One of the hallmarks of the post-Vatican II “Conciliar Period” has been the obsession of popes in welcoming the leaders of Anglican churches as equals. The situation has always been untenable — since they are not bishops at all — but it has recently reached the level of ridiculous, following the election of Mrs. Sarah Mullally, a (by all appearances) lovely lady from Surrey, as “archbishop” of the defunct See of Canterbury.
It was bad enough to pretend that lay preachers such as the late Mr Runcie were successors of Saint Augustine of Canterbury and Saint Thomas Becket, but at least one could pretend in such cases that he might one day be validly ordained if he joined the Catholic Church. No such pretense is possible with the kind nurse Mrs. Mullally. The whole charade deceives the honored guest and mocks the dignity of the Apostolic Succession and the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
It would be remiss to exclusively blame Leo XIV in that regard. Though this is the first case involving an “archbishopess of Canterbury,” similar untenable meetings with female Protestant “clerics” had taken place in previous post-Conciliar pontificates, and each one of these meetings diminished the dignity of the Church of Rome, which presides in Charity — but also must preside in truth. In this case, the pathetic reception included even the acceptance of a “blessing” granted by Mrs. Mullally by the Secretary of the Dicastery for Christian Unity, Archbishop Flavio Pace. As a mother, Mrs. Mullally can certainly bless her children. That is it.
Enough is enough. Enough with the mockery. Enough with the ridiculousness.
