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Editorial
The Vatican and Anglicans
The announcement last week by the Vatican of a special ‘Apostolic Constitution’ to provide for traditionalist Anglicans who accept the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church to enter into communion with that Church, while preserving elements of distinctive Anglican spirituality, came - as with many Vatican announcements - like a bolt from the blue. The provisions allow for the ordination as Roman Catholic priests of married former Anglican clergy. A Vatican press release indicated: "In the years since the [Second Vatican] Council, some Anglicans have abandoned the tradition of conferring Holy Orders only on men by calling women to the priesthood and the episcopacy. More recently, some segments of the Anglican Communion have departed from the common biblical teaching on human sexuality - already clearly stated in the ARCIC document ‘Life in Christ’ - by the ordination of openly homosexual clergy and the blessing of homosexual partnerships."
Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which prepared the provisions, last week stressed that the move did not signal a retreat from ecumenical dialogue but had resulted from an initiative coming from different Anglican groups. He pointed out that these groups had declared that they accepted the Roman Catholic Church’s doctrine as set forth in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and that they accepted the papal ministry.
It would appear to be axiomatic that those who are convinced by the claims and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church should naturally join that Church. However, it is sad to see anyone leaving the Anglican fold, precisely because the Anglican way is inclusive in spirit. Certainly, the issues of women’s ordination and same-sex relationships have caused deep divisions among Anglicans, especially the latter issue, but these are difficulties that the Anglican Communion has tried and is trying to deal with in a constructive manner. Before believers leave the Anglican Communion for Rome, they should really ask themselves if they truly do accept all the teachings and disciplines of the Roman Catholic Church. Certainly, quite apart from those of its teachings which the Church of Ireland does not accept, Rome practises a kind of central authority from which Anglicans are happily preserved.