VATICAN CITY — It appears to be the calm before the storm for the Anglican Communion.
Amid much debate and controversy, last month the Church of England decided to allow women to become bishops in the next two years.
The move greatly upset traditionalist Anglicans, who are now expected to leave the Anglican Communion in large numbers — although not just yet.
All of the traditionalists’ wishes were rejected at a heated July 9-13 meeting of the Church of England’s General Synod in York, England. The traditionalists had sought an amendment for alternative male bishops. The amendment would have allowed parishes unwilling to have a woman bishop to call upon a male alternative who would have his own autonomy and “joint jurisdiction” over those parishes.
But the synod narrowly voted against the compromise, despite it being supported by Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, and John Sentamu, the archbishop of York. Instead, it was decided that women bishops should be able to decide the identity and functions of any alternative bishop, and they would only have to consult a code of practice in dealing with traditionalists.
The ruling will now be put to the Church of England’s 44 diocesan synods before returning to the General Synod, where it must receive a two-thirds majority. It must then receive parliamentary approval before being granted royal assent.
But these are mere formalities, and the decision is effectively passed, bringing to an end years of debate over women bishops in the Church of England.
Traditionalists Prepare
Forward in Faith, the Anglican Communion’s largest traditionalist group with about 10,000 worldwide members, including more than 1,000 clergy, said the move will prompt large numbers of Anglo-Catholics to consider conversion to the Catholic faith.
Speaking to the Register July 28, Bishop John Broadhurst, chairman of Forward in Faith International, said there was now “no question” that as an individual he was interested in joining the new personal ordinariate announced by Pope Benedict XVI last October.
The ordinariate, announced through the apostolic constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus, is a canonical structure which will allow former Anglicans to be received en masse into the Catholic Church but retain elements of their distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony.
Bishop Broadhurst said the General Synod vote came as no surprise and that even with the archbishop of Canterbury’s amendment, the synod’s proposals were “totally unacceptable” to him and other Anglo-Catholics. “It was a complete denial of all the promises they’ve made since 1994,” he said.
Stephen Parkinson, Forward in Faith’s U.K. director, told reporters after the synod, “They are saying either put up or shut up and accept innovations, however unscriptural or heretical, or get out.”
Crossing the Tiber
But so far, there are no signs of the predicted exodus of traditionalists into the Catholic Church. “We’re waiting to hear any signs of life,” said one Vatican official, “but we’re not hearing much yet.”
Numbers interested in the ordinariate are also said to be very small, and so far they have only been from Australia, England, Canada and America. “They’re an umbrella group of people mostly disaffected with other churches,” said the official. “The Vatican takes them seriously but is looking carefully into who they are and what needs to be done.” He said it’s currently a case of “wait and see” to find out how many choose to cross the Tiber, although he thought it “all the more strange” that so few are coming over when there were said to be “repeated requests” for the ordinariate.
Traditionalist sources, however, say priests are already applying. The delay is being put down to the synod ruling not being definitive (due to the need to be voted upon within dioceses and Parliament).
Pope Benedict XVI’s state visit to Britain in September is also an important consideration. Traditionalists, in the U.K. at least, are unwilling to make any conspicuous moves until the visit is over to avoid embarrassing the Holy Father.
But the main reason for the delay is that the structures for the ordinariates have yet to be set up, a responsibility solely belonging to the Vatican, and which is being carefully worked out.
“You can’t join what’s not yet established,” said Bishop Broadhurst, adding that when it is, he expects a healthy response. “Initially, not many will come over,” he said, “but, ultimately, it will be a large number.” Forward in Faith will be holding a third and crucial meeting to discuss the ordinariates in the fall.
Regarding North America, the situation is somewhat different, as Anglican-use parishes have long existed within some dioceses, and some breakaway Anglican groups are not so clearly defined (among their members is a wide range of theological views and not all are Anglo-Catholics). But Bishop Broadhurst is confident that even in North America a significant number of traditionalist Episcopalians will cross the Tiber, noting that many are currently in a “holding pattern” waiting to see how the ordinariates will evolve.
