His cat is named Joseph — after Cardinal Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI, and there is a picture of the Pope on the wall. The Anglican priest is one of the hundreds considering defecting to the Roman Catholic Church after the Pope decreed that he would introduce a structure for accepting Anglicans. The 120-strong congregation of the parish of St Saviour is one of several considering moving over en bloc.
I'm still a bit confused. If they are so anxious to join Rome, why have they not done so sooner?
Because joining Rome in the past meant complete upheaval and uprooting of their current existence. Additionally, a formal initiative implicitly guarantees a widespread support system they would not have had earlier. Now they don’t have to necessarily leave their flock, as a portion of their flock will likely convert as well. Furthermore, the Vatican, by doing this, has ingeniously provided political “cover” for the process to start, i.e., after a few trickle over, many more who are quietly in agreement will follow suit. The Pope has, in effect, “de-scandalized” the process.
The individual parishioners could convert, of course, as we did, but not the parish as a unit.
That Rite has now been expanded to include the rest of the world.
It may REALLY catch on in England. Much will depend on the Archbishop of Canterbury's willingness to let these folks depart with their property.
Since the Church of England is withering away, and has literally thousands of church buildings that it cannot afford to keep up, this shouldn't be a problem unless the Archbishop's pride gets in the way.
He looked like his dog died at that joint press conference.
Maybe they're not so anxious to join.
Best wishes to the faithful clergy and laity of the Church of England in whatever they decide to do. They have the *nicest* churches. My brother’s father-in-law is a Church of England vicar, and he leads four churches in Norfolk and area, each an absolute gem.
The Rich Young Man
Behold, one came to him and said, "Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"
He said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."
He said to him, "Which ones?"
Jesus said, "'You shall not murder.' 'You shall not commit adultery.' 'You shall not steal.' 'You shall not offer false testimony.' 'Honor your father and mother.' And, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
The young man said to him, "All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?"
Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions. Jesus said to his disciples, "Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God."
When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"
Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Then Peter answered, "Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?"
Jesus said to them, "Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life. But many will be last who are first; and first who are last.
Matthew 19:16-30
Concentrate and focus attention with establishing better relations with the Russian Orthodox. This is the area of most promise.They endured seventy years of communist subversion and have much to teach.
Many of them received at least putatively valid orders from Old Catholics. So they had could remain orthodox, practicing a Catholic liturgy and accepting Catholic doctrine while in an irregular status, or else be completely subsumed under an English Catholic hierarchy largely overrun with modernism, the priest separated from his flock and told to report to a homosexual pastor perhaps dozens of miles away, and the people sent to the local parish mambo Mass—scandalous situations not conducive to Christian life.
My guess is the banal liturgies that unfortunately characterize so many Catholic parishes.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.
FReepmail Huber or sionnsar if you want on or off this low-volume ping list.
This list is pinged by Huber and sionnsar.
Resource for Traditional Anglicans: http://trad-anglican.faithweb.com
Humor: The Anglican Blue
Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15