Perhaps recent events are showing that there were all along yearning rather than pretending.
For many that may be true. But it must be ascertained if that yearning was for Catholic style or Catholic substance. Things such as Roman vestments, incense and bells would fall under the style category. Doctrines such as Purgatory, Papal Infallibility and the full breadth of Rome’s Mariology would fall under the substance category. Just because one wants the style does not mean they want the substance.
Many in the Church of England oppose female bishops, gay marriage and other distasteful innovations. They also don’t accept the above mentioned Roman doctrines. The choice then comes down to which is more distasteful: the troubles in the CoE or the questionable (in their minds) teachings of Rome.
So we corrected our mistake and become Catholics.
I don't see the problem here.
I miss Cranmer's prayerbook and Coverdale's psalter . . . but we sing a surprising number of English anthems with those lovely old words.
Plus, of course, the Episcopalians had abandoned Cranmer and Coverdale anyhow for a translation that is JUST as bad as the old ICEL translation (in fact they are suspiciously similar). The Church is now correcting the translation, while the Episcopalians are moving in the wrong direction (in that as in so many other things).
So I am content.