From the Vicar
There was a very significant announcement on October 20th from Rome, with some preliminary information about an Apostolic Constitution from the Pope. The full details have not yet been published, or the protocols for their operation. But this is certainly likely to be one of the most important documents in the area of Anglican Roman Catholic relations in 450 years. It is international in its scope. Interestingly in terms of ecumenical relations, it would seem to have come as something of a surprise.
It is not a mutual recognition of two ecclesial traditions with a shared more distant past. It will offer reception into the Roman Catholic Church with the option of an incorporation of some aspects of the Anglican tradition, yet to be made clear. Priests (married or unmarried) who care to take this up would however still require re-ordination and bishops will not be able to continue as bishops. If a considerable number of people in a particular area were to take this Roman Option, it would be likely that a separate parish would be established connected to similar parishes around a country, rather than neighbouring regular Roman Catholic parishes. In almost all cases it would be a question of staring afresh, in terms of property and buildings.
This way of accepting married priests in the western Church will definitely provoke a negative reaction in the mainstream. Some anglo-papalists could find the idea of having to include themselves in a recognisably Anglican liturgical tradition challenging. We might also see emerging tensions between the catholic and evangelical extremes of bodies like GAFCON.
St Peter’s Eastern Hill continues: Anglican, catholic, welcoming.
God bless you
Fr John.
