In a report posted today on the Messenger Journal, the Great Britain province of the Traditional Anglican Communion said they are "the first to accept" the Vatican initiative.
The vote was unanimous including mail-in votes from those not present, and took place before the constitution was even released, the report explained.
"Significantly, this vote took place in the birthplace of the Anglican Communion," the statement added. "The synod was held at St. Catherine's Priory, a restored monastic house destroyed by Henry VIII."
Impressive
An initial reaction from the leader of the traditionalist Anglican group Forward in Faith called the constitution and norms "extremely impressive."
Bishop John Broadhurst wrote: "I had thought the original notice from Rome was extremely generous. Today all the accompanying papers have been published and they are extremely impressive.
"I have been horrified that the Church of England while trying to accommodate us has consistently said we cannot have the jurisdiction and independent life that most of us feel we need to continue on our Christian pilgrimage. What Rome has done is offer exactly what the Church of England has refused."
Way forward
Bishop Broadhurst did not hide that the way forward is complex.
"We all need now to ask the question 'is this what we want?'" the bishop said. "For some of us I suspect our bluff is called! This is both an exciting and dangerous time for Christianity in this country."
He noted that those who take the offer will need "to enter into negotiation with the Church of England about access to parish churches and many other matters."
"This situation must not be used to damage the Church of England but I do believe we have a valid claim on our own heritage in history," he wrote.
As to doctrine, the Anglican prelate noted that the "doctrinal standard demanded by Rome" is the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "which most of us use any way."
"We will all need to meet and talk," he remarked.
"It is not my style to give a expansive analysis of a document that I have only received today," the bishop concluded, "nor will I answer the question 'What are you going to do?' That is something we need to work out together."
Celibacy as a Rule Still in Force for Anglicans
Ordination of Married Men to Come Case by Case
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 9, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's apostolic constitution establishing personal ordinariates for Anglicans in communion with Rome does not alter the discipline of clerical celibacy nor the esteem the Church has for this practice, the Vatican clarified.
This clarification was given today in a statement from the Vatican announcing "Anglicanorum Coetibus," Benedict XVI's apostolic constitution for Anglicans who want to enter the Catholic Church. Complementary norms and an official commentary were also published.
The constitution states: "Those who ministered as Anglican deacons, priests, or bishops, and who fulfill the requisites established by canon law and are not impeded by irregularities or other impediments may be accepted by the Ordinary as candidates for Holy Orders in the Catholic Church.
"In the case of married ministers, the norms established in the Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul VI 'Sacerdotalis coelibatus,' n. 4215 and in the Statement 'In June' are to be observed. Unmarried ministers must submit to the norm of clerical celibacy of CIC can. 277, §1."
This practice is nothing new and has already been in use for Anglican priests who have come into communion with Rome on an individual basis.
The question nevertheless arose after last month's announcement of the constitution whether married seminarians would be able to become priests.
The document clarifies: "The Ordinary, in full observance of the discipline of celibate clergy in the Latin Church, as a rule (pro regula) will admit only celibate men to the order of presbyter. He may also petition the Roman Pontiff, as a derogation from can. 277, §1, for the admission of married men to the order of presbyter on a case by case basis, according to objective criteria approved by the Holy See."
This clarification was given today in a statement from the Vatican announcing "Anglicanorum Coetibus," Benedict XVI's apostolic constitution for Anglicans who want to enter the Catholic Church. Complementary norms and an official commentary were also published.
The constitution states: "Those who ministered as Anglican deacons, priests, or bishops, and who fulfill the requisites established by canon law and are not impeded by irregularities or other impediments may be accepted by the Ordinary as candidates for Holy Orders in the Catholic Church.
"In the case of married ministers, the norms established in the Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul VI 'Sacerdotalis coelibatus,' n. 4215 and in the Statement 'In June' are to be observed. Unmarried ministers must submit to the norm of clerical celibacy of CIC can. 277, §1."
This practice is nothing new and has already been in use for Anglican priests who have come into communion with Rome on an individual basis.
The question nevertheless arose after last month's announcement of the constitution whether married seminarians would be able to become priests.
The document clarifies: "The Ordinary, in full observance of the discipline of celibate clergy in the Latin Church, as a rule (pro regula) will admit only celibate men to the order of presbyter. He may also petition the Roman Pontiff, as a derogation from can. 277, §1, for the admission of married men to the order of presbyter on a case by case basis, according to objective criteria approved by the Holy See."
New Avenue Leads to Communion
Commentator Praises Benedict XVI's Fatherly Care
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 9, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The apostolic constitution responding to Anglicans who wish communion with the Holy See opens "a new avenue for the promotion of Christian unity," the Vatican says.
