1 The text of the Apostolic Constitution itself has not been made public as yet. Until it is it is not possible to comment on the details of this provision, and precisely what is being proposed.
2 The provision is directed both to those of Anglican tradition who have left the Anglican Communion, (such as the members of the Traditional Anglican Communion, TAC) as well as those who are presently still part of the Anglican Communion.
3 It is clear that the consideration of such a pastoral provision is only possible because of .significant convergence which has emerged over 40 years of international official dialogue ”“ ARCIC ”“ on matters thought to divide Anglicans and Roman Catholics.
The Spin:
“It is clear that the consideration of such a pastoral provision is only possible because of .significant convergence which has emerged over 40 years of international official dialogue – ARCIC – on matters thought to divide Anglicans and Roman Catholics.
Very nicely done. As one expects from Bishop Rowell.
The spin on this [vide +Christopher Hill] as the positive result of ARCIC continues I see.
[Comment deleted by Elf – please be careful about speculating about what individuals will do]
I think ARCIC probably influenced the Pope’s actions, but not in the way Bishop Rowell and Hamid say. Rather, the Catholic Church has finally figured out that there is no one within the Anglican Communion with any authority to agree to anything or with whom to reach any meaningful agreement, which renders ecumenical dialogue like ARCIC futile.
ARCIC would only be meaningful if there were in fact someone on the Anglican side with whom the Catholics could reach an agreement. In fact, however, there is no one who can authoritatively state what Anglicans believe or reach an agreement with another body concerning those beliefs. Thus, for example, the descriptions of supposed Anglican belief concerning homosexuality made in 1993 in the ARCIC “Life in Christ” statement have never been treated as binding or authoritative by TEC, the Canadian church, etc., any more than the 1998 Lambeth resolutions have been or an Anglican covenant would be.
The forthcoming Apostolic Constitution is the result of the failure of ARCIC, not its success. The Catholics have decided not to waste their time reaching meaningless agreements with Anglican leaders who have no real authority, and are instead choosing direct, unilateral action to deal with disaffected Anglicans.