In an unprecedented move, the Vatican has announced today the formation of "Anglican Ordinariates" within the operational structure of the Roman Catholic Church. Established under a soon-to-be released "apostolic constitution," the new home for disenfranchised Anglicans and Episcopalians will supposedly be allowed to retain Anglican style worship albeit with rigors of Roman theology. Apparently this is a major move for the Vatican to accept in whole or in part Anglican dioceses, parishes, and clergy into the fold.
Married Anglican bishops who abandoned the Communion will not be allowed to be Roman ordinaries, but somewhere I did read that celibate Anglican bishops and priests would be considered. I'm guessing, here, that Rome will re-ordain all priests and bishops received in this new manner, since it's been made quite clear that Anglican Orders are not substantiated in Roman eyes.
I must admit that I'm surprised by this. I learned about this today while attending a Clericus (local clergy gathering) over lunch. I suppose I stand firmly in the camp that it is quite acceptable to be and remain Anglican which is part and parcel of the worldwide apostolic, catholic church.
Is this really an open arm gesture from Rome inviting full communion? Does it impair future Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue? Should we be excited about this?
2 comments:
Very interesting. I personally have thought that much of the dialogue with Rome was always one sided...as they see us as a schismatic church, and our orders as invalid. There is both a joy and a sadness in what has happened here. People who do not agree with The Episcopal Church's direction can find a community with whom they agree. On the other hand, for those of us who see God's leading in the Episcopal Church in its acceptance of women priests and gltb clergy, there may be much less struggle at every turn.
It's only exciting for Anglicans with the particular strain of inferiority complex which incessantly drives them to seek approval from either the Vatican or the Eastern patriarchs. I'll go out on a limb and say the only disaffected Anglicans who take advantage will be those for whom there was no "anglo" in their anglo-catholicism.
I believe we read in the Scriptures that we shall be known by our fruit, not by winning the "we've got more bishopy bishops than you" contest.
For individuals genuinely led by God to the Roman Catholic Church, I say we should give our full blessing. But one can hardly ignore the fact that this probably has something to do with the Traditional Anglican Communion's petition to the Vatican in 2007 to be accepted into the RCC wholesale.
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