It has often been said that “fact is stranger than fiction.” This past week, as I opened Wednesday morning’s New York Times, I discovered just that in the front-page headline, “Vatican Plan to Oversee Conversion of Anglicans.” Newsday put it more simply, “Vatican seeks to lure disaffected Anglicans.” Perhaps the best headline wasn’t a headline at all. Mike Luckovich, Pulitzer Prize cartoonist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, penned a cartoon with the Pope motioning a couple of Anglicans to a very long pew. He is saying, “Folks, what’ll it take for me to put you in this roomy 2009 Catholic pew??…”
In case you missed the news, here’s the story in a nutshell. The Vatican, recognizing that a few individuals in the Anglican Communion are upset with the perceived liberalization of the church, has put forward a proposal to allow these Anglicans (Episcopalians), including deacons, priests and bishops, to be received into the Roman Catholic Church, maintain much of their beloved Anglican liturgical traditions and, the shocker, to allow priests who are married to remain married – thus perhaps opening the way to a married Roman Catholic priesthood (this practice has been happening in much smaller ways over the past few years).
I have long believed that no individual should be in a faith community that she/he does not feel spiritually fed in. St. Jude’s has received many individuals from other traditions, including the Roman Catholic Church, due to such a reason. However, the actions of Rome sadden me more than perceived rejoicing at their opening of doors.
In this bold action, Rome is arguing that our Anglican Communion’s move into welcoming and affirming all of God’s children, including women (deacons, priests and bishops), divorced individuals, the GLBT community, and those who question, is the wrong thing and, in turn, anti-Christ. Yet, the more we, as a Communion and as a parish welcome these individuals and all who might feel like an outcast, the more evident the Holy Spirit’s work is. Without a doubt God works and moves through all and in our Church and all of these are welcome.
I pray for Rome in its move to maintain and expand an ever-more orthodox faith. I pray for those who find more comfort in such a setting. However, in the midst of these prayers, I continue to pray and give thanks to the Holy Spirit for showing us that welcoming all as Christ welcomes us is not only a Biblical mandate, but a blessing.