Some months back we wrote about the quest for unity of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC). The TAC is a breakaway group of orthodox Anglicans seeking full, corporate, and sacramental union with the See of Rome. Essentially, they wished to be joined to the Catholic Church while maintaining some of the traditions and structure that make them Anglican Catholics. We here at CMR continue to be very interested in the fate of our Anglo brethren.
As of yet, there is still no official reaction from the Holy See so their fate is still unknown. Additionally, and probably wisely, the leaders of the TAC have vowed to keep mum on the subject until the Holy See offers some guidance on the matter.
However, we now have a glimpse into some of the contents of the letter seeking unity delivered by the TAC back in October. The following is gleaned from part of an internal fund raising letter of the TAC containing excerpts of the letter to Rome.
On Communion:
“a worldwide community of Anglican Christians has united under the name “The Traditional Anglican Communion” for three main purposes:
- To identify, reaffirm and consolidate in its community the elements… conduct that mark the Church of Christ…
- To seek as a body full and visible communion, particularly eucharistic communion, in Christ, with the Roman Catholic Church..
- To achieve such communion while maintaining those revered traditions… that constitute the cherished and centuries-old heritage of Anglican communities throughout the world
On acceptance of the ministry of the bishop of Rome:
We accept the ministry of the Bishop of Rome, the successor of Peter, which is a ministry of teaching and discerning the faith and a “perpetual and visible principle and foundation of unity” and understand this ministry is essential to the Church founded by Jesus Christ.On acceptance of the catholic faith
“We accept that the most complete and authentic expression and application of the catholic faith in this moment of time is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church…”And their appeal to the Church
“Driven by these realizations, which we must now in good conscience bring to the attention of the Holy See, we seek a communal and ecclesial way of being Anglican Catholics in communion with the Holy See, at once treasuring the full expression of catholic faith and treasuring our tradition within which we have come to this moment. We seek the guidance of the Holy See as to the fulfillment of these our desires and those of the churches in which we have been called to serve.”
We have noted before, with irony, that there are many groups in ostensible unity with the Church that would never say the things that the TAC does. I sincerely hope that some accommodation can be made for the TAC. The signal that would be sent to Anglicans worldwide and Christians everywhere upon the first first corporate re-union since the reformation would be wonderful. We are praying for you.
May 12, 2008 at 2:08 am
I attend a parish that is operated under a pastoral provision, signed by JPII, that created a Roman Catholic Anglican use liturgy. Our liturgy is very Catholic, but at the same time maintains much of the traditional Anglican prayers. I’ve only been going there for about a year, but it is a wonderfully rich liturgy that makes one proud to be Catholic. I liken this Mass to be like the Latin Mass, only in English. I wonder if the TAC folks know about this and if it might be a path into the Church?
May 12, 2008 at 3:15 am
“We accept that the most complete and authentic expression and application of the catholic faith in this moment of time is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church…”
What do they mean by “in this moment of time”? That statement seems a little worrisome to me. Will it still be so next Tuesday?
May 12, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I hope that this works out as well. I think that there are many Anglicans that would come into unity if they didn’t have to leave it all behind.
May 12, 2008 at 8:02 pm
There has already been a corporate converstion from Anglicans to Catholics–that of the Society of Antonement. They are the folks who brought us the Prayer for Christian Unity and the friar who helped convert Tony Blair.
However, I feel that if someone truly belives that the Catholic church is where the fullness of faith is, they should convert post-haste and not worry too much about their old prayer books. If enough of them simply came into the Catholic church the normal way, they’d be able to join together for prayer meetings and probably even influence the reverence of Mass at their local parish. I do understand their fondness for the lovely, lovely Anglican prayers, but I also think there might be a bit too much pride in their position that they won’t be Catholics if they can’t have their own prayers.
May 12, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Sally,
I hear what you are saying but they have made the request for corporate reunion and I think it is fair that they should have a response yea or nea first.
If the answer is nea, then I think that you are entirely correct.
