THE BISHOP of Blackburn has insisted he will not be accepting the Pope’s offer to join the Roman Catholic Church. Under changes announced by Pope Benedict XVI, groups of Anglicans will be able to join the Roman Catholicism but keep a separate religious identity.
The move, which has caused controversy in religious circles, is seen as an attempt to appeal to Anglican priests who disagree with the ordination of women priests - an issue that has caused recent controversy in East Lancashire.
Last year the Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, signed a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury in support of colleagues who were threatening to quit the church.
And in September the Cathedral reversed its policy of offering separate, ‘untainted’ communion bread to worshippers who did not want to receive it from its female priest.
But Bishop Reade told the Lancashire Telegraph: “There is always two-way traffic between the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church .
“One of the reasons why is because there is constant overlap between what we believe in.
“There will always be those in the Christian world who feel they want to continue their spiritual journey in another church.
“It’s a very generous offer that the Pope has made, that people could become part of the Roman Catholic church but still continue to have Anglican services.
“That is fine, but it rather depends on a whole congregation going over. I would have to say I don’t expect many to go.
“The Church of England is a big tent and while there are boundaries to what Anglicans believe, we are a Church that makes room for everyone.
“The one big issue is whether we have women bishops. It’s not quite as simple as saying ‘we have women judges and a woman Prime Minister’. I would hope we could come up with a stance that’s able to appeal to both sides.”
He added: “Nobody has said to me that they’re interested in going at the moment “I would want to see my time out as Bishop of Blackburn. In other words, I could only cease to be Bishop of Blackburn if ill health, death or retirement intervened.
“I am Bishop of Blackburn, and I will continue to be until the good Lord releases me from it.”
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