An Anglican Move Toward Rome

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 3, 18 January 1923, Page 17

An Anglican Move Toward Rome

As the British Army welcomed Marshal Foch as the Allied leader, so the Anglican Church is called upon by one of its most prominent laymen to recognise Pope Pius XI as the head of Christendom, an especialv plea being that only the united forces of Christianity can hope successfully to stem the growing tide of Mohammedanism. Viscount Halifax, former head of the English Church Union, which is recognised as the organised voice, of the High Church party, has been in conference on the subject with Cardinal Mercier, of Belgium, and in spite of the judgment of Pope Leo XIII. in 1896 that Anglican orders were null and void, the road back to Pome may be opened for a small party at least in the Church of England. Viscount Halifax, we. are told, began his conversations with Cardinal Mercier from the position that doctrinal agreement is necessary if there is to he reunion, not from the standpoint, that it may bo possible to find a. formula to cover disagreement. He thinks, we are informed further, that many of the questions which divide England from Rome are due to misunderstanding, ignorance, and exaggeration, and notwithstanding the discouraging Bull of Pope Leo he refuses to despair of getting a favorable decision from Pome.

“In the late war,” said Viscount Halifax before a recent meeting at Sheffield of the English Church Union, “a head was essential for success, and to avoid defeat. May not a head for the churches of Christendom be as essential for the success of the Church’s warfare against sin and unbelief? Might we not do well to welcome Pius XI. ,as our armies welcomed Marshal Foch?” As he is quoted in press reports, he asks if there are not -“signs both at homo and abroad that the time has come when on all sides a serious attempt should be made to heal these divisions which so seriously hinder the spread of the Gospel, and have done, and are doing, such infinite harm to Christ’s religion.” Are there not, he goes on, “sufficient grounds, without any sacrifice of principle, to accept the Roman position of a primacy by divine appointment having boon conferred on St. Peter, or, at least to enter into negotiations which might pave the way for some terms of reunion?”- “This touching appeal has not received all the attention that it deserves,” remarks the Catholic. News (New* York), “and the .public press seems to have taken the suggestion warily.” But the Church Times (London), a. High Church organ, discusses the subject sympathetically and at length, and thinks that Viscount Halifax’s “devotion to the cause of reunion should be an inspiration for all.” It must not be assumed, we are told, that reunion with Rome is desired only by thosewho belong definitely to the Anglo-Catholic party;' it will no be surprising, instead, if some of the chief opponents are to bo found among the older members of that party there will be much sympathy with his attempt in many moderate circles, as will, we think, become evident in discussions that- must follow. The whole question is now posed in a. new light.” The Church Times goes on: • “It is hardly necessary to insist at this time of day upon the enormous advantages that would follow if the breach between Rome and England could be healed. We are not refenng only to the numerous advantages that .come from a visible head, though many will, agree with Cardin a Mercier. when he argued, that without such a • head the preservation of the Church’s unity seemed to be, in principle and practice, impossible.’ More and more *

we are coming to magnify the position of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Anglican Communion. What we have chiefly in view is the immense-gain it would be to missionary work if reunion took place. - It is doubtful if ! people in the least realise the menacing character of Moslem missionary effort, though perhaps events in the Near East are beginning to open their eyes. But in Africa Islam is spreading with incredible rapadity. It is not impossible that, in a few years, it may become ,tho religion of the black races of that vast continent and Christianity be stamped out. Yet Christianity could probably hold its own there if it were not for its divisions. It is those who care for missionary work who will most desire reunion with Rome.” .There is little doubt that the majority of men, to whatver religious body or party they belong, desire reunion of some sort, says a writer in the Graphic (London), referring to the overtures made to the Nonconformists by the Lambeth encyclical and t 6 the negotiations that have passed between the Anglican Church and the Greek Orthodox Church, The Greek Church has recognised the validity of Anglican orders, but the Lambeth appeal, we are told, has been received with apathy. Viscount Halifax, in his appeal for reunion with Rome, “not only seems to forget that there are free churches with which to enter into fellowship, but conveniently ignores the question of the validity of Anglican orders.” We are told that—- “ What he forgets with regard to Anglican orders is that they can’t be recognised .by Rome. It is something stronger than "they never will be;’ it is ‘they can’t be/ To Rome the question is not merely an historical one; it is theological.” — Literary Digest. • AAA