Affirming Catholicism
Affirming Catholicism is a movement operating in several provinces of the Anglican
Communion, most notably in the UK & Ireland
and North America (where it is known as Affirming Anglican Catholicism or
AAC). It represents a liberal strand of Anglo-Catholicism. It is particularly
noted for holding that Anglo-Catholic belief and practice is compatible with the ordination
of women, and it more generally supports the acceptance into the threefold ministry (Bishops, Priests and Deacons) of members of the
Church regardless of gender or sexual
orientation.[1]
The movement was formalized on 9 June 1990 at St Alban's Church Holborn, by a number of Anglo-Catholic clergy in the Diocese of London, who had been marginalised within or expelled from existing Anglo-Catholic groups because of their support for women's ordination to the priesthood. It developed a theological stance which was staunchly liberal in matters of inclusivity, but traditionally Catholic in matters of liturgy and the number (seven), centrality, and substantial theology of the sacraments, whilst believing that traditional restrictions on who may receive them should be re-examined.
Prominent supporters include the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr Rowan Williams, as well as the openly gay Dean of St Albans, the Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John, both of whom have served on the executive committee of British/Irish Affirming Catholicism in recent years. In North America, prelates involved in AAC include Frank Griswold, former presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church USA, and Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, former Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. AAC has ties with the Society of Catholic Priests.
See also
References
- ^ Kelvin Randall (2005). Evangelicals Etcetera: Conflict and Conviction in the Church of England's Parties. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 42. ISBN 0754652157.
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
