A rock dropped into quiet waters produces a visible splash and observable ripples. The same rock thrown into a storm-tossed sea, however, passes unnoticed, for its effects are overwhelmed by larger and wider waves.<\/p>\n
Before the splash of Cdl. Coccopalmerio\u2019s startling comments toward recognizing Anglican orders disappears in the theological chop that is the new normal for Catholics, let\u2019s record some questions deserving of consideration.<\/p>\n
Note, the only source I have for Coccopalmerio\u2019s comments is The Tablet and, as that site sets the stage for its report by recalling \u201cLeo XIII\u2019s remarks [on] Anglican orders\u201d\u2014as if Leo\u2019s letter Apostolicae curae (1896), which declared Anglican orders \u201cabsolutely null and utterly void\u201d, simply conveyed, you know, some \u201cremarks\u201d\u2014one is not reassured that The Tablet fully grasps what is at issue here. In any case, no Tablet quotes attributed to Coccopalmerio directly attack Leo\u2019s ruling (we are not even told what language the cardinal was speaking or writing in, and I think that is an important point) so there is some room for clarification.<\/p>\n
But, if Coccopalmerio said what The Tablet reports him as saying, the following questions would warrant airing.<\/p>\n