CHICAGO, July 26 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the Catholic lay institute Miles Jesu:
''I was an Episcopalian priest'' says Linda Poindexter, wife of American Rear Admiral John Poindexter. Now, she is a Catholic laywoman.
This conversion to Catholicism of a high-ranking religious leader is not an isolated incident. Recent years have shown a growing worldwide trend in the conversion to Catholicism of religious leaders from all faiths. Why are so many high-ranking religious personalities converting? In interviews, most of these converts state that through research, prayer and personal epiphanies they have come to view the Catholic faith as the one, true, Christian faith.
None of these conversions seem to be a spur of the moment decision as, in many cases, these converts sacrificed titles and responsibilities to become a member of the faith. One such convert is Msgr. Graham Leonard, the former Anglican Bishop of London. Msgr. Leonard was the third highest-ranking Anglican prelate when retired from his position as Bishop of London in order to become a Catholic. He is history's highest-ranking Anglican prelate to embrace Catholicism.
Along with those who are converting to the Catholic Church, there are also many who are returning to the Church that they left years ago. Robert ''Bible Bob'' Sungenis is one of these. After leaving the Catholic Church in his youth he became a well-known Bible expert, who had a national radio program on Family Radio. For years he spent his time especially working to convince Catholics that their Church was not a ''Biblical Church.'' This went on for many years before he realized that the Catholic Church was not only a ''Biblical Church'' it was the Church that Christ founded and the Church he needed to belong to. Now he spends his time reaching out to others who have left the Church.
Another noteworthy convert, Marcus Grodi, a former Presbyterian Pastor, has founded the Coming Home Network on EWTN. The Network literally forms a network of helpers around the country to assist potential converts on their journey. ''There are over 500 'primary members' (of the Coming Home Network) for whom their conversion to the Catholic Church has a direct and dramatic impact on their vocation, how they support their family, their education, their ordination and their marriages. Right now, we have over 200 Protestant clergymen that we're working with who are somewhere on the journey. We have representatives from over 50 denominations in America who have come into the Church,'' states Grodi.
The need for organizations such as The Coming Home Network illustrate that the numbers of conversions of men and women ministers are dramatic and growing. Most notable among the converts are: Linda Poindexter, who relinquished the prestige and influence of being an Episcopalian priest to become a Catholic laywoman; Marcus Grodi, former Presbyterian Pastor and founder of the Coming Home Network and Rt. Hon. John Gummer, MP, member of the British Parliament.
Those interested in hearing the testimonies of these converts will have the opportunity at the Path to Rome conference, Nov. 2-4 in Madrid, Spain. Along with the conference there will also be a pilgrimage of many sites in Spain and Portugal. The conference is sponsored by the Catholic lay institute, Miles Jesu. For registration or information on the conference, contact 1-800-206-TOUR or 1-800-654-7945 or visit www.pathtorome.com.