The Vatican welcomes homophobic Anglicans into the fold.

Attendance down, conversions slipping, a shortage of revenue, a shortage of priests, a shortage of vulnerable altar boys, enlightened believers fleeing the Roman Catholic Church in droves.  What's a poor pontiff to do?  Hmm.  How about co-opting another religion!

Rank-and-file Catholics who object to the Vatican's narrow social views can now take their squishy ideas of tolerance elsewhere - and good riddance, implyeth His Worshipful.  In what may be the biggest public relations coup since the Holy See appeased Hilter, Pope Benedict XVI has decided to accept into the apostolic fold anti-gay bigots from another faith.  From the Washington Post:  In a remarkable bid to attract disillusioned members of the Anglican Communion, the Vatican announced Tuesday that it is establishing a special arrangement that will allow Anglicans to join the Catholic Church while preserving their liturgy and spiritual heritage, including married priests.  The worldwide Anglican Communion, which includes the 2.3 million-member U.S. Episcopal Church, has been racked by years of conflict over the interpretation of Scripture that has led to clashes over female clergy and, more recently, gay clergy.  (It's not surprising that Pappy B. would see opportunity here since the Vatican's two major concerns are quashing women's reproductive rights and waging war against the LGBT community.  Feeding the hungry is Number 48 on his list of Things To Do.) 

The Catholic Church's plan "reflects a bold determination by Rome to seize the moment and do what it can to reach out to those who share its stance on women priests and homosexuality," said Ian Markham, dean of the Virginia Theological Seminary, an Episcopal seminary in Alexandria...  The new system will give the Catholic Church a way to capitalize on tensions within the Anglican Communion... (Let's face it, the Holy Church is pretty good at exploitation.) 

Under the new system the Catholic Church will create personal ordinariates, separate units headed by former Anglican priests or bishops. Although married Anglican priests would be permitted to head the ordinariates, married bishops, who are not in keeping with Catholic tradition, would not be permitted.  (In those cases, leadership would revert to Rome, where the Power and the Glory are.)  Potentially, entire former Anglican parishes or dioceses could move under the wing of the Catholic Church.  (And really, just think of the financial benefits!) 

Between 100 and 200 of the 7,000 Episcopal congregations have broken away from the denomination over the 2003 ordination of Gene Robinson, a gay man, as bishop of New Hampshire.  The ordination of female clergy and the church's definition of salvation also have been issues in the conflict.  Many of the breakaway congregations allied themselves with conservative Anglican primates in countries such as Nigeria and Uganda... 

Ah yes, Uganda.  The government there is preparing to enact a law that calls for the execution of homosexuals.  In Nigeria, gays are routinely rounded up and imprisoned by authorities.  You'll recall that in January the Vatican opposed a United Nations resolution that would have prevented these kinds of human rights abuses.  So this is a win-win situation for Pope Benedictus Homophobus. 

Comments

[Amy]

That is a bold move but beware of the Catholic Church. I used to be Catholic but then I stopped practicing after I found out some disturbing truth. Some say the papacy is the antichrist. They changed the ten commandments which is the Law of God, the Pope claims to be a god, they have killed innocent people for centuries like the Spanish Inquisition and supporting the Nazis, and the priests have molested a lot of children. Jesus would not approve of any of these, it is not Christian, that is evil hiding behind religion. I pray people really to open their eyes. I know I did!!!

[Fr. Marty Kurylowicz]

I posted this comment below on ->
An Inch At A Time: Reflections on the Journey: Rev. Susan Russell http://inchatatime.blogspot.com/2009/10/thus-spake-vatican.html

Benedict XVI is surprised that his hierarchy in the USA cannot hold the Catholics in line. It has been reported in the news media that the more Catholics there are in a state the better chances that state will pass Marriage Equality.

I am sure this is very upsetting to Benedict XVI, “the misguided infallible.” You all have taught us by example what true infallibility is this summer. It is studying an issue discussing it with everyone having I sure many heated debates. Together you all come together, as a well represented group of members in prayer and more debates and make a decision. That’s infallibility!!! And your other opposing Church members know this. You could not have represented a more vivid picture of the true meaning of “Church” for us Catholics to mirror. You all out did the spectacular “Disneyland.” Anaheim now will always remind me of you.

I said this before that because last year this time California did a remarkable job explaining the importance of Marriage Equality and even though you lost by a very small margin, you also taught the world the same.

With Benedict XVI latest public blunder, like a misbehaving child, he slapped up his members and lost them though they have stay in the same house. Upset that they will not follow him, he now is going to show them by inviting new people into his house to follow him. I do not believe that Anglicans are that gullible to be sucker in by such baloney.

However, I do believe that it may play an important part in the unity of your Church. I think it is showing how unfair some of your members have become that they are sinking to the level of Benedict XVI. It may be just the thing that will help to unify your members. Bing Crosby (and Doris Day, also) sang this song “Would you like to swing on a star.” It so vividly keeps coming my mind about this public situation. My godmother who I adored as child use to sing this song to me. I do not think any of your members want to be a mule with all due respect like Benedict XVI. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy-wWUNtwy8

“Would you like to swing on a star
carry moonbeams home in a jar
and be better off than you are
or would you rather be a mule”

“A mule is an animal with long funny ears
he kicks up at anything he hears
His back is brawny but his brain is weak
he's just plain stupid with a stubborn streak
and by the way if you hate to go to school
You may grow up to be a mule”
Read more -> Lyrics

I write extensively about early childhood psychological development growing up LGBT, though by no means am I an expert though I read from the best. But having previously done research on the Holocaust, I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to grow up gay during Hitler’s rise to power in Germany.

The terror must have been traumatizing to say the least. I think in many ways we are seeing it lived out in Benedict XVI. Because of the past research that I have done, I feel the traumatizing effects every time Benedict XVI attacks LGBT people overtly or covertly.

I think that the man has been tortured beyond belief growing up in Germany right at the time Hitler comes to power. Benedict XVI, appears, so closely to be following Hitler’s example of attacking the homosexuals. Of course not in the least do I think that he is doing this consciously, as many us do not, when, as adults, we become the aggressor and begin abusing others the way we have been abused as children. Not until we realize that we have become the same terrorizing person or persons of our past do we in deep sorrow repent and make amends.

However, even though, I feel this deep empathy for Benedict XVI, he still must not be allowed to abuse people, especially children. It has to stop!!!

You are so inspiring to me thank you for your enduring efforts for Marriage Equality for everyone. Marty
http://fathermartykurylowicz.blogspot.com/

[Girl Dresses]

The Catholic Church's plan "reflects a bold determination by Rome to seize the moment and do what it can to reach out to those who share its stance on women priests and homosexuality," said Ian Markham, dean of the Virginia Theological Seminary, an Episcopal seminary in Alexandria...