Post #117

Excerpt from the Essex Chronicle:  Roman Catholic switch is considered by seven Anglican priests in England

At least seven priests are poised to leave the Anglican Diocese of Chelmsford to become Roman Catholics, along with hundreds of members of their congregations.

Rev. Ivor Morris, of the Ascension Church in Maltese Road, Chelmsford, is one of the first rebel Anglo-Catholics from across the Chelmsford Diocese to speak publicly about the controversial switch, reported to be the largest movement of its kind.

Rev. Morris, who last year marked 25 years of ordination, has told his congregation that he is considering leaving to join the Ordinariate, which was set up by the Pope to welcome disaffected Anglicans into the Roman Catholic Church.

Rev. Morris said those who joined the Ordinariate would be reunited with Catholic Christendom, but not be completely absorbed, maintaining an Anglican cultural ethos.

The switch stems from the Anglican priests' objections to the ordination of women priests, which they say is against scripture and tradition.

The seven priests – three married, one widowed and three single priests – come from parishes across the Chelmsford Diocese, which includes most of the county and east London.

Meanwhile, more than 30 parish churches in the Chelmsford Diocese have also signed up to Forward in Faith, a worldwide movement opposing the ordination of women, including parish churches in Cressing, Great Bardfield, Finchingfield, Thaxted and Kelvedon.

Another priest to speak openly about the switch is former Brentwood vicar Canon Bob White, who is now honorary assistant priest at St Peter and St Paul in Hockley.

"The General Synod over some years has made decisions that appear to be taking the Church of England away from the Catholic direction once held and because of that I feel unity with the Roman Catholic Church is not possible," he said.

"An offer has been made by the Pope and we have taken up that offer."

The controversial women bishops move has split the Church of England and it is believed more will follow the "pioneers" like Rev. Ivor and Mr White.

Chelmsford's Anglican Bishop Stephen Cottrell said in an open letter that it "pained" him that no agreement could be reached to allow Anglo Catholic priests to remain.

Bishop Cottrell and Brentwood's Catholic Bishop Thomas McMahon also issued a joint statement stating they were "painfully aware" of the divisions.

"We pray for the new life they will have and the gifts they will bring to the Catholic Church."

Sources include
http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/news/Papal-switch-considered-seven-priests/article-3168572-detail/article.html
http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/
http://www.achurchnearyou.com/chelmsford-ascension/
http://www.forwardinfaith.com/
http://www.womenpriests.org/
http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/introducing-bishop-stephen.html