The Vatican and married ex-Anglicans: how far will Rome go?

From the London Telegraph-

Following Cardinal Levada’s “clarification” of the Ordinariate plan yesterday, which touched on the ordination of married ex-Anglicans without giving much away, I’ve been sent an expert commentary by a priest who is an old hand at interpreting Vatican documents. I found it helpful (though not encouraging for Anglicans who hope that the Latin Church is about to sweep away its 1,000-year-old celibacy rule). Note my contact’s references to the sensitive subjects of Anglican priests in second marriages and those who were born Catholics.

On the subject of the “irregularities” that might impede ordination mentioned by Cardinal Levada, the priest writes:

“Irregularities or other impediments” could include the fact that an Anglican bishop, being married, is impeded from being ordained a bishop according to Catholic/Orthodox practice. Also, an Anglican cleric in a marriage not recognized by the Catholic Church (such as a second marriage while first spouse is living) is impeded entirely from ordination unless at a future date the marital status is resolved. You can bet former Catholic priests now functioning as Anglican priests will also be considered to have “impediments or irregularities” (i.e., a promise of celibacy they took when Catholic) that will be difficult to overcome in order to again function as Catholic priests. I suppose, too, after this comes into force, a Catholic who left, became Anglican, was ordained, and wanted to come back as a Catholic priest would face special scrutiny (e.g. did he leave as an infant or as a 20 year old trying “to game the system”).

More here-

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100015387/the-vatican-and-married-ex-anglicans-how-far-will-rome-go/