I’ll be quiet now.

I tried to fix ‘em, Ed. Just couldn’t figure out what was going on.

These guys are evangelicals. Not exactly beating on the door of St. Peter’s Basillica.

The Anglo-Catholics from FiF and TAC, however, are salivating.

-Jim+

“The Anglo-Catholics from FiF and TAC, however, are salivating.”

I can sorta see why this might sound okay. But, none of the TAC bishops can be bishops. It’s not entirely clear yet that they can be married priests. What if, in the details of the Apostolic Constitution, there’s restrictions on married, divorced, and remarried men being barred from ordination?

Some of those salavating Anglo-catholic priests/bishops just might develop an acute case of dry-mouth.

Well, I didn’t expect these good men to be interested in the new provision, but it’s interesting to consider the impact it might have on the Covenant. Maybe the added pressure will “clarify” where Abp. Williams intends the AC to go.

Among the approx. 600+- British clergy thinking of diving into the Tiber, aren’t many of them the infamous ‘Affirming Catholics’ who believe/affirm the LBGT apologetic?

I am very disappointed that the Global South is still playing the “Covenant” game. That gambit was a lie and a deceit from the word “Committee.” Why are they still pretending that a Covenant will solve their problems?

The problem is not in statements of faith, or creeds, or catechisms. The problem is a lack of discipline by the leadership within the Communion. The Archbishop of Catnterbury can wield great moral authority. He just has to be willing to do so.

So far, Rowan Cantuar has been most unwilling to do anything substrantive. Hence the quagmire and malaise which engulfs the Anglican Communion as it just drifts along in a morally relativistic sea.

Look at #6 (not quoted here):

“6. As Primates of the Communion and guardians of the catholic and apostolic faith and order, we stand in communion with our fellow bishops, clergy and laity who are steadfast in the biblical teaching against the ordination of openly homosexual clergy, the consecration of such to the episcopate, and the blessing of homosexual partnerships. We also urge them, as fellow Anglicans, to continue to stand firm with us in cherishing the Anglican heritage, in pursuing a common vocation, in expressing our unity and common life, and in maintaining our covenanted life together.”

Riddle me ree, what’s strangely missing from “… who are steadfast in the biblical teaching against the ordination of openly homosexual clergy, the consecration of such to the episcopate, and the blessing of homosexual partnerships”? Hello, ever heard of WO? These guys are no more “traditional Anglicans” than I am, and I think of them as “neodox” or perhaps “polydox,” rather than “orthodox.”

I suspect that these fellas are interested in “orthodoxy”, but not so interested that it costs them their positions of power in their local dioceses. For this reason I suspect that only a tiny fraction of the “conservative” or “orthodox” or “Anglo-Catholic” Anglicans will end up jumping ship. The personal losses are too much

Kozaburo, depends upon the geographic location. It also depends upon the person.

I suspect very few Episcopal A-C’s will switch (most of those who would be so inclined have already left). But in Britain, I think a fair number will go. The same applies to the rest of the Anglican Communion. Africa has been largely evangelical turf, so their theology is not the sort that would support a move Romewards.

Of the British, I expect, and could likely be wrong, a mass migration of the religious and priests, a fair number of laity and a few bishops.

Anglo-Catholicism in the UK will become what it largely is here in the US, an association of male priests who are largely unmarried but are also uninterested in celibacy. They will lose all interest in theology and become ever more enamored with elaborate liturgical practises.

Chris, on reflection it wasn’t worth fixing. Boils down to “I would so! Really! You can’t prove I won’t! Better do what I said!”

Dr. Tighe, perhaps “mesodox” would describe them.

This is all well and good. . .but the essential flaw of Protestantism–the one that allowed the TEC to get where it is today–is still present in the Covenant: no ecclesial authority to interpret scripture except the individual conscience, no authority to hold dissenters accountable to tradition. When the truth of the faith is accountable to nothing more than a majority vote, it ain’t Truth. One generation down the line, all these problems will surface again.

Fr. Philip, OP

Fr Philip.
Methinks you have nailed it.