I came to the Episcopal Church, and thus to Anglicanism, at Christ Church. Without out doubt, Jurgen Liias played a significant part.

Here’s his blog

From the description of Fr Liias in the article and by Don C, Anglicanism’s loss is the RCC’s gain.  I am sure he will be given plenty of pastoral work to keep him busy and fulfilled.

“Liias said that about 20 members of his former church, Christ the Redeemer in Danvers, plan to convert to Catholicism.”

Does anyone know what is happening to the rest of the congregation? Are they continuing as episcopalian, and are they in ACNA, or a Continuum group, or independent?

Most of the parishioners at Christ Church left to form Christ the Redeemer (Anglican) in 2008 or ‘09. CtR is a parish in ACNA. 

I’m happy that Fr. Liias is following his conscience but, the church split really was bittersweet for me.

Christ the Redeemer is doing very well and has a new rector, Fr. Tim Clayton. Christ Church, though smaller now, has an active congregation under Fr. Patrick Gray, who is solidly evangelical. Though my husband and I are members of CTR, we have good friends in both churches. Another offshoot of that split is Hope Chapel, under Fr. Mario Bergner, smaller in numbers but also a vibrant congregation.

It looks as if the group of orthodox at Christ Church [the original] chose from a variety of options: new ACNA church plant, Ordinariate, Hope Chapel [ACNA], or to stay.

Exactly. And Fr. Liias can largely be credited with the (relatively) peaceful way the story has unfolded. He is a man of peace.
(Hope Chapel, I am pretty sure, is not ACNA. Maybe Quincy?)

Hi small c catholic,

Hope Chapel’s website states that it is ACNA:
http://www.hopechapelma.org/#/HOME

You’re right!

Well, I just came back from the mass - it was beautiful!  The very Rev’d Fr. Scott Hurd was celebrant with the wonderful local parish priest, Fr. David Barnes and his assisting priest concelebrating.  The Holy Spirit was truly present.  We sang all my favorite Marian hymns plus the wonderful whole version of St. Patrick’s breastplate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxA2zOSAuxc , not the watered down one in “Worship”.  Jurgen took John Vianney as his confirmation name, patron saint of priests.  People were there from both sides of the aisle and were all happy for Jurgen.  I can’t wait until he can say mass!

He’s not even close to being “one of the first”.  Not even under Anglicanorum Coetibus. Six men were ordained in Fort Worth on June 30, and there were 80-100 under the Pastoral Provision.

Religious journalists make me nuts.

Sarah, thanks for that information.  It seems like the vast majority of the parishioners wanted to stay Anglican and have each found somewhere to worship and minister, which is great to hear.