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RC archbishop to Anglicans: we don’t want cafeteria Catholics
Those disaffected Anglicans in England and Wales who think they can take up Pope Benedict’s offer and switch to Rome with a “pick and choose” attitude should think again, the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols has said.
Many Anglicans unhappy with women’s ordination and gay clergy cannot just convert to Roman Catholicism as a way out, but must accept Catholic doctrine wholeheartedly, he said.
“Nothing is envisaged in this provision that the Pope has put in place is a kind of minimalist approach to picking bits of the Catholic faith that I like and then seeing myself as it were contained as a quasi-Catholic, not a real Catholic, under the umbrella of this constitution,” he said, referring to a “buffet approach” to the faith that some Catholics dismiss as “cafeteria Catholicism.”
It is still unclear how many Anglicans will convert, but the invitation, in the form of what’s called an Apostolic Constitution, has opened up old wounds between the Vatican and Lambeth Palace.
It has also crystallised divisions within the Church of England, the Anglican mother church.
A debate is raging over whether the Pope’s offer was an act of undisguised poaching, tapping into discontent among some Anglicans. or whether it was an act of generosity, responding to calls of help.
It has also raised questions about the approach adopted by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, towards the offer – details of which he did not know until two weeks before the announcement. Some say he has been too soft, while others say he has been judicious.
Pope makes it easier for Anglicans to switch to Rome
Pope Benedict has made it easier for disaffected Anglicans to convert to Roman Catholicism.
Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual head of the Anglican Church, and Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, stressed dialogue would continue between the two churches.
They were at pains to say it was not a comment on the Anglican Communion, but a response to requests from traditional Anglicans from all over the world.
Williams said he did not see it as an act of aggression, but he had no input in the new “Apostolic Constitution” and was only told about its details two weeks before it was disclosed at the offices of the Roman Catholic Church in London. A simultaneous press conference was held at the Vatican.
The head of the Anglican Church has been trying to keep together the liberal and conservative wings of the church, divided since the consecration of openly gay U.S. Bishop Gene Robinson in 2003 and the blessing of same sex marriages in Canada.
The Church of England has also experienced disagreement over the issue of women bishops.
Details of the legal framework were limited, but the constitution allows groups to join the Roman Catholic Church while maintaining some of their own traditions.
You will always have little imps as some of the letters above indicate to criticize people who are trying their best to better themselves and others. And these little imps do that by pointing out the faults of others. It isn’t easy to fight against a fallen nature.
I believe it is beautiful for the Anglicans and Catholics to become united and closer friends. Isn’t that what God wants? It’s sad that the little imps above try to discourage this beautiful and holy move. Let’s pray for the little imps.
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The Wall
The first real Christian churches formed in Egypt. They were well established before the Romans accepted the faith. The Coptic churches did suffer at the hands of Roman pagans. The churches in Egypt formed the first monasteries.The CATHOLIC church is a Roman construct. The Coptic churches grew organically from the teachings of Christ and from his disciples who went and taught in Egypt and were accepted there.The Romans were behind the curve in the establishment of the Church. So again. Jesus started THE first church. Which was charged with spreading the good news and teaching how people should behave towards each other.Over time that message was covered in gold and jewels and various luxurious buildings. The message was smothered. And the atrocities of the church ensued.The Catholic church is A church. Not THE church. THE church is the teaching of Christ. And who would be his disciple is a member of his church.