The events in Rome these past days have distracted some from mentioning the Bishops of England and Wales’ statement on the apostolic constitution of November 4, 2009, “Anglicanorum coetibus.” To date, this is the clearest statement of the UK Bishops’ intention to positively respond to the Pope’s generous gesture of working with Anglicans who themselves desire to respond more generously to Christ’s call to discipleship and mission.
A few points from the statement:
1. “Anglicanorum coetibus” is a response of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict, to the repeated and insistent requests of Anglicans requesting to be in full communion with the Catholic Church while retaining some of the Anglican patrimony;
2. In conjunction with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the UK Conference of Bishops, an ecclesial circumscription called an Ordinariate in early January 2011 will be established in Great Britain;
3. In resigning their office in the Anglican Communion on December 31, 2010, the 5 bishops will be received into the Church, and prior to Lent will be ordained to the Order of Deacon and then to the Holy Priesthood so as to assist in the services of Holy Week when other Anglicans will be received into the Church after a period of preparation;
4. At Pentecost those Anglican ministers who petitioned to be ordained Catholic priests will be ordained.
The full statement is noted here: UK Bishops statement on Anglican Ordinariate.pdf