Anglican-Catholic Dialogue
Meanwhile, despite these ructions in the Anglican Communion, ecumenical dialogue continues. The next stage of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission is going ahead, and both churches are drawing up teams of theologians ahead of the discussions.
The Vatican is confident dialogue can proceed, and it is still committed to helping prevent the Anglican Communion from fragmenting. It says the current troubles in the Church of England will only affect the dialogue if there is a mass exodus of Anglo-Catholics from the Anglican Communion. Then the Vatican would be talking with a different kind of Anglican Communion, one much more Protestant than it was in the past.
Just how Protestant depends on how severe the impending storm between Anglican traditionalists and their opponents proves to be, a tempest that’s likely to break out in the fall.
Edward Pentin writes from Rome.
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Surely a misprint. This should be: even with the archbishop of Canterbury’s amendment, the synod’s proposals were “totally unacceptable” to him and other Anglo-Catholics.
The only acceptable solution within the CoE is a “third province” without women “deacons”, “priests”, or “bishops”. William’s fig-leaf makes absolutely no difference to this. We simply cannot be part of a church with women “priests” or “bishops”.
The decision is NOT “effectively passed”. It requires approval by two-thirds majorities in two years’ time and is unlikely to succeed without the necessary provision for Catholic clergy and laity.
Bishop Broadhurst is desperately talking up the “crisis” as there are very few takers for his Ordinariate scheme, and he knows that it will be an embarrassing flop.
It is only a matter of time when we see the same stupid game played here in America.
It’s unfortunate that so many Protestant faiths have recntly embraced the secular relativism of today’s society.
What ever happend to their Bible based beliefs regarding abortion (Thou shall not kill); homosexuality; Women Bishops and Ministers, etc.
If any non-Catholic wishes to know more about the Catholic Faith, I highly recommend reading the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition”, for the Church’s teachings on Faith and Morals.
You will find the Catechism well-documented, with copious notes and citations to Sacred Scripture, the writings of the early Christian Fathers, and other sources of impeccable authority.
Students (aged 15 and over), laymen, and the average reader alike will find it easy to read and understand. At the same time, those interested in serious scholarship will discover a treasure trove of theology, history, and doctrine.
I do not think Rome is right in helping Anglicanism from falling apart; that is really not a spiritual discernment. The disolution of Anglicanism IS THE RESULT OF PRIVATE JUDGMENT ON THE BASIS OF REASONED CONSIDERATION. IT DOES NOT ACCEPT THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. IT IS MORE LIKE THE DECISION OF A DEMOCRAT CHANGING PARTY TO BECOME A REPUBLICAN OR INDEPENDENT. IT THEREFORE IS NOT AN ACT OF FAITH, BUT ONLY OF IT PRELIMINARY ACT OF REASONED JUDGMENT. THE FAITH JUDGMENT CAN ONLY COME BY PRAYER THAT MOVES THE MIND TO ACCEPT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AS THE ONE WITH DIVINE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST TO TEACH THE REVELATION AND BIND THEREFORE CONSCIENCES TO THE TRUTH.
Only the small minority that is asking to enter has gotten that far.
It is folly to try to shore up this internal contradiction of private judgement and the integrity of the WHOLE CHRISTIAN FAITH. AFTER NEARLY 500YRS OF SCHISM AND HERESY, THE QUICKER ANGLICANISM DISSOLVES, THE BETTER FOR THE TRUTH OF GOD!
The Vatican is delusional in thinking helping Anglicanism NOT dissolve: God is LETTING THE REAL ERRORS IN THE ANGLICAN COMPROMISE BE SHOWN IN ITS INEVITABLE LOSS OF TRUTH.
God help all those put in this terrible crisis of faith.
I hope if any decide to make the change they will start to take the steps one by one, and not wait for a mass group change from one church to the other. That does not feel right to me.
