Chrism Mass

This Holy Week service is usually held on the morning of Maundy Thursday. Priests gather with their Bishop for the consecration of the holy oils to be used at the heart of their ministry and also to renew their priestly vows as they return to their parishes to celebrate the Easter Triduum with their people ( extending the bishop's ministry into the parishes).

Some of us met today with the Bishop of Whitby at St Columba, Middlesboro (in the presence of the Archbishop of York) for these ceremonies. It is something we wish to do with a bishop and priests of our own integrity and not compromise our faith in the ceremonies to be held in York Minster on Thursday. It is one of the consequences of the Church of England ordaining women, against the tradition of the catholic church from the beginning.