Pope Benedict approves structure for admitting large groups of Anglicans into Catholic Church

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Apostolic Constitution

Comments: 48

Vatican City, Oct 20, 2009 / 05:11 am (CNA).- In a Vatican press conference today, Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, announced that an Apostolic Constitution has been prepared in response to “many requests” from groups of Anglican clergy and faithful wanting to enter into full communion with the Church.

The Apostolic Constitution, which Cardinal Levada said “provides a reasonable and even necessary response to a world-wide phenomenon,” will be a “single canonical model for the universal Church which is adaptable to various local situations and equitable to former Anglicans in its universal application.”

The new canonical structure will allow former Anglicans to enter into full communion with the Church while “preserving elements of distinctive Anglican spiritual patrimony,” said Cardinal Levada. Addressing the status of married clergy, the cardinal said that married Anglican clergy would be allowed to be ordained as Catholic priests just as takes place in the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Similarly, following the same tradition, those priests will not be allowed to be ordained bishops.

These ‘Personal Ordinariates’ will be formed, “as needed, in consultation with local Conferences of Bishops, and their structure will be similar in some ways to that of the Military Ordinariates which have been established in most countries to provide pastoral care for members of the armed forces and their dependents throughout the world,” the cardinal prefect said.

He added: “The provision of this new structure is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church, particularly through the efforts of the Pontifical Council for Promotion of Christian Unity.”

One large group of breakaway Anglicans which has been requesting a formal structure to be corporately received into the Catholic Church has been the Traditional Anglican Communion, made up of an estimated 400,000 members worldwide.

Cardinal Levada explained that this initiative “has come from a number of different groups of Anglicans.” He went on to say: “They have declared that they share the common Catholic faith as it is expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and accept the Petrine ministry as something Christ willed for the Church. For them the time has come to express this implicit unity in the visible form of full communion.”

The prefect of the CDF also shared what Pope Benedict's hopes are for the process.

“It is the hope of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, that the Anglican clergy and faithful who desire union with the Catholic Church will find in this canonical structure the opportunity to preserve those Anglican traditions precious to them and consistent with the Catholic faith. Insofar as these traditions express in a distinctive way the faith that is held in common, they are a gift to be shared in the wider Church. The unity of the Church does not require a uniformity that ignores cultural diversity, as the history of Christianity shows. Moreover, the many diverse traditions present in the Catholic Church today are all rooted in the principle articulated by St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians: ‘There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.'”

Archbishop Augustine DiNoia, the former under-secretary at the CDF until recently, who helped draft the new structure, said: “We’ve been praying for unity for 40 years. Prayers are being answered in ways we did not anticipate and the Holy See cannot not respond to this movement of the Holy Spirit for those who wish communion and whose tradition is to be valued.”

He said there has been a “tremendous shift” in the ecumenical movement and “these possibilities weren’t seen as they are now.” He rejected accusations that the new Anglicans be described as dissenters. “Rather they are assenting to the movement of the Holy Spirit to be in union with the See of Peter, with the Catholic Church,” he said.

Technical details still need to be worked out, and these Personal Ordinariates may vary in their final form, Archbishop DiNoia said. Full details of the Apostolic Constitution will be released in a few weeks but today’s press conference went ahead because it had been planned sometime ago.

Cardinal Levada said 20-30 bishops have made requests, but more details will be given at a later date. Members of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity were consulted and although they were invited to attend today’s press conference, no representatives were able to attend.

The Traditional Anglican Communion broke from the Anglican Communion in 1991 over the decision of the Church of England to ordain women as priests. The TAC, as well as other breakaway groups of traditionalist Anglicans, have been hoping for such a structure ever since. The TAC formally made a request two years ago, after all its bishops signed their approval of the Catechism of the Catholic Church at a ceremony in England. Discussions were protracted owing to the unique nature of such a structure, in particular over whether Anglicans should have their own rite.

