Liturgical and Juridical Identity in Anglicanorum Coetibus

ABSTRACT:The Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus established a definitive means for the reconciliation of groups of Anglicans with the Catholic Church. The provision of personal ordinariates offers a place for the distinctive liturgical, spiritual, and pastoral traditions of Anglicanism. As the apostolic constitution declares, this is not just of benefit to the members of the ordinariates, but is "a treasure to be shared." In this article I demonstrate the intrinsic connection between what a personal ordinariate is (its juridical identity) and the way it worships (its liturgical identity), showing how the distinctive liturgical life of the ordinariates is a condition of and justification for the distinct canonical arrangements, and furthermore how the specific form of personal ordinariates is especially suited to this task.