STOCK: Rector's Catholicism switch stuns parish

Laura Brown

AFTER three decades dedicated to Anglicanism, a parish priest is leaving to join the Roman Catholic Church.

Father Nick De Keyser, 60, who has been rector of All Saints Church in Stock for more than six years, said: "Most of the parish is pretty stunned by the news.

"There have been no critical comments."

This comes at a time when controversy surrounds the Pope's offer for clergy from the Church of England to join the Catholic Church, while retaining some Anglican practices.

However, he said the Pope's recent invitation to priests from the Church of England was not a factor in his decision.

"It's a very generous and gracious offer from the Pope but my decision was made long before this," he said.

"I've grown up in an Evangelical Church of England and I feel I've gone full spectrum.

"It became clear to me that Roman Catholicism was where God was leading me and I've returned to the undivided church and the rock from which we were hewn."

Speaking about whether he shared the dissatisfaction of many Anglican priests about women being introduced into the Church of England, he said: "It might have been a slight factor but I am going to the Roman Catholic Church for positive reasons as I feel this is where God is calling me.

"A lot of priests are very concerned about the way Anglican Communion has been going over the past few years."

Father Nick, who is married with two sons, will officially resign from ministry in the Church of England on December 18 and will be received into the Catholic Church the following day.

He said: "It's been a great privilege to be the parish priest here and a privilege to be involved in people's lives in different ways."

Honorary assistant priest, Father Ron Goodwin, said: "Most people are sorry to see him go.

"We are happy for him to have found his right place within the Christian community."

The question now is will other Church of England priests turn to the Catholicism in light of the Pope's offer.

Father Ron said: "It's quite difficult to say. Probably quite a lot will be interested but we don't yet know what's in the small print."