Cardinal Criticizes Appointment of Future Anglican Primate
Sarah Mullally has been named as the next head of the Anglican Church of England. However, her appointment has been met with skepticism within parts of the global Anglican community and may affect relations with the Catholic Church.
Concerns from the Vatican
Cardinal Kurt Koch, head of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, voiced his concerns during a symposium in Vallendar near Koblenz. He indicated that Mullally’s stance on sexual ethics has deepened divisions within Anglicanism, particularly between the conservative Global Anglican Future Conference (Gafcon) and the Church of England.
“Who will we dialogue with in the future if the Anglican world community is so divided?”
He questioned the Catholic Church’s future ecumenical engagement given the fragmentation within the Anglican communion.
Dispute Over LGBTQI+ Inclusion
In 2023, the Church of England’s General Synod, following episcopal recommendations, approved the development of a “comprehensive pastoral service” to welcome LGBTQI+ persons. This decision sparked significant resistance in regions such as Africa, leading the conservative Anglican group Gafcon to sever ties with the Church of England.
Author’s Summary
The appointment of Sarah Mullally as Anglican leader exposes deep divisions within the global church and raises new concerns for Catholic-Anglican dialogue.