Ordinariate Watch: Pope Francis 'dismissed Anglican branch as quite unnecessary'

Pope Francis I

Pope Francis once dismissed the branch of the Roman Catholic Church set up for defecting Anglicans as "quite unnecessary", his Anglican counterpart in Argentina claims.

The Rt Rev Greg Venables, the Anglican Bishop of Argentina, said that Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, had told him "very clearly" that he doubts about the Ordinariate and thought there was no need for Anglicans who want closer ties with their Catholic counterparts to leave their church.

The Ordinariate was set up by Pope Benedict for members of the Church of England and other Anglican churches who wish to be in full communion with the Catholic Church.

It is a separate body within the Catholic Church – outside of the normal diocesan structure – which still uses Anglican forms of worship.

His decision to set it up angered many within the Church of England who complained they had not been consulted and a snub to Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury at the time.

His comments came as the Church of England hailed the election of Cardinal Bergoglio as Pope and spoke of growing ties between the two churches. Read more

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