Cosmos-Liturgy-Sex

I found an interesting commentary in the London Times Online from a Catholic priest, Fr. James Bell, a convert from Anglicanism. The commentary is sort of a review of a new book on Cardinal Newman entitled “John Henry Newman–A Mind Alive” by Msgr. Roderick Strange. However, Fr. Bell discusses other issues as well. He talks about the announcement of Cardinal Newman’s imminent beatification. He spends most of the commentary discussing Newman’s role in the ecumenical dialog between the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church. Bell laments that so many members of the Communion have moved much further from their Anglican roots in terms of confession and moral teaching than was the case just 40 years ago. Fr. Bell seems to hold hope that the upcoming beatification can be an impetus for the movement of Anglicanism closer to reunity with the Church, perhaps based upon Newman’s conviction to ecumenism through trust and a radical commitment to Christian truth. However, he does not seem to be very confident this will be the case. He ends the article with the observation that Newman’s grave was desecrated just a few weeks ago and then wonders whether the the fruit from ecumenical talks will be worth the effort spent.

If I read him correctly then I can certainly affirm Fr. Bell’s sentiments. Reunion with Anglicanism seems quite bleak at this point for the reasons Fr. Bell points out: there is very little unity within it. The sense of unity within Anglicanism is one primarily of political unity rather than unity in Truth Himself. If one looks at its history, it would seem likely that this would eventually in our time, be the case.  The Church of England went from still relatively Catholic under Henry VIII, then radically reformed under Edward, and then Catholic again under Mary.  Elizabeth’s rise to the throne saw this see-saw come to an end because she saw the unity of the empire more important that unity in truth.  Elizabeth demanded compromises in the truth of the faith that she hoped would satisfy both the reformers and the Catholics. Thus, the heritage of Anglicanism seems to have been from the earliest days, any compromise in belief that is necessary in order to maintain political unity. Today we see the same thing happening with the ordination of bishops who openly practice their same sex attraction disorder and the attempt to strike whatever compromise is possible to maintain unity. Even Rowan Williams who had openly supported ordaining those with SSAD is now backtracking for the same of political union.

However, as bleak as things seem what is truly impossible for men is possible with God.  If the the Shoot can arise from the stump of Jesse, the dry bones can regather into living flesh, and the springtime in the Church that seems to be blossoming in the US and in other parts of the world is a reality, it is clear that God can bring about life where there appears only death.  Faithfulness and not the prospects of success is the reason why the ecumenical dialog is worthwhile regardless of how useless it might seem to be in human terms.  I am sure that Cardinal Newman and Fr.  Bell would agree. Cardinal Newman: Pray for Us!