On the Anglican/Catholic transfer deal...

...Nell Gwynne @ Merda D'Artista has pretty much summed up my views on the matter.

I suppose if religions were like businesses, then you could say that the C of E as a brand has made something of a mistake here, and allowed a competitor to steal customers away from them because of an attempt to rebrand to attract new customers. But the market doesn't really seem to exist at the moment making the rebranding a mistake, losing market share and conceding ground to the opposition.

But religion isn't like business - market share, whileimportant, is less important than the honest attempt to do the right thing. The RC Church has opted to remain relevant to the 19th Century (and, heck, it took all the efforts of Pope John Paul II to get the Vatican that far!), while the C of E in a bumbling, haphazard, half-arsed way is attempting to catch up to the 21st Century. Eventually. They are, of course, a long way off (as are most institutions, come to think of it) but at least they show willing.

For those who are comforted by the "traditions" of the hate-riddled old structures, they will be happiest in like company, so I have no issue with them leaving or with the RC Church for accepting them as kindred spirits. At least we get to see a little more clearly who is who.