I believe the Anglo-Catholic tradition in today’s context is poised between nihilistic irrelevance and prophetic missional restoration. In the same way that the Church of England needed the Anglo Catholic movement in the 19th Century it now needs its theological and devotional theology once again in order to effectively and appropriately respond to the post-modern challenge. The movement is uniquely placed to help find new ways of engaging with society and finding new ways of spiritual engagement whilst retaining the mystery, holiness and integrity of the Christian faith. In order to realise this calling the movement must fully realise the meaning of apostolic succession and completely re-examine the liturgies and devotional styles that are leaving many Anglo-Catholics restricted and trapped in a Victorian re- enactment that had limited success in its day and is increasingly seen today as unintelligible and irrelevant.
The post-modern context is radically different to what has been before and the church can no longer resist change if it wants to share the Gospel. The church by its very nature is missional and any refusal on its part not to meaningfully engage in mission means it is denying itself, it is no longer sacred or holy and has departed from the way of God.
The extent of the changes required are so significant that a second Oxford Movement is required, a movement strong enough to effectively challenge the skepticism and individualism within the movement itself. Evidence and experience shows that where the tradition does respond to the new context positively it is able to radically reinvent catholic worship that is relevant, accessible and desperately wanted by England’s communities.
Source: Anglo Catholicism: Historical re-enactment society or a potent force for contemporary evangelism