English Catholics claim 900 Anglican converts

The Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales says that about 900 members of the Church of England have taken the first step toward becoming Catholics.

The Catholic Communications Network said Tuesday that the converts participated last weekend in a Rite of Election, the first step toward confirmation.

They will be joining the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, established by Pope Benedict XVI to receive Anglicans.

The converts - many of them opposed to the ordination of female priests and the promotion of gay clergy - will be allowed to keep some Anglican liturgy and traditions.