News

Dr Caroline Farey interviews Fr Guy Nicholls on Celtic Connections. To Listen to the interview, please click here:

http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/resolve.asp?audiofile=celtconn_20141004.mp3

To download a copy of the interview, please click here:

http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/dload1.asp?audiofile=celtconn_20141004.mp3&source=frmselectseries.asp&seriesID=&T1=caroline%20farey

 

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Academic Director Dr Andrew Beards and Bishop Philip Egan present at the Lonergan Symposium at Washington DC:

While visiting Washington DC for the Lonergan symposium on the 14^th September, Bishop Philip Egan and Dr Andrew Beards gave a presentation on the School of the Annunciation at St Anselm’s Abbey: http://www.stanselms.org/

 

Bishop Egan’s homily for the Mass of the Feast is now online as are the papers the Bishop and Dr Beards presented at the symposium, with the third paper given by Dr David Fleischacker of Mary University, Bismarck, ND: http://lonergan.org/?p=2529

 

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Cardinal Pell rules out change on communion for divorced and remarried. 

"A courteous, informed and rigorous discussion, indeed debate, is needed, especially for the coming months to defend the Christian and Catholic tradition of monogamous, indissoluble marriage,” Cardinal Pell writes.

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2014/09/18/cardinal-pell-rules-out-change-on-communion-for-divorced-remarried/

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Cardinal Pell gave an outstanding homily at the Foundation Mass of the School of the Annunciation on September 8th.

Full text here:

Cardinal_Pell_-_Foundation_Mass_Sermon_-_8th_September_2014.pdf

 Some reminders of the day:

Question and Answer Session:

Foundation Mass for the School. Read a full report here. 

Written by Mark Lambert

http://marklambert.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/blessings-for-us-all-from-buckfast.html

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Cardinal Pell to visit the School of the Annunciation for our Foundation Mass

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=25468

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Grief to Grace

Grief to Grace - Healing the Wounds of Abuse -  November 3rd - 8th 2014, The Kairos Centre, Roehampton, London, SW15 4JA. Highly recommended by the School of the Annunciation and facilitated by Dr Theresa Burke, Founder of Rachel's Vineyard, Grief to Grace is a specialised, intensive, Catholic retreat programme which integrates psychological and spiritual healing for anyone who has suffered physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, or other forms of traumatic violation in childhood, adolescence or adulthood. Its founder is Dr Theresa Burke, a leading expert on trauma theory and well known and respected as the founder of Rachel's Vineyard, a similar programme for healing those traumatised by abortion now used in 38 countries. With the support of Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark, this ministry has been piloted here in England over the past two years and has recently been granted charitable status. Grief to Grace has a wholly Catholic understanding of what constitutes human maturity, freedom and sexual dignity. Highly recommended by the School of the Annunciation, the advertised retreat takes place at The Kairos Centre, Roehampton, London, SW15 4JA from November 3rd - 8th 2014. Email [email protected] for more details or to register or telephone 020 8947 6429.

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First Students comment on the success of Liturgy Summer School

Students of the School of Annunciation recently enjoyed a ‘truly inspiring’ four day summer school on ‘Finding Faith through the Liturgy’. They praised the School for providing ‘the finest Catholic formation in England’, citing ‘passionate’ and ‘enthusiastic’ talks from the country’s leading experts in the Liturgy and Evangelisation.

Students spoke of how they ‘fell in love’with the beauty of the Liturgy – where ‘heaven and earth are joined in praise of our wonderful God’ – and how the meaning of the Mass had been ‘opened up’ for them. It was a time of both intellectual renewal, providing ‘a solid foundation for moving forward in one’s faith’, and spiritual refreshment, enriched by the ‘peace and beauty of the Liturgy’ at Buckfast Abbey.

The School of Annunciation was described as a ‘beacon of truth’, and ‘a most valuable resource’, for those who desire to join with Mary, Mother of the New Evangelisation, in contemplating and spreading the Good News of the Father’s love, in Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit.

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The School of the Annunciation pays tribute to an immensely important Catholic educationalist, apologist and thinker, Stratford Caldecott, who died this week. Stratford's legacy is far-reaching and significant for the work of new evangelisation. He offered a penetrating vision of the unity of disciplines orbiting around the living Deposit of the Catholic faith, together with a deep interest in the implications of this vision for Christian living. Above all, his work communicated his love for the All-Beautiful One that so filled his life. May he rest in peace.

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Academic Director to speak at upcoming Symposium in Washington DC.

