Events

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#BBBBBB" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0805b690.jpg" border=0 width="91" height="105" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>©</B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Serifa Th BT" ><B> </B></FONT><B>M M Wright 2005</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <div> <B>THE PRAYER OF THE HCC-WR</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>THE FAMILY PRAYER </B></div> <div> <B>Almighty God, we beseech Thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer  death upon the Cross; who now liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. </B><I><B>Amen</B></I></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=110 BGCOLOR="#808080" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>The Holy Catholic Church - Western Rite (in the Family of Catholic Churches)</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>    </B></FONT><B> </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Holy Catholic Church Western Rite ("><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Editors Page"><U><B>Editor's Page</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="History"><U><B>History</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tree of Faith"><U><B>Tree of Faith</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who are we?"><U><B>Who are we?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Canons"><U><B>Canons</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to find us"><U><B>How to find us</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Directory"><U><B>Directory</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>Events</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bookshop"><U><B>Bookshop</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Monastic Page"><U><B>Monastic Page</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spanish Page 1"><U><B>Spanish Page 1</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Spanish Page 2"><U><B> Spanish Page 2</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Xhosa Page"><U><B>Xhosa Page</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Africa Page"><U><B>Africa Page</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ecumenical"><U><B>Ecumenical</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Articles"><U><B>Articles</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Documentation"><U><B>Documentation</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=370 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="050a5a43.jpg"> <div> <I>Events</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>REPORTS</B></FONT> <A NAME="reports_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <I>FIRST SECTION - RECENT REPORTS 2006 AND 2007</I></div> <div> <B>1. Report on the </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="#ordination" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Ordination</B></U></A></FONT><B> at Manchester</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>2. Report on the Ecclesiastical </B></FONT><A HREF="#congress" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Congress</B></U></A><B> </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>at Kansas City</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>3. Report on Diocesan</B> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="#meeting" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Meeting</B></U></A><B> </B></FONT><B>at Peasedown St John.</B></div> <div> <B>4. Report on recent </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="#ordinations" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Ordinations</B></U></A></FONT><B>,</B><B> the establishment of the Deanery of Cucuta and the Missionary District of Uraba</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>SECOND SECTION - EARLIER REPORTS FROM 2005 ONWARD</I></div> <div> <B>1. Report on the</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B><A HREF="#synod" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Synod</B></U></A></FONT><B> </B><B>at Bucaramanga</B></div> <div> <B>     a. by Bishop Wright</B></div> <div> <B>     b. by Bishop </B><A HREF="#cruz_blanco_" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Cruz-Blanco</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>2. Report on the </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="#college" TITLE="Events"><U><B>College</B></U></A></FONT><B> of Bishops HCC(AR) meeting at Kansas City</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>3. Report on the</B></FONT><B> </B><A HREF="#consecrations" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Consecrations</B></U></A><B> </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>at Bucaramanga</B></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>4. Report of the</B></FONT><B> </B><A HREF="#visit" TITLE="Events"><U><B>visit</B></U></A><B> </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>of Bishop and Mrs. Wright to South Africa- Jan 2006</B></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>5. </B></FONT><A HREF="#restoration" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Restoration</B></U></A><B> </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>of ministry in Spain</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>6 Bishop </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="#josé_rip" TITLE="Events"><U><B>José RIP</B></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>FIRST SECTION</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="18158140.png" border=0 width="600" height="788" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> Following the death of Fr. Bernal, the Rev. Father Luis Carlos Garcia Medina has been instituted as Archdeacon of the Diocese of the Caribbean and New Granada.