Dialogue Press Release
USCC News Release: Bishop Law Issues Statement on Former Episcopal Priests (1982)
USCC News Release: Bishop Law Issues Statement on Former Episcopal Priests by William Ryan, January 12, 1982
WASHINGTON--The bishop who serves as the Ecclesiastical Delegate for the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in questions pertaining to the admission of former Episcopalian clergy into the Catholic priesthood has issued a progress report on the past year1s developments.
Bishop Bernard F. Law of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Mo. reported that 64 former Episcopal priests have entered the petition process and about 20 others have sought information. The process being followed for petitioners is basically in the hands of local Catholic bishops.
"It would be impossible to accurately characterize the more than sixty priests as conservative or liberal," Bishop Law said. "They do not fit a mold any more easily than do Catholic priests. They are approaching the Catholic Church individually as a matter of conscience. They believe that they must be in communion with the See of Peter if they are to be fully faithful to Christ's will for the Church."