NEWARK - The Catholic Church will expand its provision of "Anglican Use" parishes in the United States in order to allow whole communities of traditionalist Anglicans into the Roman fold, a senior Catholic archbishop has announced.
The Most Rev John J Myers, Archbishop of Newark and Ecclesiastical Delegate for the Pastoral Provision, told a conference of ex-Anglicans on Friday that "we are working on expanding the mandate of the Pastoral Provision [of Catholic parishes using Anglican-inspired services] to include those clergy and faithful of 'continuing Anglican communities'.
“The Catholic Church will expand its provision of "Anglican Use" parishes in the United States in order to allow whole communities of traditionalist Anglicans into the Roman fold" reports one observer.
Archbishop Jose Gomez of San Antonio celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at this years "Anglican Use" Conference and gave the homily.He was joined by Bishop Kevin Vann of Fort Worth and Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark, who oversees the 'Anglican Use'Provision.
CHESAPEAKE, VA (Catholic Online) - As many of the Bishops of the Anglican Communion meet at their Lambeth conference, Christians throughout the world pray and watch with deep concern.
The global Anglican communion and its American expression, the Episcopal Church, has been beset with division arising concerning fundamental doctrinal issues which, to orthodox Christians whether they are Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant, derive from the very heart of the Christian revelation.
The late Servant of God, Pope John Paul II responded to the growing requests from priests, deacons and the lay faithful of the Anglican Communion, and its expression in the United States the Episcopal Church.
He instituted what is called the “Pastoral provision”, and placed it under the jurisdiction of the Sacred Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. The “Pastoral provision” has provided a means for Anglican or Episcopal Priests, married or celibate, seeking to come into the full communion of the Catholic Church, to be considered for Ordination in the Catholic Church.
Though it has been in effect for almost three decades, most Catholics do not even know of its existence.That may soon change! The now annual "Anglican Use" Conference recently concluded in San Antonio Texas, the home of one of the most noted "Anglican Use" parishes, "Our Lady of the Atonement". In addition the effort has given birth to the "Anglican Use Society".
The “Pastoral Provision” also authorized the establishment of what are called "Personal Parishes". These are sometimes called “Anglican use” parishes. They have been constituted in several places in the United States and are thriving.I have had the privilege of attending Holy Mass at one of their parishes and was deeply moved by its beauty.
The term “Anglican Use” refers to the fact that certain Liturgical elements proper to the Anglican tradition are maintained in their Sacred Liturgy with full approval from Rome. The grandeur and beauty of these "Anglican Use" Liturgies is a special gift that many of these parishes now offer as a visible witness to the legitimate liturgical diversity of Worship in the Catholic Church.
In addition, the Parishes are comprised mainly of former Anglican or Episcopal Christians who have been received into the full communion of the Catholic Church. They bear the enthusiasm characteristic of converts to Catholic Christianity.
These "converts" are deeply devoted to the Magisterium, the teaching office, of the Catholic Church and embrace the fullness of the Church’s teaching as a gift in an age where some “cradle Catholics” either do not yet understand that teaching or, in some instances,have sadly fallen prey to various versions of heterodoxy or, in some cases, outright heresy, currently challenging the Catholic Church from within.
As the global community of orthodox, classical Christians prays for those within the Anglican Communion during their time of travail, many observers have been watching the intriguing developments in Rome.
There, certain Anglican Bishops have been in dialogue with the Holy See concerning coming into the full communion of the Catholic Church. Questions are multiplying as numerous reports now indicate a possible expansion of the framework offered through the “Pastoral Provision” which may allow whole groups of Anglicans to come into the full communion of the Catholic Church as a group.
Among those who have been meeting privately and engaging in ongoing dialogue with the Holy See are leaders of a group called the “Traditional Anglican Communion”.
One of the most accurate journalists covering these fluid developments in this rapidly evolving historic move within global Christianity is Damien Thompson who writes for the Telegraph in London and is also featured in the Catholic Herald. He reported in the London Telegraph this week that there will be an expansion of what he calls the “Anglican Provision”.
These are his words:
“The Catholic Church will expand its provision of "Anglican Use" parishes in the United States in order to allow whole communities of traditionalist Anglicans into the Roman fold, a senior Catholic archbishop has announced.