Dr Andrew Beards, Academic Director of the School of the Annunciation and Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth to speak at upcoming symposium entitled “Liberated by God and His Church. This is to take place at St Anselm’s Abbey, Washington DC on September 14, 1:30-6pm. Bishop Egan to present opening speech on secularism. To read more visit: http://lonergan.org/?p=2435

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Michael D O'Brien

The Gabriel and Ariel Bursary Fund Autumn 2014 Bursaries are available for: The Diploma in New Evangelisation ‘Catechetics for Clergy’ short course

 A bursary fund has been established in memory of two much loved children, Gabriel and Ariel, who died before birth. The purpose of the fund is to assist students to study at the School of the Annunciation.  

Applications are invited from candidates for either of these courses. The Gabriel and Ariel Bursary Fund will pay half fees for two of the courses at the School of the Annunciation offered in 2014 and further courses from 2015 onwards.

An application form for the award can be downloaded here. Alternatively, it may be obtained from Sr Crucis, the Office Manager – [email protected] or 01364 645660. 

Prospective applicants are advised to read the notes below concerning eligibility before making an application.

Notes on eligibility

(a)          Bursaries will be awarded to individuals who otherwise would not be able to afford the course fees.

(b)          Receipt of any bursary money implies that recipients will, participate fully in the residential weeks, self study activities and associated activities of the course.  For the diploma, award of a bursary for the second year is dependent on the successful and full completion of the first year.

(c)          We rely on the integrity of the individual asking for financial assistance.  Should an individual’s financial circumstances change meaning that the bursary amount is no longer required this should be declared to the school so that the bursary funding to them can be adjusted accordingly.

(d)          Due to the very limited amount of funds available, no support can be given towards maintenance costs, just help towards fees.

(e)          Applicants must be in full communion with the Catholic Church.

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Paul VI’s sanctification through suffering and his teaching on priestly celibacy

It is good news indeed that the October Synod on the family will conclude with the beatification of Pope Paul VI. Commentators are already noting that this is a very significant gesture which signals the Church’s honouring of and commitment to Pope Paul VI as the great Pope of the family, a fact manifest in his 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae, which Pope Francis has recently praised as a ‘prophetic’ teaching.

There is no doubt that the suffering Pope Paul endured in the reaction to this encyclical was part of his sanctification. But in the very troubled years in the life of the Church after the Council he also suffered for his defence of the precious gift of priestly celibacy. Although the Second Vatican Council had defended the importance of priestly celibacy, Pope Paul, given the confusions and tensions of the time saw the need in 1967, only two years after the close of the Council, to issue the only encyclical of the Church’s magisterium to be entirely devoted to priestly celibacy, Sacerdotalis Caelibatus http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_24061967_sacerdotalis_en.html

In the last one hundred years the Church’s magisterium has been more explicit in defending and explaining the rich meaning of priestly celibacy than at any earlier time. Pope Paul followed and reaffirmed the teachings of the twentieth-century popes Benedict XV, Pius XI, Pius XII and St John XXIII; following Pope Paul, the magisterium under St John Paul II and Benedict XVI continued in this line, as did the teaching of Vatican II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.[1]

One of the very important points we learn from Pope Paul VI’s great encyclical on priestly celibacy helps clear up a very common mistake made even by some who eloquently defend celibacy. This is the idea that priestly celibacy is a matter of discipline, not of doctrine. Pope Paul’s encyclical explicitly shows this to be a mistake. He writes of ‘the true doctrine’ on celibacy which explains it and exalts its splendour (paragraph 43).[2] In other words he is saying that what he has written in the encyclical, following previous popes, is this true doctrine on priestly celibacy and why the Church upholds it. What is that true doctrine? In the encyclical Pope Paul beautifully explains that it is a doctrine that shows how on the basis of Scripture, and above all in the following of the virginal Christ, the celibate priest is configured to Christ as His representative, as the icon of Christ.

Pope Paul in common with the magisterium that came before and after, is keen to honour and affirm the priests of the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church who are married. At the same time the doctrine that Pope Paul teaches, as had the three popes before him, is that celibacy is ‘highly appropriate’, ‘very fitting’ for the priest given the theology of the priest as icon of Christ. This teaching on priestly celibacy as ‘fitting’ and ‘appropriate’ allows for the alternative tradition of some, but not all, of the Eastern rites of the Church, as it does for the cases of convert clergy who are married; permissions for this began under Pius XII in 1951. Pope Paul also observes that in these Eastern rites of the Church, and among the Orthodox also, the link between priesthood and celibacy is shown in the requirement that bishops be celibate. According to the Pope, this manifests the understanding that since bishops possess the fullness of the priesthood, the bishop should be celibate (paragraph 40). This is why in setting up the ordinariate for convert Anglican clergy the Church has maintained this requirement.

