The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River reacted with cautious optimism, warning that much is still unknown; local Anglican (American Episcopal) clergy said the Vatican decision will have no impact on their congregations.
“It is a most interesting development and quite preliminary at the same time,” said Father Marc H. Bergeron, director of the diocesan Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs Office. “There are many details that remain to be worked out and possible ramifications go in many directions: What does it mean about celibacy in general? Will the invite go to men not already ordained? What about the pastoral provision already in place here in the USA in a few parishes?”
In 1980, a Vatican-approved provision allowed conservative Anglicans to convert to Catholicism. Consequently, six of these parishes are worshipping in this country.
Yet, it is unclear whether this model will work when the new provision is in place and difficult to predict how many Anglicans will choose to convert.
“American Episcopalians are quite liberal,” Bergeron said. “That seems to limit local interest.”
“American Episcopalians are quite liberal,”
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“Liberal” is not the appropriate adjective.
If he had said “Many American Episcopalians are quite secular, agnostic, and syncretic,” then he would have been ‘on target.’
Fair enough, #1. But whatever label you want to use: liberal, progressive, heretical, or whatever, it’s precisely that unpleasant but undeniable reality that is driving more and more of the orthodox believers still in TEC to flee that wretched wreck of a once great Church.
Alas, the quoted response from a TEC rep comes across as smug and complacent. Despite the plain fact that TEC is stuck in long term, precipitous decline.
David Handy+