A FORMER Anglican vicar who joined the Catholic church has said he has no regrets about switching religious allegiance after taking up his first appointment as a priest in residence.

Father Ian Grieves served as vicar at St James the Great church, in Darlington, for nearly a quarter of a century before leaving in February, along with more than 50 members of the congregation.

After being ordained as a priest at St Anne’s Catholic Church, Darlington, in May, Fr Grieves took up his new appointment at St Osmund’s, in Gainford, near Darlington, last month.

He said: “In churches such as St James’s (an Anglo- Catholic Church which takes elements of both Anglican and Catholic worship) many members’ thinking and outlook are Catholic.

“Their thinking was that the Church of England would reunite with the Catholic Church.

“That has not happened and the Church of England has gone down a very different road.

“Because of that and because of the Holy Father’s invitation to come as you are and bring your style of ministry, I really could not refuse if I wanted to hold my position with integrity.

“I know I could not be a Catholic without being in full union. The point had come for me that I was living a pretence.”

However, Fr Grieves, 57, said it was still a big decision to leave St James’s not knowing what the future would hold.

“It was a fantastic set-up at St James’s, but I had to be prepared to give that up,” he said.

“Years ago, I would not have done it, but I have learnt what is important.

“I had to go through a full selection process in the Catholic Church.

“I have no regrets whatsoever.

I rejoice in my Anglican past – it has given me huge perspective.

“I see it as a journey. Everything I did as an Anglican, I draw strength from.”

Fr Grieves said the welcome he had received from his new congregation in Gainford had been “gracious, hospitable and generous”.

He is also the first priest in residence at St Osmund’s for more than a year.

Fr Grieves said: “St Osmund’s has been well served by Father Wilf Elkin, from St Mary’s, Barnard Castle, and Sunday mass has been said by priests from Holy Family Church, in Darlington.”

But he added: “It is very important to have a resident priest and that the priest lives with and among his people.

“The parochial system of the church has always supported and encouraged that. It is how you get to know people.”

Fr Grieves said he was an advocate of a “house-going priest with church-going people” and was making at least one home visit a day since taking up his new post.

Other priorities have included establishing daily mass at St Osmund’s.