“Both you and K have frequently called attention to your own moves to Roman Catholicism and Greek Orthodoxy, respectively.”
Actually, H, I didn’t move anywhere. Like my family for the past 1800 years or so, I’ve always been Orthodox (we have little imagination), however my reasons for staying there are as you have written.
“It is truly a great blessing that Anglo-Protestants now have a clearer future, but it is important for orthodox Anglo-Catholics to understand that this announcement appears to do little to address their path forward. At this point, their options appear unchanged: to join a Continuing Anglican (”Affirmation of St. Louis”) Church, to embrace Protestantism, or to swim the Tiber or Bosphorus.”
Going to Rome or Constantinople have always been my advice when asked, but I am compelled to say that the more I learn about Continuing Anglicanism from people like the noble sionnsar, the more I see a sort of Western expression of Christian Orthodoxy. I do understand that it is not Orthodoxy, but I do also think its a “modern” expression of something very ancient in English speaking Christianity and to that extent it looks familiar and pleasant and “licit”, canonical issues aside.
One of the main differences between Protestantism and Catholicism/Orthodoxy is that Protestant churches or movements are self defining. Want to throw out all of the councils or 2 or 3, fine. Want to develop a new theology of Baptism, fine. Want to support and teach the heresy of Arianism, fine. Want to bless same, sex unions fine. Its your church, go for it. Many Protestants will say you are wrong, many will condemn with sound theology your teachings. But they remain yours and as such do not speak for any kind of “universal” Protestant church. Heresy is not driven underground it is just driven to the next block over.
This concept is totally foreign to Catholics and Orthodox. What defines us is not the day to day whim of one man or movement within the Church. We do not attempt to domesticate heresy. Those who dissent and leave (please do) do not just become another branch of the Church. They set themselves outside of the Catholic/Orthodox Church. Because once they have decided to define for themselves right doctrine and what it means to be Church. They have become just another branch of Protestanism. Which is varied enough, that no doubt someone will take them in and celebrate their liberation from the Catholic or Orthodox Church.
Protestantism can never stop dividing. At least now the majority of divisions are caused by orthodox Christians leaving denominations which have gone off the rails. That is why it is so important that GAFCON define what they believe is the legitimate expression of Anglican Christianty. It lets those who are honest start getting their luggage packed. Even so, I know some day there will be a new set of protesters in the GAFCON churches. And it will be deja vu all over again.