Calling the Episcopal Church's "ideology of radical inclusivity" heretical, an influential Johnstown rector has renounced his vows as an Episcopal priest in order to convert to Catholicism and apply for priesthood.

The Rev. Alvin F. Kimel Jr., rector of St. Mark's Church and whose Internet weblogs as "The Pontificator" are praised by Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians, is the first priest from the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh to leave for the Catholic Church.

He is the 80th Episcopal priest to join the Catholic Church since 1980 when Pope John Paul II created the Pastoral Provision to enable married Episcopal priests to become married Catholic priests.

Kimel, 55, who declined comment, told his 200-member parish in a Thursday letter that he was resigning 25 years after being ordained into the priesthood because of decisions made two years ago at the denomination's General Convention to ordain a noncelibate priest as a bishop and to bless same-sex unions.

"In the name of an ideology of radical inclusivity, the Episcopal Church has moved significantly away from the apostolic and catholic faith of Jesus Christ," his letter read. "I feel that I am a priest without authority.

"I cannot in conscience represent the Episcopal Church to the world, nor can I in conscience summon sinners into its fellowship."

Kimel's name was well known before he began his weblog 18 months ago. He was one of six priests from the Diocese of Maryland who produced the 1991 Baltimore Declaration, a seven-point document addressing the Episcopal Church's critical theological issues.

Among its points are the repudiation of "the false teaching that Jesus is merely one savior among many -- the savior of Christians but not of humankind," and that "eternal salvation is already given to the chosen people of Israel through the covenant of Abraham and Moses, independently of the crucified Christ."

In a statement, Bishop Robert W. Duncan Jr. of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, wished Kimel well.

"From my discussions with [Rev.] Kimel about this matter, I know that he has agonized over this decision, especially as our Episcopal Church has continued its slide into disorder," the statement read.

Kimel, married with four grown children, faces at least a two-year process to be ordained as a Catholic priest.

First, he will be considered a layman. He must be sponsored by a Catholic bishop willing to have a married priest in his diocese. A period of formation -- 18 to 24 months of reviewing theological studies and getting acquainted with the Catholic Church -- follows, after which Pope Benedict XVI will decide whether or not to approve Kimel's ordination.

"The ordination is just that," said the Rev. William Stetson, of Washington, D.C., secretary to the ecclesiastical delegate for pastoral provision. "It's the same ordination that a Catholic priest would have."

While Kimel is the first Episcopal priest from the Pittsburgh diocese to seek conversion to Catholicism, there have been other instances, such as the former rector in Bethlehem who left the Diocese of Scranton earlier this year along with some 40 adults and children from his parish.

It is not, however, a one-way street.

According to an Episcopal church spokeswoman, about 40 Catholic priests enter the Episcopal church each year.