Author Archives: Scott Anderson

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About Scott Anderson

Formerly an Anglican priest (ordained 1975) received into the Catholic Church in February 2012, and ordained to the Diaconate on 27th July 2013. I took early retirement, and divide my time between London and northern France. I am deeply committed to the Ordinariate as a gift of the Holy Spirit in the search for unity. Like many Ordinariate members I feel a personal gratitude to Pope Emeritus Benedict, together with loyalty to our Holy Father, Pope Francis. My blog tries to make a small contribution to the growth of the Ordinariate by asking questions (and proposing some answers) about the 'Anglican Patrimony'. I have always been fascinated by the whole issue of growth and decline, and therefore concerned for appropriate means of evangelisation in western Europe. I believe that the Holy Spirit is constantly renewing the People of God and that we must be open to him. On Saturday 19th October 2013, I was ordained to the Priesthood at Most Precious Blood, Borough, by the Most Revd Peter Smith, Archbishop of Southwark, for the service of the Ordinariate of our Lady of Walsingham. I continued to serve the Ordinariate group and Parish at Most Precious Blood until the end of 2014. Subsequently, I helped in the care of the Ordinariate Groups at Hemel Hempstead and Croydon, and in the Archdiocese of Southwark, until the beginning of September 2015. With the agreement of my Ordinary, , the Bishop of Amiens appointed me Administrator of the Parish of Notre Dame des Etangs (Pont Remy) in Picardie, France. After nine years as parish priest, with wonderful and supportive parishioners, I decided that the time had come to retire and return to the UK. A nasty accident four years ago and contracting COVID has left me physically rather feeble! I shall be ever grateful for the years in France, a wonderful ending to the years of parish ministry. So here I am back in the UK, taking a long rest, setting up home, coping with all the new Safeguarding procedures - and wondering what next.

Re-visiting the past so that the future may be renewed

The poet John Betjeman in his Collins Guide to English Parish Churches, published in 1958, writes a description of an urban church, the product of the Anglo-Catholic revival. ‘Ting-ting’ the single bell calls to Sung Eucharist, because the tower, designed … Continue reading

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Mother of the Incarnate Christ

A Thanksgiving for the Virgin’s Part in the Scheme of Redemption                                     from an Anglican priest & poet of the early 17th century For that fair blessed Mother-maid,                                                                                           Whose flesh redeem’d us; That she-Cherubin,                                                                        Which unlock’d Paradise, and made                                                                                             One … Continue reading

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Fisher and King – saintly bishops

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15   RSV To the … Continue reading

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Parliament’s revenge or Henry VIII triumphant!

The announcement that, after all, churches would be able to celebrate ‘same-sex marriages’, has come in the past week. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, justified this move as something which forces no-one, but allows those churches who wish to celebrate … Continue reading

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L J White and his music

I was coming back from the Ordinariate Pilgrimage to Walsingham with a couple of friends who have been Catholics for years. They had enjoyed the day greatly, and in particular the music and the hearty hymn singing. I would not … Continue reading

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Sing we of the blessed Mother

Many Anglicans know the hymn, ‘Her virgin eyes saw God incarnate born’. Some forty years ago I found and memorised this verse: I think that it is by Thomas Ken and belongs with that hymn. The verse  teaches both the immaculate conception of Mary, and … Continue reading

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How does the Ordinariate grow?

They praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined  be  saved.                                           Acts 2:47   NJB ________________________________________________________ The subtitle of this post is ‘Tall with glasses, sits near Jane.’ I’m not going to explain straightaway … Continue reading

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Who are these, like stars appearing?

  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? * and the son of man, that thou visitest him?    Psalm 8:4 (Book of Common Prayer) What are human beings that you spare a thought for them, or the child … Continue reading

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An English Use for the Ordinariate?

The renewal of worship is central to the life of the whole Church and every individual Christian. In the service of worship the performance of the liturgy with care, devotion, reverence, fine ceremonial and good music – but equally with warmth, … Continue reading

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We have a Gospel to proclaim

 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!  I Corinthians 9:16   RSV What is this ‘patrimony’ which Anglicans are … Continue reading

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