5 Anglican bishops to enter Catholic Church

November 08, 2010

Five Anglican bishops will leave the Church of England and enter the ordinariate envisioned by Pope Benedict’s apostolic constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus.

The five are Bishop John Broadhurst of Fulham, Bishop Keith Newton of Richborough, Bishop Andrew Burnham of Ebbsfleet, Bishop Edwin Barnes (a retired bishop who is now honorary assistant bishop of Winchester), and Bishop David Silk (a retired bishop who is now honorary assistant bishop of Exeter). The Catholic bishops' conference of England and Wales has issued a statement welcoming the five Anglican prelates. The statement indicates that at a plenary meeting next week, the episcopal conference "will be exploring the establishment of the Ordinariate and the warm welcome we will be extending to those who seek to be part of it."

Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, confirmed that "the constitution of a first ordinariate is under study." The constitution would govern the affairs of a new ordinariate, set up under the terms of Anglicanorum Coetibus for the care of those who wish to preserve distinctly Anglican liturgy and traditions while entering into full communion with the Catholic Church. The constitution of that first ordinariate would presumably become a model for other Anglican groups.

 

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Further information:

• Church of England in crisis as five bishops defect to Rome (Daily Telegraph)
• Statement on the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus (Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales)
• Vatican confirms request of five Anglican bishops to join church (CNS)