Anglican church congregation in Leicester considers converting to Catholicism
The congregation at one of the oldest Anglican churches in Leicester is considering converting to Catholicism.
About 50 members of St Mary de Castro's congregation met Catholic leaders yesterday to discuss the move.
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The congregation at St Mary de Castro Church, in Castle Street, has met with Catholic leaders to discuss conversion
It followed the Pope's invitation last year to disaffected Anglicans, who feel their Church has become too liberal, to convert to Roman Catholicism.
Pope Benedict XVI's decree would allow traditionalist Anglicans to accept all Roman Catholic doctrine and teachings while maintaining aspects of the Anglican tradition.
Nine-hundred-year-old St Mary de Castro, in Castle Street, near St Nicholas Circle, is already an Anglo-Catholic church.
Anglo-Catholics agree with most the Roman Catholic church teachings, but use the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer and hold Evensong. They would still be able to do if that, if they moved to the Catholic church.
Terry Doughty, from Leicester's West End, organised yesterday's meeting.
He said he believed that if a vote took place now, the majority of the congregation would stay as they are, but added there was lots more to discuss before a decision was reached.
"The Church of England has deviated from traditional beliefs and has become more liberal in its way of looking at things – for some it has become too liberal," said Mr Doughty.
"Women as bishops is one of the reasons traditionalists are unhappy."
He said there were "certainly members of this congregation who would want to take up the Pope's generous offer".
"It's hard to say what could, or might happen until more discussions are held at a higher level," added Mr Doughty.
He said if the congregation did convert, he believed the church building would "in all probability remain with the diocese and those who wanted to become Catholic would have to worship elsewhere".
The Church of England's ruling General Synod voted in 2008 to consecrate women as bishops.
Churchwarden Joyce Levell and her husband, Frank, from Groby, both said they were against female bishops and would support a move to Catholicism if a vote took place.
Mr Levell, 78, said: "There's not a lot of difference between Anglo-Catholic and Roman Catholic.
"I wouldn't be opposed to joining up with the Catholic church if things continue and I think a lot of people within the church share my views."
Father Leon Pereira, prior at the Catholic Holy Cross Priory, in Leicester, was at yesterday's talks and answered questions.
He said: "Recent developments have made them sit up and think their church is not Catholic, whereas they have always had this mindset they were very much linked to Catholicism."
The Archdeacon of Leicester, the Ven Richard Atkinson, said he valued the Catholic church but hoped Anglo-Catholics would remain within the Church of England.
He said: "The invitation is a fundamental shift in identity. It's not that simple.
"Our focus is working closely with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in the county but I'm surprised by the Pope's offer, which I believe is untimely and unhelpful.
"The whole church is in a careful process of deciding how we can respect and celebrate the role of women."
10 Comments
by Kev, Leicester
Thursday, February 25 2010, 1:13PM
“Whats wrong with just making it all up as you go along? Religion has done this throughout history, why stop now? I am thinking of changing football teams because i don't like the new kit. I could always become a Manchester United fan and claim that I always have been. Works for the rest of them.”
by Historian, Leicester
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 2:21PM
“Mr Teacher Tom - Wigston - I sincerely hope you are not a teacher as you have no idea what you are talking about. The Catholic church from the days of the Crusades which were started by the then Pope purely for power purposes - right up to the never ending abuse of children - is only the tip of the iceberg. The Catholic scriptures are nothing to do with the real Jesus and they were written and selected 200 years after the death of Jesus. How can a faith claim to be followers of Jesus when they actually worship his mother who in most major faiths is simply a mortal and not divine in any sense whatsoever.
The Catholic church is nothing other than political power and cover ups and I pity the fools that believe in their propoganda
I feel for the poor victims of the Catholic church since it's beginning.”
by BJ, Just up t'road
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 1:58PM
“Anglican? Catholic? What's the difference? Don't they all worship the same alleged supreme being?
You say potato and I say potato, you say tomato and I say tomato ......”
by John Stitch, Leicester Town
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 1:58PM
“Hilarious ! A useful analogy for this might be the situation whereby a local Tory MP defects to another political party because he realises he might get more votes that way, or even Tory voters placing their alliegance elsewhere because the party they always voted for isn't right-wing enough.”
by anon, leicester
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 1:19PM
“This church is one of the prides of leicester, and should remain anglican, if the poeple wish to convert that is their choice, however should go to a differnt church that meets their requirments.
Galatians 3:28--"Their is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."”
by Teacher Tom, Wigston
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 12:24PM
“Overlord, what a load of rubbish you write. Whether or not you personally have a faith, to dismiss the importance of a chosen faith to a particular individual or group is the act of a total moron. Faith is faith - and a change from one denomination to another has caused contemplation and anguish for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, over the centuries, and is a change that individuals with faith would take most seriously before undertaking. Whilst the change in question would not lead to the same result as those previously, it is still a newsworthy and uncommon issue that should be treated with respect. This article has nothing to do with the past rights or wrongs of the RC communion that you mention, and unless you equate the faith of more than a billion practising Catholics worldwide with the (albeit terrible) acts of a few then you really need to step back and see the bigger picture. Seems to me you just wanted to draw a bit of attention to yourself in this case, rather than make an informed comment on the story at hand. And for the record I am not a Catholic.”
by The Overlord, England
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 12:06PM
“To be blunt, who really cares??
Roman Catholic, Anglo Catholic (Atilla is correct, this is another useless pc wordism) Mulsim, Hindu etc......................
This is not news,
Would it be better the RC church addressed the cover up of systematic abuse of children and dealt with those responsible accordingly.
Get your house in order, then worry about the name of your group.
Go in Peace My People”
by Attila, Australia
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 11:27AM
“There is NO such entety as Anglo Catholic. The Act of Parlament reads "The protestant Church of England" Anglo-CAtholic is a dream and many would have lost their heads in days go on by for even thinking on those terms.”
by J, Leicester
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 10:37AM
“Good to see that the congregation has seen the light and are returning to the Mother Church!”
by Andy, Leicester
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 10:22AM
“I used to go to a Church of England service but after repenting for all my sins, apologising for slavery and feeling guilty for global warming I was asked to pray for the police, doctors and many other civil servants who retire early on inflated pensions. Can't stomach it anymore I'm off to Rome.”