Italian media speculates: Vatican will announce massive reception of Anglicans into Catholic Church on Tuesday

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Cardinal William Joseph Levada / Archbishop Augustine DiNoia

Vatican City, Oct 19, 2009 / 06:41 pm (CNA).- Several Italian newspapers speculated today that the Vatican may possibly welcome a large number of members from the Traditional Anglican Communion into the Catholic Church on Tuesday. The group previously separated from the Anglican Communion due to issues such as the ordinations of both women and sexually active homosexuals.

According to Giacomo Galeazzi from the Italian daily La Stampa, the press conference to be held tomorrow at the Vatican press office by Cardinal William Joseph Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; and Archbishop Augustine DiNoia, Secretary of the Congregation for the Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, will be the occasion in which the reception of the Anglican group, which claims to have some 500,000 members –among clergy and laity- will be officially announced.

“The news story, already anticipated by some Australian media, could be finally confirmed during the press briefing that was announced this afternoon by the Vatican press office,” Galeazzi wrote on Monday.

Galeazzi also claimed that the Traditionalist Anglicans have already signed a document of adherence to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and have symbolically deposited it at a Marian shrine in England.

“Once reunited with Rome, they may keep most of the Liturgical celebrations according to their tradition, which is closer to the Tridentine Mass,” La Stampa explained, adding that they would also “keep their married clergy but not married bishops.”

The Italian Vatican reporter also noted that since the Anglican priestly ordination is not valid, those who want to remain priests within the Catholic Church would have to be ordained, most likely after passing a theological exam.

The move by the Traditionalists could have a significant impact on other Anglicans who still remain within the communion, but are extremely frustrated not only with the ordination of women as Anglican priests and bishops, but especially with the decision of the American Episcopalians – members of the Anglican communion- to ordain sexually active homosexuals as priests and bishops.

The ordination of Eugene Robinson as the first actively homosexual bishop in 2004, sparked an unprecedented division inside the Anglican Communion.

According to Galeazzi, the group of Anglicans that could be received into the Catholic Church on Tuesday may be erected as a personal prelature, which has the same canonical status held by Opus Dei.

Comments: 9

Subscriber comments:

Published by: William
Athens, Tennessee 10/25/2009 07:29 PM EST

For years the two churches have discussed the possibility of reunification. Perhaps this late development is the culmination of those great efforts by the representatives of the respective communities of faith and of the renderings of prayers by so many of God's children. Unum sit.

Published by: Catholic Defender
Copperas Cove TX USA 10/21/2009 12:33 PM EST

I hope this happens for several reasons, first and formost because it is what the Lord wants. That should be the first consideration. In our time the Secularists have been pushing for Gay libration and abortion for along time, I am glad that people are resisting Hollywood!

Published by: Ms Anonomous
USA 10/20/2009 05:29 PM EST

One does not win new converts by referring to them as members of heretical sects!

Published by: Romano Galassi
United States 10/20/2009 12:25 AM EST

Awesome! Praise God!

Published by: robert harris
sydney nsw australia 10/20/2009 12:24 AM EST

The women and homosexuals all ready ordained can't see how it is dividing the anglican church, through their arrogance.

Published by: Stephanus
Jakarta, Indonesia 10/19/2009 11:43 PM EST

Let the hands of God works, Let the children of God stay as one

Published by: Sky
Riverside/CA/USA 10/19/2009 09:37 PM EST

What will happen to celibacy for priests in the future? Will this "personal prelature" expect this to remain optional? There will be many other such issues that will come up. (IF...this return happens.)

Published by: Evan
New Zealand 10/19/2009 07:23 PM EST

I hope that both sides take great care here. 1 plus 1 does not necessarily equal 2. The Roman Catholic Church does not really need seagulls who travel alongside. What is in it for everyone There could be confusion.

Published by: Francis
Wareham MA 10/19/2009 07:16 PM EST

I am always sceptical about things like this until it actually happens; However, if this all proves to be true then Deo Gratias!! Hopefully alot more people from the heretical sects will come home to Christ and his One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church soon also!

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