SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY & MINISTRY PROFESSOR THOMAS GROOME, BOSTON COLLEGE:
“[Pope] Benedict has pitched a big tent for Catholicism and all are welcome.”
Thomas Groome, a professor of Theology and Religious Education, is an expert on the Catholic Church and Catholic traditions and sacraments. He is author of the book What Makes Us Catholic.
Direct Contact: Cell: 617-875-5325; E-mail: thomas.groome.1@bc.edu
THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR REV. ROBERT P. IMBELLI, BOSTON COLLEGE:
“This is a response to overtures that had already been made – it’s not as if the Catholic Church had gone ‘poaching’ or ‘fishing’ as some media may have claimed. The Apostolic Constitution has not yet been issued and that will be the key document. It will set the parameters for the reception. It sounds as if it represents an accommodation to the Anglican tradition, which reflects the appreciation of the richness of that tradition. It has been the ecumenical discussions that have led to this new appreciation.”
Rev. Robert P. Imbelli studied in Rome during the years of the Second Vatican Council. He has been a Roman Catholic member of Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue U.S.A.
Direct Contact: Office: 617-552-8298; E-mail: robert.imbelli@bc.edu
SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY PROFESSOR REV. JOHN F. BALDOVIN, S.J., BOSTON COLLEGE:
"It was a surprise, although American Anglicans are really not that interested in that kind of a movement and they are already organizing themselves independently. It will mainly be a question of what the English are going to do. In some ways, [this decision] is the organization of something that was already in place. There are some Anglican rites in Catholic parishes in this country right now that have retained the Book of Common Prayer with some variations. It is now making official what has been a practice."
Rev. John Baldovin, S.J. is an expert on Liturgy, Sacramental Theology and the History of Christian Doctrine. Among his recent publications is Reforming the Liturgy: A Response to the Critics.
Direct Contact: Office: 617-552-6513; E-mail: frbaldov@bc.edu
Note to media: Contact information for additional Boston College faculty sources on a range of subjects is available at: http://www.bc.edu/offices/pubaf/journalist/experts.html
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Reid Oslin
Boston College News & Public Affairs
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