Anglican Leader Notes Positives in New Ordinariates

(November 20, 2010) The leader of the Anglican Communion says there are positive aspects in the creation of ordinariates within the Catholic Church for Anglican faithful who wish to be in full communion with Rome. Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury made this affirmation Thursday in the Vatican, where he had a private meeting with Pope Benedict XVI. The Anglican leader was in Rome for the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Archbishop Williams commented on the resignation this month of five Anglican bishops who plan to avail of the stipulations in Pope Benedict XVI's apostolic constitution "Anglicanorum Coetibus" and be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. "Obviously my reaction to the resignations is one of regret, but I respect" their decision, he told Vatican Radio. "I know the considerations they faced, in particular the two who were my suffragans," he added. "We have talked, we have worked and we have separated with prayers and blessings." Archbishop Williams acknowledged challenges that will arise as Anglicans leave the Communion for the Church: He pointed to the issue of shared church buildings, as well as the challenge of "the advice we must give as Anglicans," and parishes that will be without priests. In an audience Thursday with the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the Pope confirmed the Catholic Church's commitment to the search for unity with Anglicans and other Christian confessions.