I have to sit here chuckling, waiting for the shoes to start dropping on the ++ABC because of his appeasing behavior towards these folks. Since England owns all the English Churches, I suppose they could buy them from the Queen. I expect a much quicker resolution in England for those who try and take property than was possible here.

The Pope might want to say a few words too, since alienating Crown property might not provide good press for the RC church.

Ahhh well.

As I recall from reading the document, the Ordinariate assumes that congregations that have their own churches (appropriate for the Traditional Anglican Communion, for whom this was originally structured, and who did as an institution choose to make these changes) would also still be responsible for maintaining them, and maintaining clergy salaries, without support from the local Latin Rite bishop. So, even in the rare event that an Ordinariate congregation might have its own facilities, if the budget gets tight the local Roman bishop won't be of any help.

Marshall Scott

Just to balance your Protestant take on the matter-- in the interest of inclusivity-- it is good to remember who first (mis)appropriated church properties. Remember Henry VIII and the clerics and nobles he persuaded by gift of Catholic Church property or threat of torture or death to follow him in schism when you get all anti-Catholic.

As if it would harm the CofE to let FiF congregations remain in their churches. So much for Anglican graciousness.

Bill Ledbetter

One of the boasts of the C of E is that it has a presence in every inch of territory of England. For the Church to surrender its buildings to people who are leaving it for Rome would not be appropriate, especially if there are people in those parishes who wish to continue to be Anglicans.

The Romans are unlikely to want to get into property tussles with the Church of England, and they will not contribute money to buy the properties from the C of E either. There are plenty of disused churches which the Ordinariate could buy if they wanted to. In addition, most Roman parishes would be able to host services from those refugees from the C of E.

All in all, as time goes on fewer and fewer Anglicans seem to want to swim the Tiber only to end up on Molokai.

I'm sure that those remaining behind would still like to be assured that the building will remain with them. This is why the leavers have to realize that the building doesn't belong to the congregation.

I found the whining at the link to be almost unbearable. Persecution, my eye. Accommodation made for misogynists for far too long.

I always like to preface comments like this with the notation that I am a former Anglo-catholic myself.
I read not only the posting but also the link on "one church's report on leaving." It is patently odd to hear someone who wishes to join the ordinariate, who was unable to live in communion with other "differently-minded" Anglicans suddenly turn and plead for "cooperation" and "shared ministry" when faced with the consequences (loss of livelihood and property) by choosing to become a "separatist" and leave the Church of England.

The priest of the St. Barnabas parish on the link writes:
"I was hurt when it was suggested that I must leave in order to support my successor. This suggests fear that I would be a menace and ‘competition’ to the person appointed. But in reality I would want to welcome a Christian to minister alongside me in this wonderful parish. Heaven knows there is work to do!

So why could we not have a shared vision? Why could we not build two strong worshipping communities- one Anglican and one Roman Catholic- to work alongside one another as a witness of Christian love? Why could we not allow Saint Barnabas School children to experience Anglican AND Roman Catholic worship? Why could we not share the vision to build the community centre? Why could we not reach out together with the Gospel? Where is the need for division? Why do we look to build walls when God always calls us to form bridges?"

If such is TRULY his feeling, then why is he pursuing a formal separation from the Church of England by joining the Ordinariate? If he is so willing to cohabit and work with Anglicans, what is his need to leave in the first place? Have your cake and eat it too, indeed. Hypocrisy, in my opinion. If you are really so charitably minded, then don't try to pull yourself and your parish apart by joining the ordinariate in the first place.

@Marshall How many church buildings does TAC actually have, say in the UK? My impression is that they have websites, but I'm struggling to find actual physical buildings - let alone significant numbers in congregations.

Remember Henry VIII and the clerics and nobles he persuaded by gift of Catholic Church property or threat of torture or death to follow him in schism when you get all anti-Catholic.

Bill, if you BELIEVE this---the Popoid li(n)e---why aren't you (in LA or anywhere else) already a Roman priest? [Where did you go to seminary, anyway? What I was taught: Ecclesia Anglicana = Ecclesia Anglicana = Ecclesia Anglicana: whether the Pope was (absolute) ruler, or the British Crown (absolute -> titular)]

JC Fisher

JC Fisher,

"Popoid lie"? Does that reflect the slant of church history you were fed at Paisley Bible College or was it Bob Jones?

Bill Ledbetter

Actually, getting rid of a lot of old, high maintenance buildings would probably be a relief to the C of E, especially considering how the trustees recently blew the endowment.

The RC's do a pretty good job of maintaining Rome's old churches. Why not give them a crack at maintaining Englands? At their own expense, of course.