Garrison, N.Y., Jan 27, 2008 / 12:38 pm (CNA).- Throughout his entire life Fr. Paul Wattson, the founder of the Society of Antonment, was always devoted to the urgent reconciliation of Christians. His fervent desire for unity led him to convert to Catholicism from his Anglican faith and in 1907 to begin one of his greatest apostolates: the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Wattson’s path towards Catholicism was not a simple one.  James Publisi, the current minister general of the Society of Antonement, told L’Osservatore Romano that after many years of reflection about reconciliation, the centrality of Rome and the papacy, Wattson decided to publicly renounce the doctrinal positions of the Anglican communion, which he called “absolutely untenable,” because it was neither completely Anglican nor could it be considered Catholic.

Wattson was accompanied in his journey by Lurana White, also an Anglican, with whom he founded the Society of Atonement in 1898. The society is dedicated to the work of reconciliation among Christians and to the missions. Like Wattson, Ms. White converted to the Catholic faith, together with various members of their society and 10 others in 1909.

10:03 pm | Pro-abortion lobbies ‘incensed’ at Stupak deal to pass health care

01:04 pm | Over 1,500 attend Philadelphia men’s conference

12:34 pm | Post office rate hike on mailings critical of homosexuals in the military overruled

11:05 am | Jesus is Justice in person, declares Benedict XVI at Angelus

07:50 am | Knights of Columbus rallying against ‘immoral' Philippines contraception campaign

Chess champion Bobby Fisher requested Catholic burial in Iceland

Socialist Senator announces conversion and leaves politics over laws that “conflict with Christian ethics”

Nebraska family shares journey to Catholicism

Pavarotti returns to the Catholic faith before dying