...should the Vatican decide for the TAC and it could prove to be deliverance for traditional Anglo-Catholics in America, heretofore trapped in the apostate Episcopal Church...

What “traditional” Anglo-catholics trapped in TEC? They all left already. I mean, you’re here now; who’s left? Anyone in TEC who’s gonna pope has done so already. All that’s left are those who’ll huff and puff and then sit back down.

... and, eventually, for Anglo-Catholics everywhere...

This might prove true but I don’t think anyone will decide to come over because of what happens to the TAC. The thing that’ll make any Anglo-catholics go to Rome are things like WO which already drove large numbers of Church of England clergy into the Catholic Church and will do so again now that they’re gonna start “ordaining” lady-bishes.

Only the complete dashing of the vain hope of corporate reunion by things like WO will convince Rome-minded Anglicans of the Dix-sort. Those who currently don’t want to go to Rome still won’t, no matter how bad the AC gets. Even if the TAC is admitted en-mass the restrictions and limitations will be too much for the delicate sensibilities of most Anglicans. “How dare they not give me everything I want! I’ll show them, I won’t join until they let me (insert contrary-to-Tradition Anglican practice; e.g. marriage AFTER ordination).”

Anything short of complete capitulation by Rome to the petulant demands of the still-protesting Anglicans will not suffice because in the end Anglicans are Protestants. Rome will never set up a sui juris Anglican-rite with its own bishops. Rome will never say Anglican orders are valid and not require (at least conditional) “re”-ordination of convert Anglican clergy. Even amongst those Anglican clergy who are catholic-minded, having to admit that their orders are invalid will be an insurmountable psychological hurdle for most.

Also, I think the real reason for so few Anglican-use parishes is that there simply weren’t enough TEC parishes that actually converted en-mass. The way most “conservative” TEC parish break-ups has occurred (by my observation) is that 50% are too apathetic to care; 10% lament and decry what’s happing to their “beloved Episcopal Church” yet remain in TEC; 10% complain and shout but they too remain; and 30% split to form a new parish under a GC bishop ‘cause they’re Protestants.

James G
James G | 06.12.08 - 5:39 pm | #