Three former Anglican bishops were ordained as Catholic priests on 15 January Seven Anglican priests and 300 members of six congregations are to join a new section of the Catholic Church, the Catholic Diocese of Brentwood says.
The move involves three parishes in Essex, and three in east London.
It is the largest influx to date into the Ordinariate, which Pope Benedict established for Church of England members unhappy over issues such as the ordination of women.
Three former Anglican bishops have been appointed to lead the section.
The Ordinariate allows Anglicans opposed to issues including women bishops, gay clergy and same-sex blessings to convert to Rome while maintaining many of their traditions.
The Bishop of Brentwood, the Right Reverend Thomas MacMahon, said the Anglicans were also unhappy about the church’s general move away from the traditions it once shared with Catholics, but described the decision as “a very big move”.
“They relinquish their present post, a very big thing, leaving some of their people which brings heartache, into a fairly unknown future, as this ordinariate has only just been brought up.
“It calls for huge faith and huge trust because the future isn’t that certain,” he said.
Three vicars in Chelmsford, Hockley, Benfleet are among those men being trained to become Catholic deacons. A seventh retired Anglican vicar is also converting.
The Vatican will allow them to maintain a distinct religious identity and spiritual heritage within the Ordinariate.
Former Anglican bishops Andrew Burnham, Keith Newton and John Broadhurst were ordained into the section at Westminster Cathedral on 15 January.
At the time Father Newton estimated that about 50 Anglican clergy might join the Roman Catholic church – along with members of their congregations.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.