Anglican Mainstream

A press release issued by the revision comittee of the General Synod today further highlights why Rome’s offer is so welcome to Catholic Anglicans. One might have assumed the revision committee would counteract the Pope’s gesture by offering something equally substantive and generous, a sign to Anglo-Catholics of a clear desire to hold onto us and provide us with what we need. Instead the little they had considered is now being withdrawn (ie the retention of our bishops etc) and we are back to the flimsy and totally unworkable ‘code of practice’, meaning women bishops would govern us but promise to ignore us whilst we languish in the margins of the church.

 

One commentator on this site has suggested, in sympathy with comments viewed elsewhere, that it is somehow our ‘fault’ for having praised the Pope’s offer. But why would we not be thankful when a Christian leader seeks to provide for us at a time when our own church has systematically failed us…and why has an equal sign of allegiance not be shown to us by Synod in our treatment thus far?

 

Once again we Anglo-Catholics are battered and shown no mercy if we seek provision in-house and equally battered and assualted if we seek it elsewhere! What are we meant to do??? (roll over and accept liberal teaching is probably the answer)

 

I do hope the suggestion that this response was precipitated by Rome is false. Otherwise it suggests an attitude of petty games and a tendency to petulant knee jerk reaction. That really would leave a nasty taste in the mouth. Do any of us, regardless of our views, want a governing body making legislation whilst throwing toys out of prams? I would hope for a more measured, gracious and loving response. For now we must, of course, reserve judgement and await the final decision. But as an early indication of the Anglican response I have spoken of- it is pretty shameful. Indeed it could hardly be more depressing.

 

That said, if the Revision Committee are now seeking to use this development as an opportunity to cleanse the wider body of our presence, which I suspect, then at least they might consider doing so with love and generosity. Indeed ask nicely, offering parsonages and church buildings, and I am certain a great many of us will go quietly and with joy. Synod can then get on with celebrating the dawn of women bishops, gay marriage et al.. as we rejoice in a new home where orthodox Catholic truth is the benchmark and not just opinion.