Lets assume that Rowan realises that he has to act fast. Under the imprimatur of Papal infallibility he could approve married, women and gay priests and women bishops and popes. He could then authorise the sharing of the sacraments with other denominations. This of course would leave a number of quite conservative Roman Catholics feeling a bit disgruntled.
Pope Benedict on the other hand would find that he wasn't able to do anything - everyone would just stick two fingers up at him (one if you are reading this in America). However, after he realised that he didn't want to go back (and nor would Rowan) he could settle in - approve the Anglican Covenant and offer a special welcome to those in the RC Church who were disgruntled with the direction that had been taken - forgetting that obedience means when you don't like the outcome as well as when you do.
Many of the more liberal CofE would of course now convert, and lo and behold problem solved... Well not quite - I doubt that Anglican Mainstream would be too happy, but of course they could separate off and join an evangelical grouping. At least if we are going to have separate denominations it would help if everyone shared more of their beliefs than at present!
Even the Lutherans might be happy - a spokesman, Loof Lirpa, welcomed the suggestion and expressed a desire to be in Communion with a Rowan led RC Church.
Well, I can dream - but I am not even sure that this is my dream! After all, the next pope could be Peter Akinola!
LOL! :)
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