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="ordination"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>REPORT ON THE ORDINATION AT MANCHESTER</div> <bR> <div> The week-end 6th-8th October was a particularly happy occasion - even the weather was mild and sometimes bright!. This was the occasion of David Worsley’s ordination to the diaconate, to the priesthood, and his first Mass. David was made deacon by Bishop Michael Wright on the Friday afternoon. On Saturday morning David was raised to the Order of the priesthood, and on Sunday he celebrated his first Mass.</div> <bR> <div> Behind this special series of services was the realisation that David and Joe might at any time in the next six months move permanently to Spain. David has plans to establish a chaplaincy for British expatriates living in Spain - based on his involvement in chaplaincy work at Manchester Airport.</div> <bR> <div> Our own membership provided good support for David throughout the week-end, together with family and long-standing friends who were delighted that David’s early sense of vocation had finally been recognised and fulfilled.</div> <bR> <div> Our prayers are with David and Joe in this new and challenging ministry.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="167c1010.jpg" border=0 width="193" height="257" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="16955000.jpg" border=0 width="341" height="256" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">   <IMG SRC="16bbfff0.jpg" border=0 width="191" height="255" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#reports_1" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Back to REPORTS</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="congress"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>REPORT ON THE ECCLESIASTICAL CONGRESS AT KANSAS CITY</div> <bR> <div> After the successful meeting of bishops at Kansas City in 2005 - Bishop Tom Kleppinger arranged for a further gathering a year ahead. Bishop McNeley and Fr John Cochran, the Rector of St. James’s Church took on the responsibility for organising this new Ecclesiastical Congress (12th & 13th October) which was designed as a modest and informal meeting. Those who gathered came on a voluntary basis. This was an opportunity also for the bishops of the HCC-AR and HCC-WR to come together. Bishop Banzana and I attended, although Bishop Cruz-Blanco was unable to come because of the urgent repairs to his pro-catherdral after a severe tropical storm. The bishops of the HCC-WR were all present except for Bishop Greeson (continuing ill-health). Also present by invitation were Bishop Arthur Rushlow of the Anglican Fathers of the Corpus Christi and Bishop Leo Michael of the UECNA.</div> <bR> <div> Bishop Samuel Banzana, Bishop Leo Michael and I were asked to give addresses at the beginning of each session (Thursday morning and afternoon and Friday morning). There followed a series of practical and informative lectures by members of the Congress on such matters as ministration to the sick, financial accounting, church music, the purpose and use of holy oils. The afternoon of Friday was taken up with a conference of bishops. This again was informal and was followed up by a further meeting on Saturday morning. </div> <bR> <div> Such was the basic structure of the Congress. On the surface nothing of special significance was proposed or adopted - this was not the purpose of the Congress - although the talks provided useful material for parish life and ministry. At a deeper level, however, the Congress was profoundly significant. It provided a model for coming together, based not on ‘political’ arrangements, but on the unity we have in Christ Himself through our sacramental fellowship with Him. This was very evident in the meetings held by the bishops where there was a strongly marked awareness of united purpose and mutual trust.</div> <bR> <div> The unhappy history of the Continuing Anglican Churches is one of trying to find unity through various ‘political’ structures and stratagems. Such efforts only increase mistrust, division and isolation. The Congress demonstrated the true way of unity based, as in the undivided Catholic Church, on the faithful maintenance of fellowship through sacrament, doctrine, apostolic ministry, and moral responsibility. This is the old and true way to recover unity. The Congress demonstrated that this is the live, indeed the only viable, option for the restoration of unity to the Catholic Church.