The Vatican yesterday issued the Apostolic Constitution by which new ecclesiastical structures establish personal ordinariates as a new canonical structure for the “corporate reunion” of the dissident Anglicans.
The Constitution termed Anglicanorum Coetibus paves the way for thousands of Anglicans worldwide to join the Catholic Church.
The document states that “This Apostolic Constitution opens a new avenue for the promotion of Christian unity while, at the same time, granting legitimate diversity in the expression of our common faith.”
Following the publication of the document, the Vatican issued a press release in which it stated that the move “represents not an initiative on the part of the Holy See, but a generous response from the Holy Father to the legitimate aspirations of these Anglican groups."
The Vatican press release added, “The provision of this new structure is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue, which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church.”
Reiterating the role of celibacy in the Church, the Vatican says that “According to the second Vatican Council, priestly celibacy is a sign and a stimulus for personal charity and radiantly proclaims the reign of God.”
However, the Constitution does rule that married former Anglican ministers may be ordained Catholic priests and remain married and a former Anglican bishop who belongs to the ordinariate may be invited to take part in bishops’ conference meetings but with the status of a retired bishop.
The Vatican has underlined that the possibility envisaged by the Apostolic Constitution for some married clergy within the personal ordinariates does not signify any change in the Church’s discipline of clerical celibacy.
The new ordinariates will allow the Rome-bound Anglicans “to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony”.
These personal ordinariates, led by an “ordinary”, are non-territorial dioceses within the boundaries of a national bishops’ conference but under the control of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The ordinariate has the “faculty” to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and other sacraments “according to the liturgical books proper to the Anglican tradition, which have been approved by the Holy See”.
The move comes after threats by traditionalists within the Church of England that they could leave over issues such as the consecration of women bishops and gay priests.
But the scheme had sparked accusations of secrecy on the part of the Vatican, after the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams revealed last month that he had only been informed of the plans a fortnight before they were released to the media.
His revelation promoted his predecessor Lord Carey to call on Dr Williams to complain to the Pope in person about not being consulted over the plans when he visits Rome later this month.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said: "This now makes clear the provision made by the Holy See and enables those who have made requests to the Holy See to study it in detail."
"It is important to remember that this is a response to requests made to the Holy See by Anglicans and former Anglicans from across the world.
"It is not a provision specifically for England and Wales and clearly there is much reflection to be done by all concerned."
The Anglican Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Rev Christopher Hill, said: "The Vatican response to certain requests from individuals and groups across the world does not deflect us from either the continuing mission of the Church of England in its parishes and dioceses throughout the land, or its long-standing commitment to seeking the unity of all the Churches, including the Roman Catholic Church."
