Bishop of Ebbsfleet Quits Anglican for Roman Catholic Church

The Anglican Bishop of Ebbsfleet has announced his decision to quit the Church of England for the Roman Catholic Church.

A statement from the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, dated 3rd of September, 2021 says the head of the Anglican Communion accepted the resignation of Bishop Jonathan Goodall with regret.

Goodall’s exit comes after 8 years as Bishop of Ebbsfleet following his decision to seek full communion with the Roman Catholic.

According to Justin Welby, “I am deeply grateful to Bishop Jonathan for his ministry and many years of faithful service. My prayers are with him and Sarah, both for his future ministry and for the direction in which they are being called in their continuing journey of dedicated service to Christ.

“With regard to the see of Ebbsfleet, we will be starting a process of consultation with colleagues and others – including parishes to whom Bishop Jonathan ministers – to determine what the next steps will be.”

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On his part, Bishop Jonathan Goodall said that, “I have arrived at a decision to step down as Bishop of Ebbsfleet, in order to be received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, only after a long period of prayer, which has been among the most testing periods of my life.

“Life in the communion of the Church of England has shaped and nourished my discipleship as a Catholic Christian for many decades. This is where I first received – and for half my life have ministered, as a priest and bishop – the sacramental grace of Christian life and faith.

“I shall always treasure this and be thankful for it. I trust you all to believe I have made my decision as a way of saying yes to God’s present call and invitation and not of saying no to what I have known and experienced in the Church of England, to which I own such deep debt.”

Bishop Goodall had vehemently opposed female priests and feels comfortable moving over to the Catholic Church where women ministers have their limits.

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Bishop of Ebbsfleet Quits Anglican for Roman Catholic Church