tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318946601530749054.post8806398066809190251..comments2023-08-02T15:41:21.326+01:00Comments on Ancient Richborough: Praying for Unity TodayEdwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15213363119774322096noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318946601530749054.post-53805405714621749122009-10-25T23:06:43.126+00:002009-10-25T23:06:43.126+00:00Thanks for stressing the need for prayer. Despite...Thanks for stressing the need for prayer. Despite the talk of 'ordination' rather than conditional or re-ordination, I do not think the Holy Father nor many other Catholics see our bishops and priests as quite the 'null and void' persons of Pope Leo's definition. At the FiF assambly we were reminded of the gracious way in which, at ordinations of former Anglican priests, the ordaining bishop speaks generously of their former ministry, without trying to define or limit it.Edwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15213363119774322096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318946601530749054.post-39400058819750546682009-10-25T15:57:51.893+00:002009-10-25T15:57:51.893+00:00I have a question as to the understanding of unity...I have a question as to the understanding of unity underlying the recent proposals from Rome.<br /><br />I have read them carefully and cannot see what is new in them. Years ago, when still a cardinal, Pope Benedict commented warmly about "the continuing stream of genuinely Catholic life and practice which has existed within Anglicanism throughout its history."<br /><br />However the recent offer doesn't seem to be about unity between Anglicans and Roman Catholics<br />but about making ex-Anglicans feel more at home in the Roman Catholic fold. I think it is lovely and generous gesture. <br /><br />Can you explain why this is being seen as an offer of unity? To me, as a long-term practising Anglican priest, it seems still to assume that Anglican ordinations are "completely null and void - to quote Pope Leo XIII from 1896. Surely there is no move towards unity in that, certainly when compared to the moves between the Anglican and Lutheran Churches in recent decades?<br />They do not demand a new ordination but that those of one communion officiating in the other respect its beliefs and culture and do not teach or preach contrariwise when officating in the other communion.<br /><br />Despite my question, many thanks for reminding us of the need for careful and open-minded prayer in the matter. Maybe we need a four month long kind of Novena!<br /><br />Yours sincerely,<br /><br />Ted BatyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com