Dissafected Anglicans, why not the Orthodox Church?

Basil the Great · #1 31st October 2009, 05:04 AM

I realize that the Anglican Communion began as a result of breaking away from the RCC, but looking at it logically, it would seem that Anglicanism is closer to Orthodoxy than Catholicism. After all, Orthodoxy has married priests and does not accept the doctrines of Purgatory and indulgences or Papal infallibility. Hence, why are dissaffected Anglicans looking to Rome instead of the EOC?

RestoreTheRiver · #2 31st October 2009, 06:48 PM

The OP has asked an excellent question, in that both Orthdoxy, and Anglicanism, have avoided the innovations, and errors of Rome. Conservatitive Angelicanism, and Orthodoxy, are, without question, both closer to the ancient, undivided church, and so, closer to each other.

Michael

Secundulus · #3 31st October 2009, 07:09 PM

TomUK · #4 31st October 2009, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Secundulus

The objective is CHristian unity. To paraphrase Archbishop Hepworth, you don't start fixing a broken dish by gluing the small parts together. You start by gluing the small pieces back to the largest remaining piece.

Really? Is that the approach to ministry that Jesus would've taken?

RestoreTheRiver · #5 31st October 2009, 09:16 PM

Secundulus,

I have been in an exceptionally bad mood all day, without even knowing why. In any event, it was uncharitable of me to take it out on you. I do apologize.

Michael

Dunstan · #6 2nd November 2009, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Basil the Great

I realize that the Anglican Communion began as a result of breaking away from the RCC, but looking at it logically, it would seem that Anglicanism is closer to Orthodoxy than Catholicism. After all, Orthodoxy has married priests and does not accept the doctrines of Purgatory and indulgences or Papal infallibility. Hence, why are dissaffected Anglicans looking to Rome instead of the EOC?

As I am not a "disaffected Anglican" I can't really answer your question - but Anglicans who convert towards Catholicism/Orthodoxy tend to have started from a position of Anglo-Catholicism which has a great deal of overlap with Roman Catholicism in liturgical and theological opinions from the get go.

Eastern Orthodoxy is something which is coming increasingly onto the scene, but to most Western Christians, Orthodoxy is still a world away.

Something else worth pointing out is that Anglicans who convert to something else from broad or low-church positions will often find themselves in another Protestant denomination.

ContraMundum · #7 2nd November 2009, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by Basil the Great

I realize that the Anglican Communion began as a result of breaking away from the RCC, but looking at it logically, it would seem that Anglicanism is closer to Orthodoxy than Catholicism. After all, Orthodoxy has married priests and does not accept the doctrines of Purgatory and indulgences or Papal infallibility. Hence, why are dissaffected Anglicans looking to Rome instead of the EOC?

Don't get me started.

MKJ · #8 5th November 2009, 04:24 PM

THey do seem a closer fit in some ways, but in others they are much more different. Overall, the approach to theology in the Anglican Church is Western, not Eastern, and that is quite a divide to cross. Many balk at giving up many theologians and saints that have been important in the West, for example St Thomas Aquinas and his thinking, or even much of St Augustine's work, although he is a saint among the Orthodox.

Additionally, although there are a few "Western Orthodox" parishes, they are not available to most (and are controversial among many traditional Orthodox), and so becoming Orthodox means quite a change in style of worship. This might be ok on its own, but there is a tendency among many Orthodox to dismiss Anglican spirituality as wrongheaded and western, and insist that is must be abandoned. Many who have found a real concrete orthodox spirituality in Anglicanism are really turned off by this attitude. (Incidentally, I think this is what appeals to some about the new arrangement, whatever it may be, in the Catholic Church. It at least recognizes Anglican spirituality/liturgy/tradition as something which has a catholic character and does not need to be abandoned to become part of the Catholic Church.)

So I don't know that it is really true to say Anglicanism is closer to Orthodoxy; it is closer in a few ways, but not all.

MaryofBethany · #9 5th November 2009, 04:41 PM

Much of what you write, MKJ, is true, but thankfully it is changing. Met. JONAH of the OCA is ready to bring in some Western Rite parishes, which the OCA has not had in the past.

When I converted, I fell in love with the Eastern Rite, and am quite happy to remain there, but if, by chance, my Anglican Catholic hubby decided that he would convert to Orthodoxy, but only in the Western Rite, then I would change.

I also know from personal experience within my parish, that there is great love and devotion to the British Saints, so we have not forgotten our Western roots.

There was, and is now again a western expression of Orthodoxy, and I think it will continue to grow.

Mary

IowaLutheran · #10 6th November 2009, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by MaryofBethany

Much of what you write, MKJ, is true, but thankfully it is changing. Met. JONAH of the OCA is ready to bring in some Western Rite parishes, which the OCA has not had in the past.

When I converted, I fell in love with the Eastern Rite, and am quite happy to remain there, but if, by chance, my Anglican Catholic hubby decided that he would convert to Orthodoxy, but only in the Western Rite, then I would change.

I also know from personal experience within my parish, that there is great love and devotion to the British Saints, so we have not forgotten our Western roots.

There was, and is now again a western expression of Orthodoxy, and I think it will continue to grow.

Mary

At the recent conference at Nashotah House involving Orthodox and Anglican bishops and theology professors, Metropolitan Jonah indicated that he envisioned an Anglican/western archdiocese.

You can listen to the various talks from the conference at this link:

In The Footsteps of Tikhon And Grafton - Ancient Faith Radio

I think that one of the primary thing that Anglicanism and Orthodoxy have in common, when compared to Roman Catholicism is the idea that it is okay to chalk some things up to being a mystery (such as how the bread and wine become the body and blood), and to leave other things as being a permissible pious opinion without being dogmatically defined as a belief that all must accept (here I am thinking of some of the Marian dogmas).

An obvious thing that Anglicanism and EO have in common as opposed to RC is church structure and the conciliar nature of the relationship between bishops - the relationship between bishops is horizontal, not vertical.

Finally, at least some elements of Anglicanism have more in common with the EO because of an emphasis on the Early Church Fathers and the ecumenical councils and are wary of the RC belief on the development of doctrine as described by Newman.