A very large part of Piddingworth's on-going mission includes the promotion
of the Christian life and virtues, and to celebrate and honour that great faith
given to the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, once and for all, to the apostles
and all the saints.
Many in this generation, tempted by the illusions, inventions and novelties
of "New Age" paganism, have turned away from the enduring truths that are
the foundation of our civilisation and of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
Some within the Church itself have advocated replacing much of the Faith with worldly,
political and old pagan notions that are quite beyond the pale.
Thankfully, there remains, still and forever, the Living Water of Christ,
the Son of God, for those who thirst for true happiness, and the answer to life's
purpose and meaning.
The Christian faith was deeply held and lived by my West family at Piddingworth,
Stanmer Farm, East Sussex. In the midst of their labours, tragedy and much suffering,
there emerged from that place, the simple, loving and good example of Rose West,
my grandmother, whose quiet gift, by God's grace, has been passed on to her family.
Since 1991, I sought to dedicate my work and ministry to her beloved memory,
as well as that of her mother, father, sister and brothers, for the sake of the
kingdom of God.
I naturally treasure the English Church and it's beautiful traditions from which
I first received the grace of the Christian life and ministry but am deeply saddened
by the recent, devastating and,in places, perverse innovations in faith, teaching,
practice, within the Anglican Communion.
Having isolated itself from its Catholic and Orthodox brethren, it has chosen,
in a variety of ways, to abandon the vital Catholic and Apostolic tradition it once declared
and guarded during and following four centuries of religious and political conflict.
So many 'shepherds' have abandoned their 'sheep'...and the sheep have been scattered
with so many now 'lost'. To them, I am sympathetic but hope that they will seek
the riches of faith where they may be found in the Church instituted by Christ Himself.
So, whilst my religious and spiritual identity remains deeply attached to the Anglican
cultural heritage, I have, since 1998, embraced in conscience, and am in full communion
with the Catholic Church and the authority of St. Peter. I pray in hope with St. Thomas More
and St. John Fisher that, by God's grace, the English Church will be restored; by fidelity
to Christ's enduring gospel, for the sanctification of the world and the fulfilment
of His kingdom.
Gregory Benton
updated September, 2009 |