This doctrine of the fittingness or appropriateness of priestly celibacy has been taught by the magisterium in a very explicit way over the last one hundred years. At the very least, then, it requires the submission of heart and mind of all Catholics, as is clear from the teaching of Vatican II (in the Dogmatic Constitution, Lumen Gentium 25). However, it is hard to think that it is not a teaching of even a higher order. At the end of the twentieth century a number of very important scholarly and theological works appeared on celibacy by authors such as Cochini, Cholij, Stickler and Heid.[3] These theologians helped to clear away the idea that priestly celibacy was only a medieval requirement. Rather they show how the ancient tradition of life-long continence for priests goes back to the earliest times. In the encyclical on priesthood of Pope Pius XI in the 1930s and in the magisterium under St John Paul II, we find the Church affirming that this doctrine of the appropriateness of celibacy for priesthood arises in apostolic times.[4] Now in Catholic theology, if a teaching is held as coming from apostolic times then this implies that the doctrine is, at least, part of the universal magisterium of the Church to be held definitively (de fide tenenda). In fact when the Fathers at the Council of Trent were discussing celibacy the proposal was put before them that it was only a Church discipline, not a teaching arising from Scripture and Tradition. This they would not accept. This left open the option to affirm that the teaching was of a much higher level.[5]

The teaching of the popes in the last one hundred years that celibacy is most appropriate for priesthood, given the nature of the priest as icon of Christ, could not have happened if there had been no rules requiring priests to be celibate in the previous history of the Church. If priestly celibacy had been simply optional then there would have been no difference between lay folk who followed the example of the virginal Christ and priests who did so; one could not then say that celibacy was ‘very appropriate’ for priests rather than lay folk.

The doctrine that celibacy is most appropriate for priesthood, then, allows for exceptions such as are seen in some Eastern rites of the Catholic Church and in newer arrangements such as the ordinariate.[6] But if we are to follow the weighty magisterium of Paul VI and the popes such exceptions cannot be extended too far: it would be nonsense if the Church teaches with great weight that celibacy is most appropriate for priesthood while allowing this connection to diminish further and further from the practice and consciousness of the Church, from the consciousness of the People of God.

Let us then read and meditate upon this great encyclical of Paul VI in this coming year in which the Church honours him with beatification. In issuing such great encyclicals as that on priestly celibacy and on the dignity and vocation of marriage, Humanae Vitae, this courageous Pope was a martyr for truth in the confusions of a secularising and increasingly anti-life world. Increasingly we can see that the dignity of the human person, the dignity of human marriage, of love and of the meaning of human sexuality are upheld both in the Church’s teaching on marriage as open to life and on the celibacy of the priest who, in loving imitation of His Lord, gives the love of his heart to Christ and in Christ to His people.

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[1]    Benedict XV, Address, 16 Dec. 1920; Pius XI, Ad catholici sacerdotii, (1936) 40-47; Pius XII, Sacra virginitas, (1954) 22-24; John XXIII, Sacerdotii Nostri primordia, (1959) 25;Second Vatican Council, Presbyterorum Ordinis 16, Optatam Totius, 10; Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1579-80; John Paul II, Pastores dabo vobis (1994) 29; Directory on Life and Ministry of Priests, (1994) 57-60; Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis, (2007) 24. An excellent overview and analysis of the recent magisterium on priestly celibacy is given in the article by Cardinal Piacenza, http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/cardinal-piacenza-s-address-to-priestly-celibacy-congress

The School celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation

On Tuesday 25th March, the Inaugural Mass of the School of the Annuncation was celebrated in the beautifully restored Abbey church. The Staff, Trustees and Guild members were joined by many friends, family, supporters and members of the Buckfast community to give thanks to God for the founding of the School. Fr Abbot David preached the homily on the great mystery of the Annunication of Our Lord. You can read the text of his homily here.

 Father_Abbots_homily_25.03.14.pdf

 

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Bishop Philip Egan offers his support

"I am very happy to promote this new initiative, a School forming disciples for the new evangelisation, based at Buckfast Abbey. The School of the Annunciation currently offers a distance-learning Diploma in the New Evangelisation. This will be excellent training for those in your parishes who would like to be better equipped to go out and evangelise."

Rt Rev Philip Egan, Bishop of Portsmouth

 

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Dr Beards on EWTN radio

Academic Director, Dr Andrew Beards discusses the work of the School of the Annunciation and the New Evangelisation on EWTN radio.

Listen to the full interview on Celtic Connections with Kathy Sinnott on https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/67313872/Celtic%20Connections%20show%20155%20master_1-2.mp3

See www.ewtn.co.uk for full programme listings. Don't miss it!

