Church of England joins Roman Catholic Church

[Cloigeann]

Today a rather weird person started a debate with me in work about how in a years time the Church of England will be joining the RCC which would effectively make most english people again roman catholic

Of course I didn't believe him for a minute but I asked how would that leave his community (he is a protestant monarchist) and he told he I would be surprised how many loyalists/unionists wouldn't mind it

If such an event did take place how do you think it would change England's view of the northern protestants

[Insider2007]

The Church of England won't be joining the RCC. However the Anglo-Catholic wing, as it is Catholic, may break away from the CoE. Or more likely the evangelical wing may break away. But it is highly unlikely that the former, and impossible that the latter, would join Roman Catholicism.

The only issue is whether the Anglican Communion as an entire entity eventually might join with Rome. There, as with the CoE, that would probably lead to a split between the Catholic and Evangelical wings.

[dunviller]

The Church of England won't be joining the RCC. However the Anglo-Catholic wing, as it is Catholic, may break away from the CoE. Or more likely the evangelical wing may break away. But it is highly unlikely that the former, and impossible that the latter, would join Roman Catholicism.

The only issue is whether the Anglican Communion as an entire entity eventually might join with Rome. There, as with the CoE, that would probably lead to a split between the Catholic and Evangelical wings.

probably this probably that - you are quite the expert!

[scotusone]

the anglo catholics are gone already . what is left is just a group who like smells and bells but have nothing in common with Pusey or the Oxford Movement .

the evangelicals are the only part which is growning or dynamic ,they wont leave but rather they will ultimately force the question on ECUSA and with the church in the south force them out of the communion .

at that point a real dialogue with rome could take place but not on the basis of merger.

[johnfás]

The breaking of of the Anglican Communion which is possible, though not altogether definate would not necessarily have much affect on the Church of Ireland. Which is mainly low Church anyway and likes to avoid trouble. The biggest change might be the various "Trustee Churches" of the COI which are already being infultrated by fairly hardline fundamentalists may break away and avoid property disputes creating a network of Evangelical Church of Ireland Churches under another foreign diocese, Sydney most likely.

There will not be a move to reunify the Church of England or the Church of Ireland with the Roman Catholic Church. This is altogether unforseeable into the longterm. And then of course the COE and COI are entirely seperate so one would not need to follow the other in this hypothetical reunification.

[BuachaillBeo]

What would happen if England got rid of the monarchy, who'd be the head of the CoE then? I know someone who might take ye under his wing should such a thing happen.... Why's this in the NI forum?

[johnfás]

What would happen if England got rid of the monarchy, who'd be the head of the CoE then? I know someone who might take ye under his wing should such a thing happen.... Why's this in the NI forum?

There would be a Primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Just as there is a Primate of the Church of Ireland - The Archbishop of Armagh. This de facto exists within the Church of England anyway. The Monarch holds merely a titular position, as does the state.

For the second point. I presume because whoever started it thought that issues regarding the Church of Ireland affect the North . Not entirely sure why but there you go.

[BuachaillBeo]

ah right

[Cloigeann]

If such an event did take place how do you think it would change England's view of the northern protestants

Read please?

[BuachaillBeo]

ah right....... again