Top Canadian Anglican Not Worried About Rome's Overture

Excerpt from the official response of Archbishop Fred Hiltz, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, to the recent Vatican overture to Anglican church members to convert to Catholicism.

"From a Canadian perspective I do not foresee a groundswell of response to these provisions. I say this knowing that even among those who have separated themselves from the Anglican Church of Canada, there is an abiding desire to remain in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, and to maintain a place within the family of churches we know as the Anglican Communion."

The Primate appears to think that most Anglicans will prefer their "imperfect communion" and its commitment to "dialogue" over Rome's embrace. He's probably right that we won't see huge numbers of defections, and certainly, for ACC church leaders, this may be another chance to be rid of some troublesome priests. However, the Primate's Johannine hope that we will all "be one" (John 17:21)seems somewhat faint today.

Read the Primate's statement complete here.