Spouses welcome (sort of)
In 1534, Anglicans split with Rome when the Vatican refused to give English King Henry VIII a marriage annulment; since that time, Anglicans have become divided over such issues as admitting women to the priesthood and the consecration of V. Gene Robinson, as the first openly gay bishop.
After nearly 500 years, the Vatican has said that married Anglican priests will be admitted to the Catholic priesthood on a case-by-case basis.
This move — easing the way for disillusioned Anglicans to convert to Roman Catholics — might undermine decades of efforts between the Holy See and Anglican leaders over how the two churches could reunite. Some faithful Anglicans are unhappy about the progressive reforms in their church and consider themselves Catholics — though they have not officially joined the Roman Catholic church.
While the Holy See statement does say that the Vatican would consider accepting married Anglican priests into the Roman Catholic priesthood as it has in the past, in no case could a married man become a bishop.