Statement of the Papa-Knyaz Regarding Anglican Mass at the Lateran Archbasilica

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 25 April 2023 (NRom)

H.H. the Papa-Knyaz and Catholicos of Rome-Ruthenia made the following statement about the recent celebration of the Holy Mass by Anglicans in the Lateran Archbasilica (the cathedral of the Pope-Bishop of Rome) at the invitation of the cathedral leadership. This brotherly event was followed by numerous vicious attacks online and in the media. Read more here: https://practicalparson.blogspot.com/2023/04/anglicans-in-ambulatory.html

Although I am not an Anglican, I am appalled at the vitriol and lack of Christian charity expressed by so many who claim to be of the "one true church." They forget brotherhood and charity while priding themselves on the alleged righteousness of their own position. Some converts from anglicanism are especially incensed, feeling they have been betrayed. Yet, love thy neighbour as thyself or do not call yourself a Christian. The religion is Christianity, not catholicism or orthodoxy or any other name. The authentic church of Christ is Apostolic and has many parts of the same whole -- many of whom tear themselves apart fighting each other and tear their souls to pieces in the process. If your brother is not welcome in your house, how do you expect to be admitted to the Kingdom of Heaven? We in Our See have the Anglican Rite among several others, for it is part of our heritage, and we remain Orthodox and Catholic. All are welcome in Christ.

More Parishes in the CofE Tired of Women Priests

by Tim Ross, Religious Affairs Editor

telegraph.co.uk
Published: 7:35PM BST 28 Oct 2010

 

For the first time, the Church published figures showing which parishes have formally rejected women priests. The details come as some traditionalists prepare to quit the Anglican family to take up the Pope’s offer of converting to Roman Catholicism in protest at Church moves to ordain women bishops in England for the first time.

 

About 1,000 out of 13,000 CofE parishes have formally registered their objection to women priests working in their own churches. And some 363 parishes - 23 per cent more than 10 years ago - are now so unhappy at the Church reforms that they are refusing to remain under the pastoral care of their local bishops who have ordained women as priests.

 

Instead, these parishes have applied to come under the pastoral care of the group of traditionalists who refuse to ordain women, known as the "flying bishops". They travel beyond their immediate areas offering ministry to traditionalist parishes. The increase could be the result of a new generation of more liberal bishops who support women’s ordination taking over as more traditionalists retire.

 

The number of parishes objecting to women priests in their own churches has fallen slightly, in part as a result of a decline in the number of parishes overall, with amalgamations during the past decade. Some parishes will have voted again on the issue and decided to adopt a more liberal position. The number of women clergy in the Church of England increased by 53 to 1,649 between 2008 and 2009, while the number of men fell, from 6,750 to 6,579.

 

The Church also released figures for income, which showed that despite the credit crunch, parishioners’ tax-efficient donations continued to increase in 2008.

 

The total income of parishes exceeded £900 million for the first time at £925 million. Dr John Preston, the Church’s National Stewardship and Resources Officer, said: “Whilst recent figures for giving to the wider charity sector have shown a dip, giving to parishes in 2008 saw a further increase to record levels, a sign of the high level of commitment that so many have to supporting the mission and ministry of their local parish church.”