“Then the Vatican would be talking with a different kind of Anglican Communion, one much more Protestant than it was in the past.”
Importantly, this is not true. The remaining stubs will be no more Protestant than they will be Catholic. They will instead be a shifting amalgam of gnosticism and secularism. Conversations with these organizations will be less like ecumenism and more like inter-religious dialogues, with no agreement on whether Truth even exists, and no clear understanding from meeting to meeting of whom you’re meeting with and whom, if anyone, they represent.
I believe the correct term is “Anglican-Use,” not “Anglican Rite” in reference to Anglican parishes in communion with Rome in North American dioceses.
Dear Sister and Brother Anglicans,
Praise God! Come on over and bring the gift of your self by embracing “the ordinariate, announced through the apostolic constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus, the canonical structure which will allow former Anglicans to be received en masse into the Catholic Church but retain elements of their distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony.”
... and lets invite all Roman catholics who want women to be priests and bishops to join the Anglican church of England. Let’s work on unity and pray for conversion of heart for those who are in heresy. The truth will set you free, so come on over we need you and just maybe, you need us too.
peace
Sister Mary
The TRUTH shall set you free!
Sister Mary, let’s pray for all those Catholics ‘who want women priests and bishops’ to open their hearts to the fullness of TRUTH in the Catholic Church. God wants salvation for all, not just for some. He loves each one of us so much that He created us in time, even allowing His own Son to die for us, just so that all of us may be reconciled to Him! Each one is precious in the eyes of God, each one is bought with so heavy a price! Let everyone come, each with his or her own free will, to love God in the Catholic Church!
Did God not create both men and women? Does he not love ALL of his creatures? Why does the notion of woman as spiritual leader frighten so many people(men)? History provides irrefutable evidence that, prior to the introduction of “organized religion” there existed many peaceful and progressive egalitarian societies where both men and women acted as spiritual guides, healers and leaders. Then, male religious authorities decided that women were to be reduced to the status of second class citizens. Enough is enough, if the church does not progress and revise their practices to reflect what is going on in the real world, the church will lose it’s place in our society.
To those Anglicans who return to their Mother Church, the Catholic one, please bring that beautiful Canterbury Cross with you. It was first given to and used by Catholics before the split with Henry VIII.
Corrections have been made: “even with the archbishop of Canterbury’s amendment” and Anglican-use.
GOD decided that ONLY Men would be Priest !! It is not about us—it is all about GOD !!
Women have an extremely important role in our Church, our Culture, our Nations. Look at Mother Mary !! She played an extremely important role in the History of the world , and still does today, and always will play an extremely important role. We have tremendous respect for Mother Mary and all women. GOD decided the roles—not man !!
To Heather:
The Catholic Church does not make up its beliefs and practices based on what ‘progressive egalitarian societies’ teach and do, though many, like you, want it that way. That is why some leave and thereby lose their salvation. Those who remain to espouse the novelties that they have come to believe have also excommunicated themselves from the Church and have lost their salvation, and are no better off than those who left.
We have one day to give an account of what we believe and if you have believed what the Catholic Church taught, then you will have the Church as your advocate. But if you have believed what you thought you ought, then you will have Satan as your advocate.
To Terry:
The catholic church most definitely DOESN’T make up it’s beliefs based on ANYTHING progressive, that part of your letter is true. It is actually the only factual thing you said. Satan is not my advocate because I choose to believe in freedom of thought, in equality for all and in a god who loves and accepts all people of all beliefs. Living a healthy, compassionate, ethical life is not a catholic choice, it is a human choice. If you truly believe that only you and your fellow believers are deserving of eternal peace and that all others are destined for damnation, then I am willing to bet you are in for a big, unpleasant surprise. My god accepts me for who I am, and my Buddist neighbor for being who she is and my local muslim grocer for being who he is. You can keep your narrow-minded god, I prefer mine.
