B
Batfink
Guest
Hello,
My friend is to be ordained in the Anglican Church next year. We have been close friends for a good number of years and both of us know the Catholic Church’s teaching that Anglican orders are invalid. No one else at the service would know me (except my friend’s Mum), or know that I am Catholic so there would be no scandal from that point of view. If I were to attend, should I conceal the fact from other Catholics (e.g. non-practicing members of my family who really have no idea, or interest, what the Church teaches about non-Catholic Christians)? I don’t mean actively lie about it, just not make a big deal and tell everyone.
My feeling is that, since I am permitted to attend Anglican Eucharistic services, which are also invalid, an ordination would be on the same level as this. Am I right or are there additional considerations which I have not allowed for which make an ordination more troublesome than a communion service?
A number of people are to be ordained at the same service, men and women. Does the attempted ordination of women make any difference to whether or not I could attend? To me, if the ordination is inherently invalid, then an additional impediment makes no difference, but is there some qualitative difference based on the ability of the candidates to even present themselves for ordination regardless of the validity of the orders conferred?
If I were allowed to attend this service, would I be permitted to take my toddler? My friend was Christian Witness at her Baptism and has been a very good support to her and is like one of the family. I think my toddler (who will be 3 by then) would have little understanding of what was going on (I mean, obviously she wouldn’t understand the difference between Catholic and Anglican, but I don’t even think she’d really get what ordination is).
I realise this is unlikely to be a matter the Church has ruled on, so I am really just looking for some advice, perspectives/angles I might not have thought of, suggested reading etc.
Thanks for any help you can give.
My friend is to be ordained in the Anglican Church next year. We have been close friends for a good number of years and both of us know the Catholic Church’s teaching that Anglican orders are invalid. No one else at the service would know me (except my friend’s Mum), or know that I am Catholic so there would be no scandal from that point of view. If I were to attend, should I conceal the fact from other Catholics (e.g. non-practicing members of my family who really have no idea, or interest, what the Church teaches about non-Catholic Christians)? I don’t mean actively lie about it, just not make a big deal and tell everyone.
My feeling is that, since I am permitted to attend Anglican Eucharistic services, which are also invalid, an ordination would be on the same level as this. Am I right or are there additional considerations which I have not allowed for which make an ordination more troublesome than a communion service?
A number of people are to be ordained at the same service, men and women. Does the attempted ordination of women make any difference to whether or not I could attend? To me, if the ordination is inherently invalid, then an additional impediment makes no difference, but is there some qualitative difference based on the ability of the candidates to even present themselves for ordination regardless of the validity of the orders conferred?
If I were allowed to attend this service, would I be permitted to take my toddler? My friend was Christian Witness at her Baptism and has been a very good support to her and is like one of the family. I think my toddler (who will be 3 by then) would have little understanding of what was going on (I mean, obviously she wouldn’t understand the difference between Catholic and Anglican, but I don’t even think she’d really get what ordination is).
I realise this is unlikely to be a matter the Church has ruled on, so I am really just looking for some advice, perspectives/angles I might not have thought of, suggested reading etc.
Thanks for any help you can give.