Catholic Bishops' Conference of England & Wales announce 5 Bishops converting from Church of England

[Netty1]

LONDON (AP) — Five Church of England bishops announced Monday they are converting to Catholicism following an invitation to disaffected Anglicans from Pope Benedict XVI — the highest-profile defectors among conservatives opposed to gay bishops and female clergy.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales said Bishop of Ebbsfleet Andrew Burnham, Bishop of Richborough Keith Newton, Bishop of Fulham John Broadhurst — as well as retired bishops Edwin Barnes and David Silk — have decided “to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.”

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hAQrI-b6qK4tzRT7PMg_IZWESSYw?docId=e1e3157a9bdd48b28c3c8341407a0dbb

 

[Mark1970]

:extrahappy:

 

[Netty1]

:extrahappy:

Funnily enough, that was my reaction too!

I’m a convert myself, and so I hope they find as warm a welcome as I did and feel at home within Holy Mother Church.

It must have taken a lot of thought, soul searching and sheer guts to do this, and I take my hat off to them.

 

[Bendecida]

It seems likes this is really, really big news since this is the third thread to mention it. Why is it that news so good makes me laugh so wickedly?

ETA: Didn’t I say I just love the Pope?:extrahappy:

 

[Netty1]

The thought “a house divided against itself cannot stand” comes to mind, and one wonders if this is the beginning of the end of the historical traditional entity called The Church of England, and that it will now morph into something totally unrecognisable from even 25 years ago. It’s almost painful to watch.

I know this is a predominately American site and so the matter may not have received a lot of attention, but it is big news among many here in the UK interested in Christian affairs.

It looks, from the outside looking in, like the C of E is making things so uncomfortable and untenable for Anglican traditionalists (or as some describe themselves, Anglican-Catholics) that there is no longer any home for them under the administration of Canterbury.

The Synod seemed almost voracious in it’s denial of their misgivings, both scriptural and historical.

I’m just thankful that the RC Church has opened her doors to offer a sanctuary. All credit to our beloved Pope Benedict for offering to gather in a Christian flock which now finds itself (possibly en masse) without a home.

 

[canadianguy1143]

I would be curious to know if they will be Catholic Bishops when fully join our Faith. Its my understanding that a married Priest can’t be a Bishop unless he becomes a widow. If their wives are young enough to have children, I wonder if they will be permitted to have so.

 

[Mark1970]

I would be curious to know if they will be Catholic Bishops when fully join our Faith. Its my understanding that a married Priest can’t be a Bishop unless he becomes a widow. If their wives are young enough to have children, I wonder if they will be permitted to have so.

At the risk of opening up a can of worms here, they will probably need to be re-ordained, rather than just being accepted as bishops at face value.

Anglican Orders were defined as invalid by Pope Leo XIII in 1896. Some people have argued that some Anglican ministers were ordained by Bishops possesing valid orders (in the Catholic sense) and so it may be possible that there are Anglican priests and Bishops who are validly ordained as priests and bishops.

The Traditionalist writer, Michael Davies commented, in his book The Order of Melchisedech, that one of the reasons why Anglican Orders were defined as invalid is because the Anglican ordination service is incapable of conferring the sacrament. If this is correct, even if a Catholic bishop were to try to ordain using the Anglican service-books, the sacrament would not be conferred, because of a defect in the rite itself.

Personally I don’t consider myself theologically competant enough to argue around this, if the Church says that Anglican Orders are invalid I accept them as such, based on the Church’s authority.

 

[Netty1]

I would be curious to know if they will be Catholic Bishops when fully join our Faith. Its my understanding that a married Priest can’t be a Bishop unless he becomes a widow. If their wives are young enough to have children, I wonder if they will be permitted to have so.

At the risk of opening up a can of worms here, they will probably need to be re-ordained, rather than just being accepted as bishops at face value.

I think this is one of the things we have to trust our Holy Father and the Vatican on. They will know what needs to be done and how to do it.

Also, I cannot imagine the Anglican bishops swimming the Tiber without knowing what they may find on the other side, in the way of how they can fulfil a pastoral role within the RCC.

The reports in the media today confirmed that their resignations have been accepted by Canterbury and they are joining the RCC on the 31st of December.

It is incredible and wonderful that these Christian men, who have tried to remain faithful to Christ and who have been pushed out of their own church, have now been offered a haven by the RCC. To me this speaks volumes about the heart and generosity of the Church I love.

 

[Eliza10]

:bounce: I’m so glad! I feel personally a part of this! Because nearly every day I remember to pray - alongwith so many others, in the same or in similar words: “Blessed Mother, please protect Pope Benedict XVI today and bless all of his intentions.” This certainly has been his intention, and it has been blessed!!!