Placing confidence in “progressivness” and little else.. They believe their god quickly adjusts to their ways. Has God changed since the Old Testament, or have people? And those that follow Catholic Church teaching are the ones that will be in for a “big, unpeasant suprise” at their judgment. Hmm, interesting that Jesus founded this Church you speak of and Terry seems to be defending it, here 2000 years later. Who really does Gods work? While those not embracing faith continue their attack. Satan was kicked out of Heaven for rebelling, and for his free thinking. Big deal, I say, heard it all. It gets nowhere other than sincere people finding what they were missing deep in their souls and returning to the Church. The moral, the next life is nothing like this. It is a Holy life, and we are groomed on earth should we choose to exchange free will for holiness and seek that which is pleasing to God - The Mass, The Sacraments, Holy Devotions, the Holy Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and so on. And, if we don’t, God moves on and leaves us to our flimsy free will and thinking on rocky groud. And, if He isn’t around, I wonder who is?
Placing confidence in oneself and “progressivness” and little else. They believe that god loyally adjusts to their ways. Has God changed since the Old Testament, or have people? And those that follow Catholic Church teaching are the ones that will be in for a “big, unpeasant suprise” at their judgment. Hmm, interesting that Jesus founded this Church you speak of and Terry seems to be defending it, here 2000 years later. Who really does Gods work? While those not embracing faith continue their attack. Satan was kicked out of Heaven for rebelling, and for his free thinking. Big deal, I say, heard it all. It gets nowhere other than sincere people finding what they were missing deep in their souls and returning to the Church. The moral, the next life is nothing like this. It is a Holy life, and we are groomed on earth should we choose to exchange free will for holiness and seek that which is pleasing to God - The Mass, The Sacraments, Holy Devotions, the Holy Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and so on. And, if we don’t, God moves on and leaves us to our flimsy free will and thinking. And, if He isn’t around, I wonder who is?
Not to interrupt the course of the discussion, but I am curious about what Protestants believe the next world will be like, God-willing that we all make it to Heaven. Kind of hard to pose this question, because we only know this world based on our life experiences. Would love to hear everyones comments about what they believe in their heart and what it will be/feel like.
A great book about all of these issues is “” DIMITER “” , by Blatty.
Just released March 2010. This book was began in 1974. You will love it.
Rich
Mother Teresa (Saint!) is said to have supported the idea of women priests! She explained it thus.Mother Mary is the “priest par-excellance” for she gave flesh to the Son of God, allowed Him to grow inside her, bore Him for nine months and brought Him forth.. the exact functions a priest is to do. So why not women become priests and bring forth Jesus for the world ( ie in Holy Mass) ?
here is a site to find out what the Catholic Church is about:
http://www.catholicscomehome.org/
Dear Heather,
Your response - I choose to believe in freedom of thought, in equality for all and in a god who loves and accepts all people of all beliefs. Living a healthy, compassionate, ethical life is not a catholic choice, it is a human choice - in itself reveals that you are not a catholic or, having been one, you have indeed left the church.
Catholic beliefs are not made up according to human choices, however reasonable or pleasant they may appear to be. Our faith is based on what God has revealed and requires of us to believe, to gain eternal life (salvation). Rejection of that revelation is refusing the gift of salvation. No amount of living a ‘healthy, compassionate, ethical life’ will suffice to bring salvation to one self though many, like you, think so.
There are many religions, beliefs and philosophical thoughts about how one ought to live and, one indeed is free to make that ‘human choice’ that you profess. In fact, that is what happened to Adam and Eve too. Like you, they preferred their own ‘freedom of thought’ with Satan as advocate.
Vatican 2 clearly teaches that “there is salvation outside the Church”.However from the way they talk,preach and pray for, it looks like there is no salvation in other Christian denominations! We pray for others-these others often do not include denominational christians. Catholics still believe these denominational christians can be saved only if they join the Catholic flock.
Blah blah blah….boy are you in for a big surprise…
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