The Anglican Ordinariate - A Gift to the Pilgrims and a Gift to the Church

The U.S. Ordinariate could become a reality by the end of the year

Some Catholics, as well as Protestants, have been scratching their heads regarding the purpose of the Ordinariate. Why not just not enter and become Roman Catholics? Why establish a new corporate union? What is the big deal? Through "Anglicanorum coetibus," the Church signaled that the Holy Spirit is doing something powerful in Christian history.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - His Eminence, Donald Cardinal Wuerl, delivered an historic address - summarizing the current state of the Anglican Ordinariate in American - to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on Wednesday, June 15 at their spring General Assembly in Bellevue, Washington.

Cardinal Wuerl's remarks underscored the fact that clergy and parishes from Episcopal and Anglican jurisdictions in America have, indeed, accepted the invitation from the Holy Father in an apostolic constitution issued in November 2009, "Anglicanorum coetibus."

They will be joining those clergy and parishes from England and Wales who have already been established through the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.

The Cardinal outlined a process that would include evaluation, screening and formation of former Anglican bishops and priests as well as ways in which U.S. Bishops can aid in the process of bringing in clergy and parishes.

Some Catholics, as well as Protestants, have been scratching their heads regarding the purpose of the Ordinariate. Why not just not enter and become Roman Catholics? Why establish a new corporate union? What is the big deal?

Through "Anglicanorum coetibus," the Church signaled that the Holy Spirit is doing something powerful in Christian history.

Anglo-Catholics, who embrace Anglicanism through a Catholic lens, have been around since the early days of the Protestant Reformation. Rosary circles, devotion to Mary, affirmation of all seven sacraments, etc. earmarked a group of those who were, as some called them, "Catholic-lite." While living out the faith in a more Catholic expression, they still maintained a deep devotion to the Anglican liturgies, whose linguistic beauty can hardly be disputed.

In the 70's and 80's Evangelicals and other Protestants began to ask the question, "Where is the Church?" In seeking the answer, they began to look in three directions: Anglicanism, the Catholic Church and Orthodoxy. Many began a journey that would bring them into communion through one of those three groups.

Many of those who joined the Anglican world continued their journey, realizing that they had not yet reached the fullness of the Church.

These are some of the pilgrims who have been hearing the call of the Holy Spirit to enter into full communion.

The latter part of the Twentieth Century added another caveat to the Anglican condition. Not only was the church separated from her Catholic roots, but it was beginning to depart orthodoxy in its faith, sacraments and ministry.

The ordination of women, affirmation and ordination (as well as Episcopal consecrations) of practicing homosexuals, departure from the historic creeds, and syncretism are just a few of the elements that were present in the "new" Anglicanism - especially in the American Episcopal Church.

A common phrase heard among faithful yet disillusioned Episcopalians was, "I didn't leave the church, the church left me."

Some of those disheartened have now found homes in other Anglican jurisdictions that have arisen. Others, through reading, study and prayer, have concluded that real safety and orthodoxy can only come in the Catholic teaching office, our Magisterium and the throne of Peter. To remain Anglican leaves many questions concerning the faith, sacraments, liturgy and ministry still unanswered.

The only real solution is full-communion. Their regret , as with the Anglo-Catholics and Protestant Pilgrims, was that their Anglican liturgies and heritage had to be checked at the door. Not any more!

Through the Anglican Ordinariate, the Church has not only allowed but also encouraged the use of an Anglican Rite for the Mass and other liturgies. Parishes can now be fully Catholic with an Anglican expression. They can also help others in the Church appreciate and embrace the Anglican patrimony that is a part of our heritage as the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

While many believe that the Anglican Church began through the treachery of Henry VIII, a careful study of history will reveal that a fully Catholic English Church was present for centuries and produced such saints as Patrick, Thomas Becket and Thomas More.

They also produced unique liturgies, such as the Sarum Rite in the 11th Century, that was used in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The rite was abandoned in the 16th Century with the advent of the Church of England. However, it still had a profound effect in the formation of the Book of Common Prayer (BCP).

The Book of Divine Worship, an approved Catholic version of the BCP, keeps these liturgies alive while maintaining theological soundness.

Anglican patrimony (our legacy from the English church and its off-shoots) brings richness into the Church through liturgy, music, writings and more! Catholics should welcome these as gifts to be enjoyed.

As one of the Anglican pilgrims who preceded the Ordinariate, I am excited about what this will mean for the future.

Just as Catholics have been able to participate and grow in faith through the wealth of the Eastern Rite churches, they will now be able - in greater measure than ever before - to experience Anglican worship that is fully Catholic.

In turn, former Anglicans will be able to live out their faith without fear of the "goal posts changing again in the middle of the game." With their heritage welcomed, they will also be able to enter without being "Anglicans in Exile" but fully Catholic - an Anglo-Catholic in the most fundamental sense of the term.

These next months will be exciting as we watch the Ordinariate become an American reality.

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online and the CEO/Associate Publisher for the Northern Virginia Local Edition of Catholic Online (http://virginia.catholic.org). He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

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