Will the Catholic Church Split in Two?

Gay Blessings: What the Anglican Experience Portends

Rancor over same-sex marriage and relationships has roiled the Anglican Church for 25 years. Gradually, progressive voices have prevailed in this organization of some 85 million people from 165 countries speaking 2,000 languages. Nevertheless, approximately 85 percent of the Anglican Communion is against these modern changes. The Anglican schism offers insights into what may be a parallel Catholic rift.

The Global Anglican Church possesses unique demographics that strongly impact these cultural-theological battle lines. Despite largely Southern or African congregations, the Anglican Church has traditionally been headed by the Church of England and Northern Progressives. This anachronistic colonialism is further strained by church growth in the younger, conservative South while the aging congregations of the North continue to shrink.