Hi just thought Id ask a few questions- is there a Church of England in USA? If so does anyone follow their progress?

Dr Williams at 52 the youngest Archbishop of Canterbury in modern times. What do you now about him?

He could in theory lead the Church of England for the next 20 years. He is fluent in several languages and has an Anglo Catholic backround, nearly becoming a Benedict monk at one stage. He is made it clear he wishes to break the ties the church has with the British State and Monarch as they have outlived their usefulness.

Like Basil Hume before him he is strongly orthodox on doctrine although does not support a ban on homosexual priests. Thats all Ive been able to garnish if anyone knows anything about him Id be interested. Who knows perhaps they will return to Rome one day.

ps I saw a wonderful picture of the Pope waving as he arrived in Canada in the paper, and he walked off the plane- without a lift. Awesome.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

Dont know if thats an appropriate prayer to the Pope but it feels right God Bless

-- kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), July 25, 2002

Answers

Kiwi,
As I understand this, Canterbury is an Anglican see; and Cardinal Hume was a Catholic Cardinal. I was present for Mass in Westminster Cathedral on Pentecost in '99, and the Cardinal celebrated Mass. He died of cancer a short time later.

The Cardinal you're now seeing is a Church of England (correct me if I'm wrong) prelate. How orthodox he may be is questionable. He seems a very good and decent man. But I would be surprised if anyone here can say he's in step with the catholic Church.

I believe American Anglicans are called Episcopalians. Their church is basically similar in doctrine to the Church of England. Wasn't the same true about Bishop Desmond Tutu's church in South Africa?

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), July 25, 2002.

Eugene - are High Anglicans the same as the group you mentioned?

-- Jean Bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), July 25, 2002.

JB,
A high churchman in Britain is the Anglican who worships almost in the manner of Catholics, have a Mass, with the exception that they do not believe in transubstantiation, the Papal supremacy, etc., Yet they have an altar, candles, vespers services, some symbolic sacraments. These are the British who insist they're Catholic; as Ms. Sharon did, visiting us months back. They believe in a succession of bishops with title to apostolic authority. They do not have a leg to stand on, unfortunately. The English bishops lost theirs by declaring Henry VIII the head of the Church in Britain; and were thereby excommunicated.

I don't think Episcopalians in the US adhere to high church practices quite as conservatively. But I'm not an authority. It's just impressions I've picked up over much reading and many yesrs.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), July 25, 2002.

-- (^@^.^), July 26, 2002.

Gene you are so very right. Cardinal Hulme was not Anglican! Whoops. He was however of the Benedict order so there is the connection, if somewhat more tenuous.

Back to Doctor Williams, he is strongly orthodox in terms of Anglican doctrine( if there is such a thing), I didnt mean Catholic doctrine nor did I mean to imply he was Catholic, sorry.

I was just optomistic that he will help bring the two Churches closer together.

You put your finger on what I was getting at though... "The English bishops lost theirs by declaring Henry VIII the head of the Church in Britain; and were thereby excommunicated."

and my words on Williams.... He has made it clear he wishes to break the ties the church has with the British State and Monarch.

Maybe a small step in the right direction? Blessings

-- kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), July 26, 2002.

For anyone intrested in the Anglican church in America I found the folowing link interesting.

http://www.eaca.org/history.html

-- kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), July 26, 2002.