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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

(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)
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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.

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