Comments: 48

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Marcos
USA 10/24/2009 05:04 PM EST

This is fantastic!!! The Holy Spiriti in action... 'Ut omnes unum sint, sicut tu Pater in me, et ego in te, ut et ipsi in nobis unum sint.' St. John xvii. 2 I

Published by: Ashley
Houston TX 10/24/2009 10:56 AM EST

I think that it is great that the Pope is opening the doors to our brothers and sisters. Now maybe the orthodox religions will feel the call to come home to The Church too. I know that to me it doesn't matter what they were but that in the end we all believe in the same thing and all believe in Jesus and our God. Welcome all who come home.

Published by: Ro
Dumfries/VA/USA 10/23/2009 07:03 PM EST

We have in our parish choir an Episcopalian lady who freely admits her "heart is with this [Catholic] church" but who can 't join us because she's on her second marriage. Since Protestant marriages are considered to be valid if performed according to the rite of their church, she would be denied the sacraments even if she became Catholic. Will this new provision allow her to seek an annulment of her first marriage in our tribunal (or other one set up by the new "Anglican rite") so she can regularize her marriage situation? Something like the Pauline privilege?

Published by: Judy
severn, md. 10/23/2009 05:31 PM EST

Pope Benedict XVI is holy. How wonderful this Holy Servant of Christ succeeded Pope John Paul 11, who we hope to call St. John Paul 11 the Great and Doctor of the Church. Let us pray one day Pope Benedict will be called a Saint and Doctor of the Church as well. What a miracle - welcome and God Bless all of our Anglican brothers and sisters. Let us spread the Good News. + One Body in Christ +

Published by: David Gould
Hobart, Tasmania 10/23/2009 02:00 PM EST

Brothers and sisters - I am one of those Anglican Catholics, who in your eyes but not mine had made their confession for decades, received absolution, received the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion, fasted in Lent, and despaired of liberal Anglicanism. If I look at the Roman Catholic Church here in Australia, I can find many folks who advocate abortion and even women priests, I see banal neo-pagan "hymns" about creation and humanity. I see churches with butchered altars, priests who don't know what a cassock is, or who ever use incense in a service, and Catholic schools producing almost no mass going young adults. So please, don't write off the insight and wisdom of the Pope, because Anglican Catholics have the capacity to help reinvigorate the Roman rite with decent liturgy, Biblical focus and orthodox belief.

Published by: Paul
malta 10/22/2009 11:49 AM EST

What a wonderful decision from the |Vatican and especially from Pope Benedict XVI. The Holy Spirit is with Mother |Church. Welcome to you all!

Published by: Jenn
Ontario Canada 10/22/2009 06:55 AM EST

I think Pope Benedict did the right thing as my cousin was a priest and before he died he said he wont see it in his lifetime but we would see it in ours is that these two churches would come together again and be one because so many people have stopped attending church they needed to doing something so churches would stop being shut down. i dont think it is a bad thing that these two churches have come together again as there was only about 5 differences in the way we practice our religions.

Published by: TINA***
R.S.A. 10/22/2009 05:26 AM EST

WOW! [WORKS OF WONDER] WOMEN CAN DO MANY WORKS FOR GOD WITHOUT USURPING THE AUTHORITY OF THE PRIESTHOOD..JUST SEE WHAT "A CLOISTERED NUN" *MOTHER ANGELICA* DID FOR GOD.. SHE STARTED THE CATHOLIC RADIO/TV ..EWTN.[ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK] WHICH HAS BECOME, IN THE SHORTEST PERIOD, THE BIGGEST RELIGIOUS NETWORK IN THE WORLD. BISMISSALEEB * * * MAY GOD ALWAYS BLESS THE EFFORTS OUR DEAREST MOTHER ANGELICA, HER ANGEL NUNS AND ALL WHO KEEP THE WINGS ON EWTN.. from an EWTN ADDICT.!!* * *

Published by: Bill-C
New York, NY USA 10/21/2009 06:32 PM EST

If the new structure for Anglican converts to the Catholic is set up as a distinct rite, with its own liturgy and its own discipline -- in particular a continuing married clergy -- this can be a great benefit to the church. If, on the other hand, the provision for a married clergy extends only to Anglican clergy who are currently married, then the process will be viewed merely as a temporary strategy for making conversions. The requirement that Roman Catholic clergy be celibate has not been a matter of church discipline from the beginning of the church-- as St. Peter and his wife would be happy to testify. Rather, it has been part of Roman rite discipline for the past thousand years. In the other rites of the Catholic church, men who have a dual calling -- to marriage and to priesthood -- can answer both callings; although both such callings must also occur for Roman Catholic men, they must choose between marriage and priesthood. This represents a loss to the priesthood and a loss to the church. I hope that the proposed Anglican structure goes beyond providing a means for Anglican clergy to continue their ministry in the Catholic church, but also provides a means for Roman Catholic men to be fathers in both senses of the word.

