On Dec. 3, I had the privilege of ordaining Dennis Garrou, a married former Episcopal priest, to the sacred order of deacons for the Archdiocese of Denver. God willing, Deacon Garrou will be ordained a Catholic priest in May.
All this is made possible by a “Pastoral Provision” implemented by Pope John Paul II in 1980. In its own small way this special occasion fulfills one of the main goals of Vatican II””Christian unity. As the first sentence in the Decree on Ecumenism says, “The restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal concerns of the Second Vatican Council.”
The importance of Christian unity cannot be emphasized enough, because Jesus Christ founded one Church and one Church only. This is not just a matter of faith, but of historical fact. The divisions that have occurred over the centuries are a sad testimony to the Fall and the effects of original sin. The separation of Christians from each other is contrary to God’s will, a wound to Christ’s body and a scandal to the outside world. It is like the amputation of limbs from a body, or divorce and the breakup of a family.
This is an action under a thirty year old provision which allows Anglicans that want to be Roman Catholics to be Roman Catholics, even if married. For those of us who really really believe that being an Anglican is God’s will for us this isn’t news. I’ve watched this for thirty years, and as good as it is for those who are called to it, it isn’t the answer (nor is the Ordinariate). For those on this blog who know me, you know I’ve watched it up close and personal.
Christian unity isn’t accomplished through submission to a view that Anglicans have (at least up to and including the time of ordination) have resisted as incorrect (unless the priest fibbed as the oath of conformity was signed). Call me more interested in my pension or whatever you like: I really believe that reformed Catholic Christianity is the way to go…even with the aberrations of the provincial majority.
Such is the substance of the problem. Brien is quite right.