Tremors turn seismic as a parish defects to Rome

From Sydney-

The Church of England is facing a potential exodus over liberal reforms and the issue of the ordination of women, writes Tim Ross.

Shortly after eight o'clock one spring morning in 2007, an earthquake struck the parish church of St Peter in Folkestone, bringing down the gable-end of the south transept.

Three years later, the 19th-century church, which opened as a chapel for local fishermen, has caused tremors of its own, becoming the first parish in England to declare its intention to defect to Rome. Within hours of the news emerging last week, the Bishop of Fulham announced that he, too, will take up the Pope's offer to join a new structure within the Catholic Church for disaffected Anglicans.

Some are now talking openly of an ''exodus'' from the Anglican Communion next year, with thousands following Folkestone's lead. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, from whose back yard the revolt has sprung, can be in little doubt about the seriousness of the threat.

Advertisement: Story continues below
The defectors represent the most traditional ''High Church'' members of the Anglican Communion. They believe there is no place for women bishops and are appalled by what they see as the imposition of liberal reforms within the church.

More here-

http://www.smh.com.au/world/tremors-turn-seismic-as-a-parish-defects-to-rome-20101022-16xsi.html