The Vatican and married ex-Anglicans: how far will Rome go?

by Damian Thompson
Damian Thompson is Blogs Editor of the Telegraph Media Group
http://tinyurl.com/ye3bdm4
November 1, 2009

Following Cardinal Levada's "clarification" of the Ordinariate plan yesterday, which touched on the ordination of married ex-Anglicans without giving much away, I've been sent an expert commentary by a priest who is an old hand at interpreting Vatican documents. I found it helpful (though not encouraging for Anglicans who hope that the Latin Church is about to sweep away its 1,000-year-old celibacy rule). Note my contact's references to the sensitive subjects of Anglican priests in second marriages and those who were born Catholics.

On the subject of the "irregularities" that might impede ordination mentioned by Cardinal Levada, the priest writes:

"Irregularities or other impediments" could include the fact that an Anglican bishop, being married, is impeded from being ordained a bishop according to Catholic/Orthodox practice. Also, an Anglican cleric in a marriage not recognized by the Catholic Church (such as a second marriage while first spouse is living) is impeded entirely from ordination unless at a future date the marital status is resolved. You can bet former Catholic priests now functioning as Anglican priests will also be considered to have "impediments or irregularities" (i.e., a promise of celibacy they took when Catholic) that will be difficult to overcome in order to again function as Catholic priests. I suppose, too, after this comes into force, a Catholic who left, became Anglican, was ordained, and wanted to come back as a Catholic priest would face special scrutiny (e.g. did he leave as an infant or as a 20 year old trying "to game the system").

The priest goes on to talk about the ordination of future married seminarians:

The issue will be worked out for those coming over from Anglicanism while already in the seminary–or as deacons who have been anticipating ordination to the priesthood. Right now they might allow dispensations rather freely. In years to come I suspect none will be granted for members of the ordinariate, but they might still make some exceptions for future converts coming from Anglicanism. Again, those candidates with marriage situations, past history as Catholic clerics, or Catholics who became Anglicans will face particular scrutiny.

So Anglican traditionalists hoping that the Ordinariate will incorporate Uniate-style provisions for married priests will be disappointed, it seems. On the other hand, given that this is a matter of discipline rather than dogma, the long-term future may hold some surprises.

But to go back to what I said the other day: the success of the Ordinariate will not depend on how many Anglo-Catholics "come over", but on how successfully and imaginatively it meets the spiritual needs of those who do. If the Ordinariate, drawing on Anglican traditions admired by Benedict XVI, is able to establish just a few parishes where the Pope's ideals of worship are properly implemented, then the whole Church in this country could be drawn into liturgical revival.

END