Provision for Anglicans published, celibacy question answered

News Resources Tools Columns Documents ACI Group

Contenidos del sub-menu

Comments: 13

Letter To The Bishops Of The Catholic Church On The Pastoral Care Of Homosexual Persons
The Catholic Faith in Brief
Celebration of Vespers with Bishops, priests, men and women religious, ecclesial and pastoral movements of Galilee in the upper Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth Address of the Holy Father
Guide for 2008 Federal Election - Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

Vatican City, Nov 9, 2009 / 12:33 pm (CNA).- Anglicans who wish to enter into communion with the Catholic Church received the path for doing so today as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) published the papal declaration “Anglicaoranum coetibus.” The document clears up questions about married priests and the power of the ordinariates' bishops among other issues.

The president of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, welcomed the publication of the Apostolic Constitution and accompanying norms saying, “This now makes clear the provision made by the Holy See and enables those who have made requests to the Holy See to study it in detail.”

“It is important to remember that this is a response to requests made to the Holy See by Anglicans and former Anglicans from across the world. It is not a provision specifically for England & Wales and clearly there is much reflection to be done by all concerned,” Archbishop Nichols underscored.

Both the Apostolic Constitution and the norms for implementing it are dated November 4, the feast of St. Charles Borromeo, and are signed by Cardinal William Joseph Levada and Archbishop Luis F. Ladaria S.J., respectively prefect and secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The newly published declaration “introduces a canonical structure that provides for such corporate reunion by establishing personal ordinariates, which will allow the above mentioned groups to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony,” the Vatican press office announced. The Anglican provision is accompanied by a set of complementary norms which will guide its implementation.

The provision is being presented by the CDF as a move to strengthen Christian unity and the diversity of expression of the Faith.

The congregation also pointed out that the Anglican provision is “not an initiative on the part of the Holy See, but a generous response from the Holy Father to the legitimate aspirations of these Anglican groups. The provision of this new structure is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue, which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church.”

The sticky issue of married priests within the new Anglican ordinariates was also addressed by the CDF, which said, "The possibility envisioned by the Apostolic Constitution for some married clergy within the personal ordinariates does not signify any change in the Church's discipline of clerical celibacy.”

Moreover, married Anglican clergy who wish to continue serving as clerics in the new ordinariates will be required to apply for admission to the Catholic priesthood on a case-by-case basis. Seminarians studying to become priests in the ordinariate will be required to remain celibate.

The CDF reminded the faithful in its statement today that, “According to the Vatican Council II, priestly celibacy is a sign and a stimulus for pastoral charity and radiantly proclaims the reign of God."

The Apostolic Constitution contains 13 sections which concern, among other things: the formation of the new ordinariates; the power of the bishop, "to be exercised jointly with that of the local diocesan bishop in those cases provided for in the Complementary Norms;" candidates for Holy Orders; the creation of new Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; the "ad limina" visit of the ordinary, etc.

Finally, the Constitution says that all Anglican lay faithful as well as members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life must make known their desire to enter into communion with the Catholic Church in writing.

The text of “Anglicaoranum coetibus” can be read here: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/document.php?n=949

Comments: 13

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Rich Miller
California 11/23/2009 08:57 PM EST

Double standard is a matter of interpretation. Is it a double standard to reward (pay) all the same wage even though some have toiled the whole day? Should the late comers be treated the same or differently? What does the "same" mean?

Published by: Patrick
Oakton, VA 11/17/2009 12:59 AM EST

@ Tomasz Having read the apostolic constitution and the article, it should be noted that those men entering into new seminaries set up within this new Anglo-Rite Catholic Church would be required to be celibate, and the case-by-case basis for those married Anglican Priests wishing to be Anglo-Rite Catholic Priests would be similar to provisions within the Latin Rite (Roman Catholic) Church, and so it is nothing new. Also these priests will one day pass on, meaning the Anglo-Rite Catholics would no longer have married priests, so there is no "double standard" taking place here. @ Francis "If it wasn't for these professional ecumenists like Walter Kasper and others these protestants would have converted to the Catholic Church 20 years ago!" Considering Francis that it has been almost 500 years since Luther & Calvin, and this is the first sign of serious corperate reunion with Rome by a group of Protestants, your commment seems to make little sense. Protestants were not anymore thrilled to convert pre-Vatican II than post-Vatican II. Also note that we have 19 Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches who have structues similar to this new Anglo-Rite, and I see little that is "heretical" other than a failure of disicipline and vague language.

Published by: Tomasz
Clinton, MA 11/11/2009 05:34 PM EST

I believe that there is a double standard here where it is all right to be a married priest if you enter from the other-than Catholic tradition, but it is not fine if you do it withing the Catholic Tradition. I think that there are many great married men, who must be puzzled over it, they believe they would make wonderful and faithful priests, but because they are Catholic they can't. But if you are Anglican, fine you can do so. I believe that celibacy should be optional as it had been for centuries before it was mandated. It is not neccesary and it should not be a sine qua non requirement. If you choose to be celibate, fine, if you choose not to fine. What count most is whether you are suitable for the ordnation and priesthood. It is a wonderful vocation and it should not be limited only to single men. I hope and pray that the discipline will be changed relatively soon, otherwise, we might be forced to so because of shortage of priests in the West. I believe it would be a wonderful gift to the church and enable the Bishops to expend the pool of candidates.

