CATH NEWS REPORT-
Participants included clergy, laity and religious women from the official Anglican Church of Australia (ACA) and the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia (Traditional Anglican Communion: TAC). Bishop Tolowa Nona of the Church of the Torres Strait (TAC) was accompanied by priests and laity.
Archbishop John Hepworth, Primate of the TAC, hosted the festival that ran from Feb 1-3 at the campus St Stephen's College, Coomera. He celebrated a solemn Anglican Eucharist in the college chapel to open the festival. On February 2, Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett of Lismore celebrated the Catholic liturgy for the Presentation of the Lord, with the customary blessing of candles.
The Episcopal Delegate for the Ordinariate, Bishop Peter Elliott, said that he sensed strong feelings of anticipation and enthusiasm among participants.
After the festival, a national implementation committee representing all groups met for the first time to tackle practical issues. Local Ordinariate working groups are also being established in the States."Difficult questions were raised frankly." said Bishop Elliott, "But I was moved when people gave testimonies of their journeys towards the Ordinariate. We all came to understand the urgent pastoral need for this unique community in full communion with the Successor of St Peter."
Another Ordinariate Festival will be held in Perth on Feb 26 at Holy Family church Como, hosted by Bishop Harry Entwhistle (TAC). Other festivals are envisaged for Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.
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