The really good news, from the Catholic point of view, is that Rome and the two flying bishops seem to have agreed on the bare outline of a deal between Romeward-bound Anglicans and the Vatican.
If it seems presumptuous for Anglicans to ask for a deal, remember this: in the mid-1990s, after the Church of England ordained women priests, many Anglo-Catholics drew back from union with the Holy See because the Bishops of England and Wales were so unwelcoming, and because they were so depressed by the low standard of liturgy in our parishes.
The situation now is very different. Pope Benedict XVI is an old friend of conservative Anglo-Catholics in England and America; he shares their dismay at the shoddy state of the liturgy in many churches, and he is seeking to renovate the vernacular Mass by exposing Catholics to the treasures of pre-1970 Latin worship.
All this would have been inconceivable in 1994, as would a Ratzinger papacy, and old-fashioned “Sandalista” liberals are still hoping to wake up from their bad dream. The cheering from the Anglo-Catholic sidelines at these developments has been hearty and loud – much louder, I’m sorry to say, than that from the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales.
The one point I’d hope the likeable and impressive +Ebbsfleet to clarify (for the sake of catholic-minded evangelicals, as well as of his own flock) is how he and his flock would or should respond if the next pope is in fact a “sandalista” (or sympathizer). Let’s not forget that the vital statistics mean he could be with us sooner than we think.
The vital statistics to which you refer also mean that the days of the sansalistas are numbered.
[blockquote]4. Former Anglican communities may – if they wish – be allowed to use parts of the Book of Common Prayer adapted for Catholic use, as in a few American parishes. In practice, there will be little demand for this concession, I suspect. . . . .
7. There will therefore be no Uniate Anglican-Rite Church; there is not enough demand for it, and it raises too many questions about celibacy and jurisdiction. . . . .
8. That said, there could well be a future for the Fellowship of St Gregory once its original supply of ex-Anglicans has died out. The treasures our new brethren will bring with them – a poetic and contemplative spirituality, glorious prayers, fine music – will permanently enrich the Catholic Church in England; they belong to us all[/blockquote]
It is unclear to me how you get to the advantages in [8] without the items in [4] and [7]. After the ex-Anglicans have died out, you’ll just have the current RC liturgy. Ugh.
Indeed, RC liturgy is a **snore, fell asleep before I could finish sentence.
It would great if these new converts went straight on to the Gregorian Rite. Take that, sandalistas.
I once was convinced that the Missale Romanum had no redeeming value in its liturgical life. I was wrong. Like liturgy done poorly from the Anglican/TEC BCP, I now know that HOW one prays the liturgy is critical. No, I will not praise the pedestrian language in the new Mass. But when it is prayed in the way one should pray, there is life and beauty in the liturgy. I have hung my head as many times in TEC, not denying that the language is more beautiful in the BCP 1979 or 1928 than the MR, because of the pedestrian way the Holy Eucharist was prayed. In fact, as I have become familiar with the Missale Romanum, it is actually an exciting book of prayer and very informative about the tradition of Christian Eucharist liturgy because of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. Not as good as the 1962 Daily Missal, in my opinion, but very good, none the less. But the return to the Latin Mass is even more exciting.
I for one think the improvements Anglican converts will bring to our music selection is reason enough to welcome them with gladness and charity.
My ancestors in England were imprisoned and killed for wanting to worship and read the Bible in English. I think our Anglo-Catholic friends there need to remember that before clamoring for a return to Latin worship.
#8 – so? Other ancestors were tortured and killed for wanting to remain faithful to Rome. Where are you going with this?
teatime, any death caused because of practicing the Faith is shameful. We know the historical record is terrible with violence. Shame on all sides. But we go on in spite of ourselves. Forgive us, Lord, for we do not know what we’re doing.
Re: posts 4-6:
Thank goodness Pope Benedict has ordered a new translation for the American English liturgy that is more faithful to the Latin base.
The current one has been an ear-sore since it was introduced.
Now if they would just do a more accurate translation of the Scriptures while they are at it….
Pax
Jim Elliott <><
COLUMCIL,
With all due respect you sound predictably like a RC changing Mass into a magic show.
“Right this way parishoners…First I will say the magic words and turn this ordinary wine bread into; Flesh and blood yes! Come and eat (but don’t chew) Next, I want to remind you that the language for the Mass is uninspiring but [if you say it the RIGHT way it will transform itself to being more meaningful/i]. Better yet, we will start worshiping God in a language that you cannot understand! Right on!”
adhunt, those who have ears to hear, hear! Next time you want to share “due respect” go to the dumpster. That’s where your comments belong. Right on!
COLUMCIL,
I think that you are right. The way that I approached the topic was completely out of line and I do genuinely apologize.
Nonetheless I will say that it seems a strange thing to me that to say something ‘the right way’ transforms it. And, as this is a conservative Anglican site I will have to side with the BCP concerning the Latin Mass: That to worship in a language that is not understood by the people is ‘repugnant to the Word of God,’ regardless of its other virtues. Perhaps once in a while for special occasions, but a wholesale revival seems to me to be a dangerous reversal of the godly advances of Vatican II which for the first time in centuries put worship within the grasp of the people who are the very ones which worship is supposed to transform.
Again the proper language of dialogue was breached by me and my repentace is yours.
adhunt, thank you. I’m not suggesting the mere recitation makes the change. Words do count; the beauty of words is helpful and pleasing. But maybe we are much closer to understanding one another than first appeared. I do agree that the people should understand and my reflection after using the Missale and reflecting on its attempt to “speak the language” I think it isn’t as bad as either I say it is or others say it is. But also, the language of the people and the official language of the Church were side by side for those learning its meaning in the Daily Missal I remember and currently have. I find that praying in Latin is beginning to be praying in my language since I didn’t grow up with Latin and am learning it. Anyway, thank you for your response and I appreciate your taking time to be in touch again. Blessings and peace.