"Since The Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham was established in 2011 we have been overwhelmed by the generosity and goodwill of Catholics and the enthusiasm of Anglicans, especially the clergy, to become part of this great ecumenical vision offered by Pope Benedict XVI. Now we need your help to ensure that it flourishes. We need funds to support our clergy and their families, train our priests, acquire church buildings and to help us play a full part in the New Evangelisation. The Friends of the Ordinariate was set up to help the Ordinariate with practical and financial support. I welcome you to its website and invite you to find out more. We count on your support".
Mgr Keith Newton,
Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham,
President of the Friends of the Ordinariate
On behalf of the trustees of the Friends of the Ordinariate, welcome! I have recently taken over the chairmanship from Peter Sefton-Williams who was in charge for the last four years. I would like to thank Peter for all his hard work as chairman. I am happy to say that he remains a trustee of the Friends. The primary aim of the Friends is to help the Ordinariate fulfil its mission of encouraging Anglicans to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church whilst retaining some of their most cherished patrimony. We look to the wider Catholic community for financial help so that we can support the work of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2020. The Friends of the Ordinariate was established as an organisation which is separate from the Ordinariate though we meet regularly with the Ordinary and two of the Ordinariate’s most senior priests are trustees.
We are currently paying full stipends for two newly-ordained priests as well as helping Ordinariate groups in material ways, such as contributing to a new lighting system at an Ordinariate parish; financing part of the cost of the installation of an organ; providing liturgical books and vestments and covering the cost of music at special services.
While all donations are welcome, we particularly ask benefactors to consider setting up a standing order for regular contributions. That allows us to commit funds for Ordinariate projects with more certainty.
We hope that our website will provide you with answers to any questions you may have about the work of the Friends of the Ordinariate and the sources of funding. If not, please go to the Contact page and send me a message.
Nicolas Ollivant
Chairman of the Friends of the
Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham