A Catholic Society looks to a bright future
At a recent meeting of the National Executive of the Federation of Catholic Priests (FCP) Fr Peter Walsh was elected as their new Chairman. Fr Peter, 46, from the Diocese of Chester, spoke of his delight at the appointment.
‘I pray for a joyful future for traditional Catholic Priests within the Church of England. I believe that we can and should wherever possible work together with the great breadth of the Church of England.
I hope as national chairman to encourage my fellow Priests in FCP to discover again the joy of their wonderful vocation and to speak out as necessary on behalf of FCP members.’
The Federation of Catholic Priests was founded in 1917 to foster priestly vocation within the Church of England. Today it continues to seek to encourage mutual support in propagating, maintaining and defending Catholic doctrine and practice within a traditional understanding of priesthood.
After his election as Chairman Fr Peter spoke of the new beginnings for FCP.
‘We seek to welcome all who explore a gentle and spiritual understanding of sacramental Priesthood. A number of our brethren have recently journeyed to the Ordinariate.
We support them and others who reflect upon their future. We also seek to offer a positive and encouraging future for men who remain in the Church of England looking towards a deepening of a Catholic understanding of worship, spirituality and evangelisation.’
‘Many members of FCP seek a positive future for Anglican Catholics in the Church of England and we want to uphold them and encourage them in that journey of faith. It is the prayer of the FCP to work together for the unity of the Church for which Christ himself prayed so that ‘we may all be one’ and to serve our communities with joyful faithfulness.’ ND