THE COMPANY OF MISSION PRIESTS
A bit of History
The outbreak of World War II presented the Church of England with many urgent pastoral and practical problems. In January 1940, these problems led the Superiors of the three Religious Communities (SSJE, CR and SSM) to issue an Appeal addressed to the clergy, supported by a covering letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Cosmo Lang. There was a need, they said, to form a company of Mission Priests, who would undertake to remain free from the personal and financial obligations of marriage and family life so that they could work, if necessary, without a full stipend, and be available to go wherever they might be needed. In this way, the pastoral and provision made for the future growth of the “housing estates which threaten to become new centres of heathenism.”
These Mission Priests, the Appeal suggested, would not take vows, as members of the Religious Communities did, but would bind themselves to this form of Apostolic Life by a solemn Promise to be renewed annually; and could withdraw from the Company on giving the required notice.
A number of priests responded, and the first members were admitted on the 2nd of May 1940. By 1944, the Company had 26 members, 19 of whom were serving in the parishes, while the others were chaplains to the Armed Forces or working in Africa. Since then, the Company has continued to serve both Church and people, primarily in the large housing estates and inner-city areas of England, but also, for many years, overseas, in Guyana and Madagascar.
These Mission Priests, the Appeal suggested, would not take vows, as members of the Religious Communities did, but would bind themselves to this form of Apostolic Life by a solemn Promise to be renewed annually; and could withdraw from the Company on giving the required notice.
A number of priests responded, and the first members were admitted on the 2nd of May 1940. By 1944, the Company had 26 members, 19 of whom were serving in the parishes, while the others were chaplains to the Armed Forces or working in Africa. Since then, the Company has continued to serve both Church and people, primarily in the large housing estates and inner-city areas of England, but also, for many years, overseas, in Guyana and Madagascar.
