Christ our King - A Vision Glorious

It was standing room only in the newly refurbished Wakefield Cathedral on 23 November 2013, the Eve of the Feast of Christ the King, for an inspiring event called The Vision Glorious.  Gathering together Catholic Anglicans from across the region, The Vision Glorious was an opportunity to give thanks for the faith we have received and to re-commit ourselves to live out that faith in the future.  The Principal Celebrant was The Right Revd Glyn Webster, Bishop of Beverley.  Glorious Music was led by a choir gathered for the occasion and there were special children’s activities to ensure that all ages could participate in the event.

During his sermon, The Right Revd Tony Robinson, Bishop of Pontefract, called for a renewed and reformed catholic movement within the Church of England.  He said that to be truly catholic means “taking seriously the power of the Holy Spirit,...  it means conserving the treasures of the past; it means we must be open to fresh initiatives for the future; it means we have a social gospel; it means we are alert to the real questions being asked by our contemporaries; it most importantly calls us to develop our own personal holiness.”

Reflecting upon the Kingship of Christ, Bishop Tony said, “What we do know is that Jesus’ unfailing witness to the truth marks his true kingship.  As his subjects, we will be judged on how we have witnessed to his truth, his love, his way.”  He therefore encouraged Catholic Anglicans by way of The Society to commit to a vibrant catholic traditionalist wing which continues to add something to the life of our Church.

Following mass Dr Colin Podmore, Director of Forward in Faith, addressed the assembly.  He reflected on the legislative package regarding Woman Bishops which earlier in the week had been debated by the General Synod of the Church of England.  Speaking after the recent publication of a letter from the Bishops of the Society to its supporters, he clarified the vision for the Society and explained the relationship between it and Forward in Faith.  He urged the assembly to support the bishops and help “the Society to grow and flourish as the ecclesial structure that will enable us to live and breathe and flourish within the Church of England”.

The organisers of The Vision Glorious are very grateful for the gracious hospitality provided by the Dean and Chapter of Wakefield Cathedral which enabled the event to run so smoothly.

Sermon by Bishop Tony Robinson

Address by Dr Colin Podmore

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