</div> <bR> <div>        <IMG SRC="157f9b40.jpg" border=0 width="249" height="180" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">   <IMG SRC="1590db30.jpg" border=0 width="269" height="179" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">   <IMG SRC="15f83b10.jpg" border=0 width="131" height="177" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  </div> <bR> <div>        <IMG SRC="15b05ae0.jpg" border=0 width="261" height="174" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">    <IMG SRC="15d7caf0.jpg" border=0 width="124" height="175" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">   <IMG SRC="1610ab10.jpg" border=0 width="266" height="177" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#reports_1" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Back to REPORTS</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="meeting"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>REPORT ON THE DIOCESAN MEETING AT PEASEDOWN ST JOHN </div> <div> At least our members have discovered the whereabouts of Peasedown St John and they turned up for what was basically a family gathering. We had with us Bishop Samuel Banzana - staying over in UK after the Congress in the USA. Fr David and Joe Worsley made the journey all the way from Manchester, diverting to Whitchurch to collect Barbara Bell. The Meeting had been arranged in the knowledge that Bishop Samuel would be with us and able to renew old friendships from the past. The local hall had been set up for the celebration of Mass during which an address was given by Bishop Samuel. Following on from that was a buffet lunch provided by Pam Wright and if the members came only for that they would have gone home well satisfied. The chief, and virtually the only matter of the business session which followed was to report on the Congress itself, and Bishop Samuel gave us up-to-date news of the South African Church scene. Eventually people had to make their way home although it seemed that they would have liked to stay longer such was the atmosphere of warm fellowship.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#reports_1" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Back to REPORTS</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="ordinations"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>COLUMBIA -  ORDINATIONS AT BARRANQUILLA, NEW DEANERY OF CUCUTA, CHAPTER OF DEACONESSES</div> <div> In spite of the devastation to the pro-cathedral caused by the hurricane,the last Sunday before Advent was a busy time at Barranguilla. A number of men were ordained to the sacred ministry, a new Deanery of Cucuta was established, as also the Chapter of Deaconesses. The Picture below tells the story:</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="16ca0a10.jpg" border=0 width="672" height="673" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> THE NEW MISSIONARY DISTRICT OF URABA - EASTER 2007</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="18ba3b90.png" border=0 width="675" height="697" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#reports_1" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Back to REPORTS</B></U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>SECOND SECTION</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="synod"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>A REPORT ON THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS HELD AT GETHSEMANE ABBEY - BUCARAMANGA, REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA (Together with a translation of the Report posted on the Spanish Page written by Bishop Victor Emmanuel Cruz-Blanco)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>By Bishop Michael Wright:</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The holding of a Synod of Bishops was the main reason for my travelling to Colombia on Sunday 26</B><B>th</B><B> June. The plane arrived soon after dark at Bucaramanga, a large city in the north-east of the country. I was greeted by Bishop Cruz-Blanco and a number of his clergy and taken to stay the night at the flat of another priest who is a lecturer at the university. This is the first time I have consciously met Bishop Cruz-Blanco - although he remembers me as part of the UK delegation at San Mateo, California, in 1995. What is important is that we made friends immediately and he shares with Bishop Banzana and myself the same understanding and concern for the Faith. The next day (Monday) I was taken to the Gethsemane Abbey.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Bucaramanga itself is mainly a modern city, but with a pleasantly relaxed central area of shops, offices and restaurants. The country outside is spectacularly mountainous - and so, in a rather different way, is the forty minute drive to the Abbey up a steep, winding, and very rugged mountain road. The Abbey is a range of single-story rooms with a kitchen at one end and the chapel at the other. The chapel looks down the valley to a small town about a mile away and the surrounding mountains are covered by forest and widely spaced farms, small-holdings really, with cattle and poultry and areas for the growing of maize, oranges, grapes, and pineapples. The Abbey too is developing such a farm for self-support.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Community is informal in style. Only Abbot Jos</B><B>é</B><B> wears a distinctive brown habit. Rather than being permanently resident, community members live nearby, either as individuals or as families. On the following day (Tuesday) the Community was to celebrate the third anniversary of the foundation of the Abbey. The Abbey is built on a steeply sloping area of forest land, given to the diocese by a benefactor, and is being constantly improved and extended.