Ruth Gledhill Weblog: Pope prepares to pounce as Anglican haemorrhage begins

November 22, 2007

Looks welcoming doesn't he? Temptingly so. And it seems as if he is preparing to be just that. Rorate Caeli reports that tomorrow, Pope Benedict XVI will, on the eve of the consistory for creating new cardinals, hold a meeting of the existing ones. And on the agenda is how to deal with the numerous requests for reception from Anglicans deserting their own fast-sinking ship. Meanwhile, in Canada tonight, the Anglican Network, headed by the back-from-retirement orthodox Bishop Donald Harvey is to announce shortly that it has formally left the Canada province and re-aligned as a fellowship under the Southern Cone's Gregory Venables. Another retired bishop, former Bishop of Brandon Michael Harding, has joined Bishop Harvey under the oversight of Archbishop Venables and is helping lead the exodus. As many as 20 parishes are expected to go with the Network. At least one priest anticipates immediate deposition and a lawsuit. the rest