In the Name Of the Father, The Son, And Nagar The Snake-God

I swear, stories like this make me want to go to either full-frontal Popery or back to my native Fundamentalism:

A PRIEST with the Church of England who converted to Hinduism has been allowed to continue to officiate as a cleric. The Rev David Hart’s diocese renewed his licence this summer even though he had moved to India, changed his name to Ananda and daily blesses a congregation of Hindus with fire previously offered up to Nagar, the snake god. He also “recites Gayatri Mantram with the same devotion with which he celebrates the Eucharist”, according to The Hindu, India’s national newspaper.

Here's a lady priest who responds with a lovely degree of English snideliness--quite appropriate, in this case:

Pauline Scott, the team vicar of St James, in Stretham, said that she would oppose any attempts by Mr Hart to celebrate in the Ely Diocese.

“We do tend to use Christian priests, surprisingly enough,” she said.

H/T to Rain Falls On Everyone.

UPDATE: The Ely Diocese seems somewhat taken aback by this.