A report from the TAC body in England

Fr Ian Westby has kindly sent us this lovely article of his Harvest Thanksgiving Service up in Yorkshire.

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The photo is showing from left to right, Fr Christopher Stephenson (Scarborough), Fr Peter Adamson (Darlington), Bishop Robert Mercer CR (Bishop Emeritus of the ACCC), Canon Ian Westby (Aske Chapel), Fr David Cummins (Northumberland and Tyne).

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For a second time this year, I found myself standing on platform four of the North bound line at Darlington Railway Station, waiting to greet Bishop Robert Mercer CR on his second visit to our church community in North Yorkshire. Whilst waiting for his train to arrive from Kings Cross. London, I cast my mind back to the days when Stephenson’s Rocket first drew steam, beginning the passenger railways as we know them today. As I stood looking down at the railway lines, I marvelled at the thought, that from these railway tracks, I can go by train, all the way to China – and it all began just down the road here in the North East of England. Just then the high speed train from London arrived with the bishop on board, right on the minute it was due.

Those of you who know Bishop Robert, know that one has to observe protocol, so it was straight to Cooper’s ( a rather nice establishment), for ‘tea and cake with ‘pouring cream’, to boot! It was then on to his accommodation (which I am unable to expand upon, for fear of being hung, drawn and quartered). Here, I left him to enjoy a pleasant evening in the most agreeable of company, until the morning when we met at Aske Chapel for Mass, and following the service he brought people up to date on the state of play as he knew it, with regard to the Apostolic Constitution – Anglicanorum Coetibus. He was well received and his pastoral skills helped people to begin a process of thought about their future, and in which direction they may feel they are being led. It is by no means certain that they will follow their Priest, in walking the bridge over the Tiber, though we are doing our best to help them decide their path, whatever it may be.

As usual, our beloved Bishop Robert Mercer shows his dismay at having his photo taken.