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>  <IMG SRC="0d957e90.jpg" border=0 width="343" height="233" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">    </B><B><IMG SRC="0da4deb0.jpg" border=0 width="333" height="235" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>   The Abbey -  the Chapel from site of the future chapel       The Abbey - the veranda with the Bishop & Fr. Rey</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>On the Tuesday also we began the Synod meetings. Bishop Banzana was unable to be present but had been fully briefed and had asked me to act as his representative. As an unexpected preliminary I was asked to review the long-established Local Canons of the Diocese of the Caribbean and New Granada. These were extensive and detailed and were entirely consistent with our Constitutional Canons and Canonical Regulations.  The main business of the Synod started with the recognition that Bishops Hamlett, Appleton, and Santiago had departed the communion of the HCC-WR - by their creation of Synod of their own. I was acknowledged therefore as the Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of Europe and then elected as the new Metropolitan Bishop. Once these preliminaries were completed, we turned to the matter of the Canons and Regulations.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The few changes made to the Constitutional Canons and Canonical Regulations were enhancements of what was already there. Some of the rigidities in respect of worship were softened and the role of the Metropolitan as answerable to the Synod of Bishops was given stronger emphasis. There was no change whatever in the doctrinal commitment of the Church.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Synod then agreed that the Doctrinal and Moral Principles set out in the Affirmation of St Louis were a sufficient basis for establishing full communion with another Church maintaining the same principles. This decision raised the issue of our relationship with the HCC(AR), with Bishop Kleppinger and his colleagues. The Synod agreed that on the basis of the Affirmation Principles we should notify Bishop Kleppinger that we regarded the HCC(AR) as being in full sacramental communion with us.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Synod looked at the present Liturgical Calendar and agreed on the kind of revision required. Lastly we elected two assistant bishops for his diocese on the recommendation of Bishop Cruz-Blanco. The two were Abbot Jos</B><B>é</B><B> and the Diocesan Chancellor, Fr. Zalazar.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>       <IMG SRC="0ca50e20.jpg" border=0 width="336" height="226" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">       <IMG SRC="0c94ee10.jpg" border=0 width="334" height="225" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>                 At the Anniversary - Bishops with Abbot Jose                     At the Anniversary - some of the congregation </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Synod meeting was set within the context of the Anniversary and the ordinations of four deacons (Saturday) and two priests (Sunday).</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>For me the visit was a total joy and quite exceptionally important for building mutual confidence. The Columbian Diocese is a treasure hidden from the rest of us for too long.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Further note: </B><B>On my return I notified Bishop Kleppinger of the Synod decision concerning our relationship with the HCC-AR and the two Churches are now in full communion with each other as independent Sister Churches.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Pictures of the Ordinations on Sunday July 3rd and of a visit to Bucaramanga the previous Thursday</B></div> <div> <B>    <IMG SRC="0cc70f00.jpg" border=0 width="368" height="240" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">     <IMG SRC="0ce4ef00.jpg" border=0 width="334" height="240" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>During the ordinations of Fr. Miguel Arroyo (l) and Fr. Eliecer Fuentes (r)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>         <IMG SRC="0d045db0.jpg" border=0 width="325" height="219" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">          <IMG SRC="0d34bda0.jpg" border=0 width="331" height="218" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>       A stop by the main road (Bishop Cruz-Blanco, Abbot Jose and Fr. Ricardo Ortega) - Steet scene, Bucaramanga</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#reports_1" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Back to </B></U></A><A HREF="#reports_1" TITLE="Events"><U><B>REPORTS</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>(An Historic Event)</B></div> <div> <B>Report by Bishop Cruz-Blanco</B><B> <A NAME="cruz_blanco_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B> </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>For the first time in fifteen years, the Diocese of the Caribbean and New Granada depended on the presence and the agenda of the Synod of Bishops, led today by His Most Excellent Grace + Michael Wright from England; making it possible with this historic act, that the Diocese of Colombia should attain the canonical status which the Church of Christ demands of us.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Speaking of the Metropolitan His Grace + Michael, the primary motive of his journey was to meet face to face with Bishop Cruz Blanco, and to be assured as Metropolitan, that we are one in Christ in </B><B>heart and mind</B><B>, and thus to be able to certify </B><B>full communion</B><B>.