 

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Enthusiastic reaction to the launch of the School of the Annunciation

Here is a selection from the many expressions of support that have welcomed the launch of the School of the Annunciation. All your messages have confirmed us in the hope that God has begun something wonderful here at Buckfast:

Bridget wrote:

Thank you for giving us a little bit of hope in the future. Best of luck to all at Buckfast.

Nicholas wrote:

This must surely be an interesting development for Buckfast. Perhaps Benedictine monasteries will become once again the centres of Christian learning that they were in thedark ages and later? I suspect vocations will follow.

Brandon wrote:

"I know the foundations of this amazing new resource have been based in a great deal of prayer and humble seeking of the light of our one true Faith. That light has shone through, no matter what has been put in the way and the glory that will be revealed will be of saving benefit to us all. Our prayers and support go to all the faithful staff in this new yet 2000 year old sharing of the Deposit of Faith. God bless the School of the Annunciation.."

MS Catholic wrote:

"Sounds like a great initiative which will bear much fruit. Let's all pray for the conversion of England."

John wrote:

"Excellent news, well done, this is a moment of great hope!"

freboniusthe2 wrote:

"Well done on this exciting challenge! In the words of the ordination ritual: 'May the good work which God has begun, be brought to conclusion...' "

Helena wrote:

"I have visited Buckfast Abbey some years ago, and it is a wonderful place. What is remarkable is that it was built by only four monks, and it is the ONLY Catholic abbey in England that was rebuilt on the ruins of the old abbey destoryed by Henry VIII's reformation.So I think it is a place that represents resurrection. Amazing that it is the place where the efforts of the new evangelisation is beginning. I wish all the best for everybody involved in this beautiful project. May Christianity also be reborn in England. Sometimes the Lord sends clear signs of His desires, and this seems to be one of them."

Marianne wrote:

"Joy, joy, may Our Lady and St Joseph bless this new venture in the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. Deo gratias."

Caroline wrote:

This is so exciting. Can't wait to hear more about the courses on offer. Deo gratias!"

Rachel wrote:

"Woohoo!!! Praise God! I'vebeen waiting for this! :) God is good! :) x

 

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Press Release 

A Centre of Formation for the New Evangelisation has been established by leading experts in Catholic education.  Dr Petroc Willey, Dr Andrew Beards, Dr Caroline Farey and others, have established this centre, called the School of the Annunciation, in the grounds of Buckfast Abbey in Devon, UK, thanks to the generosity and collaboration of the Abbot of Buckfast, the Rt. Rev. David Charlesworth and the monastic community.

Dr Petroc Willey was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation in 2012. The Holy Father also appointed Dr Petroc Willey and Dr Caroline Farey as advisors to the Synod on ‘New Evangelisation for the Transmission of the Faith’ held in the Vatican.  

The School of the Annunciation will begin by offering a Diploma in the New Evangelisation delivered by experts in this exciting and newly emerging field of activity and reflection in the life of the Church. As well as the Diploma in the New Evangelisation, the School of the Annunciation is offering short Summer Schools.  These provide a unique opportunity to study the Catholic Faith in the beautiful setting of Buckfast Abbey, sharing the monastic community’s life and prayer over long summer weekends in August.

The academic faculty of the School of the Annunciation includes: Dr Andrew Beards, Academic Director; Dr Caroline Farey, Director of Studies; Dr Petroc Willey, Reader in the New Evangelisation, and Rev Nick Donnelly, Director of Formation. The Academic Registrar is Miss Monica Massarella.  

On the foundation of the School of the Annunciation Abbot David Charlesworth said:

“Following on the success of the Summer Schools in previous years, the foundation of the School of the Annunciation promises to be the next phase in Buckfast Abbey becoming a centre for authentic Catholic studies in continuity with the great Benedictine tradition stretching back over 1,500 years in our country. May Our Lady of Buckfast bless this new venture.”

Rt Rev Mark O’Toole, Bishop of Plymouth said:

“I am delighted to welcome this new initiative for the New Evangelisation at Buckfast Abbey, and I am grateful for the generosity shown by Abbot David and the Monastic community in providing it a home and direction.  The Diocese of Plymouth looks forward to working with the School of the Annunciation so that the Gospel may more effectively be preached in our society.”

Dr Andrew Beards, the Academic Director, said:

“We have gathered together at Buckfast, a faculty of Catholic theologians and catechists who are experts in collaborative distance learning to create a unique experience in formation for the Church’s urgent mission of New Evangelisation. Our courses will be delivered through a creative mix of short residentials, e-learning and personal tuition.  It is our hope that men and women in this country, and from around the world, will join us in this exciting new venture to take the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ into the heart of 21^st century culture.”

Contact details

 Website: www.schooloftheannunciation.com 

 Email:  [email protected]

 Phone: 01364 645660

 Click here to read more: