In a surprise move, Pope Benedict XVI has driven a wedge into already-divided Anglican Church by welcoming "traditionalists" - ie, those who reject the ordination of women and gay people - into the Roman Catholic Church. This is how the New York Times reports the Vatican's program:
In an extraordinary bid to lure traditionalist Anglicans en masse, the Vatican on Tuesday announced that it would make it easier for Anglicans who are uncomfortable with their church’s acceptance of women priests and openly gay bishops to join the Roman Catholic Church.
A new canonical entity will allow groups of Anglicans "to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony," Cardinal William Levada, the prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said at a news conference here.
So it appears the Roman Catholic Church has become the default refuge for Christians who are uncomfortable with women, gays and lesbians who want to live in freedom and equality in society. Here in Maine, where I live, the Catholic Church is spearheading and largely bankrolling the referendum to repeal the law granting same-sex marriage.
It also appears that Pope Benedict's move has left the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, flat-footed. The Guardian reports:
The archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, informed journalists that he only heard about the apostolic constitution "a couple of weeks ago" and that there was no input from or consultation with Lambeth Palace. His face reddened as he spoke and, at one point, the archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, answered questions relating to Williams's leadership and authority.
It's a pity that Rowan did not make a more forceful statement defending the values and beliefs of the Anglican Church and condemning the RCC for becoming a refuge of prejudice and intolerance.
With this move, the Vatican undid years of ecumenical work and dialogue between the world's two largest organizations of Christians:
And many Anglican and Catholic leaders expressed surprise, even shock, at something they said would undermine efforts at ecumenical dialogue and capitalize on deep divisions within the Anglican Church over issues like the ordination of gay bishops and blessing same-sex unions.
The move could have wide impact in England, where large numbers of traditionalist Anglicans have protested the Church of England’s embrace in recent years of liberal theological reforms like ordaining women bishops. These Anglicans, and others in places like Australia, might be attracted to the Roman Catholic fold because they have had nowhere else to go. If entire parishes or even dioceses leave the Church of England for the Catholic church, it will probably set off battles over ownership of church buildings and land.
I have to say that Pope Benedict's tenure has been filled with (mostly unpleasant) surprises.