Following the announcement 10 years ago of the creation of ordinariates for groups of former Anglicans who wished to come into full communion with the Catholic Church, substantial interest was to be expected. Since the Church of England’s decision to ordain women in 1992, large numbers of Anglican clergy had been ordained Catholic priests, with special permission being given for married men to do so.
Meanwhile, others had held back: strong bonds of duty and friendship to Anglican parishioners, affection for the beautiful buildings and a sense that Catholicism was “not really English” were all part of it.
