What is interesting is that at no time when I was in Europe did I hear anything like the recent proposal from the Vatican to receive Anglicans into the Roman Catholic Church on what appear to be very generous terms, including allowing married Anglican priests to stay married.
The heads of the Church of England and of English Catholics immediately issued a response that is breathtakingly bland and unenthusiastic. Even Anglican conservatives have expressed some distaste for what the NY Times observes may be an attempt to revivify a declining Catholic Church in Europe.
Admittedly, Vatican authorities may resent the fact ath disaffected Roman Catholics have been joining the Anglican Communion in large numbers ever since the 1960's. Our church offers a similar liturgy and structure and the same sacraments while providing more freedom of biblical interpretation and ethical behavior. The jibe that we are "Catholic lite" is partly true.
Even so, we have never publicly endorsed sheep-stealing, nor have we gone out of our way to entice Roman Catholics toward Anglo-catholicism. The new Vatican policy is an affront--very nearly, a declaration of war. --J. Douglas Ousley
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Having left the Roman church some 30 years ago, this recent patronizing event is further reason for not wanting to return. Anglicans have been working for years to be "in communion" with the Roman church, in the same way the orthodox are. But our overtures have been repeatedly rebuffed. Rather than embracing us for who we are, they simply want to recruit our conservative ranks for their own purposes, regardless of the negative result upon the Anglican Communion. It is particularly disturbing that the Bishop of Rome did not call the Archbishop of Canterbury until the very last minute. This is hardly a negotiated peace.
As another former RC, thirty-three years ago I believe, this is a further reason for Vatican II-orieted RC's to depart the hopeless organization that seems intent on covering over the grave of Pope John XXIII, and returning the Roman Catholic Church to the days of Pope Pius XII and his predecessors. They will find a comfortable home in the Church or England and The Episcopal Church, and our brothers and sisters of the Anglican Communion in what we may call the Global North (in contrast to Archbishop Akinola's groupies). If the ultraorthodox of the Church of England depart to Rome, it will simply mean that the majority of the CofE can finally focus upon recognizing that the Holy Spirit continues to work in this part of the Church Universal, and such unity will mean more for our Broad Church Anglican Communion.
p.s. For an excellent article in today's Guardian, go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/25/pope-benedict-invitation-anglican-church
A friend and I were just remarking how much of a compliment it is that you refer to us as "sheep". Also, I am personally tickled to know that I could be stolen. It makes me feel valuable.
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