About 900 Anglicans are expected to convert to Catholicism this Easter in protest at the Church of England's decision to ordain women as bishops.
They will join a special section of the Catholic Church - the Ordinariate - which has been created specifically for them by Pope Benedict XVI.
The group from dioceses in England and Wales includes 61 former clergy.
The newly-appointed Archbishop of Cardiff has praised the CofE for the way it has dealt with the new group.
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It is highly debatable whether those who are formally becoming Roman Catholics this Easter were ever Anglicans, much less Anglican traditionalists or traditionalist Anglicans, however you want to look at that appellation. They abandoned historic Anglicanism a long time ago if they ever embraced it at all. They are Roman Catholics who for one reason or another chose not to practice their faith in the Roman Catholic Church but in the Church of England. It is difficult to see how they will be bringing any part of the heritage of historic Anglicanism into the Roman Catholic Church as they have long eschewed that heritage.
1 comment:
Hi Robin,
I beg to differ. The Anglican Church was separated from the See of Rome in the 15th century by Henry VIII.
In spite of the separation, many Anglicans (those of the high church) down the centuries continue to cherish a reunion to the Roman Church.
We should not impinge on the faith of Anglicans who opt for the Ordinariate. They come with a deep sincerity and conviction. At the same time, they are hurt by the way the Anglican Church has deviated to conform to the popular culture.
I don't question the integrity of these Anglicans. Instead, I salute them for their bravery and courageousness. Give them their due respect here. God bless.
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