Vatican issues rules for accommodating disaffected Anglicans
On November 9, 2009, the Vatican issued a press release, as well as other documents detailing how the Roman Catholic Church can establish a full-communion relationship with Anglican groups that have asked to maintain elements of their Anglican identity while becoming Roman Catholics. (See Pittsburgh Update story here on the October announcement that the Vatican would accommodate such groups.) A brief statement has been issued by the Church of England. National Catholic Reporter provides an initial analysis here, and more commentary should be forthcoming from both Roman Catholic and Anglican groups in the coming days. Religion correspondent Ruth Gledhill of The Times suggests that the Vatican plan is generous indeed.Apparently, the first Anglican group to accept the Vatican’s offer of a Personal Ordinariate is the Traditional Anglican Communion in the U.K. (See story here.) The Traditional Anglican Communion is not in communion with the Anglican Communion.
More on Ugandan anti-homosexuality bill
Uganda’s proposed anti-homosexuality bill continues to cause controversy. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Pink News reports a statement from the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office expressing concern about the bill. Thinking Anglicans, which has published a number of posts about the Ugandan legislation, has posted a press release from the Church of Uganda asserting that the church has not yet expressed an opinion on the bill. The press release makes it clear, however, that the Church of Uganda strongly opposes both the death penalty and homosexuality. Human rights activists cannot be encouraged by the quotation from Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi in the statement: “I am appalled to learn that the rumours we have heard for a long time about homosexual recruiting in our schools and amongst our youth are true. I am even more concerned that the practice is more widespread than we originally thought. It is the duty of the church and the government to be watchmen on the wall and to warn and protect our people from harmful and deceitful agendas.”Episcopalians identify goals
A survey of Episcopalians conducted by a strategic planning committee established by the church’s Executive Council has identified five goals for The Episcopal Church. In order, those goals are- Reaching youth and young adults
- Evangelism/Proclaiming the Good News of Christ
- Worship, music and liturgy
- Leadership
- Strengthening congregations