He explained that the Archdiocese of Washington designed a catechetical program for the study, based on “The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.”
“RCIA classes are now being planned for late fall and all new-comers or those who are still discerning will be expected to attend and complete these classes,” he said.
Lewis emphasized that although the parish council worked closely with the parishioners in making the decision to enter the Catholic Church, each member of the community had to make that choice as an individual as well.
He explained that each individual confirmed on Oct. 9 accepted Church teaching and “willingly chose to become a Roman Catholic.”
Although the majority of members at St. Luke’s have decided to leave the Episcopal Church, Lewis said that some “felt they were not quite ready yet to become Catholic, and others have a lifelong affinity to being Anglican.”
“I suspect there will be a small handful who will seek out a traditional orthodox Anglican parish,” he said.
However, he noted, even those members who have not chosen to enter the Catholic Church “have still been supportive of their fellow parishioners.”
“All are welcome to continue attending Mass at St. Luke’s, and those who remain Anglican understand that they are not permitted to receive communion,” he said.
Lewis hopes to begin an expedited process toward ordination as a Catholic priest. During the transition period, Fr. Scott Hurd, a former Episcopalian priest who was ordained a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Washington, will be the chaplain for the St. Luke’s community.
Lewis expressed his gratitude to Cardinal Wuerl for his “hard work, leadership and pastoral care” in making the reception into the Church possible.
“As St. Luke’s moves into the eventual ordinariate, I hope to continue a close relationship with the Archdiocese of Washington,” he said.
(Story continues below)
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“I feel at home in the Catholic Church, and with the people of the Archdiocese of Washington.”
Michelle La Rosa is deputy editor-in-chief of Catholic News Agency. She has worked for CNA since 2011. She studied political philosophy and journalism at the University of Dallas.