Anglicans and the Roman Catholic Church

The Pastoral Provision of Pope John Paul II established in the United States the beginnings of a specifically Anglican liturgy and culture within the Roman Catholic Church. For more than twenty-five years, "Anglican Use" parishes have been worshiping in a distinctively Anglican style within several American dioceses. These communities have served as a blueprint and road map for the personal ordinariates to be established under the Apostolic Constitution promulgated by Pope Benedict XVI.

The twelve essays in this book discuss the reasons Anglicans have recently sought reconciliation with the Holy See. They explore the history of the Pastoral Provision and the Apostolic Constitution, as well as the needs of the new ordinariates if they are to flourish. Also considered are the changes to the Roman liturgy since the Second Vatican Council and the specific patrimony that Anglicans bring to Catholic worship.

Many of these essays have been written by erstwhile Anglican clergymen who have been ordained into the Catholic priesthood (and one into the episcopate). A few are by Catholic experts on this topic. There is also a contribution from a woman who had been an ordained Episcopal priest before becoming a Catholic.

Here is a wealth of information for anyone interested in the Anglican communities within the Catholic Church, the "reform of the reform" of the Roman liturgy or the testimonies of Anglicans who

Stephen Cavanaugh A keen interest in traditional chant and hymnody led editorStephen Cavanaugh to Boston's Anglican Use congregationof St. Athanasius, where he has happily remained as a worshiper.He has been the editor of Anglican Embers, journal ofthe Anglican Use Society, since 2007.