UK Archbishop Foresees Chaos and Uncertainty for Anglicans
Rowan Williams
The Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury predicts a chaotic and uncertain time for the Anglicans following the Vatican’s offer of reconciliation last month (see Vatican Announced Plan for Anglicans to Become Part of the Church of Rome):
Rowan Williams: church future ‘chaotic and uncertain’The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned the future of the Anglican church is “chaotic and uncertain” as dozens more married priests consider defecting to the Roman Catholic church.Telegraph - Nov 12, 2009 by Ancrew PierceIn a sermon which was released yesterday, Dr Rowan Williams said: “God knows what the future holds.”
While he made no reference to the decision of the Vatican to make it easier for married Anglican clergy to train for the priesthood it was clear who his remarks were directed at.
He delivered the sermon at All Saints, Margaret Street at a service to mark the 150th anniversary of the London church’s consecration. All Saints is a prominent centre of Catholic Anglican worship in Britain.
The Archbishop, in an attempt to reach out to Anglican priests who were unsure whether to switch, said it was still possible “to lead lives of Catholic holiness even in the communion of the See of Canterbury”.
His inrtervention follows the gathering last month of 500 Anglican clergy, who oppose the consecration of women bishops, to discuss whether to abandon the Church of England for the Roman Catholic church.
The members of Forward in Faith, the leading traditionalist grouping, have given a positive response to Pope Benedict XVI’s offer of an Anglican “ordinariate” or diocese.
The archbishop, in his sermon, said: “God knows what the future holds for any of us for any of our ecclesiastical institutions but we can at least begin with what we can be sure of: that God has graced us with the lives of saints; that God has been credible in this fellowship with these people.
“This church, with its very particular place in the history of the Church of England, is one small but significant facet of that great mystery and that great gift. And, at times when the future seems more than usually chaotic and uncertain, it doesn’t hurt simply to give thanks.”
This week the Vatican published the new papal decree setting out the terms for the new diocese which would allow Anglicans to move over but to retain crucial aspects of their own liturgy.
The Archbishop is due to go to Rome next week for an audience with the Pope.
The Archbishop is in a tough spot. He knows that his church has compromised on many doctrines and these compromises have gotten many to look to Rome–a place that the Anglicans got many (if not most) of their doctrines from originally. But the majority of its more “conservative” leadership voted against returning to Rome in July, 2009.
The reality is that individuals should make up their own mind and not violate their beliefs and not violate their consciences (cf Romans 14:5,12; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Philippians 2:12).
Some articles of possibly related interest may include:
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
Was Celibacy Required for Early Bishops or Presbyters? Some religions suggest this, but what does the Bible teach? What was the practice of the early church?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?
