The Anglicans will not be able to join with the Catholics under the Pope. The split may have been triggered or enabled by Henry's marriage problems, but the adoption of Protestantism was already under way, and proceeded after him. Many people were prepared to go to the stake over their lack of belief in transubstantiation. The Anglicans include a tranche who long to go to Rome, a movement which only goes back to Victorian times, but also a tranche of evangelicals with much in common with such people in other churches. And some who follow a middle way. The point of the Anglican church was that all could be accomodated. It never was true - hence all the chapels in Britain. It is less true now. But - join at the head, and the body will split off before the ink is dry.

Penny