Oratory of The Good Shepherd - Structure and Rule

Structure and Rule

Members are organised into local 'Colleges', each of which in turn is a part of one of four Provinces of the Oratory: Australia; Europe; North America; South Africa. They are required each day to: pray the Divine Office; attend Mass; and spend an hour in private prayer. Members may use the post-nominal initials 'OGS'.

Former members have included The Father Founders Bishop John How, Bishop Edward Wynn, and The Very Rev'd Eric Milner-White, as well as: The Rev'd Canon Wilfred Knox; The Rev'd Canon Dr Alec Vidler; The Rev'd Canon Professor Eric Mascall (Referred to as 'Dr Mascall'); Archbishop John Selby Talor; Bishop George Briggs; Bishop Henry Hill; Bishop John Ruston;and The Rev'd Fr Henry R.T. Brandreth. The current membership includes Bishop Lindsay Urwin, Bishop Dominic Walker, Bishop Kenneth Mason and Bishop John William Salt. Archbishop Michael Ramsey was Visitor of the Oratory for many years.

The current Officers of the Oratory include: The Superior General of the Oratory, The Rev'd Professor Peter Hibbert; The Secretary-General, The Venerable Edward Simonton; and the Almoner-General, Brother Michael Bartlett. The Officers are elected for a three-year term at the General Chapter of the Oratory which meets once in every three years. In each of the four provinces the Provincial Chapters meet more frequently (usually annually) and elect a Provincial. The Colleges meet regularly throughout the year.

There is an association of Companions of OGS - those who are not professed members, but nevertheless support the Oratory's aims and agree to live by a simplified version of the rule.