[trad_anglican]

The Anglicans used to have a claim to maintaining Apostolic succession. In some cases their priests are valid, but it is largely not so anymore. They've ordained women and practicing homosexuals. It can not be said that any given Anglican priest is valid.

You couldn't have thought I would let this one pass. Orders cannot be invalidated retroactively, nor can the invalidity of one anglican church have an invalidating effect on those of another anglican church. There are Anglican churches around (not only continuing anglicans) who have maintained the validity of their orders and do not "ordain" women. The ordination of practicing homosexuals is largely an American innovation.

It is important to keep in mind that the "Anglican Church" is really an association of "anglican churches."

[SoothingDave]

You couldn't have thought I would let this one pass. Orders cannot be invalidated retroactively, nor can the invalidity of one anglican church have an invalidating effect on those of another anglican church.

I thought I might hear from you. Of course a valid ordination can not be undone. My point was more that, without investigation, it is impossible for a person to know who is valid and who isn't. If a Catholic priest or Orthodox comes up to me on the street I can be reasonably assured of his validity. I can not say the same for an Anglican unless I investigate who ordained him, and who him, on up.

SD