The Portal March 2017 | Page 21

THE P RTAL
March 2017 Page 21

The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham ... its finances

Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane met Mgr John Broadhurst and Cyril Wood

In our world every organisation needs money . The Church in general , and the Ordinariate in particular , are no exceptions to this rule . Nevertheless , there are always misconceptions and misunderstandings about church finance . In an attempt to dispel some of these , we recently interviewed two people who know more about the Ordinariate finances than most people .

The Revd Mgr John Broadhurst is known to most of our readers . Formerly CofE Bishop of Fulham , he is now Chairman of the Ordinariate Finance Committee .
We met him in his comfortable study in Wellingborough . He told us , “ When the Ordinariate started , we were on a short rope ; eight months , no more . We had little money , and no reserves .
“ We did have some outside support from The Catholic League , the Papal Foundation and our Bishops ’ Conference among others , and we are very grateful , but essentially the Ordinariate was on its own . I cannot deny , for the first year things were fraught in the extreme . They are better now .
“ Since then , we have been moving towards selfsufficiency . Our biggest charge are the Seminarians . However , we do receive help from outside for them .”
Jackie asked about pensions . Fr John replied , “ We have the Sick and Retirement Fund . This is growing slowly . We hope that where our priests work for the local Diocese , a contribution will be made from them to this fund . We are actively looking for such contributions .”
Jackie wondered about contributions from the membership and stewardship . Fr John said , “ An Anglican Parish Priest had to have a Stewardship Campaign every three or four years . If he didn ’ t , money went down the pan .
“ It is a worry for us that in this area little has happened . I must say , however , that one of the substantial things for us has been what you , Jackie , have done with regard to Gift Aid . This has made a huge difference for us . It has transformed our finances . I can ’ t empasise
Mgr John Broadhurst
enough that Gift Aid is a real positive for the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham .”
Jackie said , “ Is it time for the Groups to help their members to re-assess their giving ?” Fr John said , “ Saint Patrick ’ s Soho Square was built on the halfpennies and pennies of the working-class Catholics in that part of London . Some of our folk have gone native .
“ So , yes , our Groups have to re-assess their giving . Of course , money follows vision , so we need everyone in the Ordinariate ( who pays income tax ) to be in the Gift Aid scheme . We all need to be committed , and be seen to be committed .
“ Our goals are : Support of our Clergy , Our Seminarians and their formation : Clergy training : To have our own centres : and to pick up our giving . All this is overseen by our Finances Committee which I