Unlike the more tightly controlled Catholic Church, Anglican churches in Africa are largely autonomous, operating with a level of freedom that they wouldn't likely enjoy under Rome's fold.

Archbishop Peter Akinola, head of the Church of Nigeria, and the spiritual leader of Africa's 40 million Anglicans, is "still weighing the implications of the Vatican's offer" and is consulting with colleagues, according to an aide reached by telephone Wednesday.

For all I know, he did persuade Cardinal Kasper, head of the Pontifical Council, that it wasn't a good idea. But this particular portfolio was taken out of Kasper's hands a long time ago; indeed, it looks as if the cardinal was simply "informed" what was happening by the CDF.

The professional ecumenists on both sides had decades to get this right. They screwed it up. So now Pope Benedict has opened up another route to unity: a high-speed bypass.

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We rejoice that the Holy Father intends now to set up structures within the Church which respond to this heartfelt longing. Forward in Faith has always been committed to seeking unity in truth and so warmly welcomes these initiatives as a decisive moment in the history of the Catholic Movement in the Church of England. Ut unum sint.

The Bishop of Fulham, the Rt Rev John Broadhurst, of the traditionalist group Forward in Faith, said: "We rejoice that the Holy Father intends now to set up structures within the Church which respond to this heartfelt longing.