Anglo-Papalism
Encyclopedia
Anglo-Papalism is a term used to describe a tendency within Anglo-Catholicism
whose adherents manifest a particularly high degree of influence from, and even identification with, the Roman Catholic Church
.
The term appears to be an American neologism, and it seems not to have appeared in print prior to the 1990s. It is associated, however, with the much older term "Anglican-Papalism".
, and Lewis T. Wattson, an American who became an Anglican Franciscan friar. Both men were active around the turn of the twentieth century.
Later adherents of the tradition include Dom Gregory Dix
and Hugh Ross Williamson
. Some Anglican religious communities were Anglican Papalist, prominent among them the Benedictines
of Dix's Nashdom Abbey, who used the Roman Missal
and monastic breviary in Latin.
as the earthly leader of the Christian Church
. They generally accept in full all the Ecumenical Council
s recognised by the Roman Catholic Church, including the Councils of Trent
and the First Vatican Council, along with nearly all subsequent definitions of doctrine, including the bodily Assumption of Mary
.
Most Anglo-Catholics
regard the English Reformation as an act of the Church of England repudiating papal authority. They usually regarded Archbishop
Thomas Cranmer
as more of a translator than as a theologian, and saw the service in the first Book of Common Prayer
as being the Mass in English. Anglo-Papalists, on the other hand, regard the Church of England as two provinces of the Western Catholic Church (the Province of Canterbury
and the Province of York
) forcibly severed from the rest by an act of the English Crown. In his defence of Anglican orders, Gregory Dix
speaks of Cranmer and his associates using the power of the English state to impose their views on the church by Act of Parliament. Anglo-Papalists therefore regard the Book of Common Prayer as having only the authority of custom, and believe it is legitimate to use the Roman Missal
and Breviary for their worship.
Like many other Anglo-Catholics, Anglo-Papalists make use of the rosary
, benediction
and other Catholic devotions. Some have regarded Thomas Cranmer as a heretic and his first Prayer Book as an expression of Zwinglian doctrine (as did Gregory Dix in his pamphlet "Dixit Cranmer et non Timuit"). They have actively worked for the reunion of the Church of England with the Holy See
, as the logical objective of the Oxford Movement
. In 1908, they began the "Church Unity Octave of Prayer", the precursor of the much more general "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity".
has been widely used by Anglican Papalists. This volume, which is still in print, contains a form of the Tridentine Mass
in English (though with an alternative Latin translation of the Canon) interspersed with sections of the Book of Common Prayer. The Roman Catholic writer Fr. Adrian Fortescue
's Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described served as a useful guide as to how to use the missal. At early celebrations, some Anglo-Papalist priests would use only the Roman Missal, in Latin or in English translation. Many modern Anglo-Papalists use the modern Roman Catholic rite of Mass
in English.
and the Society for Promoting Catholic Unity (SPCU), which published The Pilot
. They have also provided the leadership in many more general Anglo-Catholic organisations such as the Annunciation Group. Other Anglo-Papalist groups include the Sodality
of the Precious Blood. Priests of the Sodality commit themselves to recitation of the modern Roman Liturgy of the Hours
and to the Latin Rite discipline of celibate chastity. The now-defunct Society of Ss Peter and Paul published the Anglican Missal
.
In the 1950s the Fellowship of Christ the Eternal Priest, which was established for Anglican ordinands in the armed forces, published a journal called The Rock, which was strongly pro-Roman. Few copies remain as it consisted of cyclostyled sheets.
The Call to the Cloister. London SPCK 1955, pp. 183–192, 462-466, 547 - 548.
Hugh Ross Williamson, The Walled Garden Macmillan 1957, Chapters X, XIV - XVI.
Gregory Dix, The Question of Anglican Orders, Dacre Press, 1944. pp 31 – 32.
External links
Anglo-Catholicism
The terms Anglo-Catholic and Anglo-Catholicism describe people, beliefs and practices within Anglicanism that affirm the Catholic, rather than Protestant, heritage and identity of the Anglican churches....
whose adherents manifest a particularly high degree of influence from, and even identification with, the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
.
The term appears to be an American neologism, and it seems not to have appeared in print prior to the 1990s. It is associated, however, with the much older term "Anglican-Papalism".
Origins
The origins of "Anglican-Papalism", as it was then termed, lie in the writings of Spencer Jones, Vicar of Moreton-in-MarshMoreton-in-Marsh
Moreton-in-Marsh is a town and civil parish in northeastern Gloucestershire, England. The town is at the crossroads of the Fosse Way Roman road and the A44. The parish and environs are relatively flat and low-lying compared with the surrounding Cotswold Hills...
