Ireland- Marian Finucane and the differences between Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism

Listening to Marian Finucane on RTE radio this morning I was amazed to hear her state that there was very little difference between Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism. She was speaking in the context of Tony Blair's conversion to Catholicism.

Whilst both religions have much in common there are some major doctrinal differences:

• In relation to the Eucharist most Anglicans believe in the doctrine of consubstantiation. Roman Catholics believe in Transubstantiation. Concerning belief in the Eucharist the Roman Catholic position is " that the substance of the bread and the substance of the wine are changed into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ [at the consecration]. It is not simply a symbolic change, but a real and actual change so that the Blessed Eucharist is truly an object of divine worship and that it is Christ Himself we receive in Holy Communion." This contrasts strongly with "what is commonly known as the 'black rubric' of the Book of Common Prayer which reads '... the sacramental bread and wine remain still in their natural substances and therefore may not be adored." [See catholicenquiry.com] However even within Anglicanism there are differences on the Eucharist.
  
• The Roman Catholic Church does not accept the validity of Anglican ordinations.
  
• Anglicans dispute Papal Authority.
  
• Both Churches differ on the Virgin Mary.
  
• The Roman Catholic Church has seven sacraments.
  
  

Ireland-Church of Ireland bishop lashes failure to introduce abortion legislation

The Church of Ireland Bishop of Ossory, Right Rev Michael Burrows has attacked the "the systemic spinelessness" of politicians in failing to enact abortion legislation in the wake of the X case. Thankfully FG and FF strongly oppose such legislation. There is not one word from the Bishop about the right to life of the unborn child. Therein lies the problem for the world wide Anglican Communion. Increasingly Anglicans have sought to trim their Christian beliefs to accommodate the increasing secularism in Western Society. This path will lead to the destruction of Anglicanism.

There can be no accommodation between Liberalism and Christianity on the abortion issue.The systemic spinelessness-in relation to abortion-lies within some elements of the Anglican Communion not within the political system in Ireland. The vitality of the Anglican Church is being sapped by an insidious liberalism which ensures the church incapable of taking a firm stand on the abortion issue.

Dr Audrey Dillon of the Pro-Life Campaign said:"there is nothing 'hypocritical and ostrich- like' about seeking as a society to respect the dignity and humanity of the unborn child while at the same time putting supports in place to assist women in crisis pregnancy".
Any attempt to introduce limited abortion in Ireland would be the thin edge of the wedge. It must be firmly resisted.