As we know, Benedict XVI issued Anglicanorum coetibus, which provided for whole Anglican congregations to enter into communion with Rome and to retain substantively their liturgical tradition and to be self-governing. Benedict is, of course, the Pope of Christian Unity.
However, that move was built on an earlier foundation, the “Pastoral Provision”. St. John Paul II authorized an Anglican form of liturgy and a jurisdiction for Anglicans who came into the Church.
That was 40 years ago today.
There is a great article about this, and I urge you to look at it, at the site of the Anglicanorum Coetibus Society. HERE
One of the reasons why I post this, is because my old pastor at St. Agnes in St. Paul, the late Msgr. Schuler, accompanied to Rome some of the early priests looking for this provision for a meeting with Card. Seper, who was Card. Ratzinger’s predecessor at the CDF. Fr. Barker, one of those priests and now a member of the Ordinariate, was a guest at St. Agnes. I remember him.
This is a great chapter of the Church’s modern history of authentic ecumenism.
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Fr Barker is not a member of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. He remains incardinated in his diocese because his bishop refuses to release him to the Ordinariate, even though he is already retired.