Francis Invites the Anglicans In

Francis would like Anglicans to become Catholics. With English Anglicans having yet more reason to become Catholics, now that the Church of England has voted to create women bishops, the Ordinariate Benedict formed as a way into the Catholic Church has organized an “exploration day,” and the Holy Father has conveyed “his good wishes and prayers for a successful and inspiring event. The Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing upon all those persons who are participating in this significant event and working in any way for the promotion and presentation of the Catholic Faith and the Gospel in Great Britain.”

From the Ordinariate’s report (Mennini is the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain):

Pope Francis’ blessing on the exploration day and Archbishop Mennini’s words of support for it follow a statement of welcome for the initiative from Cardinal Vincent Nichols. In his capacity as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, the Cardinal said: “the Ordinariate both enriches the Catholic Church with Catholic aspects of the beautiful heritage and culture of Anglican patrimony and advances the cause of unity which must be the ultimate aim of all ecumenical activity. . . I wish you every success with this initiative. I hope it will attract many interested enquirers”.

Understated invitations, both of them, but clear in their intent.

Thanks to Fr. Z’s weblog for the tip.