Published by: Tom
Greenfield, MA 01301 10/21/2009 03:43 PM EST

"The Pope has spoken; the matter is finished." This is a statement once said by a wise Catholic. We must trust the Pope as God's earthly representative on earth in matters of Faith and Morals. I am thrilled and excited at more people coming into full union with Christ. It is also admirable that the Popes respects the English culture. A THOUSAND welcomes TO OUR "NEWCOMERS" and may God heap Blessings on all of you.

Published by: Debbie C.
Gulfport,MS. USA 10/21/2009 02:16 PM EST

WELCOME HOME!!!

Published by: Mary
USA 10/21/2009 01:59 PM EST

what about the divorced even multiply divorced Anglicans? How are they going to be addressed?

Published by: Francis
Wareham MA 10/21/2009 11:26 AM EST

Rate: Very Good

I want to read the "Apostolic Constitution" when it comes out in a few weeks. My hope is that it will address my real concerns about all of this: Married Priests and reordination. Being that these Anglican "priests" aren't really priests in the Catholic sense because they have been in a heretical "Church" for 500 years. They have not been in union with the Bishop of Rome, so their priests have not been validly ordained, and have lost Apostolic succession and the sacraments. Therefore, I HOPE, that these Anglican "priests" and "bishops" will receive some sort of reordination and Catholic training by the Pope to make them truly legitimate Catholic priests and bishops. My other concern is allowing married priests. I hope that the Apostolic Constitution spells out CLEARLY that this is only a one time occurence, and after this all former anglicans or whoever can only become priests if they are NOT married. I know that the Roman and Latin rite could have married priests but I don't think that is the path that we want to go down. I really hope that the Constitution will spell out clearly these things. If it does, it will make things alot easier down the road.

Published by: Bobette
Tampa USA 10/21/2009 10:28 AM EST

I miss much of the Episcopal Church, especially the MUSIC. The OCP stuff is awful. Unsingable. No one sings. I do NOT miss the female priests! In the RCC there doesn't seem much for me to do. But I wouldn't go back..

Published by: Christine
VA, USA 10/21/2009 08:43 AM EST

Rate: Excellent

A few points of clarification for questions which earlier comments raised: 1. Celibacy for clergy in the Roman Catholic rite is a discipline, not a doctrine. It is no more hypocritcal to allow married men who were former Anglican ministers to become Catholic priests (as is the usual practice in such conversions), then it is to allow the Eastern rite Catholics (who have had married priests for hundreds of years) to give some Sacraments to infants which are given to older children in the Roman rite. 2. The provision against the ordination of women is a doctrine. Thus it can never change. This is not discrimination against women. The Catholic Church recognizes the distinct roles which men and women play in the work of God, just as they have distinct roles in the home or secular world. It is impossible to count the number of women religious, missionaries and lay members who daily perform the work of God. I cannot imagine anyone would say that Catholic women like St. Therese of Lisieux or St. Frances Cabarini are somehow less important because they were not priests. 3. As for "preserving elements of distinctive Anglican spiritual patrimony”, if they accept fully the doctrines of the Catholic Faith, there is no reason to object to this. In fact welcoming other practices will enrich the Church. If the TAC, as the article states they have, profess to believe all the truths of the Catholic faith, then we should joyously welcome them home to Rome.

Published by: Francis
Wareham MA 10/21/2009 08:32 AM EST

Rate: Good

I wonder if all our stolen CATHOLIC Churches and property in England that Henry VIII and the "Church" of England stole and has occupied for over 500 years will now be returned to their rightful owners?

Published by: benjamin
riyadh..kerala india 10/21/2009 02:17 AM EST

Our lord articulated holy Church.Its not human brain.Before attacking the holy church, please pray for holy spirit to reveal why every new decisions are made. Prayer is the only way to know the will of god.

