U.S. Ordinariate begins in Mobile

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - A Mobile man will be the first of thirty former Anglican priests to make history this summer.  

Mobile Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi will ordain Matthew Venuti as the first member of the U.S. based Catholic Oridnariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Venuti is a former Episcopal priest.

The U.S. Ordinariate was created by Pope Benedict XVI to welcome Anglican groups and clergy seeking to become Catholic while retaining elements of their Anglican heritage. It's compared to a diocese, but on a national level.

The United States ordinariate will be led by former Episcopal bishop, Monsignnor Jeffrey Steenson of Houston, Texas.

Australia is also establishing an Ordinariate this summer. England is home to the first.

Venuti's ordination is taking place Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Mobile.

Archbishop Rodi noted, “Matthew’s ordination is both a joy and a sign of hope that the unity Jesus prayed for at the Last Supper may one day be fully realized. We welcome him to serve the people both of the Archdiocese of Mobile and the Ordinariate.”

In speaking about the ordinations nationally, Msgr. Steenson said, “These ordinations mark a significant moment in the history of Catholic unity. Our expedited formation program, approved by the Holy See, has been a wonderful testimony to the deep respect that the Catholic Church has for the former Anglican ministries of these men.”

“Coming home to the Catholic Church has been an amazing experience. I am ever grateful to the Holy Father for calling Anglicans back home and extending such pastoral generosity,” said Venuti.

Matthew Venuti, 31, received an undergraduate degree from the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY in 2002. He worked in the music industry, in the jazz and pop music fields, before entering Virginia Theological Seminary. After receiving a master of divinity degree in 2010, he was ordained an Episcopal priest.

He served as curate for the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Dothan, Alabama until entering the Catholic Church in September 2011. He currently serves as the coordinator of faith formation for St. Mary Catholic parish in Mobile. He also leads the Society of St. Gregory the Great, an Anglican use group that is based at St. Mary’s and is online at www.stgregorymobile.org . He and his wife, Minerva, have been married for five years and have a young son. Special permission has been given for those former Anglican priests who are married to be ordained Catholic priests.

Prior to ordination, the men must go through an extensive process that includes submitting detailed background information to, and receiving approval to move forward from, the Vatican; undergoing a criminal background check and psychological assessment; receiving an endorsement from the local Catholic bishop; participating in an intensive formation program; passing an examination; and receiving a rescript from the Vatican permitting ordination. Ordinations are being scheduled as rescripts are received.

Online:
U.S. Ordinariate: www.usordinariate.org and www.facebook.com/CSPOrdinariate
Society of St. Gregory the Great: www.stgregorymobile.org
Anglicanorum coetibus, the Vatican document authorizing ordinariates: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_ben-xvi_apc_20091104_anglicanorum-coetibus_en.html