Anglicans' RSVP to Rome, no thanks

By Christopher Quinn

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Anglicans in metro Atlanta don't expect to lose many members or priests to the Catholic Church's invitation Tuesday to take them in.

"I do not believe that this will have much effect on the parishes of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Atlanta or church wide," the Right Rev. J. Neil Alexander, diocesan bishop, said in an emailed response to newspaper questions. "There are those who have longed to be in full communion with the [Catholic Church] for a very long time while preserving some elements of Anglican spirituality and liturgical practice. Overall, however, that is a very small minority in a church."

The Anglican Church split from Catholicism in 1534. The Catholic Church issued an invitation Tuesday for Anglicans to rejoin Rome, saying Anglicans could maintain their worship traditions and married priests.

Alexander pointed out that the Catholic Church has not released details, and that such conversations have happened for more than a century.

The 2.3 million-member Episcopal Church represents the largest U.S. Anglican group, but there are others, such as the Anglican Church in North America. It claims 100,000 members. Alternate Anglican associations, typically more conservative and traditional, have formed in recent years as church members worldwide have divided over issues of biblical interpretation and doctrine that have surfaced in battles such as whether women or gays should be clergy.

Some believe Pope Benedict XVI is taking advantage of the rifts to round up more conservative Anglicans. But members of breakaway associations were also unimpressed.

"I don't think the effect locally will be significant," said Father Alfred Sawyer of Christ Church Atlanta.

"I did see where a number of clergymen in the United Kingdom were ready to go over."

Cardinal William Levada, the Vatican's chief doctrinal official, said Pope Benedict XVI opened the door  in response to requests from Anglicans, including inquiries from more than 20 bishops.

"It certainly made a big splash," Robert Lundy, spokesman for the Tucker-based American Anglican Council.

"But it's nothing we would consider right now," he said. "Though I think there will be some individuals and congregations who seriously consider it."

The United States' atmosphere of religious freedom and innovation has already provided an escape valve for the disaffected, said Bishop Martyn Mimms of Fairfax City, Va. The former Episcopal minister, heads the Convocation of Anglicans in North America that formed three years ago in response to the disagreements. Mimms said groups like his have already given disaffected Anglicans an alternative.