Anglican Bishop Will Lead others on the Path to Rome

7/9/2008
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

"What we must humbly ask for now is for magnanimous gestures from our Catholic friends, especially from the Holy Father" said Bishop Burnham.

With all of the heartbreaking news of continued divisions within the worldwide Anglican communion over issues of orthodoxy and orthopraxy, the news of a coming full communion between many Anglican Christians and the Catholic Church may be the silver lining.

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

LONDON (Catholic Online) - Damian Thompson of the Telegraph has covered the rapid developments concerning the Church of England. In a report written for the Telegraph on July 8, Mr. Thompson wrote:

"The Bishop of Ebbsfleet, the Rt Rev Andrew Burnham, is to lead his fellow Anglo-Catholics from the Church of England into the Roman Catholic Church, the Catholic Herald will reveal this week.

Bishop Burnham, one of two "flying bishops" in the province of Canterbury, has made a statement asking Pope Benedict XVI and the English Catholic bishops for "magnanimous gestures" that will allow traditionalists to become Catholics en masse.

He is confident that this will happen, following talks in Rome with Cardinal Levada, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Cardinal Kasper, the Vatican's head of ecumenism. He was accompanied on his visit by the Rt Rev Keith Newton, Bishop of Richborough, the other Canterbury "flying bishop", who is expected to follow his example.

Bishop Burnham hopes that Rome will offer special arrangements whereby former Anglicans can stay worshipping in parishes under the guidance of a Catholic bishop. Most of these parishes already use the Roman liturgy, but there may be provision for Anglican prayers if churches request it.

Anglican priests who are already married will not be barred from ordination as priests, though Bishop Burnham would not be able to continue in episcopal orders, as he is married and there is an absolute bar on married bishops in the Roman and Orthodox Churches.

In his statement, Bishop Burnham explains why he is rejecting the code of practice offered to traditionalists by the General Synod last night. "How could we trust a code of practice to deliver a workable ecclesiology if every suggestion we have made for our inclusion has been turned down flat?" he asks.

"How could we trust a code of practice when those who are offering it include those who have done most to undermine and seek to revoke the code of practice in force for these last 14 years? ...

"What we must humbly ask for now is for magnanimous gestures from our Catholic friends, especially from the Holy Father, who well understands our longing for unity, and from the hierarchy of England and Wales. Most of all we ask for ways that allow us to bring our folk with us."

This report in the Telegraph has been confirmed by numerous other sources in both the secular and religious press.It follows the historic vote to pass legislation which could lead to the attempted consecration of women to the Episcopacy.

Earlier reports have also confirmed secret meetings between Anglican Bishops and the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords:

NEWSLETTERS »

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

1 - 10 of 17 Comments

sr.Mikaela Hechinger
3 years ago
Pray, pray pray for UNITY
at least we can start to pray for, that we all celebrate easter on one date!! You an sign for it www.onedate.com
Pam
4 years ago
They won't be bringing the buildings with them. The buildings do not belong to them.
James Collins
4 years ago
"We must all pray for unity!"
Unity is what the whole world had in Noah's day until the flood came, and took them all away.
Mary
4 years ago
Praise be to God! May this be masse conversion be the first of many in healing the Body of Christ.

To Dave and Nancy, the Anglican bishops could be ordained as Catholic priests. I wonder if they could potentially become Cardinals?
J Collins
4 years ago
"We must all pray for unity!"
Unity is what "all the world" had before the flood came and carried them all away.
Salvador Pico
4 years ago
The possibility of Anglican Churches reuniting with Rome will benefit the Roman Catholic Church with the richness of their Spirituality, love of Scripture, and fidelity to Tradition. It is what the Reformation should have done within the Catholic Church and not against it. As a Catholic I say "please come in because we need you." The resurgence of Islam and the advance of paganism and the longing of all mankind for One World demands that we all close ranks and launch this last Great Crusade not with arms and violence but with Truth.
J Christian
4 years ago
May all the English, Scottish and Irish Martyrs bless this reunion; Saint Thomas More work its legality, Saint John Fisher its wisdom, and Saint Cardinal Newman its transition, Amen. And Yahweh, Sophia and Barbelo smile upon it.
J Christian
4 years ago
Probably not, Linda -- are you the Setanaya's advocate?
thomas warner, M.D.
4 years ago
Great news indeed. The English make great Catholics. And how about the 40 English Martyrs. Welcome home.
Linda
4 years ago
Is it really necessary to post such disrespectful comments like those from J Christian. These comments add nothing to this discussion, but rather are disrespectful in both tone and verbiage to not only our extended Anglican family but also the beauty of our Catholic tradition.

"Perhaps Holy Father could create a new position, like "Cardinal," only higher, that of "Blue Jay," and name J. K. Rowling to head these new Anglican-Catholics...
J Christian | 7/8/2008"

Prev12 Next

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment