Turning Toward Rome

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 18, 1909

Turning Toward Rome

THERE are frequent reminders of the progress being made toward a union between Protestantism and Catholicism. One of these is a recent address to Pope Pius X, from the Society of St. Thomas, of Canterbury, England. From the report of this somewhat remarkable action as given in the Standard and Times (Catholic) we take this paragraph:—

Among the many addresses and letters of congratulation received by our holy father on the occasion of the golden jubilee of his priesthood, few, if any, can have caused him deeper pleasure than that which he received from the Society of St. Thomas, of Canterbury, which comprises the very élite of the Church of England. The address was drawn up at the annual meeting of the society, and was signed by the president, the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is undoubtedly a sign of the times, and one of the most remarkable evidences yet given of the tendency toward reunion with Rome on the part of the best elements of the Anglican Church.

The closing part of this address, according to the translation given in the Times, runs thus:—

And, although the dissensions of a past age have caused us to be long separated from communion with you, still we readily accord to the office and dignity of the See of Rome all that was accorded to it by the ancient Fathers, both of the Eastern and Western Church, whose teaching our communion has been wont to recognize as the rule of faith and morals.

We shall ever pray our common Lord to grant you length of years in the supreme priesthood, to finish successfully the work which you have so worthily begun, so that all things may be restored in Christ, and that there may be one fold and one shepherd.

Although those who sent this address to the pope are nominally members of the Church of England, yet it must be evident that at heart they are in communion with the See of Rome. Organic union may never be formed between the high church party of England and the Roman Catholic Church, but they are one in spirit, and agree in placing the tradition and authority of the church above the written Word. Those principles of the papacy which were repudiated in the Reformation are again gaining power over the minds of men.