Published by: HOPE F.
VA/USA 11/10/2009 09:04 PM EST

It looks like celibacy will be required of any future priests in our Anglican/ Catholic Church. (Is that what it will be called??) I am glad to see that each Anglican clergyman will have to "Apply" to continue as clergy in the Church. Also very glad to hear the seminarians will have to remain celibate, if they want to join the A-Catholic Church. They have a right to leave and stay with their Anglican Church I am sure.

Published by: Angus Bower
Rosamond CA USA 11/10/2009 02:30 PM EST

Catholics tend to gloss over the fact that English Christianity dates from the first century, juat as Roman Christianity. Many priests were married- about a third of them in 1535 when Henry split with Rome- and most Anglican priests and bishops are married to this day. They believe the Bible supports this. The bishops of Henry's time, however, were Italian- many could not speak Rnglish. Those who rudely claim that the English reformation was all about Henry's lust for Anne Boleyn do not know their history.

Published by: Sandor Lengyel
Hungary 11/10/2009 06:58 AM EST

I might have read it wrong yesterday, but the case bay case review, I think also applies to semineriens, requesting permition to be married.

Published by: martin
nebraska 11/10/2009 12:26 AM EST

amen michael. if people actually took the time to read the documents of vatican II then they would realize that the church never condoned or desired the horrible things that happened afterward. but the popes have been ratifying the idea, consistently, that vatican II is our guide for the continuation of the church and evangelizing... it's in the first couple pages of the catechism. vatican II was not evil, it was a blessing and ushered in a more more accessible church, that is more "relevant" to today's society (i use that word cautiously, because the church is ALWAYS relevant in it's teachings, that's why it's the true church, but with the society we live in... we have to go to them where they are, because they sure as heck won't come to us). so this new provision is an excellent thing, and shows how the church is willing to go to people where they are at, in order to bring them up into the fullness of the truth.

Published by: martin
nebraska 11/09/2009 10:11 PM EST

Published by: GFM
St. Louis, MO 11/09/2009 07:25 PM EST

There is no heresy in this move to create unity between those in the traditional Anglican community who want to join Rome. The real heresy is from those who do not accept VatIcan II and the idea of authentic ecumenical dialogue. Such opinions are equivalent to those on the left who pick and choose which part of tradition, which councils, which doctrines to accept. Both heresies have their foundation in pride. This all comes down to an issue of real authority.

Published by: Michael Austen
Pembroke, ON, Canada 11/09/2009 06:43 PM EST

Francis, you are spreading needless dissent and disunity among Catholics. I find it interesting that the High Anglicans who are going to take advantage of this offer are as hard core Catholic as your band of SSPX (only they'll be in communion with the church and you'll remain schismatic if you remain hard-hearted) The major documents of the Second Vatican council are part of the Deposit of the Faith and thus we are obligated to follow them; including Lumen Gentium - the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church. Pope's do novel things all the time but so long as they are not in contradiction to the Deposit of the Faith, they're legit so deal with it. Please stop spreading your schismatic vitrol on this website.

Published by: Tomasz
Clinton, MA 11/09/2009 05:43 PM EST

I have to agree that the idea of creating a special "rite" so to speak for the former Anglicans in the Roman Catholic Church is a complex issue and it will be tested in time. So let it be. I completely disagree with Francis on the issue of Ecumenism. It clearly reflects that teaching of the Gospel: "That they may be one." Jn. The history of the divisions within Christianity is tragic and very complex. As the Church we have an obligation to strive for unity and reconciliation. Francis talks about bringing "non Catholics to Christ and his One true church." This one true Church teaching that Ecumenism is part of Church's mission (Ut Unum Sint). But Francis because of his own bias, choses to reject what is the official teaching of the "One True Church." - How conviniet. That is what is very disappointing about many Catholics who hold themselvs orthodox. Because they do so only when it suits there views, and opinions. The teaching of Pius X and Pius XI does not reflect the teaching of the church of 2000 years. It is relatively recent. Before that, we burned, jailed, tortured, persecuted those who disagreed with us, or questioned the teaching of the church. Thanks be to God at least now we have enough decency, not to menntion Christlike love, to dialogue. If one is to call himself or herself an orthodox Catholic in 2009 one should accept everything that the Church teaches. Isn't that what self-proclaimed orthodox catholics say.

Published by: Francis-Xavier T
Washington, D.C. 11/09/2009 03:02 PM EST

I have to agree with Francis in Wareham, Mass.

Published by: Francis
Wareham MA 11/09/2009 12:55 PM 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.” When will the Catholic Church eliminate this false, heretical, Vatican II novelty known as "ecumenism" and get back to evangelizing the nonCatholics and bringing them to Christ and his One true church which is the Catholic Church?! If it wasn't for these professional ecumenists like Walter Kasper and others these protestants would have converted to the Catholic Church 20 years ago! For people who want to know what the Catholic Church taught about "Christian unity" for 2000 years up until Vatican II I suggest reading Pope St Piux X encyclical Pascendi Dominici Gregis and Pope Pius XI Encyclical Mortalium Animos. Along with the Ecumenical DOGMATIC Counsels of Florence and Trent.

ADD A COMMENT (Your e-mail will NOT be published):


NAME:
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY:
EMAIL:
COMMENT:

PLEASE ENTER THE SECURITY CODE DISPLAYED ABOVE:
Chars:

* Thanks for your comments. The number of messages that can be online is limited. Length should not exceed 1500 characters. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages.

ADVERTISING
CNA does not necessarily endorse these advertisers. Please proceed with discretion. If you feel that a website announced has inappropriate or offensive content, please send it by e-mail to catholicna@catholicna.com