Bishop Jonathan Goodall. Photo: DECR Communications The Anglican bishop of Ebbsfleet stepped down from office after announcing that he will become a Roman Catholic.
The resignation of Bishop Jonathan Goodall was announced by Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury in a September 3 statement released by Lambeth Palace. Bishop Goodall is a former ecumenical secretary to a previous archbishop of Canterbury and was ordained in 2013 to serve as a “flying bishop” of a diocese erected to cover traditionalist parishes that would not accept women priests.
“I am deeply grateful to Bishop Jonathan for his ministry and many years of faithful service,” Archbishop Welby said.
“My prayers are with him and Sarah, both for his future ministry and for the direction in which they are being called in their continuing journey of dedicated service to Christ,” he said.
He continued: “With regard to the see of Ebbsfleet, we will be starting a process of consultation with colleagues and others – including the parishes to whom Bishop Jonathan ministers – to determine what the next steps will be.”
No details of who will receive Bishop Goodall into the Catholic Faith or where his reception will happen have been revealed. His Anglican ministry will end September 8, according to the statement from Lambeth Palace.