Press Releases
Anita Henderson received into Roman Catholic Church
Accompanied by her husband and family, during Evening Prayer in the private chapel of Bishop John Fleming's house, Ballina, Co Mayo, Anita Henderson was yesterday received into the Roman Catholic Church.
Anita Henderson is married to Richard Henderson, Church of Ireland Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry.
The two bishops have issued the following joint statement:
"We recognise that every person can freely choose his or her religious and church affiliation as a matter of conscience. Anita Henderson has our complete support in her choice of what she feels to be her spiritual home. Her decision, made after much heart searching, deserves the respect of us all and we trust that all people of goodwill will share in this. We commend her for her honesty and courage. She has our good wishes, the support of our prayers and our blessing.
"This is a time of unprecedented hospitality, friendship, and collaboration between our local churches. As these have developed, we have become increasingly aware of how much we have in common, and yet how distinctive the different traditions remain; how much in their variety they are especially suited to some, but not to others. We believe that such genuine and honest searching is a positive indicator in these times - and will not go unrewarded by the God we all strive to love and serve."
+ Richard
+John
Commenting on her decision, Anita Henderson said: "This is the culmination of a long journey of spiritual searching. I feel under God that is what I am being called to do."
For further information please contact:
Church of Ireland Press Office
Church of Ireland House
61-67 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2QH
Tel: (028) 9023 2909
Fax (028) 9032 3554
Janet Maxwell: (duty phone) 00353 (0) 87 948 4412