I seem to be the only one in the Blogosphere silent on this issue of Anglicans and their reception into the Church. Well, it is only a kind of reception really. If they're being given all these ''privileges,'' I daresay for ''pastoral'' reasons, such as being allowed to retain their tomfool traditions and married ''clergy,'' then I can't say that this is a real conversion at all. And all this is because of the obvious shortcomings of Anglicanism - all those women and homosexual priests etc. Speaking as a cradle Catholic, I can't honestly imagine how anyone could ever have been convinced with any conviction of any of the truths of Faith as an Anglican. Anglicanism, from the outside, all seems to be riddled with pretentious theological cop-outs, half-traditions and just has a sinister air about it. If the reception of so many Anglicans into the Church is because of the issue of women Bishops, just as there was a major influx of them into the Church 15 years ago with the introduction of women priests, then my confessedly cynical mind tells me that this is just reactionary, and therefore not based on real theological conviction at all. In a way, I find it personally insulting. Because it seems to me that, by implication, they view the Church as a ''second best thing'' almost, or worse, as a place to fly to to suit their lukewarm theological views. What better time than in a post-Conciliar church!
Why can't they be received into the Church as Tolkien was in 1900? The traditional and proper way: complete repudiation of Anglicanism, with all the scaffolding and silly, meaningless BCP ritual. We must remember that the Book of Common Prayer is full of theological barbs, hostile to Catholicism, and that for all the Church's endeavours to purge it of such barbs, there are undoubtedly going to remain one or two; evil seeds sown in the dark by Cranmer, ready to grow into evil fruit to the detriment of the Faith. Cranmer, remember, understood Liturgy and hated it. And one only has to look at certain recent Anglican converts to the Faith to see what they might bring with them...
That is not to say that there are not many sincere Anglicans who have no doubt ''seen the Light'' and desire a genuine reconciliation with the Church. For such as these, I thank God for their conversion.
I think the Holy Father is a wiser man than you or I in this matter, as in many others.
ReplyDeleteI have known several Anglicans (or Episcopalians here in the States, I suppose) who were baptized as such when children. Two have converted; several have not, though I think it is for fear of the unknown rather than for any other reason.
A community may convert, following their shepherds, where the same people as many individuals may not have the courage to do so.
Rejoice for each soul so saved!
"Speaking as a cradle Catholic"
ReplyDeleteThat's just it, you're speaking as a cradle Catholic.
Speaking as a convert, I can assure you that the traditional part of Anglicanism has preserved a rich and catholic patrimony. Most of it is the same as ours. Some of it has been preserved by them, when even not preserved by us, e.g. the Sarum rite.
I too was received into the Church individually, as these people no doubt will have to be. But instead of the destructive element which can arise from what some people view as "jumping ship", when they convert as groups those groups will be maintained and continue. Communities will not be destroyed.
Let's be honest: modern uneducated catholicism is full of "pretentious theological cop-outs, half-traditions", etc., so is this really such a bad thing, if many of the traditional Anglicans are staunchly traditional and orthodox?
That's too harsh, Patricius.
ReplyDeleteFor the good of souls, the Holy Father has promised to grant certain concessions to help disaffected Anglicans become Catholics - just as was done to help speed the reunion of various Eastern Orthodox with Rome in centuries past.
Of course, Benedict XVI will most carefully vet all these concessions to keep out doctrinal deviations - unless you doubt the theological acuity of one of the most learned Pontiffs of recent ages.
I know at least two Bishops, and others from priests to laywomen, all of whom are excellent Catholics, all of whom were once Anglicans. It goes without saying that Roman authority will vet any forthcoming Anglican candidates for ordination, and impress upon all converts that they must accept all Roman doctrine, and only retain such elements of Anglicanism as are fragments of true goods that actually attract men (for if there were no truth nor beauty at all in Anglicanism, no one would ever have been persuaded by it in the first places).
Of course, Catholics may feel that these Anglicans are being given a free ride - but we must not adopt a foul dog in the manger attitude!
I applaud Patricius for speaking his mind out. If these traditional Anglicans are as "staunchly traditional and orthodox" as one commentator says, then why have they waited all this time to do the right thing? One would have thought that the untenable positions of Anglicanism as a whole, would be enough to lead someone eventually to the Catholic church, instead of some mundane reason such as the ordination of women?
ReplyDeleteSouls are going to be saved but let these potential sons and daughters of the church repudiate all that is heretical and mean it with their hearts!
I agree with Hestor. There comes a point when remaining an Anglican, a very ''high church'' Anglican, becomes intellectually dishonest, and I don't see that the ordination of women to the episcopate is that great a catalyst - the doctrinal shortcomings of Anglicanism go back to the Reformation, to the Elizabethan settlement, which can only be described as a relativistic fudge. What we need are more Knoxs, Tolkiens and Chestertons - not half-way houses.
ReplyDeleteMore flies are caught with honey than vinegar.
ReplyDeleteI think that is all that need be said.
Beware, too, of acting like a proud Jansenist, refusing to grant absolution till he see his would-be penitents grovelling hysterically in the dust...
It is all very well to speak of intellectual dishonesty - as VII even repeated, one who resists the known truth of the necessity of being in the Catholic Church cannot be saved - but it is too easy to assume that those who have been formed their whole lives in an Anglo-Catholic milieu have minds so clear on this point. If ours are, kneel and thank God for the grace thereof; if theirs are only now clearing, ditto.
Don't act like the curmudgeonly old men on the Muppets!