May 2008

Ugandan primate's 'incursion' into Georgia violates Windsor Report, Presiding Bishop notes

From Jim Bigham • Columbia, South Carolina , May 16, 2008 What a blessing to have such a godly bishop that speaks the truth so clearly to the Episcopal Church!

Uganda archbishop responds to Presiding Bishop's objection to his 'incursion' into Georgia

From Shirley E. Viall • Coupeville, Washington, May 16, 2008 Speaking of stunning arrogance and condescension, perhaps [Archbishop] Orombi should look in a mirror. Somehow, one would suppose, that he thinks theft and his self-righteous declarations of how our Presiding Bishop should act is listed as moral representations in scripture. I guess he didn't get to the part where Jesus says "only one thing is needed, love the Lord thy God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength…and love your neighbor as yourself." I thank our God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit for Katharine and her wisdom and willingness to come to table of reason and discussion, even in spite of their disrespect and brigand attitude.

California Supreme Court legalizes same-gender marriage; Integrity hails decision

From The Most Reverend Lou A. Bordisso • Mare Island, California, May 16, 2008 As a priest and bishop of the progressive wing of the Old Catholic tradition, I applaud the California Supreme Court for having the courage to provide equal access under civil law for all couples, regardless of sexual orientation or gender. This is an issue about social justice, equality, and the dignity and respect of all of God's creation. Now, I pray, that our many churches can see fit to provide sacramental equality for same-sex couples who seek it. It is the right thing to do.

California Supreme Court legalizes same-gender marriage; Integrity hails decision

From James Koenig • Los Angeles, California, May 16, 2008 The California court demonstrated both clarity and resolve in its decision. Now the church should offer clarity and resolve as well. Either we are inclusive or not. How long do you play "keep away" with true inclusiveness? Even at the cathedral church in Los Angeles, where we have an allegedly "liberal" diocese, we hear resolute statements against "blessing same-sex unions" and even offering house blessings and are told we "should think with the mind of the church." Whatever that is... The greatest "heroes" of the faith thought contrary to (and drew flack from) "the mind of the church." Soon the church will have to realize that nobody cares if it's "still deciding" or still "working on it." I've been in a same-sex relationship for 33 years. God has richly blessed our relationship and our home while the church is "still deciding." At least the California court offered clarity today. As for the church... people will sadly still have to wonder if they've walked into a "safe" house of God or not.

Ugandan primate's 'incursion' into Georgia violates Windsor Report, Presiding Bishop notes

From Eleanor Pritchett • Decatur, Georgia, May 16, 2008 I fully support the Presiding Bishop's comments and feel she is courageous. How sad that such a beautiful and historic Church is the center of such outrageous acts.

Ugandan primate's 'incursion' into Georgia violates Windsor Report, Presiding Bishop notes

From Ronna Pierson • Thibodaux, Louisiana, May 14, 2008 According to the news article, the "clergy and laity voted in October 2007 to disaffiliate with the Episcopal Church." If they are no longer members of TEC, what has [Presiding Bishop Katharine] Jefferts Schori to do with it?

Archbishop of Canterbury writes to the bishops of the Anglican Communion

From Jim Payne • Sarasota, Florida, May 14, 2008 We will see how it goes. I have graver and graver concerns for staying together; it seems that we have to go the way of the conservatives, which leaves little room for others -- our way or we leave. The Archbishop of Canterbury and many other bishops are more concerned about staying together, when falling apart may be where the Spirit leads. May we all pray for the union of God's Church.

Ugandan primate's 'incursion' into Georgia violates Windsor Report, Presiding Bishop notes

From The Rev. Fr. Himie-Budu Shannon • Charlotte, North Carolina, May 14, 2008 I applaud the efforts of the Presiding Bishop in making an attempt to put a stop to the outright insults and disrespect from some bishops of the Anglican Church. No matter our differences the church should not be allowed to divide because of people's personal views. As an African-born clergy I see clearly that the activities of some of these bishops is becoming for personal gains. While I may not agree to certain practices, my God calls me to minister to all people. Can you imagine what would happen if an American prelate goes to Uganda to preach against incest, polygamy, etc.?

Ugandan primate's 'incursion' into Georgia violates Windsor Report, Presiding Bishop notes

From Piers Bateman • Waco, Texas, May 14, 2008 I fear the Anglican Communion is no longer worthy of the name "Communion." It seems that schism approaches ever closer. If the primates cannot even observe courtesy to each other or any recognition of the Windsor Report, it means that they no longer hold the Archbishop of Canterbury in any position of authority. God help us all. And God help our suffering world while some church leaders fight for power and vainglory.

Archbishop of Canterbury writes to the bishops of the Anglican Communion

From Rosemary Thurber • South Haven, Michigan, May 14, 2008 This is a clear and wonderful letter, full of hope and promise. But how can it work when even one bishop is barred from participation? What am I to believe when not all are included? Despite the promise, this new, "different" shaped conference does not include all bishops "for purposeful discussion among equals." How is it that all are not to be included in the "fire of the Spirit"? "The potential of the Conference" cannot be "great" when all in our Communion are not included. I mistrust those who designate who the Spirit will be with and who will be left out. I am saddened and ashamed.

