Archbishop Williams, whose case history demonstrates that it is easier to be a theologian than an archbishop, was his usual irenic self in his official statement: “It would not occur to me to see this as an act of aggression or statement of no confidence, precisely because the routine relationships that we enjoy as churches will continue.”
Pope Benedict XVI is no ecumaniac (as we used to call enthusiasts for the unity of the Christian churches in the ’50s and ’60s). Remember that when he was Cardinal Ratzinger, he led the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for 24 years. I used to characterize him as more Catholic than the pope because he was more conservative theologically than John Paul II. He wasn’t called the “Pope’s Rottweiler” for nothing.
And he has been interested for years in building ties with Anglicans who are in agreement with Rome on what he considers the crucial issues concerning gays and women. He plans to visit the U.K. next year.
What does all this mean for Anglicans or Episcopalians in the United States? Not much.
Read it all.
Leo Sandon: Catholic overtures to the Anglicans not likely to matter in U.S.
Archbishop Williams, whose case history demonstrates that it is easier to be a theologian than an archbishop, was his usual irenic self in his official statement: “It would not occur to me to see this as an act of aggression or statement of no confidence, precisely because the routine relationships that we enjoy as churches will continue.”
Pope Benedict XVI is no ecumaniac (as we used to call enthusiasts for the unity of the Christian churches in the ’50s and ’60s). Remember that when he was Cardinal Ratzinger, he led the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for 24 years. I used to characterize him as more Catholic than the pope because he was more conservative theologically than John Paul II. He wasn’t called the “Pope’s Rottweiler” for nothing.
And he has been interested for years in building ties with Anglicans who are in agreement with Rome on what he considers the crucial issues concerning gays and women. He plans to visit the U.K. next year.
What does all this mean for Anglicans or Episcopalians in the United States? Not much.
Read it all.