In other words, the Ordinariate of the Chair of St Peter is little more than a clone of half a dozen tiny, corrupt "continuing Anglican" denominations. The US Ordinariate is inarguably tiny. But with allegations of cronyism, careerism, old-boyism, this-is-our-policy-except-when-it-isn't, I think a serious case can be made that it's corrupt as well. A good thing, it would be my guess, that Pope Francis has far more important matters to occupy his time.
Trying to see this thing in context, it seems to me that Jeffrey Steenson is in precisely the same league with James Mote, Louis Falk, John Hepworth, or David Moyer, much less a visionary than an opportunist. That the US Ordinariate, touted as a historic development, a generous gesture by the Holy Father, would turn into something so trivial raises serious questions about Steenson's discernment. He spent his career for this?
I've done this blog as an investigation into what my other options might be, once the option of this historic development, this generous gesture, went down the tube, and how this state of affairs came about. I think the following conclusions are inescapable:
- Even if it were practically possible for my wife and me to participate in an Ordinariate parish, it would not be good stewardship of our time, talent, and treasure.
- Since it isn't possible for us to attend an Ordinariate mass within a reasonable distance, that's not an option anyhow, especially when there are scores of Catholic parishes closer at hand.
- Even if we chose to attend an Ordinariate mass out of curiosity, while traveling for instance, there are so few such parishes anywhere, and indeed most in places like Baltimore or Indianapolis, that this isn't an option, either.
- At least an Ordinariate mass, said according to approved liturgy and with a Catholic priest, is a valid sacrament. A "continuing Anglican" mass doesn't even have that advantage.
- Participation in any "continuing Anglican" denomination was never a serious option for my wife and me in any case.
