The Pope’s Offer to Anglican Catholics
By Fr Ed Tomlinson, St Barnabas Blog
What has the Pope done?
Pope Benedict has responded to cries for help from Catholic Anglicans feeling marginalised within a national church which is heading in an increasingly radical and progressive direction. He has done this by offering a unique chance to leave the Church of England and unite as a new body within the Roman Catholic church. This new body will be distinctly Anglican in history, identity and patrimony.
How will this new body be distinctly Anglican?
We do not yet have details of the Pope’s offer so little is known! However we do know that this new body will accept married priests in the present, encourage Anglican liturgy (such as the English Missal we use at S. Barnabas) and encourage whole congregations to move together.
Why has the Pope done this?
This move suggest the Pope believes the Church of England is no longer capable of supporting Catholic Christians. Anglo-Catholics have long feared that, in the face of secularism and political correctness, Anglicanism is abandoning the faith and watering down the Gospel. This move demonstrates that the Roman Catholic authorities agree. It spells an end to any hope of unity between Rome and Canterbury, leaving anyone professing to be Catholic (yet staying within the Anglican fold) on very shaky ground doctrinally.
What was making life so difficult for Anglican Catholics?
The decision to ordain women in 1992 dealt a massive blow to those believing holy orders are not ours to tamper with. Whilst we admire the desire for equality we do not believe we have authority to change church teaching at whim and without the backing of scripture. We oppose women priests, not because they are women (a sexist position) but because we are unconvinced that they are authentic priests (a theological position). Now the church has decided to make women bishops as well, meaning a question mark will hang over the heads of all, men and women, whom they ordain. Clearly sacramental unity within our own church will be shattered forever.
So is this all about women bishops?
Certainly not! Women priests, like the push for gay marriage, are mere symptoms of a deeper malaise. Anglican Catholics, along with Evangelicals, Roman Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox Christians believe in a revealed faith. That Jesus really was born of Virgin and raised from the dead! Our calling is therefore one of obedience. We look to Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever. The Pope is not offering space because we oppose women priests, he offers space because we affirm Catholic truth!
In contrast modern Anglicanism is growing theologically liberal and fuzzy. Many no longer believe that Jesus was unique, they suggest his teaching was limited by his culture, they claim that Christian tradition is not yet fully revealed. It follows that if God is still in the process of revealing, we can altar historic teaching when it feels appropriate. Anglicanism now comprises two irreconcilable beliefs.
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