This evaluation was given in a statement from the Vatican announcing "Anglicanorum Coetibus," Benedict XVI's apostolic constitution that establishes personal ordinariates for Anglicans who want to enter the Catholic Church. Complementary norms and an official commentary were also published.
The constitution "introduces a canonical structure that provides for such corporate reunion [...] 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 statement explained.
This new avenue for promoting Christian unity also grants "legitimate diversity in the expression of our common faith," the Vatican added, assuring that it is "consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue, which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church."
As well, the statement noted, "It represents 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."
Finally, the Vatican clarified in introducing the constitution that the "possibility envisioned [...] for some married clergy within the personal ordinariates does not signify any change in the Church’s discipline of clerical celibacy. According to the Second Vatican Council, priestly celibacy is a sign and a stimulus for pastoral charity and radiantly proclaims the reign of God."
Spirit's prompting
Jesuit Father Gianfranco Ghirlanda, rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University, pointed to Benedict XVI's "fatherly care" with this initiative.
The "Supreme Pastor of the Church and, by mandate of Christ, guarantor of the unity of the episcopate and of the universal communion of all the Churches," he wrote, "has shown his fatherly care for those Anglican faithful -- lay, clerics and members of institutes of consecrated life and of societies of apostolic life -- who have repeatedly petitioned the Holy See to be received into full Catholic Communion."
Certain press reports or critics, most notably dissident theologian Hans Kung, tried to paint the Holy Father's move as a power play, failing to highlight that the constitution is a response to Anglican requests.
Father Ghirlanda also emphasized that unity is first and above all the work of the Holy Spirit.
"Those Anglican faithful who, under the promptings of the Holy Spirit, have asked to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church have been moved towards unity by those elements of the Church of Christ which have always been present in their personal and communal lives as Christians," he wrote.
And he concluded with the wish: "As the Holy Spirit has guided the preparation of this apostolic constitution, so may he also assist in its application."
What we wanted
Indeed, an initial reaction from the leader of the traditionalist Anglican group Forward in Faith called the constitution and norms "extremely impressive."
Bishop John Broadhurst wrote: "I had thought the original notice from Rome was extremely generous. Today all the accompanying papers have been published and they are extremely impressive.
"I have been horrified that the Church of England while trying to accommodate us has consistently said we cannot have the jurisdiction and independent life that most of us feel we need to continue on our Christian pilgrimage. What Rome has done is offer exactly what the Church of England has refused."
This evaluation was given in a statement from the Vatican announcing "Anglicanorum Coetibus," Benedict XVI's apostolic constitution that establishes personal ordinariates for Anglicans who want to enter the Catholic Church. Complementary norms and an official commentary were also published.
The constitution "introduces a canonical structure that provides for such corporate reunion [...] 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 statement explained.
This new avenue for promoting Christian unity also grants "legitimate diversity in the expression of our common faith," the Vatican added, assuring that it is "consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue, which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church."
As well, the statement noted, "It represents 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."
Finally, the Vatican clarified in introducing the constitution that the "possibility envisioned [...] for some married clergy within the personal ordinariates does not signify any change in the Church’s discipline of clerical celibacy. According to the Second Vatican Council, priestly celibacy is a sign and a stimulus for pastoral charity and radiantly proclaims the reign of God."
Spirit's prompting
Jesuit Father Gianfranco Ghirlanda, rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University, pointed to Benedict XVI's "fatherly care" with this initiative.
The "Supreme Pastor of the Church and, by mandate of Christ, guarantor of the unity of the episcopate and of the universal communion of all the Churches," he wrote, "has shown his fatherly care for those Anglican faithful -- lay, clerics and members of institutes of consecrated life and of societies of apostolic life -- who have repeatedly petitioned the Holy See to be received into full Catholic Communion."
Certain press reports or critics, most notably dissident theologian Hans Kung, tried to paint the Holy Father's move as a power play, failing to highlight that the constitution is a response to Anglican requests.
Father Ghirlanda also emphasized that unity is first and above all the work of the Holy Spirit.
"Those Anglican faithful who, under the promptings of the Holy Spirit, have asked to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church have been moved towards unity by those elements of the Church of Christ which have always been present in their personal and communal lives as Christians," he wrote.
And he concluded with the wish: "As the Holy Spirit has guided the preparation of this apostolic constitution, so may he also assist in its application."
What we wanted
Indeed, an initial reaction from the leader of the traditionalist Anglican group Forward in Faith called the constitution and norms "extremely impressive."
Bishop John Broadhurst wrote: "I had thought the original notice from Rome was extremely generous. Today all the accompanying papers have been published and they are extremely impressive.
"I have been horrified that the Church of England while trying to accommodate us has consistently said we cannot have the jurisdiction and independent life that most of us feel we need to continue on our Christian pilgrimage. What Rome has done is offer exactly what the Church of England has refused."
