Anglican Bishop Keith Newton and Bishop Andrew Burnham are to convert to Catholicism and so am I
The Interweb is buzzing with this news:
Archbishop of Canterbury is expected to announce the resignation of two bishops on Monday, in the first of what is feared will be a wave of departures from the Church of England by traditionalists converting to Roman Catholicism.
The Bishop of Richborough, the Right Rev Keith Newton, 58, is expected to become leader or the Anglican Ordinariate, set up to provide Catholic refuge to Anglicans who leave the Church of England over the issue of women bishops.
The Bishop of Ebbsfleet, the Right Rev Andrew Burnham, 63, is also expected to join the Ordinariate, along with the Bishop of Fulham, the Right Rev John Broadhurst, who announced last month that he will be resigning at the end of the year. A fourth retired bishop, Edwin Barnes, is also expected to join the Ordinariate.
I’m also ‘converting’ to Catholicism and as I’m simply an anonymous pew-dwelling layman, this revelation won’t rock the world. My wife and I are baptised and confirmed Church of England and I have only been loosely affiliated with my local rural Anglican churches since returning from Spain a couple of years ago.
I have a ten year old son and these little churches are sadly devoid of families and other children.
This coupled with the internal struggles bedevilling the Church of England currently, has prompted my decision. Our local Catholic church is huge and bursting with families of all ages.
I’m not leaving the Church of England for the same reasons as these good Bishops, as I suspect they are unhappy with what they would perceive as the ‘liberalising’ of the church. On some issues I’m more conservative, and on others more liberal, but the direction of the church is not my main concern. My main concern is the ongoing war and bitterness shattering the Anglican communion from within.
I can’t deal with grieving over it anymore.
A couple of other factors have contributed to my decision. Reading Diarmaid MacCulloch’s seminal work, ‘A History of Christianity.’ has given me a deep appreciation for all things prior reformation. The wonderful history and tradition of our ancient faith is something I greatly desire to ‘plug’ into.
On a purely personal level, I was poorly when the Pope visited the UK and was in hospital which afforded ample opportunity to watch this great man in action. It was during his first mass in Glasgow that I personally received a tremendous sense of peace siting in my hospital ward.
My wife and I will go through marriage convalidation and my ten year old son will be re-baptised, as he was baptised in the Mediterranean sea by a house church which is not recognised by the Catholic Church.
Wife and I have embarked on the RCIA and we will be welcomed into the church in Easter. This is a lengthy period of time to elapse without partaking in communion. I think wifey might sneak off for the odd CofE sung Eucharist, especially if the setting is Palestrina!
My wife is delighted with all of this as she has been leaning Catholic for some time now and drip-feeding me. Also she hopes for two anniversary dates following convalidation.
There is much I could say and perhaps I will do so in future posts. I still love the church of our land, but right now I don’t see the internal conflicts resolving or becoming any easier to deal with.
There is much to learn and a few things to get my head around, but I’m sure I will, as I move forward.
Tags: Christian Life, Church Life
November 7th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
I am not yet a Catholic but I fully intend to make the step. I will also have to take a peek at that book – thanks for the tip.
All the best.
November 7th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Gosh! Never a dull moment on this blog webmaster! I do wish you the very best, and I do hope you continue with your blog. I look forward to your new insights. Hope we don’t lose your sometimes rather mischievous take on things…
November 7th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Thanks Jim and don’t worry nothing will change here!
November 7th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
@Jared, great I’ll keep you in my prayers and do let us know how you get on….
November 7th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Well this is a surprise! God go with you all on your journey.
(But don’t be thinking there is no conflict within the Roman church! Would-be liberalisers abound. But they won’t get very far.)
November 7th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Hi Jill, thanks. And yes I’m long enough in the faith to realise there is no such thing as the perfect church!
November 7th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
The wonderful history and tradition of our ancient faith is something I greatly desire to ‘plug’ into.
The great pilgrimage has begun.
In religion and spirituality, a pilgrimage is a long journey or search of great moral significance.
November 7th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
@Goy Amen!
November 7th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Wonderful news! Though of course tainted with sadness – whilst I’m a Catholic of an orthodox sort, with all that that entails, I can muster no joy in watching the way in which Anglicanism falls apart.
Still, the Church is and will be strengthened by your presence – prayers and best wishes for the pilgrimage.
