Like a Druidic emissary from Tuatha Dé Danaan, the mythic inhabitants of Ireland, the Archbishop of Canterbury will lob a spiritual depth charge at Pope Benedict XVI on Monday when he damns the Catholic Church in Ireland as having lost all credibility.
Dr Williams also reveals on the BBC Radio 4 programme Start the Week that he is withholding his blessing from Anglicans who choose to take advantage of the Pope’s offer of a special home in the Catholic Church for disaffected Anglicans. “God bless them. I don’t,” he says, witheringly.
Ruth also comments on Fr Cantalamessa's sermon at the Good Friday service which the pope attended on Good Friday.
His [Dr Williams] difficulties are as nothing compared with the child abuse tsunami that threatens to drown Roman Catholicism. Yesterday it got a whole lot worse for the Roman Catholic Church when the Pope’s personal preacher, Father Raniero Cantalamessa, likened accusations against the Pope and the Church in the sex abuse scandal to the “collective violence suffered by the Jews”.
H/T to Марко at Amictus Sindone for the link to the Times.
More details of Williams' forthcoming Monday broadcast and commentary by Gledhill in a separate post on her blog.
ReplyDeleteOn the Irish RC Church's "pedophile problems", Ruth G states "... it is pointed and patently true, as Dr Williams observes, that an institution founded in repentance and honesty needs to exemplify those qualities to survive".
Not an ecumenical matter, then?
ReplyDelete"Turnabout's fair play", DP, and Rowan doesn't get to play it too often, does he?
ReplyDeleteRowan is finally speaking out? As far as the RC church is concerned, they seem to have a knack for inserting foot into mouth.
ReplyDeleteAt least, Rowan seems a bit more human in his responses. Of course, I'm taking his words on faith from Ruth Gledhill, but she probably has it right. I'll listen on Monday.
ReplyDeleteLapin, with reference to her blog, I wish Ruth would not speak of "Dr Williams’s enthronement".
ReplyDeleteRuth commiserates with Rowan because of the difficulties of the period of his service as ABC, but you play the hand you're dealt as best you can
And now, according to the Times:
The Archbishop of Dublin [Diarmuid Martin] today said he was "stunned" to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury declare that the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland has lost all credibility because of the child abuse scandal.
The RC Archbishop of Dublin is in high dudgeon because of Rowan's criticism. The RCC hierarchy had better grow hard shells quickly, because the criticism is far from over.
"Enthronement" is actually the correct term for the installation of English diocesan bishops, Mimi. Many of the medieval cathedrals, and not a few of later date, have a bishop's throne. The Chair of St Augustine at Canterbury will give you a fair idea of how this grandiose expression fits the bill.
ReplyDeleteLapin, I know. Is now perhaps the time to retire the use of the term, history and tradition notwithstanding?
ReplyDeleteThe Seating of the Bishop in the Cathedral Church is perhaps a better wording. Of prince bishops the world has had too much.
ReplyDeleteIf the protectors of child molesters are offended I say to them, suck eggs. (Well, actually something else, but I cleaned it up for here.)
I cleaned it up for here.
ReplyDeleteHow good of you, Paul, to clean up your language for the sake of my genteel blog, as Rick Allen labels Wounded Bird.
As a former Roman Catholic as well as one who suffered abuse at the hands of clergy, I was pleased to read Rowan Williams' remarks about the Irish Catholic Church, it is the truth afterall. Mimi, I am a big fan of your blog! Thank you for your posts especially on this topic! Paschal blessings to you and your family! Joshua
ReplyDeleteOh Joshua! I am so sorry. I can't even imagine!!! I shall pray for you. My youngest grandson is named Joshua, so the name is dear to me.
ReplyDeleteI see that you are a new blogger, but most wonderful of all, you are a new Episcopalian. Welcome to our fold. May God bless you in your new life amongst us.
According to the BBC Rowan Williams called RC Bishop Martin to express sorrow for his comments:
The Archbishop of Canterbury has expressed his "deep sorrow" for any difficulties caused by his comments about the Catholic Church in Ireland.
His claim that the Church had lost all credibility because of its handling of child abuse by priests was criticised by both Catholic and Anglican clergy.
The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, said he was "stunned".
Dr Rowan Williams later telephoned Archbishop Martin to insist he meant no offence to the Irish Catholic Church.
Well, Rowan must do what he will do, but what he originally said was true.
Thank you for your very kind words about my blog. Paschal blessings to you and those you love,