So Pope Benedict XVI has arranged for Anglicans worldwide to join the Roman Catholic Church, while still keeping many of their favorite traditions intact. Sound familiar?
This is an old and effective tactic that the Church has used before to increase its ranks. The pagans loved their traditions, so the Church adopted them and the pagans into Communion.
Seriously. You didn’t really think that there was a Christmas tree in Bethlehem? What about Easter eggs? The pagans painted eggs in spring, because chickens need to see a certain level of light in order to produce eggs, in winter, the days are shorter, and chickens stopped laying eggs. As we have electricity now we don’t have that same problem, but back then, it was a problem. When spring arrived, chickens would resume laying eggs, and the pagans would decorate the eggs in celebration of spring and fertility. If you have another theory, please bring it up with Peter Cottontail.
The Church is streamlining its conversion process, allowing Anglican priests (although not Bishops) to be married. Traditional, dissatisfied Anglicans will become Roman Catholics, and enjoy a conservative lifestyle. It’s a win/win/win. The Anglation Church can continue to be as liberal as it pleases, its disaffected have some place to worship, and Pope Benedict XVI gets to increase the Church’s numbers. Smart guy.
