The Archbishop of Canterbury signalled a fresh push to dissuade traditionalist Anglicans from defecting to the Roman Catholic Church as he joined the Pope in stressing moves to bring the two churches together.
Rowan Williams used a joint prayer service in Rome to call for a renewed drive to “restore full sacramental communion” between the Anglican and Catholic churches.
Dr Williams and Pope Benedict XVI prayed and lit candles together at the Chapel of St Gregory the Great, in a service highlighting 1,400 years of links between the church in England and Rome.
[blockquote] Rowan Williams used a joint prayer service in Rome to call for a renewed drive to “restore full sacramental communion†between the Anglican and Catholic churches.[/blockquote]
Whatever differences I have had with Dr. Williams, and they are legion, I have not until now questioned his mental faculties. But anyone who thinks the Romans have the slightest interest in restoring communion with the Anglican Communion after what has transpired over the last forty years is simply delusional.
RE: “is simply delusional. . . . ”
Meh — a “renewed drive” call from RW is just propaganda on his part. Gotta act confident and like this is some possibility, especially for people in the COE who 1) care anything about “full sacramental communion” and are 2) rather uninformed about the state of things.
Pretense is always useful rhetoric for the ignorant and oddly-delusional in audiences.
Why would Rome be so silly, inasmuch as they’re getting the Anglicans they want and Rowan is holding on to the rejects by giving his revisionists what they want.
Way to attempt to shut the barn door after the horse as fled the barn.
“Full sacramental communion” can only come with complete submission to Roman authority. They make it abundantly clear, so it’s moronic to suggest that it’s possible without that.
C’mon, this has the same fervor and veracity as when we mutter the response “That we all may be one” to the prayer for Christian unity. Why pick on Rowan when the Romans are equally as complicit in these charades, via the ARCIC?
It’s what our Christian religious leaders do — gather for prayer periodically and lament that we all can’t be at the same table. Rowan says we should be in Communion, Benedict says if everyone would just sign on under his authority then we can all be in Communion. Simple! 😛
If the ABC wants any sort of credibility then let him denounce the proposed same sex blessing liturgy that is to be presented at this years General Convention. I’m not holding my breath.
I am not sure where the headline came from, unless invented, or based in something said by the new LamPal spin doctors, but I am not sure why they would be pushing that line.
I think its good they got together for a good chinwag and a bit of Vespers. Just doing what we on the ground do – ignore all the handwringing over eucharistic theory and just get on and do stuff together.