The Anglican Church of Southern Africa (Traditional Rite) does not intend applying for an Ordinariate, neither does The Anglican Church of India. This means that more than 70% of the communicant membership of the Traditional Anglican Communion (based on figures provided by the TAC) will not be entering an Ordinariate.
The Bishop of the Diocese of the Northeast of the Anglican Church in America is on record as saying, “This diocese and the national church structure will continue in its present form” and it is now clear that three of the four bishops of that Church will not be entering an Ordinariate.
Already one of the Bishops of the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia has resigned over this issue and two parishes have been received into the Anglican Catholic Church (Original Province). Sadly, the Anglican Catholic Church now no longer exists in New Zealand and it is known that the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada, other than her bishops, is also divided over the issue.
Here in Australia there are more priests and a number of the laity who will not be entering an Ordinariate and converting to Roman Catholicism. Thus it can be seen that, rather than effecting the unity of the Church, which they trumpet as being God’s Will, those who are intent on becoming part of the Roman Catholic Church are, in fact, creating further division in their own Church.
So it would seem that, though the TAC as such may cease to exist in its current form, it will not disappear. What is not clear at present is the form it will take once those who are going to Rome have left.
Though it is sad to witness the fragmentation of the TAC, it may well result in the Continuing movement being more united and stronger.
Those who are not converting to Rome must be patient and prayerful. The Holy Spirit will guide us in the direction He wants us to go. We must never lose sight of the fact that God works in mysterious ways!
Fr Brian.
