[tanknetter]

The Vatican is, however, understood to be urging those groups wishing to come into communion with it to demonstrate they are comfortable with Church teaching, and that they aren't motivated soley by disillusionment with the Anglican Communion

This is a pretty important point. Conservative Episcopalians might be furious at some of the recent liberalization actions, but there are also serious issues regarding marriage of (heterosexual) clergy and the Roman Catholic Church's emphasis on the role of Mary in redemption that would have to be overcome before any true reunitement could occur.

[MeanWestTexan]

Correct.

I believe the position is going to be agree-to-disagree about Mary, although that may have changed.

[Cronos]

but there are also serious issues regarding marriage of (heterosexual) clergy

Not really -- the Latin rite of the Catholic church has celibate priests. The Eastern rites of the Catholic church like the Syro-Malabarese, the Maronites (Lebanon) etc. allow married men to become priests. They are akin to the Eastern Orthodox Churchs -- these allow married men to become priests, but you can't get married AFTER you've become a priest and monks, bishops etc. are celibates.

[B Knotts]

but there are also serious issues regarding marriage of (heterosexual) clergy

The discipline of celibacy only applies to the Latin Church, which happenes to be the largest particular church in the Catholic Church.

With the wording they use, "Anglican Rite Church," it sounds like they want to come in as a particular church, with their own episcopacy, much like the Eastern Catholic Churches. Thus, the celibacy rule need not apply to their priesthood. The issue of married bishops, though, could be a problem. I do not think there are any married bishops in the Catholic Church, East or West. Or, for that matter, in Eastern Orthodoxy.

The Marian issues may be stickier, as you note. Although, I think that's more a terminology issue, IMO. Nevertheless, it is probably a significant doctrinal obstacle, which the Anglicans will need to find a way to resolve. If they're going to be in full communion, they will have to accept the Marian dogmas, at minimum.

[Windcatcher]

I remember hearing (don't know if this is true or not) that there are some other, obscure (*very* small) Catholic sects that allow clergy to marry (e.g. Ukranian), but are still part of the Catholic Church. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this? I was brought up in the RCC, but I was told that it was only the Roman sect that demanded celibacy of clergy (though it is by far the vast majority).

[Unam Sanctam]

the Roman Catholic Church's emphasis on the role of Mary in redemption

Her role is entirely a matter of her relationship to her divine son, i.e., giving birth as human mother to the Savior. She is a creature who voluntarily cooperated through her fiat with God's redemption of mankind through Jesus Christ. Her role is not divine, but as a human who chooses cooperation with God to accomplish His will. Many Protestants profoundly misunderstand the Church's teaching on this point.

[Kenny Bunk]

...but there are also serious issues regarding marriage of (heterosexual) clergy ....the Roman Catholic Church's emphasis on the role of Mary in redemption...

In regard to the marriage of clergy: There are some rites in union with Rome now that permit married clergy. No problem, especially with those priests already married. There are quite a few converted Lutheran and Anglican priests who came over with the wife and kids. Perhaps the Romans alone will remain bachelors!

Doctrinally, specifically in regard to the Virgin Birth, The Immaculate Conception, the Assumption,and the role of Mary as Mediatrix, there are relatively few significant differences between the various Orthodox, Roman, and Anglican rites.