Greetings, Claudius,
I believe you misunderstand what Metaron means. In 1932, with the Utrecht Old Catholics, and in 1946, with the Polish National Catholic Church, both of which possess episcopal lines which Rome recognises as valid, though illicit, Anglicans started a policy of full formal communion, with joint episcopal consecration. This results in an infusion of valid lines at the episcopal level, into Anglicanism. Which is then transmitted to the priesthood, and to subsequent Angilcan consecrations, propagating it throughout the Church.
The Edwardine Ordinal form which *Apostolicae Curae * declared invalid, was not declared invalid in itself, since there exist numerous rites which Rome recognises as conveying valid orders which possess the same form (or defect). It was declared invalid to convey orders when considered along with the use of it by persons for whom the use was said to demonstrate invalid intent, an intent not to do what the Church does (facere quod facit ecclesia), by virtue of using that form. The particular intent is said to be of those using the Ordinal to consecrate Archbishop Parker, in 1559, (intent relating to particular persons and specific actions). +Parker is a bottleneck in the Anglican episcopate The form was changed, for reasons peculiar to Anglicanism, in 1662, and has been adequate in itself ever since.
Rome has not ruled specifically on whether, in its eyes, this infusion of illicit, but valid lines does indeed result in Anglicans possessing valid orders, but that is the logic, and also figures in the few cases in which Anglican priests have been ordained sub conditione, when they convert.
Apostolicae Curae has a complicted and sad history. But certainly, all RCs should affirm that Anglican orders are ruled invalid by it. I certainly affirm that RCs should do so. But you will understand if Anglicans don’t concur. Anglicanism possesses valid Apostolic Succession (we will pass over for this discussion the use of invalid matter, of late), hence valid orders, hence validly confects all 7 sacraments. Of course you should deny that.
Your kind wishes are appreciated, and, as a father of a former Latin teacher, I salute you.
GKC
[Anglicanus Catholicus*
Thank you for the reply. If the situation has changed in regards to the Anglicans then Rome certainly should take another look. The former letter spoke of a specific situation and if that situation has changed then we owe it to your own integrity to take another look. For myself, I do not know enough about this matter to say anything that would imply that I oppose the policy of Rome on the subject.
I will say that that there is a very old rule, one that the Latin Rite still follows of requiring three bishops to consecrate a new bishop. Some have argued that situations permitting, that less then three could or even just one could consecrate precluding of course self consecration. I think that if this is true that Valid oders by way of the Old Catholics has been instituted, then it should be by at least three, just so there is no arguement and everything is clear. Of course as I say again, I do not have the facts to be able to say any other then what the Church has already said. But I would not be opposed at all to the Church once again looking at the facts, this is to be fair to each individual and it is just.