage our students to engage intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and theologically with their studies, which is why a Christian reference may be sought for certain other courses (but rarely for Knowing Your Bible). On our website page you indicate in your Internet comment there is no mention of requiring a reference, while the wording of our application form is very clear: "Should we require a Christian reference, please indicate below the name and address of someone we may contact." This is somewhat different from the impression you gave on this public site.

Concerning another of your comments on that website, you should also note that if by listening to personal opinions you mean tutors should automatically agree with anything anyone says or else be charged with elitism, then theological study may not be for you after all. The Knowing Your Bible course is about establishing and utilising rules of biblical exegesis and hermeneutics (interpretation) and biblical studies. You are, of course, free to take any position you wish in your assignments but will be marked according to whether or not you have argued your case in an academically consistent and persuasive manner. Opinions are one thing, opinions backed up with good evidence and strong argumentation is precisely what underpins educational systems everywhere.

If you are able to confirm a willingness to approach the course objectively and openly, prepared to challenge your own presuppositions or else defend them persuasively, and also agree to respect and abide by our core values, then of course you are most welcome to study with us, and neither will a reference be necessary. But in light of your comments on a public website I thought it important to clarify this position. I await your reply.

Sincerely

Calvin Smith
Course Director

"I rest my case"