25/10/2013 00:00
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by RAY FLEMING
ONE observer ventured the opinion yesterday that the impact of the Pope's initiative would be as great as that of the Reformation in the 16th century. While that is probably going too far, there is no doubt that the Vatican's announcement of a new structure by which Anglicans may enter the Roman Catholic Church will have a profound effect on the Anglican Church. Tens of thousands of Anglicans may choose to become Catholics.

There are two aspects to Pope Benedict's initiative. One is an arrangement by which Anglicans dissatisfied with the idea of women bishops and homosexual clergy will be able to move to Catholicism through provisions that have been practised in the United States for some years and that, for instance, enable married Anglican clergy to be ordained as Roman Catholic priests without the requirement of celibacy. The other aspect is the way in which this initiative was taken. The Archbishop of Canterbury was given the detail of what is intended only last weekend. At a hurriedly-called joint press conference with the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Rowan Williams insisted, “It is not an act of aggression, It is not a statement of no confidence. It is business as usual.” Few will agree with him. The Vatican has responded to approaches by many dissilusioned Anglicans but has done so with scant regard for ecumenism. The Pope's visit to Britain next year takes on a new significance.