By Gretchen Keiser

Missouri Bishop Bernard F. Law has been named by the Vatican to oversee the petitions of married Episcopal priests who wish to enter the Catholic Church and serve as priests.

Bishop Law, who is bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, also has the responsibility of developing a proposal to the Vatican of a “pastoral provision,” which, if approved, would provide a “common identity” for Episcopalians entering the Catholic Church and retain some elements of their own heritage.

The announcement of Bishop Law’s appointment was made by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in a March 31 statement. It followed up on an exchange between the Vatican doctrinal congregation and the U.S. Bishops’ conference last summer, in which the American bishops requested guidance on the cases of individual married Episcopal priests, and others, who wished to come into full communion with the Catholic Church and retain their priestly ministry.

The new statement from the Vatican congregation reemphasized its position first expressed last summer: that this is a pastoral response to individuals who wish to enter the Catholic Church, and that it does not suggest any change in the church’s rule on priestly celibacy.