"Anglican Use" provision expanding

July 22, 2008

The US Catholic Church is set to expand its use of the so-called "Anglican Use" provision instituted by Pope John Paul II which allows communities of Anglicans to join the Catholic Church as a bloc while retaining some of their traditions.

Catholic Online reports Pope John Paul II instituted what is also called the "Pastoral provision", and placed it under the jurisdiction of the Sacred Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.

The "Pastoral provision" has provided a means for Anglican or Episcopal Priests, married or celibate, seeking to come into the full communion of the Catholic Church, to be considered for Ordination in the Catholic Church.

Though it has been in effect for almost three decades, it has been little used to date, the paper says. the rest image