Rome opens U.S. Catholic home for ex-Episcopalians

American Episcopalians upset with their denomination's acceptance of
gay and female clergy can now convert to the Roman Catholic Church while
keeping many cherished traditions in a special new U.S. diocese that
was established on New Year's Day by Pope Benedict XVI.

The
Houston-based diocese, called the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of
St. Peter, will allow a special Anglican-style Catholic mass that can
include sections from the Book of Common Prayer and other Anglican
liturgies.

This new structure grew out of a controversial 2009
effort by Pope Benedict to convince conservative Anglicans to align with
Rome under an exemption that allows Anglican priests, laity and even
entire congregations to convert while keeping their prized music and
prayers.