The Catholic Advantage?

Obviously, for a number of years the Anglican Communion has been in tatters. This morally bankrupt para-church has for the past decade or so been "blessing" same-sex partnerships, been ordaining homosexuals, etc. in the United States and Canada. Provinces abroad, especially in the south have expressed their disgust, with a number going so far as to sever communion with their North American counter parts.

Even within the Episcopal Church of the USA (ECUSA), there has been a surprising amount of dissent from the heterodox ideology spewed by the national province. First the diocese of San Joaquin seceded from the ECUSA. The diocese of Pittsburgh is planning to hold a similar vote on October 4th, but after the success in San Joaquin, the ECUSA's House of Bishops weren't going to be spat in the face twice. Rather they decided to depose the Pittsburgh ordinary and remove him from active ministry before any vote took place, as a way of undermining the "secessionist movement".

So where is the advantage to the holy Roman Church in all of this? Under the guise of "ecumenical dialog", the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth is in communication with the Catholic Bishop, Kevin Vann. Aside from completely denouncing the ECUSA in letters of correspondence, the question of "what will it take for use to enter into full communion with you?" came up.

Then there is the Traditional Anglican Communion. Roughly about 400,000 people in size, and having severed communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury in the 70's. Their bishops have voted unanimously to seek full unity with Rome:

"The College of Bishops of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC) met in Plenary Session in Portsmouth, England, in the first week of October 2007. The Bishops and Vicars-General unanimously agreed to the text of a letter to the See of Rome seeking full, corporate, sacramental union. The letter was signed solemnly by all the College and entrusted to the Primate and two bishops chosen by the College to be presented to the Holy See. The letter was cordially received at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The Primate of the TAC has agreed that no member of the College will give interviews until the Holy See has considered the letter and responded.” + John

Prior to those three bishops doing a backstroke across the Tiber, there was this report:

"It has been widely rumored that Archbishop Peter Akinola, a Nigerian Anglican bishop who has been possibly the most outspoken leader against the innovative trends in the worldwide communion, has reportedly said to Hepworth, 'If you can work out a deal with Rome, make sure we are included.' Archbishop Hepworth, while not commenting directly on such matters, does indicate that this new "Uniate Church" will be a way dissatisfied Anglican people could find their way back to the Catholic Church."

How many Nigerians would that include, if that rumor turns out to be true? Try 17 million.