Novels on track

The last month has been busy rewriting completely the first of a series of books on a common theme, the Church of England as I see it, and experienced it.

They are in fictional form in an imaginary diocese somewhere in the South of England.

In a way they are my response to Susan Howatch's "Starbridge" series. However, they seem to be more Barchester or P.G. Wodehouse than anything else. My Bishop, an ex Regius Professor at Cambridge wanted me to allow him to put my name forward for the Starbridge Lecturership, so I feel I may have a duty to follow this exercise of writing historical novels instead. I withdrew my name as I was unable to afford the time away from the parish and other duties. The post went to the Bishop's other nominee, someone whose work I admire and who would probably have been appointed anyway.

In time these drafts will be finished and I hope published. As for now, enjoy the website dealing with the area.

God be with you all!

Nevertheless it is an attempt to outline what life was like in the Church of England at the various times depicted.

Pilgrims

Dear Friends,

A slight diversion from the recent domesticity.

I note that the Bishop of Mostar is tidying up some of the liturgical facilities in Medjugorje, especially at two of the popular communities there.

No doubt detractors will see this as yet another sign of disapproval of all that is happening there.

However, we need to be reminded that the Bishop, although sceptical about the appearances of the BVM there, is an ardent supporter of a healthy devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Before we rush to the barricades on either side of the various arguments in Medjugorje, let's pause and reflect, that doing this may help to concentrate such devotion at more public venues including the parish church, and enhance the kind of healthy spiritual life he seeks to promote.

The problem as I see it, is that so few detractors notice how positive Bishop Peric is over many aspects of the work in Medjugorje. In addition his stance helps a good outcome in the end as well as the meantime whether the Vatican approves of the visions as genuine or otherwise.

So cheer up, there are lots of reasons to continue to be very cheerful about those going on pilgrimage to Medjugorje ... and to continue to pray that by so doing their devotional life may be enhanced and grow healthier.

Yours ay,

Fr. Ted
(The Reverend Doctor Edward Baty, IMM)

PS If you are in England and can't get to Medjugorje, then visit Walsingham. There are heaps of new and exciting things going on there, not least the advent of Bishop Lindsay at the Anglican Shrine.