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This reminds me of the apostolic teaching of St Paul in chapter two of his letter to the Philippians verses 19 to 24, in which he lays down the Catholic Doctrine of `Full Communion' which should distinguish the Bishops of a province; who should feel and think alike on matters of Faith, Doctrine, Mission and Pastoral Administration.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>For that reason the first point of the agenda established by the Metropolitan in the Synod carried through in the abbey of Gethsemane in Bucaramanga between the 27</B><B>th</B><B> of June and the 4</B><B>th</B><B> of July 2005, was the inspection and comparison of the Canons and Constitutions of the Diocese, in the light of the Constitutions and Canons of the Holy Catholic Church (Western Rite), to establish in detail and in depth the canonical regulations which make us an integral part of the Province.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>In the developing of the agenda we had the direct approval of Bishop Samuel Banzana, Bishop Ordinary and Provincial of South Africa, who delegated to the Metropolitan the complete investigation, analysis and approval of the agenda. The other points of the agenda were also important for the success of the Synod, namely: the declaration as invalid and void the heretical and schismatic acts of Bishop Hamlett and his group, in damaging the sacramental teaching of the Church and denying the collegiality and proper government of the Bishops in the communion of the Province. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Furthermore, there was a thorough theological examination of the Doctrinal and Moral sections of the Affirmation of St Louis, and they were considered sufficient to establish full communion with the Catholic bodies of the Anglican Rite which, as in the case of the Church under the spiritual direction of Bishop Thomas Kleppinger (The Holy Catholic Church - Anglican Rite), from this moment was regarded as a Sister Church. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Moreover, the Synod made it possible to take great steps forward for the stability of the Diocese of the Caribbean and New Granada with the following matters:</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Metropolitan approval was given to the Abbey of Gethsemane in Bucaramanga.</B></div> <div> <B>Metropolitan approval was given to the ministry of Abbot Fr. José of the Divine Providence as superior of the order.</B></div> <div> <B>There were established three Diocesan Vicariates to facilitate the pastoral administration of the Diocese, marking out three pastoral territories, namely:</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Vicariate of the Santanderes and Boyacá with its Diocesan Vicar brother José of</B></div> <div> <B>        the Divine Providence.</B></div> <div> <B>  2.   Diocesan Vicariate of Santafé of Bogotá and Cundinamarca, with its Diocesan</B></div> <div> <B>        Vicar Fr. John Jairo García Salazar.</B></div> <div> <B>Diocesan Vicariate of Tolima and Magdalena Medio, with its Diocesan Vicar Fr </B></div> <div> <B>        Fernando Vargas.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Approval was given to the nomination of three assistant bishops for Colombia and</B></div> <div> <B>       it was determined that there should be an election of two bishops for Episcopal</B></div> <div> <B>      Consecration towards the end of October this year. The two assistant bishops</B></div> <div> <B>      elected are: Brother José of the Divine Providence and Fr John Jairo García</B></div> <div> <B>      Salazar.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Synod was also wonderfully enhanced by the Ministerial Ordination of three </B></div> <div> <B>      new Deacons, namely:</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>     Deacon Gabriel Hernán Durán, Deacon Carlos Arturo Castro, Deacon Daniel</B></div> <div> <B> Mantilla Muñoz, </B></div> <div> <B>And two new Priests:</B></div> <div> <B>Father Eliécer Lasso Fuentes and Father Miguel Arroyo</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Finally, the development of the agenda of the Synod depended on an exceptional atmosphere in which the liturgical sermon, the eucharistic celebration, and the brotherhood of all those taking part established a strong Koinonia (Communion) in spirit, acting to all of us as a renewal and strengthening in the spiritual life.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Synod concluded with the planning of a return to Colombia in the month of  October this year on the part of Metropolitan His Grace + Michael accompanied on that occasion by Bishop Samuel, to continue together with us the pastoral replies and to bring to a successful conclusion in this year the advances of the Diocese.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <A HREF="#reports_1" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Back to REPORTS</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="college"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> <B>A REPORT BY BISHOP MICHAEL WRIGHT ON THE MEETING OF THE COLLEGE OF BISHOPS HCC-AR AT ST. JAMES'S CHURCH, KANSAS CITY, OCTOBER 4th and 5th 2005</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>As an outcome of the decision taken at Bucaramanga to recognise the HCC-AR as a Sister Church to the HCC-WR, I was invited to attend the Meeting of the HCC-AR at Kansas City. This was a practical outcome of the theoretical acknowledgement made three months before. This was a particularly joyful outcome since it was at Kansas City that the division of the previously united Church took place. It was immediately obvious that the split had been caused by false information and should never have happened. Bishop Wright was able to make personal apologies for his own part in the events of October 1999 and represent the Bishops, Clergy, and People of the HCC-WR in their desire for the restoration of unity.