Published by: Mario Bicanic
Australia 10/21/2009 01:42 AM EST

The Anglican Church after joining the Catholic Church, no doubt will lead Christian unity with the Orthodox Churches. The Catholic Church being universal in rites such as Ukraine Catholic, Maronite, Greek Catholic, & etcetera; already produces a testimony. This testimony examplifies to the Christian Churches in the east that the Roman Rite is not prejudice, rather seeks a dialogue of Unity. I believe this was St. Leopold Madic' wish that the Christian Churches would become one.

Published by: Guda
Pittsburgh Pa USA 10/21/2009 12:49 AM EST

All the comments here sound angry, judgmental and unchristian. Our mother Mary is the Mother of God, Queen of the universe. Doesn't that mean anything? If women would imitate Mary, what could be more holy than that? Hey girls please think about that. As for judging all priests as pedophiles, well I guess all teachers, fathers and all who commit these unspeakable crimes and are married, should all be condemned too? Jesus said "do not judge, and you will not be judged. Exchange anger for prayer instead, and trust in God's plan. May God's Grace be upon us all. Amen

Published by: church music lover
Omaha, NE/USA 10/20/2009 10:56 PM EST

To various comments - The church Jesus founded does not do things solely because it is what society likes, it does things because Jesus did them and asked us to do them too. Jesus did NOT call women to be priests so women's ordination is a theologic impossibility. Jesus did call married men to be priests so it is theologically possible to have married priests. The rule of celibacy is a discipline of the Western Rite. It is a good and healthy discipline. Priests are our spiritual fathers - they lead all of us, the children of God to THE Father. Celibacy is NOT the cause of pediaphila. If someone cannot be faithful in a celibate vocation what makes you think that same person will be faithful in a married vocation? To the comment "To think God would have a preference of gender among our species to do His work is absurd." How would one explain that only women can bear life and bring forth God's greatest and most intimate creation? God has gifted both genders with amazing abilites and natural gifts that complement each other. We are equal in dignity but we are not the same. In response to the potential quasi status of Anglicans as Catholics, the 'traditional' TAC members already subscribe to the teachings of the Roman Catholic church and already adhere to the teachings of the Catechism (with the exception of the Papal authority). Here, we have a group of separated brethen who simply want to come home. Home to the truth and home to the Holy Father. Let us welcome them.

Published by: Michael
Lake Jackson 10/20/2009 09:26 PM EST

back pew - you are confusing issues here. The ordination of women is theologically and sacramentally impossible. The ordination of married men is not. The latter is a discplinary matter while the former is a doctrinal one.

Published by: Apollo F. Salle
Hillside, NJ, USA 10/20/2009 08:01 PM EST

12 years before Lourdes (in 1846), Our Lady appeared at the small French village of La Salette to 2 cowherds Melanie Mathieu and Maximin Giraud. To each, she gave a secret, now known as the famous "Secret of Melanie" and "Secret of Maximin". Now one of the prophecies contained in the alleged "Secret of Maximin" reportedly said that "a Protestant country in the north will return to the Catholic fold." All this time, for some reason, I was suspecting that Our Lady was referring to Great Britain. Upon reading this news of Pope Benedict XVI agreeing to set up this historic Apostolic Constitution, the first thing that came to my mind was that are we perhaps seeing the beginnings of the fulfillment of this prophecy? Do take note that, aside from this historic move by the Holy See, there had been many other indications this past decade that Britain seems to be on its way of rebuilding the bridge to Rome that was demolished by Henry VIII, such as an-ever increasing individual conversions to Catholicism of public figures from the British press, government, and even the nobility (not to mention that visit of Prince Philip to the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham a couple or so days ago, the first such visit to that famous medieval Marian shrine by a member of the British royal family since the Reformation!). Oh, I can just hear Queen Mary saying "Hah!" to her father and her sister!

