Post 2: Warm Welcome to Fr Ian Grieves and his community...

Last evening a great number of us had the privilege of attending the ordination to the Catholic Priesthood of Father Ian Grieves, who had previously been Vicar of St James the Great in Darlington. It was a marvellous occasion, with splendid serving and wonderful singing from the choir, who performed Mass for Four Voices by William Byrd. The congregation were enthusiastic, and several priests and clergy were present to support Fr Grieves, both on the sanctuary and in the congregation.


St Anne’s was full to the brim and proved an acceptable setting, but it has nothing of the beauty that was St James the Great. Still, this is a time for looking forward, not backward, and for reminding ourselves that the external trappings are not the substance: Fr Grieves and his flock have come into the fullness of truth and sacramental life offered by God to man, and we can only rejoice.


Priestly Orders were conferred on Fr Grieves by Bishop Seamus Cunningham of Hexham and Newcastle. It was good to see Mgr Keith Newton in attendance, but it did make me feel it is time for the Ordinariate to perform its own ordinations by the appointment of a Bishop as Ordinary.


May God bless Fr Grieves, his community and the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.


Fr Dickson