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This restoration took place in the best possible way - at the Altar of Our Lord and in the receiving of His sacramental Body and Blood. We are One in Doctrine and Sacramental ministry and the only distinction is that of differences of administration due to our diverse locations.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>For those who recall St James's Church in 1999, the interior of this elegant classical style church has been transformed by the introduction of many of the furnishings brought from the former Church of St James in another part of the city.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I arrived on Friday afternoon, 29th Sept. and was met by the Rector of St James's, Fr. John Cochran aho took me to the Whitehaven Lodge, a delightful motel in the southern part of this enormous and wide-spreading city. The following day I took over the hired car I had booked and, after familiarising myself again with driving an automatic car on the right-hand side of the road, set off to find St James's. It took some time because I started at about the four-hundreds on Holmes Rd and it was not till the eight-hundreds that I found the place I was looking for.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Bishop Tom Kleppinger arrived on the Saturday and we had a good opportunity to share what had happened in the intervening years.  On Sunday Bishop Kleppinger celebrated the Mass and I was the preacher - using the theme of the Prodigal Son, an appropriate text. I was received with great warmth by the congregation and this attitude was just as true of the Bishops when the arrived on the Monday. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Of course I already knew Bishops Kleppinger, McNeley and Seeland. Bishops King and Kinner I had not met before - or not so that I could identify them from 1999. Bishop Greeson was unable to come because of ill-health.  Talking with Bishop King and others it was clear that they had been completely bewildered by our sudden departure from their fellowship in 1999; no explanation had been offered to them even though we had been briefed about their doctrinal unreliability - which was a lie.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This became evident because of the nature of the agenda which had been prepared by Bishop Seeland. In a relaxed but serious way we went through the whole range of issues from the nature of the Faith, the Sacraments, and the Church, and there was complete agreement. The only vote taken was to conclude the Meeting at the end of the second day, as planned - and that too was unanimous.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I think, I certainly hope, that my presence was a source of encouragement to the members of the HCC-AR. After so many divisions here was tangible evidence that the restoration of unity on an unassailable basis had been achieved. One step, but a profoundly significant one.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>One final decision was made: to meet again next year with as many members of the Church as wish to come to discuss and plan the way ahead. I have the impression that they would love to have representatives of the HCC-WR join them -provide we can all fit in to the Whitehaven Lodge.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> </B><B><IMG SRC="0ef7b1c0.jpg" border=0 width="379" height="284" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Fr. Cochran, Bishop Kleppinger and Bishop Wright</B></div> <div> <B>Photo taken following Mass on Sunday 2nd October at St James's</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#reports_1" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Back to </B></U></A><A HREF="#reports_1" TITLE="Events"><U><B>REPORTS</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="consecrations"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>REPORT ON THE CONSECRATIONS AT BUCARAMANGA</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>By Bishop Michael Wright</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>On my first visit to the Gethsemane Abbey two men were elected to be assistant bishops in the Diocese of the Caribbean and New Granada. Now, at the end of October it was time to return for the consecrations. Even though it was dark on arrival, it was clear that much work had been in progress. Compare the picture below with the one taken from a similar viewpoint four months earlier (first report above). Abbot Jose had decided on a different and larger site for the projected new chapel. </B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0f17ef90.jpg" border=0 width="382" height="249" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Much of the sanctuary was already complete together with a galvanised iron roof, but the nave was marked out with long wooden poles with a net stretched over them. Abbot Jose decided that an enormous black plastic sheet should cover the netting and this task was undertaken by two members of the community. In the night, of course, it poured with rain and the plastic bulged with water. Fortunately a number of the younger clergy had arrived. They set to work to remove the plastic and replace it with white tent-like 'gazebos'. By late afternoon the task was complete and a lorry-load of chairs had arrived.