Admittedly, that's not the exact phrasing of the announcement. The New York Times reported it this way: VATICAN CITY — In an extraordinary bid to lure traditionalist Anglicans en masse, the Vatican said Tuesday that it would make it easier for Anglicans uncomfortable with their church’s acceptance of female priests and openly gay bishops to join the Roman Catholic Church while retaining many of their traditions.
Hmmm. the story continued: "it seemed a rare opportunity, audaciously executed, to capitalize on deep divisions within the Anglican Church to attract new members at a time when the Catholic Church has been trying to reinvigorate itself in Europe." Hmmm.
Once more, this atheist is diving in where angels fear to tread. But hey, doesn't that make me totally objective? I mean really, I do NOT have a horse in this race. Here is what I think of the Vatican announcement. First, it was totally and completely inappropriate, as well as absolutely unnecessary. Anglicans have known for 400 years that they are welcome back in the Catholic Church, all they have to do is show up. Which takes us to point #2: this was about only one thing, namely MARKET SHARE. Which after all, is the bottom line value for any institutional religion. If you are converting more Anglicans than the Anglicans are converting Catholics, it's like Post selling more cereal than Quaker. You are in the winner's column. And the hypocrisy of blandly announcing at the same time that this announcement intends no disrespect towards the Anglican leadership and that the Vatican intends to build an open dialogue with them while striving mightily to steal their parishioners....... Third point- there are two 600 pound gorillas in the room as concerns Anglicans and Catholics. It's about Sexuality and Gender. Anglicans have outraged their more conservative members by welcoming gays into the priesthood, and Catholics who have treated same sex relationships as sinful are now hoping to cash in on the distinction. On the other hand, there is the issue of married clergy and the continuing Catholic habit of treating females as second class members of the religion. Catholics have welcomed married priests from other sects to join the church, and yet have refused to allow Catholic priests to marry. Explain, please. Oh yeah, it goes back to item #1, MARKET SHARE.
This is making me tired. I am going to stop now and think of something happy. If I were an Anglican, I know what I would tell Pope Benedict and company in response to their self serving offer. But that would be rude, and I am not an Anglican, so goodbye.
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 14
While it may be simpler to claim its solely because of the gay issue, many Anglicans do not like the liberal (for want of a better word) drift of their church. The old joke that being Anglican means politely believing in nothing has not been true in Africa or many places outside of the UK for a long time. That is why the more liberal dioceses of have been hemorrhaging members to either more conservative ones or churches such as the Orthodox and Catholic faiths. The issue of allowing priests to marry is being argued again in the Vatican with ever stronger support. Women as second class is opinion, not fact. The Catholic Church is the oldest institution of man and women laity are everywhere, simply not in the priesthood. The priesthood remains male only because of tradition and faith that it is God's intent.
Its been a goal of the Church for millennia to heal the rifts between Christians. That it is happening here and therefore is regarded positively. Why you honestly believe it's inappropriate or wrong for Catholicism to work with those breakaways escapes me. Market share? Catholics are already the largest Christian domination on the planet and according to many studies, the biggest religious group also.
Such hypocrisy too. most of the pedophiles are priests and just because they remain un-married does not mean they remain celibate. It is a cult from the dark ages, I have been to the vatican, it is beautiful yes, but it is a 'shiny object' trip! People come to find the mystical, to get redemption from all the priceless artworks and such. And by accident of birth, this Pope benedict was born into a country who signed him up in their Hitler Youth movement. He has a lot of remorse on a personal level to deal with.
I predict is will remain a museum for the religious fanatics of the world!
Catherine- if I were a celibate Catholic priest, I know I would be resentful seeing married priests from the Anglicans, Greek Orthodox, etc., signing up.
Just seems some don't know the meaning of the word.