May 12, 2008 at 11:23 pm
While smpathetic to their plea, let’s not forget that these aren’t just any old Anglicans. Many of their clergy are actually apostate Catholic priests who absconded, got married, and in several cases got invalidly consecrated “bishops”. Now they want Rome to give them “corporate recognition” which means approving these very sinful acts. You may also notice their wording about the “Bishop of Rome’s” ministry of teaching, discerning, visible principle of unity etc, but no mention of his authority. There’s more here than meets the eye. Rome is wise to proceed cautiously, and their boss ex Fr., now “ArchBishop “(sic) Hepworth can forget about recognition of his orders. And one last thing. Don’t believe the numbers they say they’re bring with them.
May 13, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Thank you Fr R. I thought I detected something political about all this.
May 13, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Fr. – you say “many” apostates: who are they besides Archbishop Hepworth? Your statement doesn’t make much sense anyway. “Any old Anglican” holds orders “Absolutely null and utterly void” as per Pope Leo XIII, so I don’t know what makes these different.
Hepworth has publicly stated he would step down if required for corporate reunion.
Also, corporate reunion does not imply sanction of pass sins, in fact, it repudiates them.
Even if they don’t bring large numbers, it seems to me having a structure for Anglicans to convert without, unfortunately, having to endure the Mass of Fr. Happy-clappy and the liturgical dancing troop, would facilitate many Anglican conversions, and those of other Conservative Christians.
May 13, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Gleb, in brief, those who know the TAC know how many disaffected and “on the run” ex-Catholics are in the ranks. They’re not any old Anglicans because a) some are in valid orders, b)they’re not recognised by the rest of the Anglican communion and c)sorry to say it, but they have very loose “ordination” standards. Even scandalous. There is no corporate “reunion” for people who were never in union to begin with. They were individuals and should come back as individuals. If they wish to keep Anglican forms, those opportunities already exist, as has been pointed out. Corporate union suggests acceptance of the fictional structure they have erected rather than submission to the established structure of Christ’s own Church. Any sincere seeker will be welcomed, but do they want the Church as she is, or filtered through their preferences (including a married clergy, of course).
And finally, as for the ‘Happy clappy” liturgies, let them do what all Catholics who care do- drive to the best local church you can find and support the priest who’s trying to do the right thing.
May 14, 2008 at 1:30 am
It’s not going to be easy, but some kind of “corporate reunion” would bring MANY souls into the Catholic Church. And that would be just GREAT!!!!
May 14, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Fr r: The Anglican Use doesn’t exist outside of the U.S. (barely outside of Texas), and it only exists in a few cities. Bishops are hostile to it, because it is not “ecumenical” from the false-ecumenism perspective, and because it dumps orthodox/traditional parishioners into their dioceses.
I think we need a canonical structure created by Rome to welcome them back. If, as you say, the TAC is unsuitable material, let us expand the AU to all English-speaking countries, and create a real structure to welcome them back.
June 4, 2008 at 1:31 am
Gleb is right; many bishops are hostile to legitimate concessions to the Anglican liturgical heritage because of their false and essentially political understanding of ecumenism. The Anglican Use is not even available outside the US. I became Catholic four years ago and pray and hope that the Church will establish a real sui juris structure for those, like me, who wish to preserve what is legitimate and good about our Anglican heritage within the one, holy, catholic and apostolic communion built on the Petrine office.
Those who uncharitably refuse to see anything sincere about the TAC ignore the legitimate dream of those who desire union with the Church and the preservation of their liturgical heritage.
August 14, 2008 at 1:46 pm
As an ex Anglican I think the comments posted on this blog are very sensible. They raise two issues.
On the one hand a number of the TAC members are ex Catholics who have already betrayed their Church once. Some of them are ex Catholic priests who left to marry. Rome will need to be aware of this and take strict precautions.
On the other hand, many of the TAC members are sincerely searching and whatever their faults, they are used to beautiful, dignified and reverent worship and liturgy. Now may be the time to make things more inviting for them. Too many of the Catholic bishops have been hostile towards traditionally minded ex Anglicans who love a beautiful liturgy. The Anglican Use only exists in the United States and at present is very small.
I believe it would be good if Rome, while making sure that the converting Anglicans are genuinely converting and truly accept all the teachings of the Catholic Church, could provide some sort of oversight that will give them the beautiful, reverent liturgy to which they are accustomed and will also give them the pastoral leadership of some sympathetic bishops who are not hostile to them.