'Vicious'
and 'fascist' - just some of the accusations leveled at the Church of
England by its own bishop in a bitter row over the Anglican Church's
decision to press ahead with plans to ordane women bishops.
The
Bishop of Fulham, the Rt Rev John Broadhurst, attacked the Church as he
explained his decision to defect to Rome following his resignation on
Friday.
As a traditionalist, he has accused the Church of breaking its
promises to those opposed to women's ordination and warned that the
Pope's inviataiton to disaffected Anglicans to join the Catholic Church
would gather momentum with those dismayed by their treatment.
When
the ordination of women bishops was first discussed in 1992, the Church
announced that there would always be 'an honoured place' in the Church
of England for traditionalists who opposed the idea.
But in July,
the Church of England voted to move ahead with the introduction of
women bishops with no concessions to its opponents.
A final vote will take place in 2012.
Many now feel that their concerns are being ignored and that they are being marginalised by the Church.
Meanwhile,
a parish in the Archbishop of Canterbury's diocese has caused a stir
with its announcement that it will be also be defecting to Rome.
St
Peter's Church in Folkestone, Kent, is to join the Ordinariate, as
system designed by the Vatican that allows Anglicans to convert while
retaining some of their heritage.
Bishop Broadhurst predicted it will be the start of a wave of conversions away from the Church of England.
He said: 'I think the Ordinariate will cause a huge shock. People have underestimated the impact it will have.
'I
don't feel I have a choice but to leave the Church and take up the
Pope's offer. The General Synod has become vindictive and vicious.
'It has been fascist in its behaviour, marginalising those who have been opposed to women's ordination'.
He added: 'The Church of England
made it clear that it does not want us. The Roman Catholic Church
understands what we're about, but our own Church does not'.
St
Peter's in Folkestone has become a magnet for traditionalist Anglicans
and the move to Rome was backed by most of the 35-40 strong
congregation.
Retired priest Fr Jamie Houghton, who worships at
the church, said: 'The Pope's offer was the answer to our prayers. The
debate over women priests has been going on for years and it's time to
draw a line in the sand.
'We don't accept the liberal agenda.
There has to be a place for traditionalists in the Church but we are
being forced away and I sure many other churches will follow.
'We are not anti-women, we are pro-tradition'.
However,
Fr Houghton did concede that some parishioners had 'reservations' about
the move whilst it remains unclear whether the diocese would allow them
to keep the church.
Many local residents criticised the move with one branding the move 'totally wrong'.
Sid Hill, 65, added: 'this smacks of a cheap recruitment campaign by the vatican. The Church should rise above it'.
SIC: DM/UK