Anglican Agonies

Last updated on: June 7, 2009 at 7:57 pm by Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Anglican Agonies 2009-06-07T19:57:00-05:00 Fr. Dwight Longenecker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Let me speak from the heart. I was an Anglican for fifteen years: for most of that time I was an Anglican in England, first a theological student, then a priest. My visit this weekend to Church of the Atonement, San Antonio, made me feel nostalgic for those days, and for the great traditions of the Anglican Church.

When I go on to the Anglo-Catholic blogs like Anglican Wanderings and others I feel even more nostalgia for the Anglican Church and all its many treasures. Not only do I feel nostalgia for the fine buildings, the exquisite choral tradition, the hearty and glorious hymns and the quaint customs. I also feel nostalgia for the people. It is easy for me to poke fun at the typical Anglican liberal with his goofy views and gooey theology. However, I realize that there are many Anglicans spread now throughout Anglicanism and the various Anglican breakaway groups who only wish to remain faithful to ‘Mere Christianity’ and wish to preserve the historic Christian faith.

In visiting Church of the Atonement, I was saddened at how few Anglicans have taken advantage of the Vatican’s offer within the Pastoral Provision. The Catholic Church has said, “Have your own liturgy, have your own buildings, have married priests.” Only a handful of Anglican clergy and people (it seems) have even considered the possibility. What does this say about the Anglican’s goodwill and ecumenical intent?

I realize the Anglican Use is not allowed in England, but would many more Anglicans really have taken advantage of it if it were? I doubt it. I don’t know what has kept more Anglicans from responding positively here in the United States. Perhaps it is what would have to be sacrificed to make it go. Fr Phillips went with a wife and three young children across the country and was offered a mere $1,000.00 a month. On this he was to support his family, start a church and minister full time. He went to minister to just 18 people at first.

This is what would be required: to step out in faith and do something new. To step out and be prepared to risk all, to work hard, to be misunderstood and to trust God totally. That sort of heroic faith is hard to come by.

Nevertheless, whether they come and pioneer the Anglican Use as Fr Phillips has done, and as has been done in a handful of other places in the US, or whether they come, leaving all to join the Catholic Church with no conditions–as Fr Jeffrey Steel has done this weekend–these faithful men and their courageous wives and families must be welcomed with open arms, with generous hearts and with willing response of faith.

The convert clergy bring great gifts to the Catholic Church, but they also receive much. I can say from my own experience that even the smallest step of faith yields a rich harvest over time.

What is the greatest thing any non-Catholic can do to further Church unity? The answer is simple: become a Catholic. As they bring their gifts, their faith, their enthusiasm and their love for Christ and his Church they will bring others and the cascade of graces will continue to overflow–blessing them, their families, their church and the whole Church of Christ.

This cascade of blessings will also come with a whole raft of difficulties, sacrifices and agonies, but these also are only a part of the greater blessings which are in store. For those who faithfully take the step the blessings will be abundant and will come in more mysterious and moving ways than you can yet imagine.

My encouragement to Jeffrey and any others who may be paying attention is this: Launch out into the deep. The Savior is calling you to do some serious wave walking. Step out of the boat. He will not fail you, and as you step out, remember that it was Peter who did this before you and it is he that you choose to follow all the way home.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

June 7, 2009

The Vicar on Buddhist Bishops

Next Post

June 8, 2009 The Protestant Mentality

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Anglican Matters Apologetics Architecture Blobble Study Book Reviews Brideshead Caitlin O'Rourke Catholic Art Catholic Culture Church Politics Chust for Nice Contemporary Culture Duane Mandible Ed Blanch Film Reviews Fr Harvey Nicolaitan Frank Viola Mantilla the Hon More Christianity Mrs Brady Catholic Old Lady Mystery of the Magi Norman Anderson Queen Hillary Saints and Supernatural Spirituality The Inklings The Vicar Theology Todd Unctuous Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz