Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Catholic Church Welcomes Disgruntled Anglicans

Extends a hand to those unhappy with gay bishops, ordained women

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 20, 2009 8:42 AM CDT
Email

(AP) – Pope Benedict XVI has created a new church structure for Anglicans who want to join the Catholic Church, responding to the disillusionment of some Anglicans over the ordination of women and the election of openly gay bishops. The new provision will allow Anglicans to join the Catholic Church while maintaining their Anglican identity and many of their liturgical traditions.

The Vatican's chief doctrinal official says the church has received many requests from Anglicans upset by their church's gay-friendly turn. "At the same time, they have told us the importance of their Anglican traditions." Under the new structure, called Personal Ordinariates, units of faithful will form within local Catholic Churches, headed by former Anglican prelates. An Anglican and Catholic archbishop issued a joint statement saying the new structure was the result of the "ongoing official dialogue" between the churches.

Britain's Archbishop Rowan Williams, left, of the Anglican church and Archbishop Vincent Nichols of the Roman Catholic Church hold a news conference in London concerning the new rules, Oct. 20, 2009.
Britain's Archbishop Rowan Williams, left, of the Anglican church and Archbishop Vincent Nichols of the Roman Catholic Church hold a news conference in London concerning the new rules, Oct. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams, left, listens to Catholic Archbishop Vincent Nichols, unseen, from the Roman Catholic Church, discusses the new rules for Anglicans joining the Catholic church.
Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams, left, listens to Catholic Archbishop Vincent Nichols, unseen, from the Roman Catholic Church, discusses the new rules for Anglicans joining the Catholic church.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing at the end of the weekly general audience in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing at the end of the weekly general audience in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful from aboard his popemobile, during the weekly general audience in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful from aboard his popemobile, during the weekly general audience in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 15 comments
Reader1398
Oct 21, 2009 12:40 PM CDT
I hear ya, everyone is entitled to their beliefs . . . to quote Carlin -- "Religion is sort of like a lift in your shoes. If it makes you feel better, fine. Just don't ask me to wear your shoes."
bewilderbeast
Oct 21, 2009 9:59 AM CDT
How's that name change? They lie as naturally as normal people breathe.
freethemall
Oct 21, 2009 3:14 AM CDT
You don't know what God's moral laws are. Neither does anyone else. It was mortal, fallible, human beings who decided what writings are supposedly the inspired word of God. And not all these mortal, fallible human beings agreed, nor do they yet agree, because they don't know.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 
gay rights • Pope Benedict XVI • gay marriage • Catholic Church • Anglican Church • interfaith dialogue • orthodoxy • Roman Catholic Church

More Newser Stories

GOP Lawmakers Want to Repeal Gay Marriage in NH

Vatican Leaks Expose a Mutiny Within

Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt

Washington State Legalizing Gay Marriage

Supreme Court's Move on Gay Marriage? Maybe Not
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne