The past several days have seen the publication of several very important documents from Archbishop John Hepworth, Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC). Now that the CDF has formally responded to the TAC bishops and vicars general, the Primate has issued a statement acknowledging this response, the October 2007 "Portsmouth Letter" by which the TAC appealed to the Holy See for full, corporate reunion, and a lengthy Pastoral Letter to the faithful of the TAC around the world.
As the staff of The Anglo-Catholic has been known to produce content at a rate of sometimes ten articles a day, content drops off the front page rather quickly and these documents oughtn't be missed!
- Statement of Archbishop Hepworth on Response from Holy See
- Text of the TAC Petition to the Holy See
- "On the Gathering of Anglicans"
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We continue in prayer, longing to be together at Table!
The work you have invested into the Body of Christ, for your sakes, for ours, and for His, astounds the heart and mind.
I am very surprised that there has not been more commentary about this. People feel free to go on and on about idle things that will come to nothing, but when the really important letter comes – Archbishop Hepworth's pastoral letter detailing his reactions and what is going on, everyone is fairly quiet. Why? Lack of perspective, I suppose.
The letter is beautiful – thank you Archbishop Hepworth. There is much for reflection in the letter.
Just to pick one passage:
"What of those who are not yet ready to make this decision?
I have been discussing this question with national groups of our bishops and with some of those whom Catholic Bishops Conferences have appointed to liaise with us. There is no time limit on the acceptance of this Constitution. It is designed to have a lifetime of centuries. Some people are ready and anxious to move now; others are seeking more time for prayer and reflection. Others are confused by the surge of public argument about the Constitution. We are committed to the pastoral care of all our people, those who will quickly move into full communion and those who are not yet ready. We are already discussing the structures for this. The Traditional Anglican Communion will not disappear, but will endure for the same purpose that it was created to fulfil, and which is so clearly described in the text of our petition."
My personal reaction to this is great relief. It is clear that there are those within our bodies that will have none of this, and will do everything possible to attack and destroy these Godly developments.
The fact that the bishops understand this and are working on an op-out plan for the protestants is very welcome. There is a potential for a war in most every TAC church, and the fact that the adults are working out a way to avoid that is most reassuring.
I think the idea of going in waves is great – the most enthusiastic can go first and set the tone and course of the ordinariates. They will show the others that there is nothing to be afraid of and that yes this will work! Moreover, the continuity will be stronger than the discontinuity.
In this way the fear of the unknown will be overcome and will prepare the way for the more cautious.
Thank you bishops! You have shown yourselves worthy of the trust we put in you.