Canadian Anglican Catholic group votes to unite with Rome

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Comments: 36

Bishop Peter Wilkinson.

Vancouver, Canada, Jul 28, 2010 / 01:10 am (CNA).- With “overwhelming support,” a recent meeting of leaders in the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada (ACCC) voted to unite with the Roman Catholic Church through the Apostolic Constitution created by Pope Benedict XVI.

The ACCC, part of the Continuing Anglican Movement, is made up of more than two dozen congregations. Its Eighth Provincial Synod and Thirteenth Diocesan Synod were held simultaneously at the Rosemary Heights Retreat Center in Surrey, British Columbia.

The website VirtueOnline.org published a letter from Dean Shane B. Janzen detailing the event.

The meeting was attended by four ACCC bishops, including Bishop Peter Wilkinson, the communion’s Metropolitan and Ordinary. Archbishop John Hepworth, the Australia-based Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC), was also present.

The discussion included the House of Clergy and the House of Laity and focused on the implementation of a proposed Canadian Anglican Catholic Ordinariate under the Apostolic Constitution “Anglicanorum Coetibus.”

Support for the Ordinariate was unanimous in the House of Clergy and received 25 of 30 votes from lay delegates, with two members opposing the proposal and three abstaining.

The synod then passed a resolution enabling Bishop Wilkinson, with the advice and consent of the Provincial Council, to enact the necessary canonical ordinances and rules to establish the Ordinariate.

The House of Clergy elected members of the Interim Governing Council, which nominated and elected Bishop Wilkinson as the first Bishop Ordinary of the proposed Ordinariate.

According to Dean Janzen’s letter, the Diocesan Council also made financial changes to ensure that the diocese’s restricted funds are protected from “any potential litigation.”

Dean Janzen wrote that the focus of the synod was “the worship and praise of Almighty God; the proclamation of Christ's saving Truth; and faithful witness to the faith, order and discipline to Christ's one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.”

He reported that attendees left with “a renewed sense of optimism for the future and a clear vision for the present.”

“With the overwhelming support of clergy and laity for unity with the See of Peter and the establishment of a Canadian Anglican Catholic Ordinariate, our Diocese is now able to move forward united, renewed, and hopeful,” his letter read, according to VirtueOnline.

Comments: 36

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Graham
New Zealand 08/06/2010 06:26 PM EST

My understanding is that may Anglo Catholics are hearing the Holy Father's message of reaching out with great care and interest, not least because they see many certain faith disciplines in the Church of Rome that have, over the past few decades rapidly disappeared from the Church of Canterbury. It is not surprising that a Church in such dissary will lose its members. St Paul warned of the dangers now facing the Anglican Communion, and people are reading and listening to the Apostle - even more, acting on his words.

Published by: Marius
North Vancouver, BC, Canada 08/06/2010 03:28 PM EST

Peace with you. I am particularly greatful to our Holy Father and the millions of Catholics over the centuries who have shown love, mercy and charity toward their fellow men and thus, as those in the early Church have done, conviced them to join in carrying the true light of Christ. What an example it is for us today!

Published by: Tom
Ohio / USA 08/02/2010 11:10 PM EST

Alleluia! Welcome Home brothers and sisters in Christ! We Romans and Eastern rite Catholics are overjoyed that you have joined in visible union with us to offer praise and worship to Almighty God.

Published by: Alfanso
San Angelo 08/02/2010 05:53 PM EST

My prayer is that this the first of many to come. Christians must unite, all those who worship the Lord must alas come back home to His Church, the mystical body of Christ on earth. The enemies of truth and life are gaining strength, only unity among Christians can bring about the desired and necessary transformation in the hearts of people to attain peace and prosperity on earth.

Published by: char
eau claire, WI 08/02/2010 04:09 PM EST

Oh holy people of God, welcome. We shall all be better united.Blessings to all as we work together.

