Vatican Woos Conservative Anglicans: This is News?

Diana, this is my experience as well. In virtually every wedding I conduct, either the bride or groom is Roman Catholic looking elsewhere. There are new families coming in the door of the church - not in droves, but numbers enough to notice, whose first words are "We're Catholic but we don't want to raise our kids in the Castholic church." Ditto for baptisms.

However, I am really somewhat appalled at the blatant attempts of the Roman Church to grab more membership and, truth be told, find a few more ordained men to replace those who have left. That isn't the answer to their problem.

Great points, Diana. It sounds to me as if the Vatican is just doing what many Protestant churches here in the Northeast have done for years. Although not as overt about it, many mainline churches have subtly "sold" themselves to lapsed Catholics as a church where you can be divorced and take communion, get remarried, use birth control, be pro-choice etc.. I don't mean to imply we are deceitful, just that our membership rolls have benefitted from dissatisfied Catholics, as you rightly point out. Now the Vatican is benefitting from dissatisfied Anglicans. Ah... the circle of life.

BTW, Diana nice having the chance to meet you in person in Minneapolis.

You know, it seems to me that this article is really about turf, and supporting a turf war, at that.

By picking on less important issues, such as women's rights, homosexuals, etc, you have effectively lost why this is such a big deal in the life of the Christian church at large-- and that is the notion of truth.

Christ didn't institute 30,000 different churches, with differing versions of truth-- He instituted one, and only once Christian body in the world has the evidence to support her claim as that One Church, the one founded by Christ, headed in Rome by the successor of Peter. (Mt. 16:18)

It makes sense that in our society today, any number of you would lose concept of an objective truth, towards more of an individualistic "feeling" of what is right or wrong, but sorry, either 2+2=4, or it doesn't. Tell me honestly, have any of you ever looked at the Catholic Church's teachings on anything? Actually read what they teach? It would amaze you.

This is a time of great joy, and should be acknowledged as such, for the opportunity is being made easier for large numbers to come back all together to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

The invitation is extended to you, as well.

"Tell me honestly, have any of you ever looked at the Catholic Church's teachings on anything? Actually read what they teach? It would amaze you."

More like 'It made me wanna hurl.'

I've said for years that we ought to set up an exchange between the RC and Episcopal churches - they take those who don't like women priests and out gay people in ministry and we get the Catholic Workers. I think it would work out great!

If it were not for the influx of Latin American immigrants, the Church of Rome here would be “sagging” even worse!

Yes, I've read what the Roman Catholic Church teaches, and, no, I am not amazed. What does amaze me is how the RC Church can go on throughout the centuries without ever once admitting the need for repentance. Mistakes were made, they might admit that, but that those mistakes might lead to self-examination and changes? No, as long as they perceive themselves to be the one, perfect church, they cannot allow for anything approaching repentance. Everyone else must change, return to Rome and its ways, no matter how wrong they might have been. The tragedy of denominations is not just a protestant problem. The Roman Catholic Church in its stubbornness and error bears a great deal of responsiblity, both historically and presently. Inspiration is not the same thing as perfection--we are followers of Christ, not Christ himself. Christ's church will always need to be reformed, after all, we follow a Savior who calls us to repentance. Until the RC can admit that, its claim to be the one true church is an illusion.

Catholic teaching is contained in the Catechism, which can be found here: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc.htm

It is extensively footnoted, to show where teachings come from. 90% of the footnotes are to scripture, and most of the rest to people from the early centuries of the church.

If I understand "your name" correctly, he/she is saying that even if the teachings are correct, actions of individuals claiming to speak for the church mean he/she is not going to agree.

I'm not coming home till daddy apologises?

Seriously, folks. "Nothing more?" The Roman Church has not made this kind of foray into the life of another tradition for centuries. This is not poll-reading, Diana, this is a significant move to provide a means for healing the breach with the Anglican tradition,
at least the Anglo-Catholic wing. Pope Benedict XVI does not respond
to polls. He is reckoning with the very likely re-allignment of Christianity in the 21st century with those who appeal to what has been called the Great Tradition on one side and liberal/revisionists on the other while the "mushy middle" continues to shrink. He is also likely looking at the global picture and not the U.S. particular.
Only Americans still think they are the center of Christianity. Receptivity to the papal offer may be much more significant outside the U.S. than inside. The Holy Spirit continues to move among the churches of the great tradition. Other spirits are,I believe, at work among the mainline religionists.

As a Catholic (Liberal) I find it extremely funny that this is happening. The church is loosing many people so what better way to gain - let's invite the conservative Anglicans. A more important issue in my eyes is let's look at the churche's condition right now with all the sexual abuse happening and why is it happening and what can be done to stop it. However nothing will be done about it by this pope as he was and is the one who has transferred the sicko priest to other places!! I for one will attend the Liberal Anglican church.