Reuters – Pope Benedict took a major step in October to make it easier for disaffected Anglicans who feel their church has become too liberal to convert to Roman Catholicism.
The move comes after years of discontent in some sectors of the 77-million-strong Anglican community over the ordination of women priests and homosexual bishops.
The Pope has approved an “Apostolic Constitution” to accept Anglicans who want to join Catholicism while maintaining some of their own traditions.
The new structure allows for the appointment of leaders, usually bishops, who will come from the ranks of unmarried former Anglican priests, to oversee communities of former Anglicans who have become Catholics and recognise the Pope as their leader.
The new regulations continue the practice of allowing a married Anglican priest who converts to remain married.