Published by: Paul
England 08/02/2010 03:15 PM EST

Welcome home Canadian brothers and sisters.Please pray for the conversion of England

Published by: Francis
Wareham Ma 08/02/2010 12:07 PM EST

Cliff, you are correct, I'm not. Your ancestors in the 16th century broke away from the one true Church that Our Lord established, (Ie The One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church with the Bishop of Rome, the successor of St. Peter as her earthy head, who most protestants reject) and after the protestant revolt acquired heretical doctrines regarding such things as justification, salvation, the Communion of Saints, the Blessed Mother, the loss of seven valid sacraments and the role of the Church. Even the post-conciliar Catholic Church doesn't recognize the protestant "orders" as valid, because when Catholic heretics like Luther and Henry VIII and their followers left the one true Church to establish their own "church" Apostolic succession was lost. So yes, protestants DO need to Convert back to the One True Faith and to the One True Church which contains all of the fullness of truth that the fathers of modern protestants rebelled against 500 years ago.

Published by: Graham Combs
Royal Oak, Michigan 08/01/2010 09:26 PM EST

If you want to understand why the Holy Father is constantly under media and institutional attack, look no further than this latest news fron the Christian unity front. I am a former Anglican (Episcopalian) and entered the Church on Easter Vigil 2009. We really are living in the worst of times, but also the best of times. I add my own "Deo Gratias."

Published by: OGUNGBOLA,olawale
Ilorin,Kwara-state Nigeria 07/31/2010 05:01 PM EST

Wonderful news indeed.May our Lord fast wind this miracle of uniting us all"HIS CHILDREN"and not just in Canada but across the Globe soon.Lord, we pray "unit all your children wherever they are.Mother Mary, pray for us. AMEN

Published by: Cliff
Saskatoon, SK., Ca. 07/30/2010 05:46 PM EST

Wareham, I admire your enthusiasm for your faith, but you must be a little more careful in the language you use to describe Protestants. To imply that we be "converted" and return to the "One True Faith" that we are not Christians and need to be converted again? The One True Faith absolves the ancient Roman Church of its share of blame in fracturing Christianity. You are not accepting us as fellow "heirs" in the kingdom of God. See Luke 9:50 The One True Faith could be “all faithful Christians” not just Roman Catholics.

Published by: Nicola
Niagara Falls 07/30/2010 10:32 AM EST

Welcome home! These are the early joyous days looking forward to when Christians everywhere will join together in unity and return to the Holy Catholic Church.

Published by: Simon Stock
Dubai 07/29/2010 01:28 PM EST

Wonderful news indeed.But,when the euphoria has died out what are we left with? Are the present Catholic priests(celibates) and Bishops prepared to walk hand in hand with Anglican priests and Bishops with their wives at the side?

Published by: Leo Holahan
Atlanta/GA/USA 07/29/2010 07:14 AM EST

What wonderful news! This is truly a testimony to the faith and good works of Canadian Catholics and former Anglicans alike. They have both received and given a great blessing. Congratulations to all.

Published by: GRAHAM CORCORAN
ALVELEY SHROPSHIRE ENGLAND 07/29/2010 04:20 AM EST

Thanks be to god may England return to Rome soon.

Published by: James H
London, UK 07/29/2010 03:03 AM EST

(Ex Johannesburg, SAfrica) Welcome home!!

Published by: Joseph Mack
Havelock NC 07/28/2010 11:36 PM EST

Deo Gratias!!

Published by: Fr. Francis Eluvathingal
Mumbai, India 07/28/2010 09:22 PM EST

Praise God for their decision. May the Holy Spirit illumine the hearts of many more to take such right decision.

Published by: Linda
Canada 07/28/2010 09:00 PM EST

Welcome home!

Published by: Alexander
Munich 07/28/2010 06:16 PM EST

Brothers welcome home! You were lost now you are found. Blessed be the name of the Lord forever! My prayer is that our dear brothers take this step with full determination and never turn back.

Published by: Cynthia
Queens, NY, USA 07/28/2010 06:13 PM EST

Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ now and for evermore. Oh Lord our God, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next. Your mighty dees are extoled above the heavens and you never cease to astonish us. Who could have imagined this great work or our Lord, some 10 or 20 years ago? I just cannot express my excitment that finally there is some sign of hope for real unity among the people of God. It is not time to put behind us the animousity that has existed between us. Both from us Catholics and from our Anglican brothers and sisters. Thanks be to God now there is a light in the long long tunnel. How can we forget the kindness, faithfulness or our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI. To God we give the glory, but we give thanks and love to our beloved Papa who has weathered all the storm, criticism and hatred both within and outside the Church. May our Loving God continue to fill him with his love and blessings as he leads the church forward in faith. Now that the Canadians have summoned the courage and made the move, let us pray for strength and courage for other willing Anglicans and other Christians to come home. We are not naive to think that all will be rossy and that things will go easy and smooth, but with patience, faith and strong desire for the unity, which our Lord Jesus prayed for, all will be well. Mary our Mother, St Peter & St Paul, St Thomas More & St Edward the Confessor, Pray for the unity of our One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church

