Dialogue Resource
Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter (2013)
Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter
Media Backgrounder, February 2013
The Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter is a national structure, similar to a diocese, that was created by the Vatican in 2012 for former Anglican communities and clergy seeking to become Catholic. Once Catholic, the comunities retain many aspects of their Anglican heritage, liturgy and traditions. Priests must apply for ordination as Catholic priests and first complete an approved formation program.
Based in Houston, Texas, the Ordinariate includes communities throughout the United States and Canada. Our Lady of Walsingham in Houston is the principal church. Other large communities include St. Luke, Bladensburg, MD; Christ the King, Towson, MD; Church of the Incarnation, Orlando, FL; and St. Thomas More, Scranton, PA. Ordinariate groups and clergy are located in areas such as California, Iowa, Alabama, New York and South Carolina; Edmonton, Victoria, Ottawa and Calgary.