An answer to the "Why?" question
The Big Question:
Why is the Catholic church offering a home to congregations of Anglicans?
By Paul Vallely
From the Independent (UK)
Why are we asking this now?Pope Benedict XVI has just announced his intention to allow Anglicans to convert in groups to the Roman Catholic Church. Whole congregations would be allowed to move to Rome, while retaining elements of Anglican spiritual and liturgical practice.
This is a significant change. Those who left the Church of England in the past, such as those who would not accept the ordination of women, were told that they would have to become Catholics as individuals. Now Anglicans will be allowed to join as groups. They will even be allowed their own church within a church, called something like the Anglican Ordinariate but which would be subject to the discipline of Rome. Some fear that this will decimate the Church of England.
If there's an answer to the question, "Why?" in that post I don't see it.
Bunker Hill
Spearfish, SD
Posted by Bede![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 22, 2009 9:56 AM
In 1895 Pope Leo XIII declared Anglican orders invalid in a move intended to cause a stampede of C of E people back to the RC Church. That rush to Rome didn't happen. To be honest, I doubt it will happen now either. If any do join up, you can bet that the spin will make it sound like the majority jumped. BUT as many have already noted, there are more folks joining the Episcopal Church from Rome than the other way around. Maybe the English should take our lead and maybe we should be more vocal about what's really going on here.
Posted by Peter Pearson![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 22, 2009 4:26 PM