Published by: JTS
Granby, CT USA 10/20/2009 07:59 PM EST

Most of the comments previous to this one seem to reek of human arrogance. On the one hand the thought that one expression of faith in God is the 'truth' is absurd in any rational thinking. Without at doubt heretical teachings are found in every expression of Christianity including the Anglican and Roman traditions. To express this view is human and shows a lack of any real understanding. On the other hand to disrespect a tradition of the Roman Church and it's choice of clergy shows a lack of understanding as well. ALL churches have significant human failings. Many have views that show a complete lack of understanding of Biblical teachings. Let's reserve 'truth' for God and not human opinion no matter how considered that opinion might be in the structure of any Christian body. Let's remember who is in charge, in keeping the law one does not need to be within the law. Ignorance of actual word is the evil that will dissolve belief in the true God which is far more important than any church structure.

Published by: cm brooks
Delaware, usa 10/20/2009 05:56 PM EST

In reply to Fortunately the church is spreading the seeds of it's own demise and we can just stand by in amusement! Have you not read, "Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will built my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it."

Published by: Angus Bower
Rosamond CA USA 10/20/2009 05:48 PM EST

I am saddened by the tenor of these first comments. They are spiteful, belligerent, prideful, hate-filled- unfit for faithful Christians. I think this act of Benedict's to be both generous and courageous. It will anger all who place their own myopic views ahead of the future which Christ prayed for His church.

Published by: Jason Miller
Santa Paula, CA USA 10/20/2009 04:12 PM EST

Boy, there are some bitter and jealous comments being made here. I guess it just upsets people that Orthodoxy is winning out, as it always has and always will continue. And to the poster identifying his/herself as "Back Pew" - you clearly have no sense of history or understanding of the Catholic church. Married clergy have been allowed in the Eastern rites of the Catholic church for centuries! The only alteration in structure is the addition of another rite, of which there are many! Christian groups calling for the ordination of women are DYING. So I have to say, your support of this looks extremely dated - because Orthodoxy is once more on the rise my friend, particularly with individuals 35 and younger! You have that 1974 feel about you - you probably like cheesy folk music in Mass also. And Francis - you are being a little tightly wound on this. As I said before, there are many rites in the Church that have existed for centuries. As long as the Anglican rite sticks by the Orthodox teachings of the Church, what is the problem? I've seen the traditional Anglican service - incense, chanting, icons, etc. Let me tell you, they are going to be a nice help in righting some of the missteps that have occurred since Vatican II. Please reserve your comments until you've seen their rite - you might just prefer to worship in that rite :) Welcome Anglican Brothers and Sisters - so say we all!! I am sure Cardinal Neuman is smiling down on us.

Published by: Philip
Auburn/AL/US 10/20/2009 02:22 PM EST

Back Pew, you seem very focused on the issue of women's ordination, and I can see why, for it is the second most debated stance of the Church today (second to abortion). However, you are simply wrong about women being ordained (I'm sorry this is a little off topic on the article). First, Jesus chose 12 men to be His apostles. Some say that Jesus bowed to cultural limitations, but to accuse Jesus of the sin of sexism is to doubt Jesus' divinity. Secondly, only the sons of the tribe of Levi could be priests in the Old Testament. Third, priests must be male because they represent Christ, and Christ is male because God is masculine. Fourth, to say that being a priest as the only way to do His work on Earth is absurd. Anyone who follows their calling, whether married, a member of a religious community (both male and female), single, or whatever, is doing God's work and God's will. Is a nun not doing God's will? Is a mother not doing God's will if she is so called and raising her family in accord with Church teaching? Lastly, God calls His priests, and leads His Church, not the other way around. When advocates of women's ordination become saints, we will become their pupils. I know of no saint in the Church's history, especially no Doctor of the Church, who has advocated women's ordination.

Published by: Marilee
Seattle, Washington 10/20/2009 01:21 PM EST

The Holy Spirit is gathering God's children before the coming of our Lord Jesus. Those who are true to their faith will survive, those who are pretenders will not.Sheep or goats. Hopefully those who are truly traditional, authentic Bishops can be trained to be Roman Rite Bishops and replace those present Liberal CAtholic Bishops. Then and only then will the CHurch be totally unified.

