Cardinal Wuerl: ‘We’re a little ways off’ from establishing an ordinariate
February 04, 2011
Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s delegate for the implementation of Anglicanorum Coetibus in the United States, said in a recent interview that “we’re a little ways off yet” from the establishment of a personal ordinariate of former Anglicans in the United States.
Issued in late 2009, Pope Benedict’s apostolic constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus sets forth the terms for the corporate reception of Anglicans into the Catholic Church. The document allows for the establishment of ordinariates—roughly the equivalent of non-geographical dioceses—to serve the pastoral needs of Anglicans who wish to become Catholic while preserving their own liturgical heritage.
“We’re hearing from those Anglican communities and those Anglicans who wish to explore more fully what the ordinariate will mean and who wish to be a part of it,” Cardinal Wuerl said.
“Questionnaires have gone out asking them to identify more clearly who they are and what the nature is of their current community,” he added. “The goal is to determine whether there is a response substantial enough to warrant the establishment of an ordinariate here in the US.”
“Our next step now is to have the Holy See determine whether there are sufficient numbers and sufficient response to establish an ordinariate.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Catholic Church querying US Anglicans for possible ordinariate (CNA)
- Archbishop Wuerl will head efforts in US to welcome Anglicans into Catholic Church (CWN, 9/23/10)
- Anglicanorum Coetibus
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: dover beachcomber -
Feb. 24, 2011 11:33 PM ET USA
But I'm sure the latest Social Justice and Gay Outreach programs are moving along smartly.
-
Posted by: bkmajer3729 -
Feb. 06, 2011 11:15 PM ET USA
In fairness, I don't really know if the web was used for disseminating the questioaire or not. ...this just seems to be an approach lacking in urgency about the reality of some of our Anglican Brothers and Sisters desiring to be Catholic. Development takes time; if too much time is taken, the fertility of the soil may be lost. Doesn't the desire to be Catholic warrant a certaiin urgency about the reality and longing for God demonstrated here? ...what's the plan?
-
Posted by: bkmajer3729 -
Feb. 06, 2011 11:06 PM ET USA
With all respect for the Cardinal and for our Church, I have to ask - Questionaires? Yes we must work methoically and prayerfully but at the same time the Church leadership needs to embrace technology in the right way. This is perfect application for communication throug the web. Oh and these folks want to be Catholic! ...Questionaires?
-
Posted by: stpetric -
Feb. 04, 2011 8:18 PM ET USA
I wonder how it is that in the US we're still assessing whether there is sufficient interest to warrant an Ordinariate, while the UK Ordinariate is already up and running and the Australian Ordinariate has a timeline established. Come on!
