Society of Catholic Priests
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The Society of Catholic Priests is a religious society of priests in the Anglican Communion. It can be considered the priestly arm of the Affirming Catholicism movement.
The Society was founded in 1994 by a group of priests from the Diocese of Southwark who felt that they could no longer remain within the existing fraternal organisations for Anglo-Catholic priests, such as the Society of the Holy Cross, which had taken conservative positions on the ordination of women to the priesthood. Its objective is to promote the formation and support of priestly spirituality and Catholic evangelism. Along with Affirming Catholicism, it represents the liberal strand of Anglo-Catholicism. Archbishop Rowan Williams is patron of both groups.
Membership in the SCP is open to all Anglican priests who accept the Anglican Communion as part of the "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church", who recognise the Holy Orders of women priests, who believe in the Real Presence, and who uphold the traditional view of seven sacraments. Priests keep a Rule of Life which includes the Daily Offices of Mattins and Evensong, Eucharistic-centred spirituality, use of a spiritual director, use of the sacrament of reconciliation, and praying for and ministering to other members of the Society.
Priests of the Society are entitled to use the letters "SCP" after their names. Deacons may become associate members and there is a sister society, the Dearmer Society, for ordinands.
