Society of Saint Wilfrid and Saint Hilda

Society of Saint Wilfrid and Saint Hilda
Name	Society of Saint Wilfrid and Saint Hilda
Formation	20th century
Type	Anglican devotional society
Headquarters	England
Region served	United Kingdom

Society of Saint Wilfrid and Saint Hilda is an Anglican devotional society associated with the Anglo-Catholic tradition within the Church of England that promotes priestly ministry and the role of women in ordained ministry. The society aligns itself with historical figures such as Saint Wilfrid and Saint Hilda of Whitby and engages with institutions like Lambeth Palace, General Synod, and diocesan structures across Canterbury, York, and London. It participates in debates that have involved bodies such as the House of Bishops, Archbishop of Canterbury, and movements including Forward in Faith and Affirming Catholicism.

History

The society emerged during a period shaped by developments traced to the Oxford Movement, Tractarianism, and the liturgical renewal influenced by Edward Bouverie Pusey and John Henry Newman, interacting with events like the revival of religious orders exemplified by Community of St Mary the Virgin and Religious Communities Act 1974. Early institutional responses to women's ministry — for example the decisions at meetings of the Church of England General Synod and controversies surrounding the ordination of women debated in the 1978 Lambeth Conference and later synods — provided the context for formation and growth alongside groups such as Society of Mary and Guild of All Souls. Over time the society has responded to pronouncements by figures like the Archbishop of York, disputes involving Diocese of London clergy, and jurisprudence referenced in cases before ecclesiastical courts and panels including House of Bishops Declaration discussions.

Objectives and Charism

The society's stated aims draw on the spirituality associated with Hilda of Whitby and Wilfrid of York, emphasizing sacramental life, priestly identity, and pastoral care in continuity with the Book of Common Prayer and the Anglican Missal. It articulates theological commitments resonant with Anglican patrimony invoked in debates featuring Richard Hooker, Rowan Williams, and N. T. Wright, while engaging with contemporary documents from Lambeth Conference reports and statements by the Anglican Communion Office. Its charism intersects with devotional practices preserved by communities such as the Society of Mary, the Community of the Resurrection, and the Sisters of the Church, and it maintains liturgical preferences similar to those found in parishes of the Forward in Faith constituency.

Membership and Structure

Membership comprises ordained and lay persons affiliated with dioceses including Canterbury, Durham, and Exeter, and parishes historically tied to ecclesiastical patrons such as Guildford and Chichester. Governance typically features elected officers, a council, and a president or warden, analogous to structures in the Church Union and Society for the Maintenance of the Faith. Associations with theological colleges such as Westcott House, Ripon College Cuddesdon, and St Stephen's House, Oxford inform clerical formation and ongoing formation programmes. The society interacts with episcopal oversight provided by bishops in see cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and Coventry and with provincial authorities in Province of York and Province of Canterbury.

Activities and Ministries

The society organizes sacramental and devotional events including sung Eucharist celebrations, retreats, and pilgrimages to historic sites such as Whitby Abbey, Ripon Cathedral, and York Minster, and collaborates with charities and projects linked to Church Army and Christian Aid initiatives. It supports priestly ministry in parishes, chaplaincies associated with institutions like King's College London and Oxford University colleges, and participates in conferences alongside organizations like the Society of Mary and the Guild of All Souls. Educational activities include study days addressing theological topics raised by scholars such as Alister McGrath, Rowan Williams, and Aidan Nichols, and liturgical formation referencing the Alternative Service Book and revisions leading to the Common Worship series.

Relationship with the Church of England

The society maintains formal and informal relationships with diocesan bishops, chapter clergy, and national bodies including the Archbishops' Council and the General Synod of the Church of England. It has been part of internal dialogues concerning episcopal oversight, episcopal ministry, and canons debated in venues from Lambeth to the Palace of Westminster, often positioning itself in relation to other groups such as Forward in Faith, Inclusive Church, and Affirming Catholicism. The society's stance has engaged with legislation and declarations around ordination featured in synodical measures and pastoral guidance issued by the House of Bishops.

Notable Members and Leadership

Prominent clergy and scholars associated with the society have included parish priests, cathedral canons, and theological academics affiliated with St Paul's Cathedral, Ripon Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Westcott House, and St Stephen's House, Oxford. Leadership roles have been held by figures active in diocesan synods, cathedral chapters, and ecumenical dialogues involving bodies like the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, and agencies of the Anglican Communion. The society's leaders have sometimes crossed paths with well-known churchmen and women such as Rowan Williams, John Sentamu, David Hope, N. T. Wright, and theologians engaged in public controversy and ecumenical work.

Category:Anglican organizations Category:Anglo-Catholicism