This is another ‘Ordinariate’ for enabling Anglicans, both clergy and laity, to join the Catholic Church — while retaining a degree of autonomy as to their prior practices, including that of admitting married priests, even bishops. This mechanism, where each Ordinariate is equivalent to a nationwide diocese under one bishop, was formulated per Pope Benedict XVI’s (#266) November 4, 2009, Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus.
The first Ordinariate was for England and Wales — the home of the Anglicans, so to speak. It was to be known as Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham [a UK name for the Virgin Mary] and was set up on January 15, 2011. Three former Anglican bishops, all married, were ordained Catholic priests that day. One of those married ex-bishops, Keith Newton, was appointed head of this Personal Ordinariate as its ‘First Ordinary’. Per ancient Church rites a married priest, even an ex Anglican bishop, cannot become a Catholic bishop (though it is unclear what the status is for widowers).
The Ordinariate for the U.S.A. was established on January 1, 2012, as the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter. The First Ordinary is Jeffrey N. Steenson another married ex-bishop.
So the Australian, Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, becomes the 3rd Ordinariate for assimilating Anglicans — with Australia having (on paper) 3.7 millions Anglicans (and 5.1 million Catholics). The First Ordinary is 72-year old Harry Entwistle, another married ex-bishop.
The Southern Cross
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