LONDON - A former leader of the world's Anglicans says it was inexcusable that the Vatican gave short notice of its offer to receive dissident traditionalists into the Roman Catholic church, but he nonetheless gave a cautious welcome to the Vatican's offer.
George Carey, who was archbishop of Canterbury from 1991 to 2002, said in an interview published in The Times on Saturday that he was urging his successor, Rowan Williams, to make a personal protest when Williams visits the Vatican next month.
The Vatican announced on Tuesday that Pope Benedict XVI had authorized an Apostolic Constitution which would allow Anglican to move into the Roman Catholic church while retaining their own liturgy and married priests.
"If what I hear is right, that he was only told two weeks ago, then I am appalled," The Times quoted Carey as saying.
"I think, in this day and age, this was inexcusable that Rome decided to do this without consultation."
However, Carey said Anglican traditionalists could benefit from the Vatican's move.
"I give it a very cautious welcome," he was quoted as saying.
"It is worth considering because there are a number of deeply worried, anxious Anglo-Catholics who do not believe they have a constructive future in the Church of England with the ordination of women as bishops.
"I was pastorally concerned for them when I was Archbishop of Canterbury. I know Rowan is as well. So this could go a long way to helping."
The Church of England has decided that it will authorize women to serve as bishops but is still arguing about what special protection might be given to traditionalists who wish to deal only with male bishops.
