In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. I was trained to believe that sermons are not meant primarily to prove or to instruct, much less to argue. Rather sermons are primarily meant to proclaim: to proclaim the Incarnation, the Cross, and the Resurrection of our Lord. I hope this idea animates my Sunday Mass sermons. But Evensong or Evensong and Benediction are somewhat different from Sunday morning. We read in a delightful miscellany on the Church and clergy by A.N. Wilson of a priest who for forty years ‘preached on a variety of themes at his morning Mass, but thought it inappropriate, at…Benediction, to preach on any subject other than the Empress Josephine.’ (A.N. Wilson, ed., 1992, p. 240). I don’t plan to be quite that bad. But when Bishop Ackerman invited me last year to this event I told him that I would have to address what seems to me the central problem with most of the efforts of Forward-in-Faith and its precursors and now also with the ACNA. I was invited nonetheless, so here is something with a bit of polemic in it, as promised. I will not say with Trevor Huddleston that I have naught for your comfort. But neither will I speak smooth things. CONTINUE HERE :http://www.anglicancatholic.org/speeches-and-correspondence?class=greenlink
Why not simply return to the Roman or Eastern Orthodox Chuches? What separates what you believe from them? Very curious... Thanks
The first thing would be Papal infallibility. Anglicans of all stripes reject this claim. My understanding as well is that there can be no communion with Rome because it would mean that Anglicans are to convert and become Roman Catholics. Some Anglican churches are already talking to the Eastern Church and signing some agreements in theology. Theoretically, communion is possible with them because they do not require Anglicans to cease to exist. This is just my layman's understanding on the politics of church unity. There are a lot of articles on the same site that cover Anglican apologetics. Anglicanism is too diverse in my opinion and what attracted me to this one article is the statement by the Bishop against the ambiguity and diversity on matters that were settled by the early church, and how the Anglican church alone cannot have the authority to alter such doctrines. While some see the diversity as a strength, some of us see it as a stumbling block to our personal faith journeys. I'm not Anglican Catholic, however they seem to embrace an Anglicanism I once knew.
Thanks, I hadn't heard about any attempts to come into communion with the Eastern Church. II did talk to an RC Priest here when I was coming back to the church. I was baptized Catholic, my parents let the Catholic Church in an argument over tithing and ended up Episcopal where I was confirmed.My father dies in 2008, my mother passed about 9 months ago and had returned to her Catholic faith. She left me her book on Catholic Catechism. Even though I was baptized Roman Catholic, to be able to commune with them would have required going through their RCIA classes. I started them, but the priest forgot an appointment we had made. My Episcopal priest who I had also been talking to didn't forget me. So back I went. I have been happy in that parish. Good people, a good priest and it has become extended family.
I'm sorry to hear about your parents. May they continue to rest in peace. The Eastern Orthidox church used to allow their members to commune in Anglican churches in the past (so I read). This was a provision for members who had no EO church close by. I understand that EO's ecclesiology is most resembled by Anglicanism and they also reject the central authoritarian structure adopted by RCC. All thanks to the turmoil n Anglicanism, any understanding with the EO has become a pipe dream. The good news is that conservative groups like ACNA are resuming talks to rekindle relations with EO. It is a long story that I'm trying to explain in my lay understanding (...and second language English)
Lloyd, I certainlyly don't want to persuade you to join anything other than an Anglican church. However, I have read a number of sources that say all a baptized catholic needs to do to is make a confession, take your first communion, and get confirmed. RCIA classes are for those converting from another faith who have not received catholic baptism. Canon law says you do not need formal instruction to receive RC sacraments. (CIC 843) Just an FYI
Hi Thanks. I took a look at it on a Catholic website. That's pretty interesting. Also says to read 1322-1498 in the Catechism. My mother and I had a discussion about this and she wrote a note in her Catechism book that if I wanted to take communion in the Catholic Church I should just convert. But it looks like a quick read. I have some differences from the Catholic Church, but then I have some differences from pretty much all denominations. Thanks for pointing this out...