Let’s Stay Together

Rev. Hot Pants is only one sign that the Anglican communion is in a bit of trouble. Even casual readers will know that Anglicans have spent the past several years trying to avert an all-too-possible schism between the moral and theological “liberals” and the “conservatives.”

Of course tensions along similar lines also run high within the Catholic Church. Yet, somehow, very few people on either side foresee (either with longing or fear) anything like a schism. There have been a few splinter groups, but no moves towards separation by any large group of Catholics.

Why does Catholic unity persist? Michael Brendan Dougherty (writing for Culture 11 ) argues that those with liberal principles divergent from the Church—some of whom are powerful enough to be potential schismatic leaders—appear to ultimately value the security of “status, authority, and comfort” found within a united Church more than their principles.