</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0f339e60.jpg" border=0 width="313" height="230" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">   </B><B><IMG SRC="0f559e40.jpg" border=0 width="345" height="228" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>On Sunday cars began to arrive by the rough mountain road and pack into the grass area at the side of the chapel. The congregation numbered about 200 in spite of the remoteness of the abbey. A picture of the entrance of the clergy gives an idea of the congregation while the further picture of Abbot Jose being consecrated, following upon the consecration of Fr. Zalazar, gives an idea of the number of clergy who came in spite of the great difficulties of travel. Bishop Banzana was unable to be with us, the journey from South Africa was too problematic, but he sent a written Letter of Consent to the consecrations.</B></div> <div> <B>         <IMG SRC="0f93ce60.jpg" border=0 width="316" height="230" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">   <IMG SRC="0fb55e60.jpg" border=0 width="341" height="230" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>This was a very important day in the life of the Church in Columbia and it was both a privilege and a joy to participate in a solemn yet relaxed and happy ceremony.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>After the consecrations I was privileged to be invited into the home of the Villamizar family in Bucaramanga. Not only was I received with great kindness and  hospitality, but the day and a half I spent in the city provide an exceptionally valuable insight into the everyday life of the people of Columbia. I am deeply grateful all the kindness and warmth of welcome I received from Bishop Cruz-Blanco and his people.</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#reports_1" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Back to REPORTS</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="visit"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>REPORT ON THE VISIT OF BISHOP AND MRS. WRIGHT TO SOUTH AFRICA</B></div> <div> <B>JANUARY  2006 </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Pam and I arrived at Port Elizabeth on 3</B><B>rd</B><B> Jan. We were greeted warmly by Bishop Samuel Banzana and a good number of his clergy and layfolk. The following day we drove to Masingatha – a village just outside King William’s Town – where the annual four-day Diocesan Conference was due to begin. Bishop Banzana presided over the Conference.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(The Conference had been transferred to Masingatha at very short notice because of the death a few days before of Fr. Joel Nkonyakazi, the resident priest there. The Conference was originally to be held at Ezibelene near Queenstown and while we were in Conference at Masingatha a serious local disturbance broke out in Ezibelene; the inconvenience of the transfer turned out to be a real blessing. What also was remarkable was that the transfer at such short notice did nothing to interrupt the smooth running of the Conference.)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>At a rough estimate 150 representatives of the diocese were present throughout the Conference – this included a number of newcomers from East London and elsewhere. In the main the same friendly faces, familiar from other Conferences, were back once more and, as usual, the numbers increased at the week-end to something over 300. During the Conference I had the opportunity to describe the events of 2005 and the reason why it had been necessary to separate from Archbishop Hamlett’s group. The Diocese remains virtually untouched by these events which have only served to strengthen its cohesion and sense of direction.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>During the Conference the much needed rain arrived and on the Sunday, when the funeral took place the rain poured down copiously and steadily. This did nothing to dampen the spirits of the worshippers and the funeral and Mass took place in a spirit of rejoicing for Fr. Joel’s return to his heavenly Home. In spite of the mud and rain the usual extraordinary feat of catering for more than 300 persons took place.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The rest of our holiday was comparatively quiet. We did achieve a small ambition -  to take a ride on the Apple Express. The Express runs on an old narrow gauge railway and is staffed by amateur enthusiasts, the train is drawn by a steam locomotive. The following Sunday I celebrated Mass and preached at the Cathedral of St Athansius, New Brighton, the service was well attended. The old ‘informal housing’ opposite the cathedral has given place to smart new houses supplied with running water, electricity and drainage. The Cathedral is fast becoming the local parish church for the newly housed folk nearby.