VATICAN CITY (RNS) A group of conservative Anglicans in Britain announced that they would convert to the Catholic Church under new arrangements designed to accommodate Anglicans upset with their church's growing acceptance of homosexuality and female clergy.
Representatives of the British province of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC) voted unanimously last week to pursue "corporate reunion ... with the Holy See," according to a statement posted on the group's website.
The TAC claims to have 400,000 members worldwide, though its British branch has only about 20 parishes, according to published reports.
The resolution is apparently the first formal move by any group to accept the Vatican's offer, announced last month, to permit the establishment of special national dioceses for former Anglicans.
Anglican clergy who are already married will be eligible for ordination as Catholic priests (but not bishops) within the new structures, which will permit the use of traditional Anglican music and prayers.
The new Catholic dioceses, called "personal ordinariates," will be set up by national bishops conferences in response to local demand, following guidelines that the Vatican is expected to release shortly.
By Francis X. Rocca
Copyright 2009 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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Pagansister posts at 11:27 AM.:"I might be able to be an Anglican but RC? Never happen."
Sis, go for it! Become an Anglican!
Ck. ans. to question #1. I only lived in the south for three yrs., don't know where "colors and stripes" came from.
#2: Yes, I have, and know others that have.
#3: I meant any women clergy. The Anglicans leaving for RC are against women in leadership in Churches, as in Priests.
Goodguyex needs to think about making comments from an "informed" viewpoint. His shooting off from the hip betrays total ignorance about how the Church operates and why. Celibacy is a discipline in the Church. That can always change and it seems it may do so in the not to distant future. Doctrinal teachings are another matter altogether. The Church will never teach as "true" whatever I "feel like" believing in. This is, obviously dangerous. Apply this rationale to other ways of thinking and judging and its flaws will become obvious!
Jim O., you are right, I do shoot off from the hip. But I am also informed. Isn't it possible to do/be both if you are a good shot???
In other words, I agree with you. If you want to put in a dig on me I can handle it! Bless you!
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