Anglican bishop, 60, quits to join the Roman Catholic church after feeling a 'pull' from God and undertaking a 'long period of prayer'

An Anglican bishop has quit in order to join the Roman Catholic Church after what he said was ‘among the most testing periods of my life’.

Jonathan Goodall, 60, had been Bishop of Ebbsfleet for eight years.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, accepted the resignation with regret and expressed gratitude for ‘many years of faithful service’.

The bishop is understood to have felt a ‘pull’ towards Rome and took the decision in response to what he believes is God’s call

The move follows several conversations between the two over a lengthy period.

The bishop, who is married with two children, served as a provincial episcopal visitor, ministering to various parishes which decline to be overseen by a woman bishop.

He is understood to have felt a ‘pull’ towards Rome and took the decision in response to what he believes is God’s call.

In a statement he said: ‘I have arrived at the decision to step down as Bishop of Ebbsfleet in order to be received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, only after a long period of prayer, which has been among the most testing periods of my life.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, accepted the resignation with regret and expressed gratitude for ‘many years of faithful service’

‘I trust you all to believe that I have made my decision as a way of saying yes to God’s present call and invitation, and not of saying no to what I have known and experienced in the Church of England, to which I owe such a deep debt.’

His career has seen him show a particular interest in relationships with Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches.