So, according to recent reports [here] the Pope's offer, say senior Anglicans, was an 'insensitive takeover bid.'
Obviously we have to repeat this until we are blue in the face: the Pope's offer in Anglicanorum Coetibus was itself a response to a desperate plea for help and sanctuary from Anglican Catholics. The initiative came from the Anglican side.
It is to Pope Benedict's credit that he was not prepared to emulate these same "senior Anglicans" and give his spiritually and now ecclesially homeless brothers and sisters in Christ a stone instead of bread.
The generosity of the Roman Catholic Church, coupled with the heartless indifference (some would say naked hostility) of Anglican bishops and synodical majorities towards Anglo-Catholic traditionalists, has caused many of us to think again about the nature of the communion of which we are a part.
So, exactly on whose part is the insensitivity?
Who has shown the greater pastoral heart, and who has shown himself to be the true shepherd of the flock of Christ entrusted to his charge?
To be completely honest the Cof E is to blame for losing its members.
ReplyDeleteSynod has forced anglo catholics out so it is not as if his Holiness is poaching.
Unfortunately though Synod seems to have it in for our old friend Pope Benedict so you never know what they're going to come out with next!
Not to worry, Divine Providence is at hand:
ReplyDeleteHe hath shewed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.