Bishop Robert William Duncan of the Anglican Church in North America responded in a blog posting at the StandFirmInFaith.com website on the announcement by the Vatican of provisions in canon law that would allow full communion in the Catholic Church to Anglicans who dissent from modern rulings in the Anglican Communion that have allowed the ordination of women as priests and their consecration as bishops. The Vatican will allow Anglicans to retain aspects of their liturgy and spirituality, as well as incorporate married ordained priests.
Wrote Bishop Duncan, "We rejoice that the Holy See has opened this doorway, which represents another step in the growing cooperation and relationship between our Churches. This significant decision represents a recognition of the integrity of the Anglican tradition within the broader Christian church."
While we believe that this provision will not be utilized by the great majority of the Anglican Church in North America’s bishops, priests, dioceses and congregations, we will surely bless those who are drawn to participate in this momentous offer."
We concurrently thank God for the partnership that orthodox Anglicans have long enjoyed with the Roman Catholic Church, and are profoundly grateful for the many acts of kindness shown on local, diocesan and national levels, as they have stood with us in our time of trial".
While our historic differences over church governance, dogmas regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary and the nature of Holy Orders continue to be points of prayerful dialogue, we look forward to an ever deepening partnership with the Catholic Church throughout the world. We pledge our earnest prayers for all those touched by this initiative, as we look forward to the publication of the Apostolic Constitution detailing today’s announcement."
The Most Rev. Robert Wm. Duncan
Archbishop and Primate, Anglican Church in North America
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (Anglican)
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