Anglican Bishops in Rome for Secret Talks

Senior orthodox Church of England bishops have been in Rome holding secret meetings with the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - The London Telegraph learned on Saturday evening that some senior conservative Church of England bishops have been in Rome holding secret meetings with members of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.

The Telegraph knows the identities of the bishops but has agreed to hold them in anonymity.

Following the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) in Jerusalem and with the Lambeth Conference soon to be held, the content of the talks is assumed to be focused on the departures from orthodox Christianity within the Anglican Communion.

Right now the Church of England is holding its General Synod where women's ordination to the Episcopate is being debated with the vote scheduled for Monday.

Over 600 clergy made it clear, by letter that they would leave the church if women were admitted to the Episcopate.

Three diocesan bishops have confirmed the validity of these threats and are joined by at least two others who indicated they would leave if such a decision were reached.

According to the Telegraph, one bishop involved in the Rome talks yet wished to remain anonymous said that many of the bishops are left with no options.

"The Church of England is becoming more and more like the American Church. Those of us who hold to traditional orthodoxy are very concerned about the direction it seems to be moving in."

A second bishop indicated that "The internal pressure of the Anglican communion has pushed us apart and we're committed to greater unity with Rome. There can be no future for Christianity in Europe without Rome."

The hope of these bishops is for some accommodation from Rome while maintaining their Anglican identity.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will certainly have his hands full when his bishops gather for Lambeth, which is convened every ten years.

GAFCON drafted the "Jerusalem Declaration," with its strong language affirming alternative jurisdictional authority, the Episcopal Church USA continuing to move more strongly in affirming false marriage, and clergy throughout United Kingdom declaring that they will leave the church if women bishops are affirmed within the Church of England.

This will truly be a landmark conference for Anglicans.

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