Anglican Patrimony....

This is one of those terms that has vexed people of faith ever since the Holy Father issued his Apostolic Constitution "Anglicanorum Coetibus."

"What is Anglican Patrimony?" many ask. Today at Pusey House a substantial number of people (and grey heads were certainly not overwhelming the total) gathered to hear Professor Eamon Duffy speak on "Anglican Patrimony: A Catholic historian's perspective"; Canon Robin Ward spoke on "The Anglican Tradition of Moral Theology"; Fr Philip North CMP spoke on "The Church of England: Parochial and Pastoral"; and Fr David Ackerman spoke on "Canon Law: A comparative study."

Lively questions followed each Lecture and we certainly came away thinking more deeply about what is distinctive about our Patrimony and what might be exportable. However, I was left wondering whether what Anglo-Catholics regard as distinctive about Anglican Patrimony certainly in terms of pastoral care and mission would be fairly indistinguishable outside of these Islands within the Roman Catholic Church? But of course, this day was extremely valuable for making us all ask questions like that of ourselves.

There is the possibility of another day to consider other subjects... I hope that comes to fruition, and if you couldn't come to this one... do try and come to the next one.