A little more than a week after three Anglican bishops were ordained as priests in the new ordinariate in England, Our Lady of Walsingham, another wave of converts is announced:
Seven Anglican priests and 300 members of six congregations are to join a new section of the Catholic Church, the Catholic Diocese of Brentwood says.
The move involves three parishes in Essex, and three in east London.
It is the largest known influx to date into the Ordinariate, which Pope Benedict established for Church of England members unhappy over issues such as the ordination of women.
The Anglican bishop of Chelmsford responded:
“Although I’m sorry these people are going, I do respect their decision,” he told BBC Essex.
“But it is a small group of people. The Church of England remains the church for everyone.”
Except for those leaving, I suppose…
The Ordinariate will initially be sustained by donations, but its priests won’t receive a salary. On top of leaving their home church and acclimating themselves to the new structure, they will have to take jobs on the side (hopefully as chaplains, etc.) to support themselves. They could certainly use our prayers during this uncertain time of transition.
(H/t Catholic Culture)
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