Published by: Dan in Calgary
Calgary Alberta Canada 10/20/2009 01:08 PM EST

Traditional Anglicans joining us Catholics? Wait til they find out about our Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and its politically correct international charitable arm, the "Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace"! The CCOD&P has been caught red-handed employing various leftist pro-abortion relief groups in many underdeveloped countries as local proxies to distribute aid. In 2009, the Catholic Bishops of those countries had 2009 to write to their Canadian brethren asking them to stop funding abortion in their countries! This, like the sex scandals perpetrated by our mostly gay priests, is being whitewashed here in Canada. Wait until they see how frequently and loudly our Catholic Bishops run to the front of the politically correct parades already formed for them by secular lobbies on the environment and social welfare, and the effort and resources they provide them! Wait until they compare the magnitude of that effort and expense with their timidity and neglect in standing up for the sanctity of life and marriage in Canada. Wait until they see the banality and hollowness of the feel-good antics and musical practices that our Catholic Bishops have implemented in our Liturgy (under the excuse of Vatican II), purging it of reverence, and focusing on the temporal fads of the purported worshipper instead of on Who we worship! We Canadian Catholics should be asking instead to hitch up with the traditional Anglicans. Dan in Calgary

Published by: Graham Combs
Royal Oak, Michigan 10/20/2009 12:46 PM EST

The last time I felt such disappointment in a Catholic response was the death of Fr. Richard Neuhaus -- a convert from Lutheranism. As far as a separate Anglican Rite within the Church, there are 22 rites within the Church now. Here in Michigan, all 22 rites are represented. I have been blessed to participate in at least 5, including arabic, aramaic, and hindi. I am a former Anglican (Episcopalian) and became a Catholic this past Easter Vigil at the age of 57. I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't within the immigrant Church a prejudice against those with roots in the English church. Catholics should distance themselves from the false and loveless diversity of academic and corporate America. As Chesterton wrote: there is great variety within orhodoxy. Nevermind that the Church of England is nearly as universal as the Church of Rome. The real problem may be that Catholics do not understand the scandalous and abusive politics of religion within Anglicanism today. Maybe American Catholics should look to Walsingham, England where Catholics and Anglicans maintain neighboring shrines to Our Lady of Walsingham whose original shrine was destroyed by Henry VIII. The shrine's Anglican gift shop even sells rosaries. Don't turn away from these devout Christians who have suffered for their faith and the Faith.

Published by: myles keogh
Fort Riley Kansas 10/20/2009 12:22 PM EST

Back pew appears to be another angry feminist angry over the fact that women will never become priests in the Catholic Faith. Despite what you think it will never happen because it cannot happen. The Holy Spirit has already addressed this through the Holy Father's Apostolic Exhortation in 1994. The Catholic Church does not have the authority to ordain women. If Christ wanted women priests he would have picked one or more to be one of his 12 disciples. He didn't so it won't happen.

Published by: myles keogh
Fort Riley Kansas 10/20/2009 12:14 PM EST

This wonderful news!!!! The Holy Spirit is at work here. To my Anglican Brothers and Sisters Welcome Home!!!

Published by: Marie
Gainesville, VA 10/20/2009 12:14 PM EST

As the Vicar of Christ, the Holy Father speaks the truth inspired by the Holy Spirit. Follow the Truth - Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith instituted by Christ himself. It is the other faiths that have strayed from the one true faith for various reasons, mainly to follow their own will versus His will, the will of Jesus Christ. Get out of your own way and follow His will for a change and see what happens in your life - many graces and blessings...

Published by: lucy
McKinney, TX, USA 10/20/2009 11:44 AM EST

It is sad to read some of the anti-Catholic comments here. They do not understand the teaching of the Church nor do they try to learn it. "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." Lk. 23:34 May the Lord grant you all light for your minds and strength for your wills that someday you may know the truth and embrace it.

Published by: Nancy
Parkland, FL, USA 10/20/2009 11:38 AM EST

I would like to welcome all Episcopalians to the Catholic Church. I was baptized and confirmed as a teenager in the Episcopal Church. I used to think the rules of the Catholic Church were stupid (rules like no women priests, no birth control and celibacy). I expressed this to God one day, he responded by pointing my eyes to a picture of Pope John Paul II on the cover of a Time magazine and said "He's telling you the truth". I am very grateful for that grace. I love the Catholic Church and am very gratful to the priests and bishops who have given their lives to tell me the truth. God bless them all.

