Recently in Anglicanism Category

Religion scholar Martin Marty's latest Sightings column focuses on the big Anglican-Catholic news of last week. An excerpt:

"Some of the only half-gruntled Anglicans have uttered some "not-so-fast!" or "count-me-out!" cautions. As one leader among them reminded, "there was a Reformation, you remember," as he spoke for those who knew that being received by Rome, even with gestures that would allow Anglican converts some liturgical and traditional free range, still demands a great doctrinal gulp. Converts would have to accept papal infallibility and, with it, the infallible doctrine (1950) of the bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin and other teachings which long offended non-Roman Catholics."

If you missed the news yesterday, the Vatican is going to allow flocks of Anglo-Catholics to enter the Church of Rome, while retaining elements of their own rites, music and tradition. Some follow-ups and reaction today:

-- The invitation extends to married clergy, so some church-watchers are wondering whether more people in the Roman Catholic Church will begin entertaining the possibility of married Catholic priests.

-- Because of a qualifier in the celibacy clause, some potential converts might be turned off by the idea.

What do you think? Anglican-Catholic conversions aren't new, but could this move hurt relations between the churches?

The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is considering whether to reunite with its neighbor, the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

A resolution at the Pittsburgh diocesan convention later this month would call for a committee to study "the potential long-term impact of such reunion on the financial and administrative resources of the two dioceses," according to the Episcopal News Service:

What is now the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania was carved out of the Pittsburgh diocese in the early 20th century and called the Diocese of Erie. ... The Pittsburgh resolution's explanation notes (that) "In what was the Diocese of Erie (now the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania), there has been a significant decline of population. In the Diocese of Pittsburgh the Episcopal Church itself has experienced unprecedented change following the 'realignment' and departure from the Episcopal Church of many clergy and congregations."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, said Monday the church may have to accept a "two-tier" model for the worldwide Communion, in which believers can hold different opinions about gay clergy and same-sex unions, the AP reports.

Rowan Williams wrote on his Web site Monday that there are "two styles of being Anglican" and that both sides should work together to maintain unity. Read more at the jump.

Lots of news out of the Episcopal convention in Anaheim, Calif., this week, where church members declared gays and lesbians eligible for "any ordained ministry" Tuesday -- a move likely to disappoint world Anglican leaders who wanted the U.S. church to forbid consecrating another gay bishop.

The Rev. Canon David W. Lovelace of the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist in York is attending the church's General Convention, which is a once-every-three-years legislative assembly. It concludes Friday.

Follow Lovelace's updates from the convention here.

Other members of the delegation from the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania are posting daily updates on the diocese's Middle Pew blog.

Father Cutié has decided to join the Episcopal Church, the Miami Herald is reporting.

You might recall the Rev. Alberto Cutié (KOO'-tee-ay) was removed from his Miami Beach church after photos of him kissing and embracing a woman appeared in the pages of a Spanish-language magazine earlier this month.

The popular Miami priest and media personality, who has the nickname "Padre Oprah" for his relationship advice, says he is leaving the Catholic Church and joining the Episcopalians.

Episcopalians in the Diocese of Northern Michigan recently elected a controversial new bishop, who has been criticized by some for challenging long-accepted teachings on sin, salvation and the the crucifixion. He's also received a Buddhist lay ordination.

The Rev. Kevin G. Thew Forrester denies that Satan exists, doesn't believe God sent Jesus to die for the world's sins and teaches that many paths lead to spiritual salvation. He's also altered the denomination's prayer book, which include its baptismal vows and the words of the Apostles' Creed. Read an interview he did with Frank Lockwood.

Church watchers say Forrester might be the first bishop-elect to be rejected by the House of Bishops since the 1930s. Under the canons of the Episcopal Church, the election of any bishop must be ratified by a majority of both the bishops and standing committees of other Episcopal dioceses.