Bishop Gregory Venables comments:-
The reaction to the point about the Ordinariate is far more significant than the original comment which incidentally was not written for publication. The conversation was in 2009 and did not imply that the Ordinariate was either temporary or an error, merely that the speaker values the Anglican Church as it is.
I believe that because the Ordinariate is the result of an Apostolic Constitution it is not subject to revocation of any kind. One thing I am valuing more and more from Rome is its consistent message and its doctrinal stability regardless of leadership changes. Orthodox Anglicans, of course, get knocked around quite a lot lately as attempts are made to consolidate power and expel dissention.
I think this is an excellent case that demonstrates that popes do not have absolute power to do whatever they want either doctrinally or in governing the Church.
[Edited by Elf]
Pope Francis and ++Venables have had a great friendship and mutual respect over many years. They have worked together on many issues, one of which is going on right now – the public joint Evangelical, Anglican and Roman Catholic protests against legalisation of gay ‘marriage’ in Argentina. There is no sign that their relationship has changed.
Oh and by the way, assuming as is likely that Pope Francis’ views on the Ordinariate have been correctly reported, I fail to see why they are raising any eyebrows: A
[Consequentially edited by Elf]
To be an Anglican who is orthodox, in the Catholic conceptual sense, one must now join the Ordinariate, as I have done. Catholic orthodoxy requires accepting Petrine primacy, but not just in terms of “honour” and “love” as Lambeth 1998 and ARCIC’s Gift of Authority helpfully — but inadequately — aver. One must also assent to his juridical, doctrinal authority.
I wasn’t expelled (ecclesiastically) so much as compelled (cognitively).