The Lambeth Conference has given us good opportunities to meet together to talk and support one another. We want to share with you the experience that through our time together we have discovered a new sense of unity among us as bishops, and indeed our need of one another. In conversation we have become increasingly aware of the many priests and deacons, as well as other faithful, who are looking to us for a lead at the moment.
It is particularly to you, the 1,400 clergy who signed the open letter to the Archbishops, that we are writing, but we hope you will share this letter, as we shall, with others, both clergy and parish members, who share our concerns.
We write to assure you that we understand the difficulties we are all facing in the light of the instruction by General Synod to the Legislative Drafting Group (“The Manchester Group”) to prepare legislation with only a statutory code of practice for those unable for reasons of theological conviction to recognise or accept the ordination of women to the episcopate in the absence of wider Catholic consensus.
We identify with your difficult and painful feelings because they are ours too. It is now clear that the majority in this General Synod, and probably in the Church of England at large, believes it is right to admit women to the episcopate.
If that is so, it is vital for the most catholic of reasons that there must be no qualifications or restrictions to their ministry. That means however that proper ecclesial provision must be made for those who cannot accept this innovation.
The “Catholic” part of Anglicanism is gone. It actually never was, as Newman discovered. The recognition of that is hard, painfully, life-changing hard. I lived the lie for 40 years, but God is gracious and gave me enough time to see the “Anglican Communion” for what is really is… a Protestant sect. That can be OK, even good for some, but for those Anglo-Catholics left, time to leave the Anglo part behind and figure out what you’ve been wrong about for a long time. I hope these Brothers of mine have a easier journey towards that Truth than I did. (Though it did turn out quite well!) Google Ratzinger, and go from there.
I can fully appreciate trooper’s comments even as I disagree with them. The Catholic part of Anglicanism is intrinsic to it’s identity. However, it is most certainly under extreme duress and is now a remnant of what it once was. Historically, saints are often raised up in the Church during times of great darkness to hold Divine light and make true God’s promise that the gates of hell will not prevail. Also, being a remnant, while hummbling and hard, can be and has been the “leaven in the loaf” through which graces are bestowed and where God’s presence and annointing may be found. Anglo-Catholicism is on the brink, it will not be what it has been but God will make it something even more beautiful if it has the faith and the courage to yield and to trust the Potter’s hand. Rome herself, called for a New Oxford Movement in the Anglican communion. It just may see one and this letter sparkles with that potentiality. A star is being born. Wait and see what good thing God will do!
I have to chuckle that a letter regarding women and the episcopate is dated on the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
[blockquote]I have to chuckle that a letter regarding women and the episcopate is dated on the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.[/blockquote]
Our Lady was a bishop?
She can apparently be Queen of the Universe but not a bishop. Food for thought…
trooper: bishops and priests can be wholly corrupted and corruptible, do despicable deeds and say evil things, and this does not affect the fallibility of the infallible ekklesia anglicana, correct? Or does that only apply to the Roman wing?
No. 2 – Archangelica – Hope you’re right.
Rob k, I have a feeling that it’s going to happen. Let’s pray that it does!