November 16, 2011. (Romereports.com) A key announcement was made by Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl. Starting January 1, 2012 Anglicans in the United States, will have the choice of joining the Catholic Church under a so called ' personal ordinariate.' That means Anglicans can become part of the Catholic Church, while still keeping their heritage and liturgical practices.

As of now, two Anglican dioceses with roughly 2,000 people have expressed their desire to join.


Cardinal William Joseph Levada, who serves as the president of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, also deals with personal ordinariates. He says, so far 67 Anglican priests have submitted their requests to become ordained by the Catholic Church. Thirty seven of them have already been initially approved.

Anglican priests who are married, and wish to join the Church, will be ordained as Catholic priests, but they won't be able to become bishops.

A document and catechesis to prepare Anglican priests and laypeople, who wish to become part of the Church, have also been approved.
A 'personal ordinariate,' depending on its location, its linked to a  respective Episcopal Conference. Each one of them will be governed by a so called “ordinary,” who in this case will be a bishop or priest. The leader will in turn, be advised by a council.

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