Influential Episcopal priest leaves parish to convert to Catholicism

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Pittsburgh, Pa., May 23, 2005 / 12:00 am (CNA).- An influential priest of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has announced that he will renounce his vows as a priest in the Episcopal church in order to convert to Catholicism and apply to become a Catholic priest. Rev. Alvin F. Kimel Jr., rector of St. Mark's Church, told his 200-member parish about his decision in a letter Thursday.

The 55-year-old pastor and father of four also posted the letter on his Web blog May 19.

"In the name of an ideology of radical inclusivity, the Episcopal Church has moved significantly away from the apostolic and catholic faith of Jesus Christ," his letter read.

“With the decision made by General Convention two summers ago to approve the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals and the blessing of same-sex unions, it has, in my judgment, become heretical,” he continued.

"I cannot in conscience represent the Episcopal Church to the world, nor can I in conscience summon sinners into its fellowship,” he stated.

“As my wife and close friends can well testify, my life has been an agony for me since the 2003 General Convention. I have struggled to discern God’s will for my life and for my ministry,” he shared in his letter.

“I have had to reassess my understanding of the Church from the ground up. I have finally concluded that I cannot in conscience remain an Episcopalian. I must be in the Church founded by Christ Jesus. It is thus my intention to enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church,” he concluded.

It will be at least two years before Kimel can be ordained as a Catholic priest. He will first be considered a layman. A Catholic bishop, who is willing to have a married priest in his diocese, must sponsor him. He will then undergo an 18-month period of formation, including theological study. The Pope then must decide whether to approve his ordination.

Kimel is the 80th Episcopal priest to join the Catholic Church since 1980, when Pope John Paul II created the pastoral provision to enable married Episcopal priests to become married Catholic priests, reported the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Kimel is one of six priests from the Diocese of Maryland who produced the 1991 Baltimore Declaration. The Declaration addressed the false teachings within the Episcopal church that Jesus is merely one savior among many for humankind, and that "eternal salvation is already given to the chosen people of Israel through the covenant of Abraham and Moses, independently of the crucified Christ."

For Kimel’s blog, go to: http://pontifications.classicalanglican.net/

Comments: 11

Subscriber comments:

Published by: lpj
Canada 08/12/2008 03:40 PM EST

Rate: Regular

The conversion of Anglican/Episcopal priests to [Roman] Catholicism, can be done through the Eastern Rite of the RC Church, as they do allow married priests. In this way the special permission of The Pope can be avoided; and the converted priests can still function in a Latin/Western Rite "Catholic" Church. But again, so much for the double standard of the "Catholic" Church. Luther was right, too many variations within the secret side of the church, but keep the frontal appearance dogmatic and dictatorial.

Published by: R. Dworkin
San Antonio, Texas 12/08/2007 04:08 PM EST

Rate: Bad

I think it's really sad that all these people are leaving the Episcopal church because they are so sexist that women priests send them into a frenzy. The Catholic church needs to get its act together and accept women as equals and ordain them also. Why does the RC church need to be a haven for bigots?

Published by: Viola M. Rose
Raton, N.M. U.S.A. 09/01/2005 10:13 PM EST

Welcome home!!!

Published by: Bob Crowley
Australia 08/03/2005 06:39 AM EST

If the Catholic Church is fair dinkum about reunification, it is going to have to rethink its policy on celibacy. Perhaps a separate of married priests for example.

If Protestants can run ministries very successfully with married pastors, then I fail to see why the Catholic Church can't as well.

The only thing stopping it is its own conservatism and inertia.

Of all the Protestant denominations, the Anglicans / Episcopaleans should find the change the easiest, since so much of their liturgy and traditions are already close to those of the Catholic Church.

Bob Crowley.

Published by: Jennifer Jaeger
Emerald Isle NC USA 08/02/2005 06:41 PM EST

Elinore: Don't hesitate! I was a Lutheran (ELCA) and converted. I was received into full communion with the Church in 2003. I, too, was divorced. Get thee to a priest and get some answers to your questions. The sooner you begin the sooner you can experience the joy of the Sacraments. God bless you.

Published by: Nancy Heise
Parkland, FL United States 08/02/2005 03:08 PM EST

Welcome Reverend and Mrs. Kimel to the Catholic Church. I believe you are really shepherding the flock by your action! God bless you, you will make a great Catholic Priest. As a Catholic, I will not be confused about the celibacy requirement being withheld for you in this particular situation if that is what our Holy Father decides for you.

Published by: Danielle
usa 07/16/2005 12:12 PM EST

Regarding celibacy, i believe if a bishop is willing to sponsor him and he and his wife are made aware of exactly how life will be with him as a catholic priest, it could work out well. However, if they still have children at home, his family responsibilities would probably keep him from giving enough to his flock, not to mention how unfair it is to make the laity pay to raise his children. There are many practical and scriptural reasons for the celibacy discipline, and whether or not the priesthood is appropriate for his family, only they & God can decide.

Published by: Margaret McConnell
Covington, LA 07/13/2005 06:49 PM EST

Jacob, I believe that an Anglican priest who becomes a Catholic one must live celibately. ANd, Elinore, sure you are welcome into the Catholic if you've been divorced, though if you want to marry again (or are remarried) you must get an annulment before you can receive the sacraments. I'd rather stay single than give up the Eucharist, the joy of it. The Counter-Reformation is alive again, after nearly 500 years. GLory to God and may we all be one.

Published by: TOM
Memphis, TN/USA 07/12/2005 12:25 PM EST

St. Thomas More would understand!

Published by: Elinore Sanborn
Petoskey, MI, USA 05/23/2005 06:32 PM EST

I was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal
Church; but I haven't attended for a long time.
I, also, am considering converting to the Roman Catholic Church. The article about Rev. Kimel has made me more sure of my consideration. May God bless him and you.
Will it be permitted if I have been divorced for 40
years?

Published by: Jacob Johnson
Slidell, Louisiana, USA 05/23/2005 05:53 PM EST

I think it's wonderful that Mr. Kimel is going to convert to Catholicism. However I am concerned about his intentions to enter the priesthood. I believe that if he intends to enter into full communion with Rome that he should accept the churches teaching on the celibacy of the priesthood. As a convert and one considering the priesthood, I think this can lead to a misundertanding our great tradition.

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