Catholic & Loving it! Blog - Lovingit Locums - 31.8.2010
http://www.lovingit.co.uk/
Br Lewis Berry’s statement of 30 August 2010 gives some pause for thought on the issue of the Birmingham Three.
In his article in the print edition of the Catholic Herald of 27 August 2010, Jack Valero stated it was time for the likes of this blog and others to “pack up shop” on the issue of the Birmingham Oratory. We would provide the link to the article but can't because the article is not available online. This is the best we can do just now.
It has already been said in comments here and elsewhere (and, before anyone suggests it, no we did not post the particular comment in the link), that it is rumoured that Br Lewis was to be ordained to the priesthood in October of this year. How that is reconciled with the reason given for his going to South Africa for at least a year as being that his 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” remains to be seen.
On the one hand ordination this year but on the other no reference to ordination any time soon?
When asked publicly to ‘pack up shop’ by a spokesman appointed by the Bishops Conference what is the correct response? Does one:
Shut up on the basis that an official spokesman has told one to?
Or
Continue asking questions?
On balance we think the correct response is to continue asking questions. That answer then does raise the question of whether steps will be taken to "shut the shop". As with the truth of the Birmingham Oratory situation, only time will tell the answer to that question.
Statement aside, if Brother Lewis is so firmly opposed to the behaviour of "intemperate bloggers and journalists" (as referred to by Jack in the same Catholic Herald article) then why didn't he just say so in the first place? Also, if The Three are entirely happy with the way things are going, why a statement from only one? The younger one... the one most likely to cave in to pressure?
