Affirming Catholicism: Encyclopedia - Affirming Catholicism

Affirming Catholicism

Affirming Catholicism is a movement operating in several provinces of the Anglican Communion, most notably in the UK & Ireland and North America (where it is known as Affirming Anglican Catholicism (AAC)). It represents the liberal strand of Anglo-Catholicism. It is particularly noted for its liberal emphasis on full inclusion of members of the Church in the threefold ministry (Bishops, Priests and Deacons) regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

It was formed on 9 June 1990 at St Alban's Church Holborn, by a number of Anglo-Catholic clergy in the Diocese of London, who had been marginalised within or expelled from existing Anglo-Catholic groups because of their support for women's ordination to the priesthood. It developed a theological stance which was staunchly liberal in matters of inclusivity, but traditionally Catholic in matters of liturgy and the number and importance of the sacraments (seven, rather than two).

Prominent supporters include the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr Rowan Williams, as well as the openly gay Dean of St Albans, the Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John, both of whom have served on the executive committee of British/Irish Affirming Catholicism in recent years. In North America, prelates involved in AAC include Frank Griswold, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church USA, and Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.

Categories: Anglicanism | Religion in the United Kingdom | Catholics not in communion with Rome

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Affirming Catholicism", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki