What the General Synod of the Church of England would not see, the Holy Father understood. What the General Synod of the Church of England is not willing to offer, the Holy Father has given. A personal ordinariate, a non-geographical diocese-like structure is what the Holy See wants to offer to those who would like to retain their Anglican identity and spirituality while remaining faithful to the Faith once delivered to the saints.

This is what I perceive in the announcement made this morning by the Holy See and the Archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster simultaneously. However, the advice offered by the bishops of Ebbsfleet and Richborough is of the essence. This is a time of prayer and reflection, a time when all of us can examine where we are and what kind of new horizon unfolds ahead of us. Where is the Spirit blowing? It is only in prayer and faithfulness that we can discover this while we keep on proclaiming the Gospel of life and joy.

The Apostolic Constitution (the highest form of Papal document) is not available as yet, neither are ancillary documents which might be published alongside it or in its aftermath. I do not wait to see if the devil is in the detail, I await to see the broader picture, but wait in prayer and joy. Whatever the future is, it is one of joy, light and peace as the future is only Christ our hope and our beloved.