, and Lewis T. Wattson, an American who became an Anglican Franciscan friar. Both men were active around the turn of the twentieth century.
Later adherents of the tradition include Dom Gregory Dix
Gregory Dix
George Eglinton Alston Dix was an English monk and priest of Nashdom Abbey, an Anglican Benedictine community. He was a noted liturgical scholar whose work had particular influence on the reform of Anglican liturgy in the mid-20th century.-Life:Dix was born in Woolwich...
and Hugh Ross Williamson
Hugh Ross Williamson
Hugh Ross Williamson was a prolific British historian, and a dramatist. Starting from a career in the literary world, and having a Nonconformist background, he became an Anglican clergyman in 1943....
. Some Anglican religious communities were Anglican Papalist, prominent among them the Benedictines
Order of St. Benedict (Anglican)
There are a number of Benedictine Anglican religious orders, some of them using the name Order of St. Benedict . Just like their Roman Catholic counterparts, each abbey / priory / convent is independent of each other...
of Dix's Nashdom Abbey, who used the Roman Missal
Roman Missal
The Roman Missal is the liturgical book that contains the texts and rubrics for the celebration of the Mass in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church.-Situation before the Council of Trent:...
and monastic breviary in Latin.
Beliefs and practices
Anglo-Papalists regard the PopePope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
as the earthly leader of the Christian Church
Christian Church
The Christian Church is the assembly or association of followers of Jesus Christ. The Greek term ἐκκλησία that in its appearances in the New Testament is usually translated as "church" basically means "assembly"...
. They generally accept in full all the Ecumenical Council
Ecumenical council
An ecumenical council is a conference of ecclesiastical dignitaries and theological experts convened to discuss and settle matters of Church doctrine and practice....
s recognised by the Roman Catholic Church, including the Councils of Trent
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
and the First Vatican Council, along with nearly all subsequent definitions of doctrine, including the bodily Assumption of Mary
Assumption of Mary
According to the belief of Christians of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, and parts of the Anglican Communion and Continuing Anglicanism, the Assumption of Mary was the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her life...
.
Most Anglo-Catholics
Anglo-Catholicism
The terms Anglo-Catholic and Anglo-Catholicism describe people, beliefs and practices within Anglicanism that affirm the Catholic, rather than Protestant, heritage and identity of the Anglican churches....
regard the English Reformation as an act of the Church of England repudiating papal authority. They usually regarded Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer was a leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and, for a short time, Mary I. He helped build a favourable case for Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon which resulted in the separation of the English Church from...
as more of a translator than as a theologian, and saw the service in the first Book of Common Prayer
Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is the short title of a number of related prayer books used in the Anglican Communion, as well as by the Continuing Anglican, "Anglican realignment" and other Anglican churches. The original book, published in 1549 , in the reign of Edward VI, was a product of the English...
as being the Mass in English. Anglo-Papalists, on the other hand, regard the Church of England as two provinces of the Western Catholic Church (the Province of Canterbury
Province of Canterbury
The Province of Canterbury, also called the Southern Province, is one of two ecclesiastical provinces making up the Church of England...
and the Province of York
Province of York
The Province of York is one of two ecclesiastical provinces making up the Church of England, and consists of 14 dioceses which cover the northern third of England and the Isle of Man. York was elevated to an Archbishopric in 735 AD: Ecgbert of York was the first archbishop...
) forcibly severed from the rest by an act of the English Crown. In his defence of Anglican orders, Gregory Dix
Gregory Dix
George Eglinton Alston Dix was an English monk and priest of Nashdom Abbey, an Anglican Benedictine community. He was a noted liturgical scholar whose work had particular influence on the reform of Anglican liturgy in the mid-20th century.-Life:Dix was born in Woolwich...
speaks of Cranmer and his associates using the power of the English state to impose their views on the church by Act of Parliament. Anglo-Papalists therefore regard the Book of Common Prayer as having only the authority of custom, and believe it is legitimate to use the Roman Missal
Roman Missal
The Roman Missal is the liturgical book that contains the texts and rubrics for the celebration of the Mass in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church.-Situation before the Council of Trent:...
and Breviary for their worship.
Like many other Anglo-Catholics, Anglo-Papalists make use of the rosary
Rosary
The rosary or "garland of roses" is a traditional Catholic devotion. The term denotes the prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary...
