Cardinal Critiques Appointment of Future Anglican Primate
The selection of Sarah Mullally (63) as the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church of England may hinder Catholic-Anglican relations. Curia Cardinal Kurt Koch, who leads the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, expressed this concern during a symposium in Vallendar near Koblenz.
Impact on Catholic-Anglican Dialogue
Cardinal Koch highlighted that Mullally's views on sexual ethics have contributed to a division between the conservative Global Anglican Future Conference (Gafcon) and the main English church. This fragmentation raises a key question for the Catholic Church:
Who will we dialogue with in the future if the Anglican world community is so divided?
Controversy Over Sexual Minorities
In 2023, the Church of England's General Synod, following the bishops' advice, decided to create a comprehensive pastoral service to welcome LGBTQI+ individuals, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer people, and others with different gender identities. This decision sparked strong opposition, especially from African Anglican churches.
- The theologically conservative Anglican network, Gafcon, separated from the Church of England in response.
- King Charles III appointed Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the spiritual head of the Church of England and honorary head of the Anglican Communion.
Summary
Cardinal Koch’s remarks emphasize how Mullally’s appointment reflects ongoing divisions within Anglicanism, complicating future Catholic-Anglican dialogue and unity efforts.
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