Sunday, May 2, 2010

Bishops' defection: A major new blow to the Anglican church


From The London Telegraph-

These relations will now be stretched to breaking point with the revelation that the Vatican is secretly plotting with English bishops over plans for a new wave of converts.

Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has already expressed his dismay at the way Pope Benedict XVI last year made his offer to disaffected Anglicans to join the Catholic Church.

He would have been encouraged by the lack of clergy who have so far responded to the invitation, but The Sunday Telegraph has learnt that schemes to allow for an exodus of Anglican priests are being discussed at the highest levels of the Vatican.

This is likely to prove highly embarrassing for the Pope and deepen suspicions that he is preparing to poach clergy from England only months before he visits Britain.

If the initial offer was described as a move that parked his tanks on the lawn of Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop's residence, one bishop said last week's Vatican summit would be seen as "a declaration of war".

It will also raise the stakes of a crucial vote at this summer's General Synod, the Church of England's parliament, which will decide what provisions to give traditionalists opposed to the introduction of women bishops.

Dr Williams has appealed for them to resist the temptation to convert to Roman Catholicism, but many Anglo-Catholics feel they will be left with little option if the Synod does not grant them concessions allowing them to follow their conscience.

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/7664688/Bishops-defection-A-major-new-blow-to-the-Anglican-church.html

No comments: