Westminster: New House of Formation established in Diocesan Seminary

The signing ceremony

Agreement has been reached between the Diocese of Westminster and the Neocatechumenal Way formally to establish the Redemptoris Mater House as a House of Formation within the structure of Allen Hall.

In a statement, the Diocese said: "After more than two years of cooperation between the Neocatechumenal Way and our Diocesan Seminary at Allen Hall, formal agreements governing this growing cooperation have been signed by Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Kiko Arguello in the presence of the other leaders of the Neo Catechumenal Way.

These years have seen very significant growth in mutual trust and understanding in the formation of men for the priesthood with deepening appreciation of the strengths brought to this journey by the Neocatechumenal Way and its communities.

This agreement formally establishes the Redemptoris Mater House, at present in Harewood Avenue, as a House of Formation within the structure of the Diocesan Seminary, Allen Hall. Redemptoris Mater will have a special missionary character so as to enable priests whose Christian life and vocation is nurtured in The Way to be ready to serve not only as priests in the Diocese of Westminster but also in response to the demands and invitations of the New Evangelisation in countries around the world. The agreements cover all aspects of the complementary role of Redemptoris Mater as a special House of Formation within the Seminary of Allen Hall in forming candidates for ordination to the priesthood in the Diocese of Westminster. They also cover matters concerning the appointment of these priests during the years of their ministry.

This agreement lays the foundations for a generous participation by the Diocese of Westminster in the ‘missio ad gentes’ which is so central to the vision of the Neo Catechumenal Way and in which the support of families of The Way also play an important part.

The signing of these agreements and the formal establishment of the Redemptoris Mater House is the fruit of these years of cooperation and an important step in this developing partnership between the Diocese and the Neocatechumenal Way.

Source: CCN