Australian Anglican group votes to become Catholic
An Australian Anglican group has become the first to accept Pope Benedict's offer to disaffected Anglicans to convert en masse while retaining parts of their spiritual heritage.
Forward in Faith Australia, part of the traditional Anglican group that also has members in Britain and America, is setting up a working party guided by a Catholic bishop to work out how its followers can cross over to Rome.
A Special General Meeting of Members of Forward in Faith Australia was held on 13 February at All Saints in Melbourne to consider recommendations from the National Council regarding the future direction of the Association.
They voted unanimously to receive "with great gratitude" the Apostolic Constitution "Anglicanorum Coetibus" of Pope Benedict XV1, and directed the National Council to foster "by every means the establishing of an Ordinariate in Australia".
They also reaffirmed a commitment to provide care and support for those who at this time feel unable to be received into the Ordinariate.
They welcome the appointment of Bishop Peter Elliott as delegate of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference in the project to establish a Personal Ordinariate in Australia.
The group is also establishing of Friends of the Australian Ordinariate and inviting members of Forward in Faith Australia and "other interested persons" to contact them.
Forward in Faith Australia has about 200 members, although not all are expected to join the Ordinariate at this stage.