The Indy Pope (sorta)
28 April 2008 - 24 ניסן 5768 by Huw
O.P.N.
Today is the 100th Anniversary of the Consecration of Arnold Harris Mathew to the Episcopate by the Old Catholics of Utrecht. I learn this from the Pluralist. AHM is important to the Independent Sacramentalist movement because it is through him (at least in part) that most of the Indy Churches claim their succession. (See here the Arnold Harris Mathew Center for the Study of the Independent Sacramental Movement - there is a plethora of articles there!)
I’m quite certain he’d be appalled at what grew from his actions. But his presence - and valid Orders, recognised (in his person, not in those of his successors) by RC, Anglicans, Orthodox (of Antioch, Jerusalem, Constantinople and Alexandria) - raise all kinds of church-geeky questions about reunion and communion and sacraments.
