The Traditional Anglican Communion’s province in Great Britain has become the first to accept Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Constitution for Anglicans.
Its members voted unanimously Oct. 29th to come into communion with Rome under the terms of the new provision, which allows them to retain their Anglican patrimony.
An undated statement on the province’s website reads:
“That this Assembly, representing the Traditional Anglican Communion in Great Britain, offers its joyful thanks to Pope Benedict XVI for his forthcoming Apostolic Constitution allowing the corporate reunion of Anglicans with the Holy See, and requests the Primate and College of Bishops of the Traditional Anglican Communion to take the steps necessary to implement this Constitution.”
A statement from Bishop David Moyer of the Traditional Anglican Communion reads:
“The well-attended Assembly was a grace-filled gathering where all in attendance became aware of the movement of the Holy Spirit. The bishops, priests, ordinands, and lay representatives were brought to a place of “being in full accord and of one mind,” as St. Paul prayed for the Church in Philippi.
“The questions and concerns that were expressed in regard to what had been read and heard about the forthcoming Apostolic Constitution were addressed by Archbishop John Hepworth. Bishop Mercer and myself.
“The Resolutions unanimously passed by the Assembly were carefully written and clearly reflect TTAC’s corporate desire and intention. All present realized that the requirement for the days ahead is patience, charity, and openness to the Holy Spirit.”
Significantly, this vote took place in the birthplace of the Anglican Communion, and its members voted in favor despite the Apostolic Constitution having not yet been published.
Recently, the Traditional Anglican Communion has been looking at establishing a mother house in England, possibly a former monastery in Lincoln which hasn’t witnessed the ordination of a Catholic priest since the Reformation.
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When there was a possibility that the news of Apostolic Constitution could be announced during the Pope visits Britain next year, Lord Monckton of Brenchley - someone who has for many years observed Catholic-Anglican relations - gave his opinion on the possibility. His remarks never got published because they were superseded by the annoucement, but they're still relevant now, I think:
"Though we are instructed by the Lord of Life to declaim His good news of salvation from the rooftops," he said, "we are also instructed not to pester those who do not wish to hear His message, but to shake their dust quietly off our feet and move on. So there will be no crowing triumphalism from us, and, however much of a publicity coup it might appear to be if the Traditional Anglicans were to rejoin the one household of the faith while Christ's Vicar on Earth was here in Britain, in my opinion neither the See of Westminster nor the Holy See would do anything to encourage that timing, precisely because it would pointlessly hurt those who are not yet ready to walk with us once again towards the Light."
Looking ahead to the Pope's visit and how it might help bring people back to the Church, he said:
"I have not the slightest doubt that what he says in the UK will have a similarly electrifying effect not only on Catholics but also on those who have begun to think that they can no longer be our separated brethren, but must once again be one with us. I pray that they, and all Christians of goodwill, will be reunited as soon and as completely as possible with the Church that Christ founded, to whose first bishops He said, "He that heareth you heareth Me."
Photo: Christopher Monckton
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