November 8, 2010. Five Anglican bishops have announced their resignation from the Church of England with the intention to set up an English Ordinariate in communion with the Pope. 

The bishops include Andrew Burnham, Bishop of Ebbsfleet, Keith Newton, Bishop of Richborough, John Broadhurt, Bishop of Fulham, Edwin Barnes, ermeritus Bishop of Richborough, and David Silk, an emeritus assistant bishop of Exeter.

In a statement released by the bishops their reason for leaving the Church was over “developments they believed to be incompatible with the historic vocation of Anglicanism in faith and order”.  

This comes after a change in the Anglican church to allow the ordination of female bishops and other liberal innovations.  

Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, regretfully accepted their decision and wished them well.  

While Catholic liaison officer, Bishop Alan Hopes, welcomed the bishops to the Ordinariate for England, which will be soon be established. 

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