Br. Lewis will reside and work in South Africa

(That's about 6000 miles away)

Fr. Felix Selden, the Apostolic Visitor of the Holy See for the worldwide Confederation of the Oratory of St.Philip Neri has made the following statement with regard to recent speculation about Br. Lewis Berry of the Birmingham Oratory.

"In the course of the Apostolic Visitation currently being carried out at the Birmingham Oratory, after consulting with the Fathers, and taking account of Br. Lewis Berry's own views, it has been agreed that Br. Lewis' ongoing formation will best be met in an Oratorian Community that will afford him greater opportunities for a varied programme of pastoral work, as the Church requires of a deacon.

As from the first week of September 2010 Br. Lewis will reside and work at the Port Elizabeth Oratory in South Africa, for a period of at least one year.  He has welcomed this opportunity and is now preparing for this next stage of his formation.

I now again request that the Oratorian Community in Birmingham be allowed to continue its work without hindrance.  The Apostolic Visitation that has been taking place at the Birmingham Oratory has been chiefly concerned with the Community's own internal life and discipline."

The Port Elizabeth Oratory was canonically established by the Holy See on 12th May 2008 and strives to carry out its vocational motto often repeated by the founder of the Oratory, St. Philip Neri: "Serve the Lord with gladness." (Ps100:2)

Fr Felix Selden, C.O.