CoE rebels made Catholic priests

Jonathan Paige
Sunday 16 January 2011 01:00 GMT
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Three former Church of England bishops were ordained as Roman Catholic priests in a ceremony at Westminster Cathedral yesterday. Archbishop 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.

Archbishop Nichols said: "Many ordinations have take place in this cathedral. But none quite like this. This is a unique occasion marking a new step in the life and history of the Catholic church."

The three men were part of the traditionalist wing of the Anglican church and did not agree with women becoming bishops. A spokesman for the Church of England said: "We wish them well on their journey. Of course, others may also be coming the other way."

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