Converted churches combine Anglican traditions, Catholic values

The Rev. Richard Rodgers of Blessed Sacrament Old Catholic Church in Racine, Wis., has presided over Masses since 1989. But Rodgers isn’t a typical priest — the 62-year-old pastor is married and has a son and grandchildren. A former Episcopalian minister, Rodgers leads a seven-member congregation in the Chicago Diocese of the Old Catholic Church, a hybrid of Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions ...

[Joe DeCaro]

from marquettetribune:

"'I left the Episcopal Church because it was slowly descending into chaos,' Rodgers said, referring to his opposition to the church’s acceptance of openly gay clergy, blessing over same-sex unions and allowance of female priests and bishops.

"Traditionalists in the Episcopal Church believe these practices go against biblical teachings. Rodgers said he and his parishioners were looking to maintain a more conservative approach to worship when they left the church.

"They weren’t the only ones to leave the Episcopal Church.

"The Catholic Church has been strongly encouraging Anglican conversions since 1980, when Pope John Paul II passed the 'Anglican Use' provision. It allowed for former Anglican parishes to keep certain elements of the Anglican service and tradition while also embracing conservative Catholic values."