Forget unity, just getting on is fine

news.com.au ^ | February 21, 2007 | Andrew Carswell

[Alex Murphy]

IT ONLY took one dispute for marble-hearted King Henry VIII to sever his ties with the Catholic Church and establish the Anglican Church as an alternative.

He merely wanted to divorce his wife. Irreconcilable differences, perhaps.

Now, more than 450 years later, that initial point of contention has grown into a plethora of theological disagreements, a long list of faith fractures and (sometimes) open sectarian rancour.

Irreconcilable differences again? Not according to a handful of church leaders who have proposed a radical Catholic-Anglican reunion under the leadership of the Pope.

The idea was drawn up by the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission, and agreed on by bishops from both sides. Spearheaded by Brisbane's Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby, this group believes the gaping theological hole between the churches can be bridged with a "give-and-take" attitude.

Bishop Bathersby said there were no insurmountable hurdles to a reunion which was "not only longed for from the Catholic side, it's longed for from the Anglican side".

Hey, it seems to have worked for Shane Warne and Simone. But just what foundational doctrines would get the chop and what would remain?

There is no doubt Jesus taught on the possibility of unity, stating, "May they be one as We are one", referring to the accord in the Trinity.

But both Australia's Catholic head and Sydney's Anglican archbishop believe it is impossible.

They yesterday told The Daily Telegraph the two streams of faith could co-exist and still showcase a united Christian front.

"We have a great deal of respect for each other, but the idea of one big church ... under a human leader is not something I agree with," Anglican Archbishop of Sydney Dr Peter Jensen said.

[Thoramir]

"He merely wanted to divorce his wife. Irreconcilable differences, perhaps."

Just FYI he wanted to divorce a woman he needed special permission from the pope to marry in the first place he wanted to divorce her because he was obsessed with getting a male heir. A special dispensation was neccesary because Catharine of Aragon was previously married to Henry's brother. In fact, he was so obsessed with getting a male heir that he'd even went to the point of killing a some of his later wives for it.