Pope Francis and new Anglican leader meet, note differences

[xchrom]

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/06/14/uk-pope-archbishop-idUKBRE95D0D020130614

(Reuters) - Pope Francis and the new head of the world's Anglicans acknowledged deep differences over issues ranging from gay rights to women priests but pledged to seek unity when they met on Friday for the first time since both took office in March.

Relations between the Catholic and Anglican churches have been strained for years, especially over Anglican ordination of women as priests, and the meeting at the Vatican was billed as an opportunity to reduce tensions.

Welcoming Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to the Vatican, Francis called for Christians to work together to protect the "foundations of society" such as respect for human life and the institution of the family built on marriage.

Francis was inaugurated as the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics on March 19, following Benedict's abdication, and just two days before Welby officially took over from Rowan Williams as head of the 80-million-strong Anglican Communion.

[hrmjustin]

1. I hope the new Archbishop of Canterbury has more courage than Rowan did.

Rowan was a huge disappointment!

[okasha]

2. I hope he does, too,

including the courage to change his opposition to equal marriage.

The American Epicsopal Church is waaaaaaay ahead of him on this one, as it is on ordination and consecration of women as Bishops.

[hrmjustin]

4. This is very true!

[okasha]

5. The imperative for the new Archbishop

should be "Lead, follow or get out of the way." Poor Rowan apparently couldn't steel himself do any of the above.

[hrmjustin]

6. I met Rowan when he came to NY in 2001. He had so much promise and he failed big time.

[cbayer]

3. I am at a loss to see where they differ over marriage equality.

It appears that they both oppose it.

[sweetloukillbot]

7. There are other gay rights that I think the Anglicans allow...

Gays in the priesthood, for one. I'm Episcopalian, but our dean is an out Anglican priest. I don't know that they allow gay bishops, however..

[cbayer]

8. Excellent point. I hadn't thought of that.