The worldwide leader of Anglican community said the Vatican’s new move to ease Anglicans to enter Catholic Church is only part of a routine relationship between the two churches and the church has no problem. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican communion, told a news conference in London that he did not see the Vatican move as “an act of aggression” or vote of no confidence, but part of a routine relationship between the two Churches.
Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI had approved Tuesday a document known as an “Apostolic Constitution” making it easier for disaffected Anglicans to convert to Roman Catholicism.
Some within the 77-million-strong worldwide Anglican have become disillusioned by the election of openly gay bishops and the blessing of same-sex unions, and also the ordination of woman priests.
The new structure in the new document approved by the Pope allows for the appointment of leaders, usually bishops who will come from the ranks of unmarried former Anglican priests, to oversee communities of former Anglicans who become Catholics and recognize the pope as their leader.
“In this way, the Apostolic Constitution seeks to balance on the one hand the concern to preserve the worthy Anglican liturgical and spiritual patrimony and, on the other hand, the concern that these groups and their clergy will be integrated into the Catholic Church,” the Vatican said.
Cardinal William Joseph Levada told a news conference that the Apostolic Constitution is a response to “numerous requests to the Holy See from groups of Anglican clergy and faithful in various parts of the world who want to enter into full and visible communion” with the Catholic Church.
“This is not a comment on the life of the Anglican Communion. This is a response to people who came forward,” said Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster and head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
In a statement issued by Lambeth Palace, Archbishop Williams, Anglican leader also said the Apostolic Constitution "is further recognition of the substantial overlap in faith, doctrine and spirituality between the Catholic Church and the Anglican tradition".
“Without the dialogues of the past 40 years, this recognition would not have been possible,” the statement added.
“With God's grace and prayer we are determined that our ongoing mutual commitment and consultation on these and other matters should continue to be strengthened.” +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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