Preserving the Anglican patrimony within the Catholic Church: that was one of the
ambitious goals of the Ordinariate for former Anglican clergy and faithful, set up
by Pope Benedict in November 2009 with the publication of an apostolic constitution
entitled ‘Anglicanorum Coetibus’. According to that document, members of the Ordinariate
may celebrate the sacraments and other liturgical events according to the Anglican
tradition, so as "to maintain their liturgical, spiritual and pastoral patrimony as
a precious gift …and as a treasure to be shared". But just what does that patrimony
entail? How will it be understood by disaffected Anglicans moving over to Rome? And
what effect will this have on the wider ecumenical landscape?
Canon David Richardson
is the Archbishop of Canterbury’s representative to the Vatican and director of the
Anglican centre here in Rome. Over the coming months that centre will be hosting a
series of encounters to explore the different legal, liturgical, spiritual and pastoral
aspects of the Anglican patrimony, beginning with a Colloqium on Canon Law on the
afternoon of Friday March 4th.
Philippa Hitchen spoke to Rev David Richardson
to find out more: