What are the new rules that the Roman Catholic Church announced for admitting Anglicans?
Thousands of Anglicans could defect to the Roman Catholic church after the pope today approved a new global institution to receive them. It will be the first time since the Reformation in the 16th century that entire Protestant communities have reunited with Rome. The first group likely to take advantage of the new rules is the Traditional Anglican Community (TAC), which broke off from the rest of the community in 1991 and claims to have more than 500,000 members worldwide. Other groups unhappy with developments in the Anglican Communion are also expected to accept the invitation from the Vatican. Traditionalists, including thousands in the Church of England, have long threatened to defect to Rome over issues such as the ordination of women and gay people. Reflecting the importance of the initiative, the pope set out the new arrangements in an apostolic constitution, the highest form of pontifical decree, and press conferences were held simultaneously in London and the Vatican to annou
Rome rules on admitting Anglicans Dr Rowan Williams Dr Williams said relations between the churches would not be damaged Groups of Anglicans will be able to join the Roman Catholic Church but maintain a distinct religious identity under changes announced by the Pope. The Vatican said the new rules follow requests from Anglicans wanting to join but retain their liturgical heritage. It comes amid splits among Anglicans worldwide over homosexuality and the ordination of women. But Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams said he did not think it was a “commentary on Anglican problems”. Causes of discord in the worldwide Anglican communion have included the election of an openly gay bishop and the blessing of same-sex unions. ‘Worldwide phenomenon’ In the Church of England, the ordination of women as priests, and the prospect of their appointment as bishops, has led many Anglicans to consider joining the Roman Catholics. Two senior opponents of women bishops said they would announce thei
Groups of Anglicans will be able to join the Roman Catholic Church but maintain a distinct religious identity under changes announced by the Pope. Under its terms announced by the Vatican, groupings of Anglicans would be able to join “personal ordinariates”. This would allow them to enter full communion with the Catholic church, but also preserve elements of the Anglican traditions including the possible use of Anglican prayer books. Sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8316120.
Thousands of Anglicans could defect to the Roman Catholic church after the pope today approved a new global institution to receive them. It will be the first time since the Reformation in the 16th century that entire Protestant communities have reunited with Rome. The first group likely to take advantage of the new rules is the Traditional Anglican Community (TAC), which broke off from the rest of the community in 1991 and claims to have more than 500,000 members worldwide. Other groups unhappy with developments in the Anglican Communion are also expected to accept the invitation from the Vatican. Traditionalists, including thousands in the Church of England, have long threatened to defect to Rome over issues such as the ordination of women and gay people. Reflecting the importance of the initiative, the pope set out the new arrangements in an apostolic constitution, the highest form of pontifical decree, and press conferences were held simultaneously in London and the Vatican to annou
Rome rules on admitting Anglicans Dr Rowan Williams Dr Williams said relations between the churches would not be damaged Groups of Anglicans will be able to join the Roman Catholic Church but maintain a distinct religious identity under changes announced by the Pope. The Vatican said the new rules follow requests from Anglicans wanting to join but retain their liturgical heritage. It comes amid splits among Anglicans worldwide over homosexuality and the ordination of women. But Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams said he did not think it was a “commentary on Anglican problems”. Causes of discord in the worldwide Anglican communion have included the election of an openly gay bishop and the blessing of same-sex unions. ‘Worldwide phenomenon’ In the Church of England, the ordination of women as priests, and the prospect of their appointment as bishops, has led many Anglicans to consider joining the Roman Catholics. Two senior opponents of women bishops said they would announce thei
