by Elizabeth Ela (www.headlinebistro.com)
Converts from the Anglican tradition to Roman Catholicism are nothing new, whether among laity or clergy. However, as former bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, Jeffrey Steenson, D.Phil., stood out among the rest last Advent when he was received into the Catholic Church in Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Steenson and his wife, Debra, are currently in Italy, where Steenson is taking classes in preparation for his ordination to the Catholic priesthood under Pope John Paul II’s Pastoral Provision for married Anglican clergy. His ordination is expected to take place later this year.
Headline Bistro conducted a written interview with Steenson, asking him about his journey to the Catholic Church, how elements of Anglicanism will affect his ministry as a Catholic priest and his thoughts on the future of Anglican-Catholic dialogue.
Steenson’s insights are timely, especially with the recent news of the Episocopal Diocese of Pittsburgh’s decision to split from the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) and join the more traditional Anglican Province of the Southern Cone. At least two other Episcopal dioceses are considering similar moves later this year, reflecting an internal struggle over the denomination’s direction.
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