Catholic Bishops Prepare Path for Anglican Exodus

The Times (UK) ^ | 11/22/09 | John Follain and Jonathon Oliver

[marshmallow]

THE Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has taken the first steps towards receiving Anglican converts en masse.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, its leader, has appointed a panel of bishops to plan the recruitment of entire Church of England parishes.

The move, effectively to “poach” Anglican congregations disenchanted with their church’s liberal drift, came as Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, held a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican.

Speaking after their meeting, Williams denied that the Pope’s offer to allow members of the Church of England to convert while preserving many of their traditions was “a kind of dawn raid on the Anglican communion”.

He added: “I don’t think it’s a question of the Catholic church trying to attract by advertising and special offers.”

Williams admitted that there were serious tensions between the two churches, however.

The Catholic committee targeting Anglican converts will look at ways of overcoming obstacles to receiving entire parishes.

A key problem is property. Many of the congregations wanting to defect to Rome are attached to beautiful church buildings.

There is no question of the Catholic church buying such places of worship from the Church of England — and the Church of England commissioners are not willing to sell them.

The committee of Catholic bishops will scrutinise the possibility of church sharing, the use of temporary buildings for convert vicars and their congregations.

The panel will also look at the possibility of taking out long-term leases of Anglican churches, giving the Catholics responsibility for repairs and maintenance for up to 100 years.

[marshmallow]

During his visit to the Vatican, Williams talked of “these continuing points of tension” and said Rome’s ban on ordaining women was an obstacle to unity.

It's also an obstacle to becoming a shambolic mess like the C of E.

+Rowan's a clown. A complete laughing stock.

[manc]

I left the church of England because of its liberal leanings so when they want money to fix the roof they can go and screw plus ask their homosexuals mates.

When will these religions get it, Going all PC is taking money away from them plus driving many away.

[elcid1970]

The clueless Druid Rowan Williams just got royally carpetbombed by an incoming “B-16”.

[rbg81]

“Arch Bishop” Williams shuold just convert to Wicca and get it over with. Or maybe even Islam.

[elcid1970]

Heh, heh!

Rowan needs to start barking at the full moon.

[kosta50]

It would be nice if Anglicans converted “en masse,” but I seriously doubt it will affect the 77 million member Anglican Communion to any significant extent. Even if the estimated 400-500 thousand convert (I have to see it to believe it), that is a drop in a bucket (about one half of a percent!), with 99.5% of Anglicans staying put. So, any triumphalism is unnecessary and silly.

[marshmallow]

The term "en masse" simply refers to the reception of entire parishes, rather than individuals which has previously been the usual method of conversion. It is not meant to imply that the majority of Anglicans will convert. It simply means "as a group". Nothing more.

As for "triumphalism", you jest!!

This is "The Times". To say it is not known for it's pro-papal journalism would be an understatement of some magnitude.

[SuziQ]

The move, effectively to “poach” Anglican congregations disenchanted with their church’s liberal drift, came as Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, held a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican.

The Pope isn't 'poaching' anyone, he's simply made it possible for them to be welcomed into the Roman Catholic Church, since they obviously don't believe their own faith is true to the God's Word anymore.

[BlueDragon]

"...the Pope’s offer to allow members of the Church of England to convert while preserving many of their traditions..."

[grand wazoo]

Many Anglicans welcome the Pope easing the transition from Anglican to Catholic. The transition from Catholic to Anglican was not as “peaceful” for their ancestors.