Cardinal Describes Anglican Communion in Unkind Terms

The vatican representative addressing the Lambeth Conference this week, Cardinal Dias, suggested that Anglicans were suffering from 'spiritual Alzheimer's' and 'ecclesiological Parkinson's.' He was referring primarily to the tensions between progressive and traditional theologians regarding the inclusion of partnered gay persons and women into clerical orders. This latest commentary may be seen as but the latest in a series of insulting comments made by or on behalf of the Bishop of Rome to Anglicans - especially those in America, Canada, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia where partnered gay persons and/or women are more able to be included into clerical orders.

In comparing those Anglican provinces which are contending with how to (or if we should) modify or change traditional practices and teachings to aged persons suffering from terrible diseases - Rome has not only made an insulting comment - but one that is not apt.

The faithful Christians who are struggling with Scripture and tradition - by light of reason and the desire to hear the Spirit of Christ - over such questions are not acting out of dementia or degeneration. Rather, we are demonstrating what vital persons in full health do when posed with new circumstances or new contexts or new understandings that require a reassessment of what has been done heretofore. While this creates a season of tension and resistance between the many voices involved - it is the sort of tension and resistance which all healthy bodies engaged in activity and exercise experience.

Frankly, the Church of Rome while proud in so many ways of so much, should not claim a clarity of memory and honest self-assessment among its strengths.

Need I list the many ways and moments and shadowy aspects of the Church of Rome's long history which it so frequently denies and covers up?

Hopefully not.