Pope makes it easier for Anglicans to join

Pope Benedict has approved a document that would make it easier for Anglicans to join the Roman Catholic Church.

The move comes after years of discontent in the 70 million-strong worldwide Anglican community about the liberal attitudes of some parts of the church towards women priests and homosexual bishops.

The Vatican said that the document, known as an "apostolic constitution", would provide a structure for Anglicans who want to join Catholicism, either individually or in groups, while maintaining some of their own traditions.

The move was announced at simultaneous news conferences in Rome and London.

The Vatican said the Pope decided to prepare the document to respond "to the many requests that have been submitted to the Holy See from groups of Anglican clergy and faithful in different parts of the world who wish to enter into full visible communion".