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Tuesday 20 October 2009

Specifics of Anglican Spirituality?

Could someone tell this very shallow person, who has tried to read on the subject, but not very deeply, what are some of the aspects of "Anglican spirituality" that differ inherently from Catholic spirituality, that any Anglicans swimming the Tiber would be desirous of preserving? (the liturgical patrimony I "get" all too well, to my sorrow...)
A new canonical entity will allow groups of Anglicans “to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony,” Cardinal William Levada, the prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said at a news conference here.

4 comments:

Amy said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

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Ooh, sorry, wrong, but thanks for playing, anti-Catholic spammer!

Vincent Uher said...

Hello dear blog-friend! I missed this post of yours, but I thought belatedly I could offer an answer to your question about Anglican Spirituality that might be worth preserving.

It is true that for those interested in entering the Catholic Church that Anglican Liturgics and Anglican spirituality are bound up together since the Mass is the point from which the Church's life flows.

Nonetheless, Anglican spirituality has a special emphasis on "Participation in and with God" that is first expressed by Hooker in "The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity" and a more recent treatment of the theme can be found in an excellent book by Canon A.M. Allchin ... I believe the title is "Participation in God".

The spirituality of many Anglicans has been deeply influenced by Mother St. Julian of Norwich (sometimes referred to as Dame Julian of Norwich). She received from Jesus a promise "That all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well." I cannot begin to tell you how often I have heard that repeated in my life as an Anglican and now as a Catholic in the Anglican Use parish of Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church in Houston, Texas.

There are certainly other points to be made such as the joy and confidence in Christ that this spirituality engenders in one, but perhaps this little response helps to give you some answer to your question.

Scelata said...

Thank you so much for this, Vincent.

Know that you are in my prayers.

(Save the Liturgy, Save the World)