Truth or Consequences: An All Souls' Day Sermon

A Flight of Fancy
Having just published a post entitled "Reality Check," I'm going to indulge in a flight of fancy, inspired by the Diocese of Canterbury's coat of arms. In the image at left, that Y-shaped thingy is called a pallium. It is ironic that t

Reality Check
An open letter from the Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church provides a salutary reality check to Anglicans considering conforming to the Church of Rome. Though some of its claims are debatable, certainly, it is intended to inform potential converts what they're getting themselves into, at least as far as American Roman Catholicism is concerned.As to concerns over the validity of Anglican orders mentioned in this letter, which some of my readers have expressed, I recommend A Re

Quote of the Day: Rowan Williams on the Apostolic Constitution
From the Archbishop of Canterbury's address at the Willebrands Symposium in Rome:The recent announcement of an Apostolic Constitution making provision for former Anglicans shows some marks of the recognition that diversity of ethos does not in itself compromise the unity of the Catholic Church, even within the bounds of the historic Western patriarchate. But it should be obvious that it does not seek to do what we have been sketching: it does not build in any formal recognition of existing ministries or units of oversight or me

The Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus: A Bridge to Nowhere?
The pope has issued his apostolic constitution making provision for former Anglicans to become Roman Catholics. There will be many words spilled over this, but I will simply note what the pope has not granted:A married former Anglican bishop is eligible to be appointed the Ordinary, but only as a priest. He may, however, petition the Holy See to use the "insignia of the episc

Coming Up For Air
A few of you have noted how "silent" I have been of late. Silent, yes, but not inactive. In fact, I would say that the lack of activity on this blog is in inverse proportion to the level of activity in my personal and professional life.On a personal note, I hope you will rejoice with me that the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church has co-opted one more soul. On All Saints' Day, the eighth anniversary of my diaconal ordination, our son, Andrew, was baptized. It was a glorious liturgy, surrounded by parishioners, friends, and family. I am now on paternity leave, more or less (if you don't count the fact that I was back last night to be th