Published by: Carole
Napa CA USA 07/28/2010 04:30 PM EST

I'm overjoyed! Have prayed daily since this issue was clarified by PBXVI making it easier for any people of God in Christ Jesus to come home that many of those of the Anglican Faith would respond "YES" . A Roman Catholic since birth, but also from a Eastern Catholic background, I praise the God and heaven and earth for this Holy Father and his wisdom, compassion, and veracity, as well as those mentioned in this article for their faithful witness. The Body of Christ just became pregnant w/new life, joy and hope. May God grant all involved w/every grace as He has granted all of us in them.

Published by: Kaisar
canada 07/28/2010 04:15 PM EST

Welcome home long lost brothers and sisters. Hugs and kisses :) God bless you.

Published by: Dr. C. R. Kayahara-Bass
Canada 07/28/2010 04:03 PM EST

As a former Anglo-Catholic who just couldn't stand it anymore and became Roman Catholic, I thank and praise God for this- it will mean the end of much anguish for these people, and a joyful new beginning. Hallelujah!

Published by: Nancy
Parkland, FL, USA 07/28/2010 03:20 PM EST

Wonderful news!

Published by: ogene
Lagos, Nigeria 07/28/2010 01:38 PM EST

Glory be to God.

Published by: Chris
Hayward, CA 07/28/2010 12:50 PM EST

To paraphrase Blessed Pope John XXIII: In unimportant things liberality; in important things unity. In everything charity. Welcome home!

Published by: Brian G
Lynn, MA 07/28/2010 12:40 PM EST

Welcome home!!!

Published by: Desmond
Arvada, Colorado, USA 07/28/2010 12:22 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

Called me happily stunned. I grew up in Vancouver, BC, during the 1940's/50's, from 1947 to 1952. My sister and I and the other Catholic kids had to go by the Government School on Kingsway to get to St. Mary's. Almost very day there would a some kind of gang or group of mostly Anglican boys waiting to harrass us - sometimes to beat us up or just tear our Catholic School uniforms - which they hated for that reason. The nuns used to tell us to offer it up for their conversion to Catholicism - and to pray for it also. Now, approaching 70 years of age, I see the faith of those good nuns coming to fruition over 6 decades later. Blessed be God Forever! Desmond From the memory or per

Published by: Alvin
Portland, OR 07/28/2010 11:51 AM EST

Deo Gratias!

Published by: ann
usa 07/28/2010 11:17 AM EST

God Bless YOu and give you His Wisdom as you cross the Tiber!!! Welcome,glad to have you :D

Published by: Edward
Chicago, IL 07/28/2010 11:09 AM EST

Hw many people are included in this group?

Published by: Bill Wiens
Surrey, BC 07/28/2010 10:50 AM EST

Hey, this happened just down the street from me. Wonderful news.

Published by: Joseph
Cape Town, South Africa 07/28/2010 10:06 AM EST

Welcome home :-)

Published by: Myles Keogh
Fort Riley, Kansas 07/28/2010 09:12 AM EST

Welcome Home!

Published by: Brian Z.
Brick, NJ USA 07/28/2010 09:06 AM EST

God bless you all! As a devout Roman Catholic myself there are no words to describe the joy at seeing people united in Christ! Rather than bicker and hate each other, let us all pray for our Father to send the Holy Spirit upon us and guide us all, all people, to unity with him and each other! It is truely a blessed day!

Published by: Francis
Wareham Ma 07/28/2010 04:22 AM EST

Deo Gratias!! I hope and pray that all of the anglicans and all of the protestants will convert and return to the One True Faith and to the One True Church that Our Lord established on St. Peter and the other Apostles which is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, with the the Bishop of Rome, the successor of St. Peter, the Vicar of Christ on earth as her earthly and visible head. Extra Ecclesium Nulla Salus.

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