Trio of ex-bishops first to become priests

Published on Saturday 15 January 2011 10:24

THREE former Anglican bishops have made history by becoming the first to be ordained as Catholic priests under a new scheme set up by the Vatican.

The most Rev Vincent Nichols, leader of Catholics in England and Wales, ordained Andrew Burnham, former bishop of Ebbsfleet; Keith Newton, ex-bishop of Richborough; and John Broadhurst, former bishop of Fulham, as Catholic priests at a service at Westminster Cathedral, London, yesterday.

They are the first members of an Ordinariate set up by the Pope for groups of Anglicans who wish to join the Roman Catholic Church while retaining aspects of their Anglican heritage.

The packed congregation included hundreds of priests from the diocese of Westminster, along with Bishop Alan Hopes, Archbishop Bernard Longely, from Birmingham, and trainee priests.

Rev Nichols told them: "Many ordinations have taken place in this cathedral during the 100 years of its history. But none quite like this."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has expressed concern that the Ordinariate could leave some parishes without priests, as disaffected Anglicans switch to Rome.