Anglican leaders rap Pope during Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

January 24, 2011

During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, several prominent leaders of the Church of England have broken away from the ecumenical theme to protest the establishment of an ordinariate to provide pastoral care for Anglicans entering the Catholic Church.

Pope Benedict’s invitation to Anglicans was “a little like a takeover bid in some broader power play of church politics,” charged Canon Giles Fraser, during an ecumenical service at the Catholic cathedral at Westminster. He said that the Pope’s invitation had a “slightly predatory feel.”

Anglican Bishop Christopher Hill of Guildford, the top ecumenical official of the Church of England, agreed, saying that the Pope was guilty of an “insensitive act.” He added that he was sure most English Catholic bishops were uncomfortable with the Pope’s decision.

Anglican Bishop John Saxbee of Lincoln added that the establishment of the ordinariate had been a setback to ecumenical ties. “Fence-mending will need to be done,” he said.

 

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Further information:

• Pope's offer was an 'insensitive takeover bid', say senior Anglicans (Daily Telegaph)