Not good enough
From The Reverend Michael Blackman
Sir,
I was somewhat disappointed by the tone of the September issue of New Directions, as it seems to be unbalanced. While Fr Robin Ward’s article was excellent, there should have been another article acknowledging that the situation has been created, for the most part, by the behaviour of individuals like Peter Ball. For if the seal of the confessional is sacrosanct the conduct of those who administer the sacrament must be above reproach (BCP Ordinal).
Furthermore, the suggestion that readers should write to diocesan bishops petitioning them to oppose any legislation is ludicrous as it reduces the sacrament to the level of a popularity contest like ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. Surely it would have been more appropriate to summon us to a sense of contrition that we may live disciplined and consecrated lives.
I write as a member of Forward in Faith and as a Priest of The Society of St Wilfrid and St Hilda deeply concerned for the integrity of catholic witness in the Church of England.
Fr Michael Blackman
New Malden
Surrey