TO MEMBERS OF THE GRAND PRIORY OF ENGLAND & WALES

 A PASTORAL LETTER 

from 

THE CHAPLAIN-GENERAL

 Dear Confrères et Consoeurs,

On Saturday, 13th September 2008, I was privileged to take part in the Installation of our new Grand Master, H.E. Don Carlos Gereda de Borbon, Marquis of Almazàn, in the Cathedral Church of St Anne, Manchester. Representatives from jurisdictions all over the world attended, and our own Grand Prior and Chancellor played significant rôles in the ceremony.  After the service, there was a reception and dinner where the atmosphere was warm, positive and hopeful.  We were once again a United Order.

That, however, was only the beginning, as was stressed by many of the speakers, and it will be up to us to work together to preserve and strengthen that unity, which is vital for the life, witness and progress of our Order, and for the growth of its essential hospitaller work among the sick and needy.  There will be difficulties, of course, since for some years we have, in both groups, followed our own ways and, as we say now, “done our own thing”.  This cannot continue, and we shall all have to conquer some of our prejudices and relinquish some of our cherished ways of doing things.   There may very well be difficulties and tensions, but these must be overcome in a charitable and Christian manner.  Prayer and discussion will need to inform all we do.

Unity, for Christians, is not merely the result of clever diplomacy; it is a gift from God.  It is a gift for which Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed at the Last Supper, and so it cannot in any Christian body be a secondary item on the agenda.  Not only must we pray for this gift, we must work for it, as St Paul had to work to maintain the unity of those squabbling early Christian churches.  He wrote in the 3rd Chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians, chosen as one of the readings at the service of Installation:  “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive, as the Lord has forgiven you.”  He is speaking also to us, in our situation, in this Pauline Year.  We must take his advice to heart.

If this seems a daunting task, we should remember that the Holy Spirit will help us.  Again, St Paul’s advice provides a valuable guide: “...clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”;  “...put on love”;  “...let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts”;  “...be thankful”;  “...let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”;  and, finally, “...whatever you do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  There is the pattern for our growing together and overcoming our difficulties in the coming years.

Make no mistake about it, God wants our noble Order to flourish and increase – but the work must be ours.  Our Lady, Saint Lazarus and all the saints of our Order will support us with their prayers, so that we can stand together with confidence. Pray also for our new Grand Master, that in wisdom and love he may guide us all.

Yours in Christ,

David W. Skeoch

If at any time you wish to speak to me please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

‘La Canonica’,

81, Wilkinson Drive

Kesgrave

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP5 2DS 

Tel. 01473  612178