Anglican bishops make history as first ordained Catholic priests

The Irish Times
PATSY McGARRY
 Religious Affairs Correspondent

Monday, January 17, 2011

THREE FORMER Anglican bishops made history at the weekend by becoming the first to be ordained Catholic priest members of a new “ordinariate’’ set up by the Vatican.

Former Church of England bishops, Keith Newton, John Broadhurst and Andrew Burnham, were ordained by Catholic Archbishop Vincent Nichols at Westminster Cathedral in London on Saturday.

The Archbishop told them “many ordinations have take place in this cathedral during the 100 years of its history. But none quite like this. Today is a unique occasion marking a new step in the life and history of the Catholic Church.’’ He continued that “this morning the establishment of the first personal ordinariate under the provision of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus has been announced in our hearing.’’

Archbishop Nichols thanked members of the Church of England for offering their prayers and good wishes to the newly ordained Catholic priests. He said “first among these is Rowan, Archbishop of Canterbury, with his characteristic insight, and generosity of heart and spirit”. the rest