Fr Hunwicke Comments On The Catholic Herald Piece

Fr Hunwicke posts what I think is a pretty weak answer to Thompson at Liturgical Notes. His point appears to be that the OOLW is indeed short on laity, and it is indeed short on money, but joie de vivre makes up for it. Well, I'm thousands of miles away, maybe he has a point.

But the comments on his post are telling. For instance,

The main issue is the very disappointing response (an understatement) from Anglican Catholic-minded laity. Pope Benedict thought he was offering the best of all possible worlds: solid doctrine, (assuredly) valid orders, excellent inculturated liturgy and above all Englishness (never Fr. -- or indeed Bishop -- Fintan O'Shaughnessy's strong point).

Enough Anglican clergy came across to the UK Ordinariate to man an entire English Catholic diocese. But if attachment to church buildings is such a deal-breaker for lay Anglicans, aren't some English Catholic bishops right to be privately sceptical about the Ordinariate and its chances?

or,

However, as regards Anglican clergy who prefer to remain Anglican until they qualify for a pension, then expect to be welcomed with open arms when they profess a fully Catholic faith after they reach age 65, I think a skeptical attitude on the part of Catholic bishops is at least understandable. These bishops would regard such clergy in a different light than Anglican laity, and might question their convictions and devotion to the Church.

I realize, of course, that the situation is complicated, both personally and historically, and I don't doubt that some Catholic bishops discourage such Anglican clergy out of unworthy motives. A generous attitude is surely best. Still, some of them may well be acquainted with Anglican clergy who made the leap before age 65 at considerable personal sacrifice.

It seems to me that the points in both comments hit home in North America as well: the OCSP is top-heavy with clergy and prebends, and notwithstanding the Lopes housecleaning, it continues to be dominated by TEC pensioners, some apparently well off. But more to the point, it appears that both ordinariates are clergy-centered and apparently focus on overspecialized cliques -- except, in the OCSP, for a second wave of marginal candidates from marginally Anglican denominations who apparently knew the right people in the first wave.

Per Fr Hunwicke, lots of joie de vivre when they all get together. The Father is apparently incapable of irony.