If the Anglican communion reunited with Rome, what would happen to female clerics?
I am not suggesting this will happen...before you get irate with me, it's just a dream I have. All Catholics would love to welcome back our Anglican brothers and sisters.
They already petitioned Rome for unification 400,000 of them.. These problems are being worked out,But they will have to conform to the teachings of the Catholic Church or be denied..
I'm sure that would be one of the problems of the two ever getting back together. if this bizarre scenario did play out, I'm thinking the women who are currently clerics would be able to remain clerics in their parishes. There are a very small number of Catholic priests who are married, so I'm using that as a precedent. Specifically, Eastern Rite Catholics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Catholic_Churches#Clerical_celibacy
Currently there is Anglican clergy in talks with the Vatican to converting, these are the ones not happy with where the Anglican Church is going under the direction of the current Arc Bishop. I cannot see a reunification of the whole Anglican Church in the near Future but like you as a Catholic I would like to see that day.
Well, sadly, if the current Pope has his way - they would all be 're-assigned' to other positions. Good news is that the new Pope wants to restore all the masses to Latin...so maybe they can be teachers? Not trying to be offensive, just don't understand how the Bible can make it SO clear that women can and did hold positions of leadership in the early church - and the church that took over, has decided that because they are women, they are not qualified to lead. Guess it comes down to who is right.....G-d, or the church?
Considering that married clergy from other denominations are now Catholic priests, I suspect that women Anglican priests would be accepted into the Church, as well. Whether they would be allowed to function fully as priests or would be 'reduced' to the rank of deacon is something that would have to be determined at the time.
And yes, I would love to welcome our Anglican brothers and sisters in Christ back Home to Rome.
i believe that if it got to that point - they would maintain their positions but they would be a different level. i don't want to sound as horrible as that does but....there would be duties that would not befall them. i don't believe they should be "defrocked" but rather, as married clergy are presently - welcomed openly.
Good Question,Where I am, we are talking about the future of the Mass, as seen in some countries, they have a priest consecrate the Eucharist,maybe once a month and the laity do the mass.This was one option.But I think it would be great if the Anglican woman priests could take on this role, then we are still having an ordained minister to perform the Holy Mass.
I'm guessing here, but there is precedent from when the church allowed married priests to convert and keep their positions. My best guess is that they would be allowed to retain their positions, but would be denied any possibility of promotion.
My small little part of the ACA is one of the ones in talks with the Vatican, so I am hopeful. We always pray for the unity of "all those who profess and call themselves Christians." :-)
If the Anglican communion reunited with Rome, what would happen to female clerics?
