British Anglican bishop wants to switch to Rome

An Anglican bishop in Britain has said he will convert to Catholicism, media reported yesterday, in the latest schism over the ordination of women.

John Broadhurst, the bishop of Fulham in southwest London, accused the Church of England’s governing body the General Synod of acting in a “fascist” way.

“I don’t feel I have a choice but to leave the church and take up the pope’s offer,” he said in comments quoted by The Sunday Telegraph.

“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. We have not been given any space.”

The General Synod ruled in July that women bishops should be allowed, paving the way for their ordination despite objections from traditionalists.

Bishop Broadhurst is chairman of the Forward in Faith, a leading traditionalist group. AFP was unable to reach him for comment. In 2009, the Roman Catholic Church unveiled a new juridical framework that made it easier for Anglicans unhappy with the Church of England’s ordination of female and homosexual clergy to join Catholic ranks.

Bishop Broadhurst’s reported comments came the month after Pope Benedict XVI’s state visit to Britain.

He is the fourth and most senior Anglican bishop to make the announcement, the BBC reported.