Archbishop of Canterbury's Thoughts on Anglicanorum Coeitibus

Angry Protestant, Ruth Gledhill of The Times has covered the Easter thoughts of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. Speaking on the Ordinarite for traditional Anglicans to convert to the Catholic Faith, the Archbishop said, "God bless them. I don't."

The Archbishop of Canterbury made the comments during an interview with Andrew Marr for the BBC Radio 4 programme Start the Week, to be broadcast on Monday. He is also said to have maligned the already much maligned and ailing Catholic Church in Ireland as having 'lost all its credibility".

Two thoughts spring to mind. Firstly, it is hardly surprising that Anglicans who convert under the Ordinarite don't have Dr Williams's personal blessing, though it would be wonderful if he recognised that these men and women were embracing 'the fullness of truth' and that the Holy Spirit was leading them into it. He cannot see this or accept this, since he is leader of the Anglican Communion, but perhaps he hasn't considered that this offer made generously by the Holy Father is also available to him. It's a bit like when a footballer playing for Leyton Orient gets an offer to go to Liverpool. The fans are furious and disappointed that he's leaving, but deep down, they know it was the best move for him. They begrudge him, but they know its in his best interests. I mean, why stay at Leyton Orient when you can play for a club with such a rich and Glorious Heritage?

Secondly, while the Catholic Church in Ireland is indeed suffering greatly from the uncovering of clerical sins during 'the abuse years', perhaps the Archbishop of Canterbury needs to be reminded that, what with having opened Pandora's Box on women priests, women bishops and openly gay clergy and bishops, on top of being leader of a church founded upon the whim of a randy, bloodthirsty old king, the Anglican Communion is suffering something of a 'credibility' crisis of its own. I mean, in order for a Church to lose 'credibility', it helps to have had some in the first place.

Both of Ruth Gledhill's two articles in The Times today are nasty propagandist affairs all round. Check out this quote from one of them:

'There is no doubt that the older generation of Catholics in Rome believes that the Church is being persecuted. The younger generation, however, believes that the Church must take responsibility for its past sins and clean up its act.'

So, Ruth, elderly Catholics in Rome (the Pope?) believes the Church is being persecuted. Everyone else agrees with you?

Ruth. I'm 32. I don't agree with you. The Church has taken responsibility for its past sins and it has cleaned up its act. To be a child in the Church now is probably the safest place in the World to be, thanks to the rigorous child protection reforms now in place, no doubt thanks in no small part to Pope Benedict XVI.

Have a happy and holy Easter all! We have much to celebrate tonight and for the next Octave. Not only do we celebrate Christ's being Raised from the Dead, but The Times is to begin charging for the joy of reading the most anti-Catholic online rag in Britain. Good luck to The Times, since we know they aren't a-changin' and many, many people who read it now, won't be a-buyin'!