, benediction
Benediction
A benediction is a short invocation for divine help, blessing and guidance, usually at the end of worship service.-Judaism:...
and other Catholic devotions. Some have regarded Thomas Cranmer as a heretic and his first Prayer Book as an expression of Zwinglian doctrine (as did Gregory Dix in his pamphlet "Dixit Cranmer et non Timuit"). They have actively worked for the reunion of the Church of England with the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
, as the logical objective of the Oxford Movement
Oxford Movement
The Oxford Movement was a movement of High Church Anglicans, eventually developing into Anglo-Catholicism. The movement, whose members were often associated with the University of Oxford, argued for the reinstatement of lost Christian traditions of faith and their inclusion into Anglican liturgy...
. In 1908, they began the "Church Unity Octave of Prayer", the precursor of the much more general "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity".
Liturgy
The English MissalEnglish Missal
The English Missal is a translation of the Roman Missal used by some liturgically advanced Anglo-Catholic parish churches. After its publication by W. Knott & Son Limited in 1912, the English Missal was rapidly endorsed by the growing Ritualist movement of Anglo-Catholic clergy, who viewed the...
has been widely used by Anglican Papalists. This volume, which is still in print, contains a form of the Tridentine Mass
Tridentine Mass
The Tridentine Mass is the form of the Roman Rite Mass contained in the typical editions of the Roman Missal that were published from 1570 to 1962. It was the most widely celebrated Mass liturgy in the world until the introduction of the Mass of Paul VI in December 1969...
in English (though with an alternative Latin translation of the Canon) interspersed with sections of the Book of Common Prayer. The Roman Catholic writer Fr. Adrian Fortescue
Adrian Fortescue (priest)
Adrian Fortescue was a Roman Catholic priest and Englishman who was an influential liturgist, artist, calligrapher, composer, polyglot, amateur photographer, Byzantine scholar, and adventurer.-Early life and education:...
's Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described served as a useful guide as to how to use the missal. At early celebrations, some Anglo-Papalist priests would use only the Roman Missal, in Latin or in English translation. Many modern Anglo-Papalists use the modern Roman Catholic rite of Mass
Mass of Paul VI
The Mass of Pope Paul VI is the liturgy of the Catholic Mass of the Roman Rite promulgated by Paul VI in 1969, after the Second Vatican Council...
in English.
Groups and publications
Anglo-Papalists have established up a variety of organisations, including the Catholic LeagueCatholic League (Anglican)
Unitas: the Catholic League for the Unity of Christians is an organisation of Anglicans and Roman Catholics dedicated to the reconciliation of the same two communions...
and the Society for Promoting Catholic Unity (SPCU), which published The Pilot
The Pilot
The pilot episode of the American situation comedy series Friends premiered on NBC on September 22, 1994. It was written by series creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman, and directed by James Burrows...
. They have also provided the leadership in many more general Anglo-Catholic organisations such as the Annunciation Group. Other Anglo-Papalist groups include the Sodality
Sodality
In Christian theology, a sodality is a form of the "Universal Church" expressed in specialized, task-oriented form as opposed to the Christian church in its local, diocesan form . In English, the term sodality is most commonly used by groups in the Catholic Church, where they are also referred to...
of the Precious Blood. Priests of the Sodality commit themselves to recitation of the modern Roman Liturgy of the Hours
Liturgy of the hours
The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings...
and to the Latin Rite discipline of celibate chastity. The now-defunct Society of Ss Peter and Paul published the Anglican Missal
Anglican Missal
The Anglican Missal is a liturgical book often used at Mass by Anglo-Catholics and other High Church Anglicans instead of the Book of Common Prayer.-History:...
.
In the 1950s the Fellowship of Christ the Eternal Priest, which was established for Anglican ordinands in the armed forces, published a journal called The Rock, which was strongly pro-Roman. Few copies remain as it consisted of cyclostyled sheets.
The Call to the Cloister. London SPCK 1955, pp. 183–192, 462-466, 547 - 548.
Hugh Ross Williamson, The Walled Garden Macmillan 1957, Chapters X, XIV - XVI.
Gregory Dix, The Question of Anglican Orders, Dacre Press, 1944. pp 31 – 32.
External links
- Catholic League Anglo-Papalist organisation centred in England.
- Historical documents regarding the Society of SS Peter and Paul, an Anglo-Papalist publishing company prominent in the early years of the Catholic Revival