RECENT predictions that hundreds of priests might leave the Church of England for the Catholic church have been exaggerated, according to the Bishop of Worcester.

Dr John Inge spoke out in response to a decree from Pope Benedict XVI welcoming Anglicans to Rome.

The announcement, called the Apostolic Constitution, offers an alternative to disaffected Anglicans who are opposed to the ordination of women bishops.

However, Dr Inge said: “There has been much written about ‘the Pope poaching Anglicans’ in the last few days but this is entirely inaccurate.

“What the Pope has done is respond to requests from some Anglicans who are opposed in conscience to the ordination of women as bishops.

“It is difficult to be clear about how such people will react to this Apostolic Constitution since its terms have yet to be made public.

“Some may feel the draw to Rome and this is to be respected but estimates of hundreds of priests leaving the Church of England are wildly overblown. In the diocese of Worcester, the vast majority of clergy are wholeheartedly and enthusiastically supportive of women becoming bishops, as am I.”

Father Ian Pearson, priest at Old St Martin’s, the Cornmarket, said he believed his congregation would wait for details before deciding.

He said: “Old St Martin’s is a very traditional Anglican church. There are people who are concerned about the future and particularly women bishops. It’s not an issue for me but I respect those for whom this is an issue.”

Father Ian said people wanted to see more details about how the Church of England would introduce women bishops and how the Pope’s decree would work.

He said “My own situation is I was born in the Church of England and I will die in the Church of England.”

One man who has been both an Anglican and Catholic priest is Father Dominic Cosslett, assistant priest at St George’s Catholic Church, Sansome Place.

He said: “What I would say is it’s not a good enough reason to become Catholic because you are disaffected with what is happening in your own church.

“I think there has to be a positive engagement with the Catholic church.”