Published by: Gabriel
Monticello 10/20/2009 11:38 AM EST

In response to "BACKPEWs" comment, maybe if she were to move up to the front pew she would see with the perfect eyes of the church and not with her own flawed eyes.

Published by: Bill
USA 10/20/2009 11:30 AM EST

One good thing about all this is that modernist liberal freemasons like "Cardinal" Kasper must be all alone somewhere very depressed. People like Kasper don't believe in the notion that seperated "Churches" are in need of "returning home to Rome". This must be very depressing for him and his modernist buddies inside and outside of the true Church!

Published by: Tim
Washington, DC 10/20/2009 11:21 AM EST

The problem with a decision such as this is that it is a slap in the face to the many good and faithful men who are raised Roman Catholic and who feel called both to Marriage and Priesthood. Our slavish commitment to a position that ties priesthood with celibacy appears only to apply to those who are born Catholic. What would you think if your parents treated the neighbor children better than they treated you? The "holy father" whom some here speak of as if he were almost divine seems to need some lessons in being just a father, first, and in treating those in his own household well! One irony of this is that the man behind TAC's request, Traditional Anglican Communion and Australian Anglican Archbishop John Hepworth, will not be recognized as a bishop. He is a former Catholic priest, has been married twice and has three children.

Published by: Francis
Wareham MA 10/20/2009 10:33 AM EST

Warren said: "Detractions aside, these separated brethren are not mere protestants". Funny, I didn't know there are different grades of protestant heretics. Warren said: "The TAC folk have signed the Catechism and, while there may be temptations to call them Anglo or Anglican-Catholics, they will be more appropriately called Anglican Use Roman Catholics, or something akin to that". How about calling them just ROMAN CATHOLICS! Warren said:" since there never has been nor can there be such a thing (in the Catholic Church) as an Anglican Rite in the same sense as the Melkite or Maronite Rites". Your correct, considering the Maronites and Melkites have always been faithful to Christ and the Bishop of Rome, and never seperated and rebelled against Christ, his Vicar, and the doctrines of his One, Holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church like the "Anglicans" did in 1536!

Published by: Bob
Phila, Pa, USA 10/20/2009 10:10 AM EST

Rate: Very Good

I'm guessing Semberlibre you're just another anti-Catholic but isn't sure why. Try to understand the Church before attacking it. Understand that it is the one true Church of Christ, and the only one guided by the Holy Spirit. Try kneeling before what Christ wants, not kneeling before what your secular wants and desires are.

Published by: Back Pew
kansas city, kansas, usa 10/20/2009 10:02 AM EST

Rate: Regular

More prejudice against women. Let's see: some Anglicans protest against the ordination of women and appeal to Rome for acceptance. Rome creates an opening that allows disgruntled, anti-women, former Anglicans to "enter into full communion with the church". Without the issue of ordination of women, neither of these parties would be even remotely interested in the other; they are bound only by their belief that women are somehow not qualified to the work of God on earth. The church even hypocritically alters it's own "personnel policy" by accepting married anglicans to become part of the all male, "celibate" clergy. The inconsistency is as troubling as the misogyny. It seems the church is beginning to feel a little boxed in by the issue of who is qualified to become a priest and who is not. They are slowly giving ground on celibacy issue, and rightfully so. In time, if it isn't too late, it will also be forced to accept women as priests also. If the church is good at anything, it is good at surviving - when the ordination of women becomes an issue of survival - and it will - women will be ordained. To think God would have a preference of gender among our species to do His work is absurd. The Church is trying to give the impression it is being welcoming and ecumenical by opening its' doors to this group. On the contrary, the church looks small minded and desperate by supporting a group opposed to women who are called by God to serve Him

Published by: Ben
Philly, PA 10/20/2009 09:39 AM EST

Rate: Excellent

Francis & Eddie, Your comments really startle me. A few thoughts. Which do you think is more likely: that Pope Benedict & the leaders of the Church are in err and that the Holy Spirit is revealing His Will in your hearts? Or that this is exactly where He is leading the Church, and your extremely hostile reaction is the devil at work in your hearts. To be Catholic specifically means that you believe the Holy Spirit is guiding the Holy Father & the Church herself. The Father is gathering His people together. This is a day to be celebrated, as some of our Brothers & Sisters who were gone have come all the way home. There have been different rites and forms in the Church throughout the century. Do not confuse the pre-Vatican II styles and forms which you cling to as essential to the Faith. A Byzantine Catholic is as Catholic as a Roman Catholic, who's as Catholic as the followers of The Way were before Rome had even become the seat of the Church, who are as Catholic as our returning Anglican Brothers and Sisters will be once conformed to this new system. peace, ben

