Ad Clerum 19

Dear Father,

THE REVISION COMMITTEE

Most of you will have read the recent statement made by the Bishop of Manchester to the General Synod concerning the deliberations of the Revision Committee looking at the legislation to enable women to be consecrated bishops in the Church of England.  It is quite clear now that the only provision offered will be a Code of Practice which will allow the delegation of certain functions to a male bishop should the diocesan be female. Although the Bishop of Manchester did not say so it is my understanding, and this was reported in the Times on Monday 8^th Feb, that the code will not provide for the consecration of particular bishops to care for parishes which do not accept the ordination of women either as priests or bishops.   This would mark the end of the Act of Synod and the ministry of Provincial Episcopal Visitors.  I am sure this will come as a shock to many in our constituency as it would herald the end of Anglo-Catholicism as we understand it.  No doubt there will be a continuing place for Anglo Catholics in the Church of England but it will be different, much more akin to the situation found in the Episcopal Church in the States with no ecclesiological coherence.  While most of us are well aware of the inadequacy and anomalies of the Act of Synod, it has enabled many of us to remain in the Church of England in the hope of better times and the possibility of a larger ecumenical future. This now looks like a forlorn hope for although there will be a new stage of ARCIC,  it has been made clear that the goal of such conversations is no longer corporate union between the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church

Of course, this is not the last word and it remains to be seen how the Synod will deal with this legislation.  It could be that it will be defeated in July or sent back for further revision.   Whatever the result then, it will still have to be taken to the dioceses and come back to Synod for a final vote which will require a two thirds majority in all three houses.  Nevertheless the general trend is not encouraging for us.   Many of us will be asking whether it is indeed possible to minister in a Church which not only fails to understand our theological stance but consistently refuses to recognise the need for an adequate provision.   Election for the new General Synod take place this summer and we need to ensure there are as many Catholic members as possible to defeat the legislation.

ANGLICANORUM COETIBUS

The publication of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus (Concerning groups of Anglicans) has added a new dimension to the whole debate.   Despite what some detractors say, I believe it is an imaginative and generous response to those who have asked the Holy See to provide a way for groups of Anglicans to be received into communion with the Catholic Church but, of course, it will not be for everyone.  It is not a solution for those who simply want to avoid women priests and bishops; those who wish to become part of the Catholic Church cannot pick and choose.  Those who are thinking of taking up this offer must declare they share the faith as it is expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and accept that the Petrine Ministry is essential for the life of the Church  

Some have tried to suggest that the provision is not meant for England but for the United States and Australia.  If that were the case I wonder why the Holy Father particularly commended the Constitution to the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales when he addressed them during their Ad Limina visit to Rome last month.  He said:

Ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue assume great importance in England and Wales, given the varied demographic profile of the population. As well as encouraging you in your important work in these areas, I would ask you to be generous in implementing the provisions of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus, so as to assist those groups of Anglicans who wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. I am convinced that, if given a warm and open-hearted welcome, such groups will be a blessing for the entire Church.

Many of us will find these words particularly encouraging.

Of course, we know little about the practical implications of all this though some of us are trying to obtain more information so that priests and congregations can discuss it realistically  A Commission has been formed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and it is hoped we can learn something from them in due course.   Bishop Edwin has produced a small booklet about the Apostolic Constitution which may help parishes to begin to understand what is involved.  It is available from the Additional Curates Society and details of how to order can be found in the notes attached to this mailing.  In the meantime, the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, the Bishop of Fulham and I have called parishes to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit on Monday 22^nd February, a suitable day being the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter.

With prayers and best wishes for a good and holy Lent,

+ Keith