ENGLAND: Opposing women bishops, Anglican parishioners vote to convert to Roman Catholicism
Episcopal News Service. October 18, 2010 [101810-05]
ENS staff
Some parishioners at St. Peter's Church, Folkestone, in the Diocese of Canterbury, may become the first members of the Church of England to convert formally to Roman Catholicism under controversial provisions set out by the Vatican in November 2009.
Members of St. Peter's Parochial Church Council voted to defect because they disagree with the Church of England's decision in July to advance plans for women to become bishops. But it is unclear how many members of the congregation support the move.
The Rev. Stephen Bould, vicar of St. Peter's, told the BBC that he will likely join some of his congregation in their decision to convert to the Roman Catholic Church, which has developed an Apostolic Constitution to allow former Anglicans to enter full communion with the Roman Catholic Church while preserving elements of Anglican spirituality and liturgy.
At a parish meeting on Sept. 28, St. Peter's churchwardens decided to write to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams requesting a meeting about the congregation's decision. The parish council said it "is anxious that this should be made as easy as possible, not only for them, but for the diocesan family of Canterbury that they will regretfully be leaving behind," according to a notice on St. Peter's website.