Catholic World News

How many Anglicans will enter? October 22, 2009

Anglican Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria, the most prominent of that continent's Anglican leaders, says that he is "still weighing the implications of the Vatican's offer." His response will be a crucial test for the Pope's plan, since he leads the world's largest and most robust Anglican community.

A spokesman for the traditionalist Anglican group Forward in Faith predicts that up to 1,000 priests will enter the Catholic Church under the terms of the apostolic constitution-- although he cautions that no one has seen the document yet.

Source(s): these links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

• Africa's Anglicans Weigh Vatican Offer (Wall Street Journal)
• Pope’s Anglican Move May Prompt ‘Flood’ of Converts, Group Says (Bloomberg)
• Realistic Expectations about Anglicans ("On the News," 10/21)

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• Posted by: John J Plick - Oct. 23, 2009 8:12 AM ET USA

  "How many Anglicans will enter?" The correct answer is, NONE OF OUR BUSINESS... The next time somebody stares at you when you are making a personal decision see if you appreciate it. It demonstrates a profound lack of humility on our part.

• Posted by: jere3812 - Oct. 22, 2009 10:59 PM ET USA

  If Akinola is part of the same Anglican group that sued the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado trying to retain possession of Grace Church and St. Stephens Parish in Colorado Springs, the Holy Father would do well to keep him and them at arms distance. Akinola has embraced a defrocked priest who has more financial and criminal problems than you can shake a stick at. Curiosity seekers can read all about it in Colorado Springs The Gazette newspaper archives. Mark Barna was the reporter covering it.

• Posted by: New Sister - Oct. 22, 2009 3:20 PM ET USA

  Anglicans who require "favorable" terms and conditions to revert to full union with The Church fundamentally lack faith, or understanding, or both. It is like many Catholics I know today who do not leave their invalid "marriage" situations due to social/financial inconvenience.

• Posted by: New Sister - Oct. 22, 2009 11:16 AM ET USA

  I am baffled by the quote in the Bloomberg article from the Anglican leader, “It could well be a flood, provided the terms and conditions are favorable”...terms and conditions? Do they understand they are not valid priests otherwise? What condition or term could hold back a man of faith from selling everything to buy this field? To feed his sheep?