The Pope did mention Anglicanorum Coetibus in his remarks to the Roman Catholic bishops at Oscott on Sunday. He said this:
…The other matter I touched upon in February with the Bishops of England and Wales, when I asked you to be generous in implementing the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus. This should be seen as a prophetic gesture that can contribute postitively to the developing relations between Anglicans and Catholics. It helps us to set our sights on the ultimate goal of all ecumenical activity: the restoration of full ecclesial communion in the context of which the mutual exchange of gifts from our respective spiritual patrimonies serves as an enrichment to us all. Let us continue to pray and work unceasingly in order to hasten the joyful day when the goal can be accomplished.
Last Friday, the Archbishop of Canterbury gave an interview to Vatican Radio. You can read the full transcript of that at Vatican Radio Interview Archbishop after Evening Prayer with Pope Benedict XVI in Westminster Abbey.
The Tablet reported some reactions of Anglican bishops to the visit, see Anglican bishops encouraged by papal visit.
Volumes of articles have been published about John Henry Newman in the past few days, but here are just two items:
Guardian Stephen Bates John Henry Newman: An unlikely candidate for sainthood?
New York Review of Books Garry Wills Stealing Newman
‘ – “I shall drink to the Pope, if you please – still, to conscience first and to the Pope afterwards” reassures them (his audience), placing informed individual rational thought ahead of blind obedience.’ – Stephen Bates, Guardian – re John H. Newman – This was, arguably, perhaps the most important reference ever made by Cardianl Newman about his respect for personal conscience over loyalty to the Pope. And one which, no doubt, Pope Benedict was mindful of before he, himself, was raised by the Roman Curia to his present role as Pontiff. What the world is now waiting for… Read more »
Bravo Garry Wills … somebody has to speak up and say that the emperor is in fact, naked and embarrassing us all by this new clothing claim as he parades about amid throngs of noisy public admirers who prefer the bowdlerized Newman to the real, historical man. This instance drives oddly near to Dawkin’s assertion that faith must always violate and twist both common sense reason, and any/all facts so far available – in order to remain its solid gold Self … singular, untouchable by either facts or by reason. Faith as an Idol, then? Follow this way at your… Read more »
I’m sure we Anglicans could seriously consider putting Blessed John Henry Newman into our own official Kalendar of The Saints of England.
Isn’t he already there on August 11 (rather than the date Rome has chosen)?
B16: “the restoration of full ecclesial communion in the context of which the mutual exchange of gifts from our respective spiritual patrimonies serves as an enrichment to us all”
Translation: “Ecclesia Anglicana choirs keep singing lovely, while ‘We’ Infallibly/ Omnipotently Rule them!”
Dream on, Joe…
Umm, yes. Anglican, following tradition, the day of his death; Roman (somewhat a poke in the eye, what?), the day of his reception into the Roman communion.
What date has Rome chosen ? Did they not know of the August date ? Bit of a cheek.
Lies and more damned lies. As Prof Diarmaid MacCulloch said on BBC Radio 4 last Sunday – the Popes claim that “secularist and aggressive atheists” are attacking the heart of Christian Europe is “code” for – Despite everything I say Homosexuals are claiming their human rights to: life, a family and marriage eight the way across Europe!! This is politics – and politics as only the Vatican can play it. The sad face of all this is that the spin, lies, racism and homophobia we hear being peddled – comes alongside a call to Holiness – and it reveals the… Read more »
In a sense I agree with a lot that Martin says ..I believe the Vatican should be far more explicit in what they are condemning. The whole lovey dovey approach with Archbishop Rowan Williams stinks to me of rank hypocrisy and double speak. However what grieves me..is to have the Papal message ( albeit nuanced ) undermined by the English hierarchy. Furthermore I am saddened when I see Newman hi–jacked by the theological liberals. Yes he did feel that to proclaim papal infallibility would be a masiteke, ewhen Vatican One convened. However he wholeheratedly assented to it , when it… Read more »
The Tablet says the October date was chosen to enable universities with Newman Centres to celebrate during the university session, not during the long vac in August……
Of course Martin and Diarmaid have made the correct analysis. As I pointed out the Pope spoke Vaticanese and Latin but not English.
Whilst I do not believe his message is evil, as a Catholic faithful to Magisterium , I ask why are his comments so nuanced.
That is why I felt the Russian Orthodox Metropolitan who visited Lambeth was far more forthright.
To me the Pope kissing Rowan, and not being really open about difficulties is totally baffling.
“I ask why are his comments so nuanced”
Because intelligent Roman Catholicism is nuanced. Always has been.
“Whilst I do not believe his message is evil, as a Catholic faithful to Magisterium , I ask why are his comments so nuanced. That is why I felt the Russian Orthodox Metropolitan who visited Lambeth was far more forthright. To me the Pope kissing Rowan, and not being really open about difficulties is totally baffling.”
I know, RIW, I know. I too fail to understand why the church hierarchy so often lacks the wisdom and depth of faith to agree with me. If only they’d ASK me first, I could save them SO much trouble…;-)
“That is why I felt the Russian Orthodox Metropolitan who visited Lambeth was far more forthright.
To me the Pope kissing Rowan, and not being really open about difficulties is totally baffling.” – Robert Ian Williams –
1. Even though the Orthodox Patriarch may have been worng! Yes, he was certainly forthright.
2. Perhaps the Pope here was more compassionate than you, Robert. A very Christian virtue.
I have to agree with Robert Ian Williams on this one.
“John Henry Newman, beatified (yesterday) by Pope Benedict in Birmingham, was held in considerable suspicion by the Catholic hierarchy of his time. It is ironic that a conservative Pope has chosen to co-opt this subtle thinker as a poster boy for his traditionalist cause. Newman famously remarked that he would “drink to the Pope if you please, still to conscience first and the Pope afterwards”. That combination of courtesy and integrity is a model for us all.’ – Jill Segert, Ekklesia – Yes. This has to be remembered – in connection with the Pope’s visit – that John Henry was… Read more »