The Most Rev John J Myers, Archbishop of Newark and Ecclesiastical Delegate for the Pastoral Provision, told a conference of ex-Anglicans on Friday that "we are working on expanding the mandate of the Pastoral Provision [of Catholic parishes using Anglican-inspired services] to include those clergy and faithful of 'continuing Anglican communities'.
"We are striving to increase awareness of our apostolate to Anglican Christians who desire to be reconciled with the Holy See. We have experienced the wonder of several Episcopal bishops entering into full communion with the Catholic Church and we continue to receive requests from priests and laity about the Pastoral Provision."
This is big news, and makes nonsense of the claim that Pope Benedict wants to dissuade Anglo-Catholics from converting. The obvious interpretation of the Archbishop's words is that the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC), a "continuing church" which has hundreds of thousands of members worldwide (though few in the UK), will eventually be given its own Catholic parishes which use a Eucharistic Prayer incorporating Cranmerian language.
This possibility has existed since the 1970s, but Archbishop Myers indicates that it is only now - under a sympathetic Pope, and during the break-up of the Anglican Communion - that the Pastoral Provision is entering a new dimension.
If Rome is expanding its network of ex-Anglican parishes in America, then we can rest assured that it is sympathetic to the notion of group conversion in England. The Vatican is well aware that such a process is likely to be complicated and patchy; no one is naive enough to assume that entire parishes will "bring their buildings with them".
But the plan to found a priestly Fellowship of St Gregory the Great for ex-Anglican clergy and members of their flock seems eminently feasible, given imagination on the part of both sides - and the courage to defy the Tabletistas who would try to sabotage the scheme.”
As the Lambeth Conference unfolds over the coming days and as the thread connecting many Anglican and Episcopal Christians who desire to remain faithful to the Christian tradition and their community seems to be weakening, Catholic Online will regularly bring our readers updates.
We also encourage our readers to pray fervently for our brothers and sisters in the Lord within the Anglican communion. It is particularly intriguing that the cause for the beatification of the late, great Anglican convert John Henry Cardinal Newman has intensified and that the Holy See has sought the move of his mortal remains.
May Cardinal Newman pray for us all and pray for the full communion of Christ’s Church!
(Source: Deacon Keith Fournier /Catholic Online)
The Most Rev John J Myers, Archbishop of Newark and Ecclesiastical Delegate for the Pastoral Provision, told a conference of ex-Anglicans on Friday that "we are working on expanding the mandate of the Pastoral Provision [of Catholic parishes using Anglican-inspired services] to include those clergy and faithful of 'continuing Anglican communities'.
“The Catholic Church will expand its provision of "Anglican Use" parishes in the United States in order to allow whole communities of traditionalist Anglicans into the Roman fold" reports one observer.
Archbishop Jose Gomez of San Antonio celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at this years "Anglican Use" Conference and gave the homily.He was joined by Bishop Kevin Vann of Fort Worth and Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark, who oversees the 'Anglican Use'Provision.
CHESAPEAKE, VA (Catholic Online) - As many of the Bishops of the Anglican Communion meet at their Lambeth conference, Christians throughout the world pray and watch with deep concern.
The global Anglican communion and its American expression, the Episcopal Church, has been beset with division arising concerning fundamental doctrinal issues which, to orthodox Christians whether they are Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant, derive from the very heart of the Christian revelation.
The late Servant of God, Pope John Paul II responded to the growing requests from priests, deacons and the lay faithful of the Anglican Communion, and its expression in the United States the Episcopal Church.
He instituted what is called the “Pastoral provision”, and placed it under the jurisdiction of the Sacred Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. The “Pastoral provision” has provided a means for Anglican or Episcopal Priests, married or celibate, seeking to come into the full communion of the Catholic Church, to be considered for Ordination in the Catholic Church.
Though it has been in effect for almost three decades, most Catholics do not even know of its existence.That may soon change! The now annual "Anglican Use" Conference recently concluded in San Antonio Texas, the home of one of the most noted "Anglican Use" parishes, "Our Lady of the Atonement". In addition the effort has given birth to the "Anglican Use Society".
The “Pastoral Provision” also authorized the establishment of what are called "Personal Parishes". These are sometimes called “Anglican use” parishes. They have been constituted in several places in the United States and are thriving.I have had the privilege of attending Holy Mass at one of their parishes and was deeply moved by its beauty.
