Why are applications to be ordained in the English Ordinariate being referred to the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith? It is because of the very high incidence of homosexuality (and also of various theological eccentricities and political extremities, but mostly it is about the homosexuality) among Anglo-Catholic clergy.
Both of the homosexually inclined men raised to the purple in George Carey's time, both of whom were in his Province, came from the Forward in Faith constituency. One of them is still in office, and he is still cohabiting with his very long-term male partner. A Forward in Faith lay member of the General Synod until 2007, and still a figure of note in such circles, actually gave his male partner's vicarage as his own address in The Church of England Year Book. Among the most prominent clerical figures known to be about to join the Ordinariate is one whom the late Michael Vasey once described to me as "outrageous", opining that "I don't agree with outing, but some people are asking for it".
Bluntly, that looks like the reason to have an Ordinariate in England, since it is impossible to see any other: to preserve, as the Act of Synod and the absence of women bishops previously did, a subculture defined by theological eccentricity, by political extremism, but above all by homosexuality. That was what killed the Roman Option last time. As Cardinal Hume said, "I can cope with married priests or celibate priests, but not those in between". A generation later, here they come again, "those in between".
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That is absurd. All the files of all Anglican converts get sent to the CDF, along with those of other denominations. It is the same system in the US and Australia too.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid you come across as ignorant and bigoted.
This is destructive, untrue and unfair. Forward in Faith was the first organisation in England to endorse the Kuala Lumpur Statement condemning homosexual marriage and the ordination of practising homosexuals. This was over 10 years ago. FIF in Australia and America have been in the forefront of this debate in their own countries. Of course some members are homosexual by temperament but we are united in affirming Catholic Faith and Morality.
ReplyDeleteJohn Broadhurst (ex Bishop of Fulham)
No, M. l'Abee, I'm afraid that I come across as knowing what I am talking about. A very high proportion of the FinF clerical constituency, at least, is homosexual, and a very high proportion of that genitally active.
ReplyDeleteI hope that the CDF will ask about this, about Kenoticism and the underlying surrender to Biblical criticism, about universalism, about Marxism, about ties to the Far Right, about exactly what Anglican liturgy these new clergy have ever used or now plan on using such that they cannot simply be integrated into existing diocesan structures, about whether they would ever have left the Church of England if it had made them a better offer over women bishops, and about when, where and how the English Ordinariate plans on acquiring any laypeople.