Published by: Warren Anderson
Victoria, BC, Canada 10/20/2009 09:27 AM EST

Rate: Very Good

This is an extraordinarily beneficent act by the Holy Father. Detractions aside, these separated brethren are not mere protestants. The TACs I have met are as devout and informed as any faithful Catholic, perhaps more so. No doubt, there will be a few who will, perhaps unwittingly, bring along some un-Catholic baggage. If that is the case, their actions will be no more dangerous to the Catholic Church, i.e., the true Church, than the actions of the multitude of half-baked ignorant Catholics among us who unwittingly try to impose cockeyed notions on the Church. The TAC folk have signed the Catechism and, while there may be temptations to call them Anglo or Anglican-Catholics, they will be more appropriately called Anglican Use Roman Catholics, or something akin to that, since there never has been nor can there be such a thing (in the Catholic Church) as an Anglican Rite in the same sense as the Melkite or Maronite Rites. I think we can be certain that the Vatican has weighed all the considerations very carefully and, keeping in mind the Lord's prayer for unity, have kept in mind that the truth must be served. It will be no easy transition for the former TAC ministers and their wives. An extraordinary act of submission on the part of the TAC has been met by an extraordinary act of humility by the Holy Father, which is no surprise because Pope Benedict is an extraordinarily humble man of God. Praise be to God in His angels and in His saints!

Published by: Thank you thank you thank you
u.s. 10/20/2009 07:37 AM EST

Rate: Excellent

Our Father is bringing His family together! Our brothers and sisters are coming home! Thank you God! You're the greatest! You're the One we love the most!

Published by: Francis
Wareham MA 10/20/2009 07:18 AM EST

Rate: Regular

"The provision of this new structure is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue, which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church, particularly through the efforts of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity,” it said. "The new canonical structure will allow former Anglicans to enter into full communion with the Church while “preserving elements of distinctive Anglican spiritual patrimony,” said Cardinal Levada. He added that it will allow married former Anglican clergy to be ordained however, in common with Catholic and Orthodox Churches" I knew that this was too good to be true. So basically these new "Catholics" are still going to be really "Anglican"; so not to upset the heretical Vatican II "ecumenism" and "interreligious dialogue" with the heretical sects. I knew the modernist and liberal Vatican would find a way to save face with the protestant heretics and the pagans, and deny bringing these people FULLY into the Catholic Church! The Vatican II definition of "Christian unity" and Our Lord and his Pre Vatican II definition of unity are light years apart! The pre Vatican II definition of Christian unity was to forget whatever "Church" that you were in previously and become CATHOLIC. The heretical modern definition is that you can be in "communion" with the Catholic Church without truly BECOMING Catholic; and without denying or leaving your "protestant traditions" at the door! I am not surprised, still it is very sad!!

Published by: Eddie
Taunton, Som, UK 10/20/2009 06:41 AM EST

So much for Ecumenism; this will encourage any and all Anglicans who are dissaffected by their Church to more or less remain 'Anglican' whilst cutting themselves off from their original Church! If they accept all of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, why not simply become Roman rite Catholics?

Published by: Eddie
Taunton, Som, UK 10/20/2009 06:40 AM EST

Rate: Regular

Published by: Semperlibre
RSA 10/20/2009 06:25 AM EST

Rate: Bad

"Pope Benedict XVI has created a new church structure for Anglicans who want to join the Catholic Church, responding to the disillusionment of some Anglicans over the ordination of women and the election of openly gay bishops." In the Catholic church it's OK to be a closet paedophile and if you're gay, why - pretend it never happened. This is what is regarded as being forthright and honest in this Catholic organization. Fortunately the church is spreading the seeds of it's own demise and we can just stand by in amusement!

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