The term “Anglican Use” refers to the fact that certain Liturgical elements proper to the Anglican tradition are maintained in their Sacred Liturgy with full approval from Rome. The grandeur and beauty of these "Anglican Use" Liturgies is a special gift that many of these parishes now offer as a visible witness to the legitimate liturgical diversity of Worship in the Catholic Church.
In addition, the Parishes are comprised mainly of former Anglican or Episcopal Christians who have been received into the full communion of the Catholic Church. They bear the enthusiasm characteristic of converts to Catholic Christianity.
These "converts" are deeply devoted to the Magisterium, the teaching office, of the Catholic Church and embrace the fullness of the Church’s teaching as a gift in an age where some “cradle Catholics” either do not yet understand that teaching or, in some instances,have sadly fallen prey to various versions of heterodoxy or, in some cases, outright heresy, currently challenging the Catholic Church from within.
As the global community of orthodox, classical Christians prays for those within the Anglican Communion during their time of travail, many observers have been watching the intriguing developments in Rome.
There, certain Anglican Bishops have been in dialogue with the Holy See concerning coming into the full communion of the Catholic Church. Questions are multiplying as numerous reports now indicate a possible expansion of the framework offered through the “Pastoral Provision” which may allow whole groups of Anglicans to come into the full communion of the Catholic Church as a group.
Among those who have been meeting privately and engaging in ongoing dialogue with the Holy See are leaders of a group called the “Traditional Anglican Communion”.
One of the most accurate journalists covering these fluid developments in this rapidly evolving historic move within global Christianity is Damien Thompson who writes for the Telegraph in London and is also featured in the Catholic Herald. He reported in the London Telegraph this week that there will be an expansion of what he calls the “Anglican Provision”.
These are his words:
“The Catholic Church will expand its provision of "Anglican Use" parishes in the United States in order to allow whole communities of traditionalist Anglicans into the Roman fold, a senior Catholic archbishop has announced.
The Most Rev John J Myers, Archbishop of Newark and Ecclesiastical Delegate for the Pastoral Provision, told a conference of ex-Anglicans on Friday that "we are working on expanding the mandate of the Pastoral Provision [of Catholic parishes using Anglican-inspired services] to include those clergy and faithful of 'continuing Anglican communities'.
"We are striving to increase awareness of our apostolate to Anglican Christians who desire to be reconciled with the Holy See. We have experienced the wonder of several Episcopal bishops entering into full communion with the Catholic Church and we continue to receive requests from priests and laity about the Pastoral Provision."
This is big news, and makes nonsense of the claim that Pope Benedict wants to dissuade Anglo-Catholics from converting. The obvious interpretation of the Archbishop's words is that the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC), a "continuing church" which has hundreds of thousands of members worldwide (though few in the UK), will eventually be given its own Catholic parishes which use a Eucharistic Prayer incorporating Cranmerian language.
This possibility has existed since the 1970s, but Archbishop Myers indicates that it is only now - under a sympathetic Pope, and during the break-up of the Anglican Communion - that the Pastoral Provision is entering a new dimension.
If Rome is expanding its network of ex-Anglican parishes in America, then we can rest assured that it is sympathetic to the notion of group conversion in England. The Vatican is well aware that such a process is likely to be complicated and patchy; no one is naive enough to assume that entire parishes will "bring their buildings with them".
But the plan to found a priestly Fellowship of St Gregory the Great for ex-Anglican clergy and members of their flock seems eminently feasible, given imagination on the part of both sides - and the courage to defy the Tabletistas who would try to sabotage the scheme.”
As the Lambeth Conference unfolds over the coming days and as the thread connecting many Anglican and Episcopal Christians who desire to remain faithful to the Christian tradition and their community seems to be weakening, Catholic Online will regularly bring our readers updates.
We also encourage our readers to pray fervently for our brothers and sisters in the Lord within the Anglican communion. It is particularly intriguing that the cause for the beatification of the late, great Anglican convert John Henry Cardinal Newman has intensified and that the Holy See has sought the move of his mortal remains.
May Cardinal Newman pray for us all and pray for the full communion of Christ’s Church!
(Source: Deacon Keith Fournier /Catholic Online)