November 7th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Thanks Michael.
November 8th, 2010 at 8:27 am
Strength and blessings to you and your family…
‘The Catholic Church is like a thick steak, a glass of red wine, and a good cigar.’ – GK Chesterton.
November 8th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Lovely, thanks Stephen.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:36 am
Hope you’re not non-smoking teetotal vegetarians, webmaster!
November 9th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Andrew Burnham and his decision regarding WOMEN:
…as Emerson said: “The dice of God are loaded”… it is a “WOMAN” who is clothed with the Sun…!
Jesus never looked under someone’s skirt or in their pants before He decided how to come to earth; He was not concerned and laid in the womb of a WOMAN for nine months…Oh my goodness bishop, how could He have “lowered” Himself to become so “fleshly” involved with a WOMAN?…especially according to your narrow, ignorant, judgmental attitude regarding WOMEN; after His resurrection, He decided to appear “first” to a WOMAN.
Ah, but to partake in the institution calling itself “Catholic” and of “Jesus,” anatomy is of primary importance and finding out what people are doing “under the sheets” reigns supreme and yet in Christ there is no male nor female.
I was raised Catholic because my Anglican mother “had” to convert to Catholicism to marry my father…she soon realized that she was “going backwards.”
You too, bishop, are taking the easy road and will find out that you are “going backwards” also…sad part is, you will be dragging alot of ignorant, lazy converts with you.
Shame on you for your narrow-minded decision; the Dice are loaded and soon you will reap your karma; too bad most people are too lazy to “think for themselves” and your actions will bring them down with you.
November 10th, 2010 at 12:09 am
Your reasons for converting sound a bit woolly to me – a bit post-modern; feeling as opposed to reason, experiences (bad ones) over against truth. Where is doctrine? Or is that irrelevant? I wonder what Tyndale, Latimer, or Cranmer would say. And now your marriage needs some sort of verification and your son, who chose voluntarily to be baptised, finds that it doesn’t count. Norman L.Geisler has some illuminating words to say having left the Catholic church himself – worth reading.
November 10th, 2010 at 2:36 am
This decision of the bishop could not have possibly been made without a tremendous amount of soul searching and countless sleepless nights. Give him credit for doing what he found to be correct or t least right for him. It could not have been easy. To those who wish to shame the gentleman I say that you have no business offering such a condemnation. Better to tend to the state of your own souls.
November 11th, 2010 at 5:20 am
Dear Grainne,
You have hit the nail on the head: where is truth and doctrine in all this conversion? I commend you.
Sincerely, Madeline
November 11th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Grainne and Madeleine
What Eeyore’s you both are! Can you not just be happy that our webmaster has found this new direction? Even a casual reading of some of his many posts would inform you that doctrine is indeed important to him. He just chooses not to be heavy handed about it. If you are Catholics then shame on you for being so unwelcoming to someone wishing to join you, whatever their apparent faults or shortcomings. If you feel compelled to put him right why not offer our webmaster some positive advice instead?
November 11th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Thanks for that Simian.
November 11th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
@ webmaster: While I naturally hope it makes you happy, I can’t help but be disappointed. But you know my views on Catholicism so there’s no need to go through them again.
November 11th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
@ Grainne
Ever the curious researcher I looked up Norman Geisler. This is the same Geisler about which the following appears in Wikipedia:
“…On December 11, 1981 Norman Geisler testified in court in Little Rock, Arkansas, about how creation should be taught in public schools and said he believes UFOs exist, and are the work of Satan. …”
“… He believes that UFOs are, “a satanic manifestation in the world for the purpose of deception. …”
Not sure this is someone whose advice on doctrine I would be inclined to follow…
November 12th, 2010 at 10:22 am
If you are Catholics then shame on you for being so unwelcoming to someone wishing to join you, whatever their apparent faults or shortcomings.
Hi Jim, no they are certainly not Catholics, we have had the most wonderful welcome with prayers and blessings.
I am grieving for my beloved Church of England and over the years, I have shed blood, sweat and tears for Her.
But it is time to make the journey Home to Rome.
Although I must admit, I would love to take ++Rowan with us.
December 4th, 2010 at 12:30 am
Please don ‘t! I see you and your wife are seeking the truth…….have you read “The Two Babylons” by Alexander Hislop.Read this before you make your decision. Keep your heart open.
Warm Christian love to you and your family.