Here's a flow-chart for Church of England priests considering whether to accept the Pope's offer of a post-Anglican sanctuary within the Catholic Church, courtesy of the Beaker Folk of Husborne Crawley (cyber-coenobites, apparently) -- h/t Andrew Brown at the Guardian.
Its also very "you" centered, rather than focised on drawing closer to Truth regardless of the cost.
That said. I know it is not meant to be taken 100% seriously.
This might be America's example of the politicians' social security issue: the proverbial third rail. It will be interesting to see if there are any substantive comments. I do not know the author, so I hesitate to agree that it is 'mean spirited.' I did, however, chuckle when I followed the flow chart.
I'm glad you chuckled, Mary. It was intended to be humorous. But needing to point that out makes it less so. Oh dear.
Yes it was intended to be humorous, and thanks for thinking it was. It certainly wasn't meant to be mean-spirited. But in hindsight I can see it could be taken so, and thanks to Brian for pointing this out. Sometimes you write something, think it's funny, and forget to consider the effect you can inadvertently have. So I've removed it and replaced it with a request for charity and prayer. In fact I believe you're the only place still hosting it (though I'm sure it's in the Google Cache somewhere).
God bless you all
Even the most biting parts, are indeed true. Unfortunate, yes. I wish we weren't even joking about these thing. But true, nonetheless.
An episcopal priest with a wife and kids will earn very little as a Catholic priest, so his wife probably had best earn a very good salary.
And a gay episcopal priest would not be welcomed into the Catholic church lest he were able to cover up his orientation so as not to cause scandal. Celibacy goes without saying.
Sorry to make a big deal. I didnt mean it was scathing and offensive, just a little caustic perhaps sarchastic. Not ideal, but whatever, I myself can have a somewhat wry sense of humor at times.
As for married priests with kids, though I am aware that in the early years the converting anglicans will be strapped for cash, how does the Episcopal community deal with the salary of their married ministers at present? is there any way we might set up such an arrangement for them in the fullness of time? Would a provided rectory be enough of a benefit so that the pay wouldnt need to be much higher than normal? Ironically I am a young seminarian and so have no clue how the mortgage on a home works since I am not likely to be in a position to need to own a home. That is one we could definatly figure out though, albeit in the long run.
As for those Anglican ministers who suffer from same-sex attraction, I would hope there is something that could be done. I know that those who have deep seated urges in that direction are inelligible for Orders due to the Pope's 2005 diciplinary policy. I don't know; it just seems that some arrangement might be made on a case-by-case basis if the man in question is perhaps not afflicted to the point where it would interfere with the duties and life required of a preist.
As for women... Priesthood is not an open discussion. It just isn't. I am cool with that, some people arent. The Church is not changing either way.
Though, in the end, as I said, practical considerations, though important, are not as important as following Truth wherever it leads you. If it means you have to work in the private sector or in the Church as a lay minister or a Deacon rather than as a Priest, that might be the cost of following the Truth. Though, were I Pope (god help us all), I would be very careful to ensure that proper discernment and consideration would be given to incoming Anglican ministers, lest the legal structure the Church has erected for them inadvertently squash or damage their vocations.
I have friends who are working their way through this flowchart, so to speak, at the moment. For some of them making the decision is fairly straightforward. They have always inclined towards Rome, they feel that the Church of England has changed (as indeed it has) and they've retired or they're heading towards retirement. The change will still be painful for them but at least the hurdles are low.
Others with a wife and family - it's a much more difficult decision. They've responsibilities towards their children as well as to their consciences about the church. They may have to give up their full-time ministry to work in secular roles, when what they were called to was pastoral work and evangelism. The Pope's "generous" offer is generous on a church organisation way, but he's not suddenly going to find extra money for this one as far as I can see.