An “Ordinariate of Postulants” has been set up by the diocese of Peru in the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone to host a growing number of Roman Catholic priests who are keen to join the Anglican Church.
In contrast to the situaÂtion in England, where three former bishops recently joined the Ordinariate for former Anglicans established by Rome, clerics are making the reverse journey in South America.
The Bishop of Peru, the Rt Revd William GodÂfrey, said that, so far, about ten RC priests had joined the new group to explore the possibility of switching denominations. Some may bring conÂgregations with them.
“Coetibus Romanorum”? Ay caramba!
[blockquote] He said that it was not entirely new for Roman Catholics to make this journey, as “the Anglican Church in Latin America would not exist if it wasn’t for ex-Roman Catholicsâ€, but priests were now leaving on a larger scale. [/blockquote]
Somehow I doubt that Rowan Williams will be setting up an ordinariate for ex-RC priests in England any time soon.
#2, probably not, as I’d bet a lot of those “crossovers” are ones that want to get married(to a woman), but are still theologically traditional.
Bookworm,
The parenthetical qualification is appreciated!
There are some differences, as for those joining the RC ordinariate it is a destination. For our life in Peru it is a way station as part of a process of becoming Anglican. There will not be any kind of renunciation …of existing ecclesial relationships, though eventually there will be submission to the diocesan. We will never require re-ordination, but will receive those in presbyteral and diaconal orders. The issue of Bishops is beyond our capacity as a diocese and that must be a provincial decision at the very least.
This initiative provides an umbrella for those in discernment. The discernment goes both ways and either side can cancel the relationship. The goal in the end is assimilation into the Anglican Church in a way that allows those coming in to bring their spiritual gifts with them. We have always received individuals from other churches, such as the RC – this expands the options so as to include dioceses and congregations, so long as they are territorially part of Peru. We also have incorporated clergy from other traditions and if apostolic succession is absent then these would be ordained by us. There is always full training/instruction in Anglican spirituality and practice
This period of time also provides us with an opportunity to give the full instruction that I refer to above. Indeed I start teaching a new course this evening here in Lima. However instruction is only a part of the assimilation process, which is why we treat this as a period of discernment in which there is significant sharing and discussion. In this way we hope to be sure that the decision on both sides is right.
It may also provide some of those who have left the RC community and yet carried on their ministry with protection from the accusation of “falso” and worse as some have been harassed in the past by over zealous RC clergy and people. As of January 1, 2011 we passed a new law here in Peru that makes all churches equal. It will take a while for this to percolate through the population as this country is over 80% RC (nominally) and the social and power structures favor the RC Church and some people are jealous of that privilege. Indeed it was only just over 60 years ago that non RC churches were allowed to build their own churches. Our Anglican Cathedral was, I believe the first.
There is no separation of Church and State here in Peru. and with the dominant Catholic religion we find that missionally we have a more Catholic “face” though we describe ourselves as “Three Strand Christians.” Catholic, Evangelical and Charismatic. Mostly our ministry is among the poor, who are themselves often disregarded. There is a rising Evangelical ministry among the poor and we somehow are part of that movement, albeit in a small way. In the last 12 years we have moved from being a largely expatriate ministry to forming a Peruvian Anglican Church. In 1998 we had four clergy and five or six congregations. Now the Church has well over 30 Peruvian clergy and we hope to ordain up to eight new deacons after Easter. We have over 55 worshiping units from the cathedral down to house groups and monthly visits to remote villages and communities. We recently consecrated an new missionary Bishop evangelist who is working with a team to open up the south central area of Peru. ¡Muy Apostolico!
God is at work here in Peru and we missionaries are dedicated to training and equipping Peruvians to be leaders – clergy and lay. We are working towards having Peruvian Bishops in the next few years. We are grateful for those who come from other traditions, assimilate as Anglicans and who become part of this expanding work of God.
Ian Montgomery – Vicario Episcopal, Diocese of Peru
Ian Montgomery at #5,
Thank you for that account of God’s work through the Anglican Church in Peru. It is very interesting to those of us in the rest of the communion. Please keep us informed from time to time, when you have the opportunity.
Thank you MichaelA #6
You amy want to check in with our blogs
http://amigosdelperu.wordpress.com/
http://www.peru.anglican.org/index.html
http://missionmeanderings.wordpress.com/
If you want our priests who are unfaithful to their commitments, who have mistresses on the side, our “Father” Cuties, you can have them.
#8 I find your remark a tad uncharitable. Those who come to us have already left the RC church and are in fact part of a network of married ex RC clergy. These are people for whom often celibacy was more than they could bear and so they left and yet have continued to serve as faithful clergy. There are many such and while I wish that they could have carried on with their commitment to celibacy. However they then did the honorable thing and they left. Since the one holy catholic and apostolic Church includes branches such as our Anglican selves they are able to find a place for their ministry. These are NOT those who acquire mistresses, “housekeepers” or flaunt themselves on beaches with lovers. These are NOT “stainless steel saints,” as Susan Howatch describes the caricature of clergy but well intentioned people doing their very best under hugely difficult circumstances.
Can we not show some charity to those less formidable than yourself?