Posted on 10/20/2009 4:48:48 AM PDT by tcg
Pope Benedict XVI has offered to establish “Personal Ordinariates” within which to care for Anglicans while enabling them to maintain the liturgical and spiritual unique distinctives of their tradition. That is correct, the Roman Catholic Church by way of an “Apostolic Constitution” will provide the process which will allow for Anglican Christians to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the faith said this in a statement just released: “In this Apostolic Constitution the Holy Father has introduced a canonical structure that provides for such corporate reunion by establishing Personal Ordinariates which will allow former Anglicans to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony”. That spiritual patrimony will include enabling married men called after marriage to serve as priests. Following the ancient Christian tradition they are allowed to do so now in the Eastern Christian Churches, both Orthodox and Catholic. However, again following the practice of the ancient Christian tradition, the Bishops of these Ordinariates will be chosen from among the ranks of the celibate clergy.
The prayers of millions have been answered and Christian history was made on October 20, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI has fashioned, after much serious theological and pastoral work, a way home for many of our Anglican brethren. This canonical vehicle will allow for a form of corporate entry into full communion which could conceivably enable not only the “Traditional Anglican Communion” a path over the troubled Tiber but also provide for other groups of Anglicans including parishes, religious communities and even entire Dioceses. So monumental is this announcement that a nearly simultaneous Press Conference was also held in London including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholic.org ...
“after much serious theological and pastoral work, a way home for many of our Anglican brethren”
While the overture is appreciated, and with all due respect, Traditional Anglicans are already home. It will be interesting to see how many decide to become Catholic. I don’t think it’s going to be large numbers.
No predictions but something to be watched with interest.
As a Parishioner at the first Personal Parish of the Anglican Usage in the US, I am very excited this is being extended to other countries.
I suspect that is the subtext to this development.
Is this Pope great or what?
Mass (no pun intended) Tiber swim bump!!
For your ping list.
I love love love this Pope.
Remember his letter on behalf of JPII to the traditional Anglicans at Plano? Today he finished what he started that day.
“I dunno. There may be an exodus of those who are disturbed by the Anglicans’ enthusiastic embrace of female and homosexual clergy.”
That exodus has already occurred. That is what the “Traditional Anglicans” are. They left, for the most part, a long time ago for exactly those reasons.
I suspect that most that wanted to join the Catholic Church have already done so.
There's a whole new evangelical impetus which will be traveling with him.
This is about them (but not exclusively so).
Welcome home to all!
There are a considerable number of Traditional Anglicans who didn't feel at home... It was the TAC that initiated much of the discussion with the Vatican, and it was their clergy (especially their bishops) who have bent over backwards to show that they believe the Catholic Faith and genuinely wish to return to the Barque of Peter.
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