In the early 1850s, while their progress in some areas was not great, in others the unions were making notable gains. The movement was prone to disunity, and there was a nervousness that arose whenever another high-profile defection to Rome seemed likely, but London Union on Church Matters (LUCM) leaders preferred to dwell on the positive signs—that Churchmen had exerted themselves to defend sacramental doctrine, that Church and parliament were taking more seriously the question of synodical development, and that in London there was further evidence of spiritual vigor with the consecration of St. Barnabas Pimlico. Still, there was no denying that High Churchmen and the unions were under pressure.