A FORMER Catholic Priest who converted to the Church of England is moving on from his Parish near Burnley.

The Rev John-Paul Sanderson is taking a new post as an associate priest in Chorley for what are understood to be personal reasons.

He was appointed to his current position in Worsthorne and Cliviger in June 2016.

The married former naval chaplain had sought to bring the villages' community 'even closer to God'.

The Ven. Mark Ireland, Archdeacon of Blackburn said: “The Rev. John-Paul Sanderson, Vicar at Holme in Cliviger St John the Divine with Worsthorne St John the Evangelist, will be moving shortly to become Associate Priest at St Laurence’s Church in Chorley.

“This appointment will enable him to widen his experience of ministry within the Anglican Church and his presence in Chorley will strengthen the team in a parish which is experiencing an exciting renewal of life and vision under its new incumbent.

“Fr John-Paul has a prayerful and pastoral heart, and we assure him and his wife Janet f our prayers and best wishes as they undertake this new challenge.”

The Rev Sanderson had previously preached up and down the country and trained in Leicester as a Cistercian monk for 13 years.