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This working holidy was a return home for Pam and myself. This is a home which is changing and improving all the time and not only as far as our congregations are concerned. The whole city is being transformed. A huge new harbour with a range of facilities is taking shape further along the bay and this will continue to transform the local economy. Fortunately Port Elizabeth still retains it old charm as the ‘friendly city’</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="133a9d80.jpg" border=0 width="425" height="216" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">    </B><B><IMG SRC="13523da0.jpg" border=0 width="291" height="218" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>St St Barnabas Church, Masingatha and Fund raising - Readers and Clergy massing at the back of the church</B></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#reports_1" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Back to REPORTS</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="restoration"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>RESTORATION OF CONTACT WITH SPAIN:</U></B><B> Thanks to Bishop Cruz-Blanco, contact with Fr. Sorgob has been restored. Although within the Diocese of Europe the work in Spain has been placed under the jurisdiction and direction of Bishop Cruz-Blanco. This is a restoration of the responsibility which Bishop Cruz-Blanco first undertook ten years ago. Fr. Sorgob'contact e-mail will be found on both the 'How to find us' and 'Directory' pages.</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#reports_1" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Back to REPORTS</B></U></A></div> <div>  <A NAME="josé_rip"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="12c95b80.jpg" border=0 width="149" height="184" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Monseñor Fray José de la Divina Providencia</B></div> <div> <B>(Padre José Jesús Valderrama Pereira)</B></div> <div> <B>Entregó su alma a Dios el domingo 11 de diciembre de 2005, fue el fundador de la Obra Apostólica Siervos de San José de Nazareth y la Orden Benedictina de los Siervos de San José y Abad del Monasterio de Getsemaní con domicilio en Rionegro (Santander), era el Vicario Episcopal (Obispo Auxiliar para la Vicaría de los Santanderes y Boyacá). Fue Consagrado Ministerio del Episcopado el 23 de octubre de 2005 por el Metropolitano de la Provincia su Gracia Michael M. Wright. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>La Santa Iglesia Católica Provincia de Inglaterra - Rito Occidental y todas sus Diócesis, incluyendo la Diócesis del Caribe y la Nueva Granada están de luto por la partida del Siervo de Dios.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >English translation:</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Mgr. Fray José of the Divine Providence </div> <div> (Father José Jesús Valderrama Pereira) </div> <div> Delivered up his soul unto God on Sunday the 11th of December, 2005. He was the founder of the Apostolic Work, the Servants of St Joseph of Nazareth and the Benedictine Order of the Servants of St Joseph, and Abbot of the Monastery of Gethsemane with residence in Rionegro (Santander). He was the Episcopal Vicar (Auxiliary Bishop for the Vicariate of the Santanders and Boyacá). He was consecrated a minister of the Episcopate on the 23rd of October, 2005 by the Metropolitan of the Province his Grace Michael M. Wright. </div> <div> The Holy Catholic Church in the Province of England - Western Rite, and all her dioceses, including the Diocese of the Caribbean and New Granada are in mourning for the passing of the Servant of God.)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Bishop José was buried the following Wednesday beneath the altar of the new chapel at the Monastery; the very place where he had been consecrated Bishop </I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#reports_1" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Back to </B></U></A><A HREF="#reports_1" TITLE="Events"><U><B>REPORTS</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>|  </B>  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#CC0033" FACE="Arial" > H<A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Holy Catholic Church Western Rite ("><U>ome</U></A>   :   </FONT><A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Editors Page"><U><B>Editor's Page</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="History"><U><B>History</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tree of Faith"><U><B>Tree of Faith</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who are we?"><U><B>Who are we?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Canons"><U><B>Canons</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to find us"><U><B>How to find us</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Directory"><U><B>Directory</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>Events</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bookshop"><U><B>Bookshop</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Monastic Page"><U><B>Monastic Page</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spanish Page 1"><U><B>Spanish Page 1</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Spanish Page 2"><U><B> Spanish Page 2</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Xhosa Page"><U><B>Xhosa Page</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Africa Page"><U><B>Africa Page</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ecumenical"><U><B>Ecumenical</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Articles"><U><B>Articles</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Documentation"><U><B>Documentation</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>