Canterbury Calls John Paul II "Spiritual Leader of Christianity"

Zenit ^ | J+M+J 21 June 2002 | ZENIT

[Siobhan]

Statements of Archbishop of Canterbury During Visit to Rome

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 21, 2002 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop George Carey of Canterbury, primate of the Anglican Communion, called John Paul II the "spiritual leader of the whole of Christianity."

The leader of 70 million Anglican faithful made his assessment over Vatican Radio today after a papal audience.

The Briton´s visit was charged with melancholy, because the 103rd archbishop of Canterbury plans to retire Oct. 31.

Dr. Carey, 66, said his visit had a "highly personal" character "to express my gratitude to the Holy Father for the friendship we have been able to build in these past 11 years."

"I have been able to meet him on many occasions," he said. "I feel great esteem for him, as a brother in the faith, and I respect in the most total way his figure as spiritual leader for the whole of Christianity throughout the world."

"In our conversations we have spoken of the way toward the most profound unity; of course there are differences, but on fundamental aspects the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion are, in reality, very close," Dr. Carey added.

A London East Ender, he was appointed archbishop of Canterbury in 1991 by then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Dr. Carey´s presence in Rome coincided with an exhibition in the Vatican Museums on the history of Anglicanism.

Regarding Catholic-Anglican rapprochement, he said: "I think that it is necessary to work more intensely at the theological level, although I must admit that that the studies go forward in a tranquil manner: not as fast as I would like, but it is true that we must also think long term."

"Basically, we have been divided and separated over 450 years and we cannot think of attaining the desired unity in one or two years," he added. "The progress we are making is undoubtedly encouraging."

A working group was formed in January 2001 between the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church, to foment mutual relations. It is presided over by Anglican Bishop David Beetle of Highvale, South Africa, and by Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane, Australia.

King Henry VIII proclaimed himself supreme head of the Anglican Church in 1531, after the Pope refused to annul his marriage. Two years later, the Pope excommunicated the English king.

[Siobhan]

FYI. Very interesting development I think.

[Siobhan]

A link to the means by which Episcopalians may enter the Catholic Church and retain elements of their worship and tradition called the "Anglican Use" of the Latin rite. FYI

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

"In our conversations we have spoken of the way toward the most profound unity; of course there are differences, but on fundamental aspects the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion are, in reality, very close," Dr. Carey added.

"Very close." In fact, the C of E has made ample use of Catholic churches and cathedrals. :)

[american colleen]

"Very close." In fact, the C of E has made ample use of Catholic churches and cathedrals. :)

Ticked me off every time I entered a beautiful old "Anglican" Cathedral and Church in England and Ireland!

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Ironically enough, the point is well noted. The past is catching up.

Just to be inside a former Catholic church seems to have some efficacious rippling effect. More than just conservative Catholics are wondering if the make-it-up-as-we-go-along approach to religion was ever a good idea.

[american colleen]

"make-it-up-as-we-go-along approach to religion"

LOL!

Almost everyone I know (change that to probably everyone I know) has this approach.

[livius]

Took 'em awhile.

The big problem for the Anglicans, of course, is exactly which of the many "Anglican" churches would be dealing with Rome.

The one that ordains gays and women and puts up stained glass windows of Mohammed? Or the "other" Anglican church, that seems to exist out there, quietly doing its beautiful liturgy (until one day the entire parish goes over to Rome).

Anglicans/Episcopalians are so fragmented that it's hard to see where this dialogue could begin.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

"make-it-up-as-we-go-along approach to religion" LOL! Almost everyone I know (change that to probably everyone I know) has this approach. 6 posted on 6/22/02 12:22 PM Pacific by american colleen

Problem with that is that eventually there is not much left of traditional Christian substance. Something along these lines is what Newman began to pick up on. He's not alone.

[B-Chan]

Anglican Use bump!

Thanks for posting this uplifting article. May we all be one!

Yours in Christian Fraternity,

B-chan

[narses]

I posted this again at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/705075/posts

I searched for Anglican in the title and didn't find anything. Mea Culpa.

[Siobhan]

No problem. Frequently titles of articles get changed a bit by the newsgroup or some secondary site. It is an amazing story, isn't it?

[trad_anglican]

The big problem for the Anglicans, of course, is exactly which of the many "Anglican" churches would be dealing with Rome.

Very good point, though it's actually more of a problem for Rome in figuring out to whom to talk. And correct in that there is no Anglican Church, there are Anglican Churches, similar in certain respects to the fact that there are Orthodox Churches. There is an "Anglican Communion" of which the Archbishop of Canterbury is Primate (first among equals), though it has become "impaired" for reasons stated below. How such a thing as "impaired communion" can exist is something of a mystery.

The one that ordains gays and women and puts up stained glass windows of Mohammed? Or the "other" Anglican church, that seems to exist out there, quietly doing its beautiful liturgy (until one day the entire parish goes over to Rome).

Hopefully the latter. There have been a few parishes "go over" but that has proven to be the exception, not the rule. There are "continuing" Anglican Churches throughout the world, these are the "others" and they won't be "going over" one by one any time soon. We should and do pray, with Jesus, they "we may all be one" in the truest and fullest sense. We must also remember that "we" is not just the west, but the east, too.

[narses]

It is. I have heard that the Royal Family is rapidly converting back to the Roman Catholic Church and that Tony Blair is also.

[RonF]

"It is. I have heard that the Royal Family is rapidly converting back to the Roman Catholic Church and that Tony Blair is also."

That'd be pretty interesting. The British Law of Succession forbids anyone who is a Roman Catholic from succeeding to the throne of England, and I doubt that's going to change soon.

[narses]

I know the law is there, but more and more members of the Royal Family are opting out, so to speak. There has been discussion of repealing that law.

[RonF]

"King Henry VIII proclaimed himself supreme head of the Anglican Church in 1531, after the Pope refused to annul his marriage. Two years later, the Pope excommunicated the English king."

This would be the particular time the change occurred, but the English Church had been independent before the Bishop of Rome asserted Pauline authority there, and even after formal acceptance thereof, the English Church considered itself a separate entity. There were numerous abused by Rome that predated Henry's action, and which led to his action being accepted.

[constitutiongirl]

I may be mistaken, but I thought that Parliament changed that or were cosidering it some months back. MadIvan is a British Catholic. Perhaps he can shed some light.