Cardinal Criticizes Appointment of Future Anglican Primate
The recent appointment of Sarah Mullally, aged 63, as the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church of England may hinder Catholic-Anglican relations. Curia Cardinal Kurt Koch, head of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, voiced concerns on Sunday at a symposium in Vallendar near Koblenz.
Impact on Ecumenical Dialogue
Cardinal Koch highlighted that Bishop Mullally's stance on sexual ethics has caused a division between the conservative Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) and the English mother church. This division prompts the Catholic Church to question the future of their ecumenical dialogue:
“Who will we dialogue with in the future if the Anglican world community is so divided?”
Dispute Over Sexual Minority Inclusion
In 2023, the General Synod of the Church of England, following bishops' recommendations, resolved to create a comprehensive pastoral service welcoming LGBTQI+ individuals, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and others. This decision faced strong opposition, especially from African Anglican communities.
Consequently, the theologically conservative Anglican network GAFCON split from the Church of England.
Sarah Mullally’s Appointment
King Charles III recently appointed London Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury. She now serves as the spiritual head of the Church of England and honorary leader of the global Anglican community.
Summary: The appointment of Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury reveals deep divisions within Anglicanism, complicating the future of Catholic-Anglican dialogue and ecumenical relations.