Five different conservative Catholic Bishops have moved out of the Church of England and into the Catholic Church. In a statement on Monday by the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, the move was confirmed and the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, the Rt. Rev. Andrew Burnham, the Bishop of Richborough, the Rt. Rev. Keith Newton, the Bishop of Fulham, the Rt. Rev. John Broadhurst, and retired bishops Edwin Barnes and David Silk were all officially welcomed into the Catholic fold.
In response to the statement, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, said he accepted the latest resignations “with regret.”
Pope Benedict XVI made it possible last year for Anglicans who were discontent with plans in the Church of England to allow the consecration of woman bishops. The Anglican clergy will be allowed to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving their Anglican traditions – including married priests. The pope issued an apostolic constitution, providing Vatican guidelines for disaffected Anglicans to enter their fold.
(Image is of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams).