As the dust begins to clear, the various positions taken up by religious commentators are emerging. In this post, I present two very contrasting articles.
Bishop Christopher Hill's 'Commentary on Personal Ordinariates' presents an Anglican view of the Catholic initiative. In his article, Hill seeks to show how the initiative has arisen from the ARCIC talks (illustrated) plus requests from Anglicans who have already joined the Catholic Church (primarily in this country following the ordination of women) or who have asked for such an initiative prior to deciding whether to join.
The proposal would be to set up a society for Anglicans who wish to leave the Anglican Communion. It would not be a geographical Diocese but would have its own Bishop (who must be celibate). It would retain certain unspecified Anglican characteristics.
Overall the tone of this article is reassuring.
The other article is anything but reassuring. Hans Kung in the Guardian, 'The Vatican thirst for Power divides Christianity and damages Catholicism' , explores the motivation for the initiative. Kung and Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict) have history. This is hinted at in his Wikipedia article but it seems Kung was banned from teaching Catholic theology by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, presided over at the time by Ratzinger. This does to some degree colour the reader's interpretation of the article.
It is in the nature of things that those with power find it difficult to let go of it. For this reason I am inclined to think he is perhaps right about what might be motivating the initiative. Certainly he is right to draw attention to the problems within the Catholic Church not usually covered in the media.
However, I am less convinced of the implications for the Church of England. It is likely the largest numbers taking up the offer will be in the United States. I don't think their ecumenical conversations will be much affected. If the Church of England loses some of its Catholic members it will be the poorer for that but it will not lose them all.
Those who might be inclined to take up the Vatican's offer may pause when they read the fine print. My hope is they will see in this offer reason to stay with the Church of England. Will they therefore reduce their opposition to women bishops? We can hope but I suspect what they perceive to be at stake will still motivate their opposition to the new legislation. We will have to wait and see.
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