Experience with Former Anglican (i.e. Episcopal Priests) Recd via Pastoral Provision

[hwriggles4]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Since 1980, over 75 former Anglican clergy have crossed the Tiber, and became Catholic priests. I live in Texas, and have met at least six or seven, and have attended Mass where these priests celebrated. I just wanted to ask that for those of you who have been to a Mass (or have either a Priest-in-Charge or one as a Parochial Vicar at your parish, or attend an Anglican Ordinariate parish), if you would be willing to share an experience.

Why do I bring this up?

1. First, I find my experiences with these priests to be positive. Many have studied their way into the Church, and are solid on orthodoxy. My parish has one as a parochial vicar, and another local parish had one as a priest-in-charge for many years (he has since retired), and his homilies were always rock solid, and this priest-in-charge was not afraid to discuss controversial issues. Another former Episcopal priest preached one day years ago (in 2012) about the dangers of same-sex marriage. I thanked him outside after Mass, and many others did.
2. Second, the secular media (at least in the U.S. and Canada) sees there conversions to Catholicism as a “magic trick.” The secular media thinks that the Pastoral Provision is instantaneous, and think the Episcopalian leaves his former parish on a Monday and is saying a Catholic Mass the following Sunday. The reality is that the Pastoral Provision takes a few years to complete (the parochial vicar at my parish took four years, and the priest-in-charge I knew had at least a two year process). The secular media also fails to mention that acceptance under the Pastoral Provision is on a case-by-case basis. The secular media also fails to mention that many former Episcopal priests have to seek other employment during this time of transition.
3. Third, I get upset when I hear others say that these former Anglican clergymen (and yes, I have heard it said) are doing “half a job”. IMHO, nothing can be further from the truth. These priests are doing a good job, and even if they are married, they still have to get out of bed at 1:00 a.m. and drive to the nursing home or hospital for a sick call. Those that are married (I knew one who was a widower) should have a wife who understands the demand on their vocation, and that is hard to balance. The priest-in-charge I knew has an understanding wife (he was also in his early 60’s when he was ordained as a Catholic priest, so their children were already grown and on their own - all but one of the former Anglican priests that I have known who were ordained under the Pastoral Provision are empty nesters), and his wife understood that his congregation took precedence.

Feel free to discuss. I do ask that comments be kept constructive and tactful. The last few threads I have posted contributors have been constructive and tactful, without the “he said, she said”, and “rants”. I appreciate that. Disagreements are fine, but please be considerate with word choice. Thank you for your time.

 

[jaimeleglise]

We have one locally and he is great. He is an empty nester with a very. understanding wife.
Our local bishop is very welcoming to him but some of the people who work for him are liberal and do not appreciate the Traditional way he celebrates Mass.

 

[midori]

I haven’t lived in D/FW for a long time, but I really enjoyed St. Mary of the Assumption over on Magnolia in FW, and I still pop by when I’m passing through the area. They’re very fortunate to have such a solid priest with such an interesting, unique background. And I love the traditional atmosphere, with the incense and the respect. They used to host an FSSP service, until they were fortunate enough to get their own parish.