Archbishops relaxed over Vatican reception

Archbishops relaxed over Vatican reception

Lloyd Ashton | 23 Oct 2009
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The Archbishops of the Anglican Church here are relaxed about the Vatican’s moves to ease the way for some traditionalist Anglicans to join the Roman Catholic Church.

Archbishop David Moxon, speaking on behalf of the three Archbishops of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, said the announcements by the Vatican did not jeopardise relations between the two churches.

Furthermore, Archbishop David felt that the Vatican announcements – which include provision for married Anglican priests to continue as priests in the Catholic Church – were unlikely to lead to many applications from within this church.

The Archbishops’ statement reads:

“We endorse the remarks of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Dr Rowan Williams about the reception of some traditionalist Anglicans into the Roman Catholic Church.

“That is, we don’t believe it will harm ecumenism between our two churches and, in a way, it recognises the common ground we share over much core doctrine.

“We respect the right of those who have approached the Vatican for over 40 years now to make this move.

“However, we remain committed to the integrity and principles of our own Anglican Communion.

“We are not aware of many Anglicans in New Zealand who will, on account of this change of rules, be applying to be received into the Catholic Church.

“As Anglican Bishops, we look forward to discussing this matter further with the Catholic bishops at our approaching annual meeting.”
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