Posted on 04/19/2005 10:39:05 AM PDT by churchillbuff
In 2003, after Episocpalian gay bishop Robinson was elected, a group of concerned Episcopalians and Anglicans met in emergency session, in Texas, to strategize how to respond -- through formally breaking away or other strategies.
They received this letter from Rome:
October 9, 2003
From Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
The Vatican, on behalf of Pope John Paul II
I hasten to assure you of my heartfelt prayers for all those taking part in this convocation. The significance of your meeting is sensed far beyond Plano, and even in this City from which Saint Augustine of Canterbury was sent to confirm and strengthen the preaching of Christ’s Gospel in England. Nor can I fail to recall that barely 120 years later, Saint Boniface brought that same Christian faith from England to my own forebears in Germany.
The lives of these saints show us how in the Church of Christ there is a unity in truth and a communion of grace which transcend the borders of any nation. With this in mind, I pray in particular that God’s will may be done by all those who seek that unity in the truth, the gift of Christ himself.
With fraternal regards, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
Someone, somewhere fed you a pack of nonsense about all that. It took me years to realize the "idol myth" was just a cute little trick someone devised to drive a wedge in the "one holy, catholic and apostolic" church.
Great resource here: The Catholic Encyclopedia: Idolatry
Seriously considering the same thing.
Welcome home!
What you're missing is the context in which the letter was written and delivered.
Basically, Ratzinger, speaking for JPII, was granting RC church recognition to this group of American Anglicans who were distancing themselves from official ECUSA stances on homosexuality and other matters.
This is at about same time the RC Church had pulled out of Anglican/RC ecumenical discussions over the current issues -- officially, they were no longer on speaking terms with the ECUSA.
Ratzinger, writing to the conference in the name of JPII, blatantly bypassed Frank Griswold, and mentioned his "solidarity" with these Anglicans.
It was, and is, a huge deal.
I'm not looking to start anything but could you explain your use of the 1928 BCP but not the 39 Articles of Faith which have been part of the Book of Common Prayer since it was written in 1549, in particular, Article 28, which denies transubstantiation. Thanks.
Actually, I can't, but I was hoping the main website would. I am a fairly new member to the ACC, and while I did attend our last Provincial Synod back in 2003 where reinstating the 1549 BCP was discussed (but nothing decided, from what I could tell, until our Prov. Synod this year, which is to be in October), I am only nominally cognizant of what you mean by the 39 Articles of Faith. Suffice it to say, I believe the ACC is seeking to assert itself in the true and original tradition of the Christian church. My hope is that if you contact Bishop Haverland, or one of our other bishops or priests, they might be better able to answer your question.
Good sign.
As for transubstantiation, I have yet to be told that it isn't a part of our faith in the ACC. Perhaps you have an online link that I can refer to?
The Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders, Penance and Unction of the Sick, as objective and effective signs of the continued presence and saving activity of Christ our Lord among His people and as His covenanted means for conveying His grace. In particular, we affirm the necessity of Baptism and the Holy Eucharist (where they may be had) -- Baptism as incorporating us into Christ (with its completion in Confirmation as the "seal of the Holy Spirit"), and the Eucharist as the sacrifice which unites us to the all-sufficient Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and the Sacrament in which He feeds us with His Body and Blood.
You will also note that the principal service of the Anglican Catholic Church is the Holy Eucharist, or Mass. This celebration of Christ's sacrifice for us on the Cross stands at the heart of all that we are and do. In it, our Lord Jesus is made truly present to each of us and is received by each in Holy Communion (we hold that, as a rule, one should not receive the Communion regularly until one has been instructed in the Faith and confirmed by a bishop in Apostolic Succession). But for all, young or old, communicant or not, Christ is uniquely present in the Eucharist and that presence is continued as the Body of Christ is reserved on the altar at all times.
Interesting, thanks.
I wonder if the Orthodox ECUSA coalition joined the catholic church then would the catholic church put their enormous legals resources to help them keep the physical assets of the parishes.
I am sorry but I think the Catholic Encyclopedia might have a conflict of interest. Kinda like when Muslim clerics claim Islam is a religion of peace. Every rational, unbiased argument I have heard point to catholicism as idolatry.
"I am sorry but I think the Catholic Encyclopedia might have a conflict of interest. Kinda like when Muslim clerics claim Islam is a religion of peace. Every rational, unbiased argument I have heard point to catholicism as idolatry."
What "idols" do you believe Catholics actually worship?? Catholics worship Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Period. I'm sorry you're so misinformed.
You must not be a good catholic if you do not know that catholics worship saints as well. Remember the words of Paul "You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led."
You must not be a good catholic if you do not know that catholics worship saints as well. Remember the words of Paul "You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led."
We worship saints?
Wow.
I did not know that.
Thanks for informing me about this fact of my religion of which neither I nor anybody in my family or circle of friends was aware.
How are we supposed to do it?
I mean, evidently my catechism was very insufficient, as I do not know how to worship a saint. It seems like an uncomfortable and strange practice.
But you, who seem very knowledgeable of the Catholic Church, could perhaps instruct me on the process of worshipping a saint, which I seem to have missed all the way into this fifth decade of my life as a Catholic.
Do please enlighten me.
I am waiting with 'bated breath for this important addition to my knowledge of the rituals of my religion.
Thank you.
Catholics do NOT *worship* saints! Some ask saints to pray FOR them TO Jesus! Just like asking your FRIENDS to pray for you. Except Catholics believe that saints may have a little extra "pull", seeing how they're, you know, saints. And, according to doctrine, Catholics are not even required to believe in intercession.
I guess you never prayed to a saint.
Why bother? Why not just have a graven image of God and pray to Him directly?
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