Diocese of Portsmouth prepares to welcome Ordinariate

Reading is one of those towns that only just falls into the Roman Catholic diocese of Portsmouth; just the other side of the River Thames is the Archdiocese of Birmingham. This has been important in these nascent stages of the Ordinariate because the Roman Catholic bishops of England and Wales have been helping the Ordinariate onto its feet. Without its own structures and staff, the Ordinariate needs the help of the geographic dioceses to get going. While the Ordinariate has its own Ordinary, and therefore jurisdiction rests with him, it is important that it is not seen as entirely seperate from the dioceses. Indeed there will in many areas be a great deal of cross-over between the Ordinariate and the rest of the RC Church in England and Wales. Bishop Crispian Hollis, the RC bishop of Portsmouth has been keen to welcome those entering the Ordinariate, and like other diocesan bishops will be welcoming the 'first wave' to his cathedral for the Rite of Election in March. 'Portsmouth People', the diocesan magazine, has a couple of articles to introduce the Roman Catholic laity to the idea of the Ordinariate and prepare them for those with whom they will soon be in communion. You can see the online edition here, with the articles being found on pages 14 and 15.