Pope to Anglicans ‘Come home to Rome – All is forgiven’
In an effort to entice Anglicans back to the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican announced a new, improved pathway for Anglicans uncomfortable with women priests and openly gay bishops to come home to Rome. A new church entity will allow Anglicans “to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony,” a church spokesman announced. Although Catholics and Anglicans tried to explain this was a coherent response to those seeking conversion, the Vatican apparently told the Anglicans about the plan only a couple of weeks ago and launched it as a fait accompli. Take that, Henry VIII! (And what was that about revenge being a dish best eaten cold?) Some church figures said this might harm ecumenical dialogue if denominations start poaching each other’s members. The move could have especially wide impact in England, as many traditional Anglicans have protested their church’s embrace of liberal theological ideas. African bishops have also long been unhappy with notions such as openly gay priests. That’s religion for you.
Become an Insider