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New constitution opens door to Anglican converts
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Cardinal William Levada, the Vatican's chief doctrinal official.
(AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
On November 9, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published the Apostolic Constitution "Anglicanorum coetibus," providing for personal ordinariates for Anglicans entering into full communion with the Catholic Church. The decision to allow groups of Anglicans to convert to Roman Catholicism, while retaining many of their traditions, liturgy, and even married clergy members, has unleashed a maelstrom of controversy since its announcement on October 20.
The Constitution, along with accompanying Complementary Norms, is dated November 4, feast of St. Charles Borromeo, and is signed by Cardinal William Joseph Levada and Archbishop Luis F. Ladaria S.J., respectively prefect and secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Some critics, such as dissident theologian Father Hans Kung, have charged Pope Benedict with "fishing" for the most conservative Christians, calling his actions "a nonecumenical piracy of priests." However, according to a statement from the Congregation, the Apostolic Constitution "opens a new avenue for the promotion of Christian unity while, at the same time, granting legitimate diversity in the expression of our common faith. It represents not an initiative on the part of the Holy See, but a generous response from the Holy Father to the legitimate aspirations of these Anglican groups. The provision of this new structure is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue, which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church."
Another point of contention has been the Church's plan to allow the ordination of former married Anglican clergy as Catholic priests. The Congregation insists the Church is not reconsidering the "celibacy issue": "The possibility envisioned by the Apostolic Constitution for some married clergy within the personal ordinariates does not signify any change in the Church's discipline of clerical celibacy. According to the Vatican Council II, priestly celibacy is a sign and a stimulus for pastoral charity and radiantly proclaims the reign of God."
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