Un-common Communion

From The Rev. Robert Spangler • Arden, North Carolina May 13, 2008 Hooray for Christopher Webber. A strong, sane voice in the midst of confusion, hostility, anger.

EUROPE: St. James, 'the American Church' in Florence, to celebrate 100 years in Via Rucellai

From Clare Gray-Bayne • Fortson, Georgia , May 13, 2008 When I was a student at Florida State University, I came to Florence to study art history and classics at the FSU campus in the city. This was in 1973, seven years after the flood.  While I was in Florence, as a cradle Episcopalian, I attended St. James when I wasn't traveling on weekends. I was interested in the music, and was very fond of the rector and his wife. The years have flown and my memory for names is poor now, but I have a warm place in my heart for St. James, Florence, as a temporary anchor in my spiritual journey.

Presiding Bishop urges Farm Bill defeat

From David Loveless • Palmyra, Illinois, May 13, 2008 It was not long ago when farm families were losing their farms, land sometimes in the same family for generations. Also, many farm families are not owners of huge acreage, but rather less than a thousand acres. These families depend on government programs. These points along with the very cyclical nature of farming and the fortunes of weather, the market, and governments point to a very precarious way to make a living and raise families. When farm families are doing well, some want to take away their good fortune, when they are doing badly, Farm Aid Concerts are given. Let farmers enjoy their good times, history has shown they won't last long.

Presiding Bishop urges Farm Bill defeat

From James McQuade • Bluffton, South Carolina, May 13, 2008 The United States image has been damaged greatly over the past few years; we need to do everything possible to restore that image. More importantly, it is the morally correct thing to do.

Presiding Bishop urges Farm Bill defeat

From The Rev. Deacon Pauline M. Marran • Hanover, New Hampshire , May 13, 2008 Thank you for your wonderful statement. I, too, am distressed by the heartlessness of our Congress, and its selling-out to the mega-farms in this country. We should be ashamed to call ourselves Americans for electing such persons to represent us when making decisions on how our tax money is spent. We must stop from being sold out to the fat cats who don't care in the least about anything other than their own personal gain. This farm bill is blatantly anti-American. No wonder our former friends in other nations are turning their backs on us. Shame on us.

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Swiss Artist to illuminate Washington National Cathedral

From Brett Donham • Boston, Massachusetts, May 09, 2008 What an exciting prospect this is! We should do more things like this to make today's cathedrals as much a part of the life of our modern cities as they were originally, in the middle ages.

ENGLAND: Canterbury denies New Hampshire bishop permission to preach or preside

From William O'Connell • Oswego, New York, May 09, 2008 It is sad to see our church, supposedly open to all who belief that Jesus is the son of God, so closed to certain members of society. All I can say is "Let those who are without sin cast the first stone."

SOUTH CAROLINA: Saving Grace Church…and its red-tailed hawks

From F W White • London, UK, May 09, 2008 I love the fact that these birds are protected and treated with such compassion and dignity. The Rev. Canon Wright must be an exceptional man. I can only imagine how he helps people. We are all enriched to have people like him in our midst.

Presiding Bishop issues statement on Zimbabwe crisis

From Evelyn Kinnard • Dexter, Michigan May 09, 2008 Thank you for your strong words on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe. I was not aware of much that you reported. I will add my prayers to those of my congregation, St James, especially this Sunday when I lead the Prayers of the People. I agree that the UN needs to be outraged and strongly involved. Thanks again for joining with the archbishops of Canterbury, York, and Cape Town in this cry for help.

Presiding Bishop urges congressional defeat, presidential veto of Farm Bill

From John Shoffner • Newport, Arkansas May 09, 2008 The new farm bill while being far from perfect is the best farm bill ever. I have farmed for 40 years and have never seen this much risk.

I think Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori needs to look again at this issue. There is a lot of hype and misleading information out there.

Send Middle East peace message to President Bush, EPPN urges

From The Rev. Ronald E. White • Fort Worth, Texas, May 08, 2008 Once again, the Episcopal Church reveals the repetition of their human stupidity and the habitual state of their human foolishness through the ENS article calling upon human beings to write to President Bush seeking to affirm goals of justice, peace and reconciliation for Israelis and Palestinians. The Episcopal Church fails to acknowledge the difference between human agreements of justice, peace and reconciliation and Divine agreements of justice, peace and reconciliation. Until Israelis and Palestinians agree to the Divine promise of justice, peace and reconciliation, all human resolutions and treaties for temporary justice, peace and reconciliation shall end in the cycle of pain and suffering, violence and destruction.

Such an arrogant pride exists within the House of Bishops, General Convention and Executive Council to humanly demand justice, peace and reconciliation for the Middle East while the very foundation upon which the Episcopal Church should rest, the bedrock theology of scripture, tradition and reason has forever been cracked, the division of Christians asunder.

Why would the Episcopal Church demand a peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict when the absolute truth of human conflict within the Episcopal Church is the pain and suffering, violence and destruction of soul's desiring to govern their humanity? Is the Episcopal Church prepared to admit the absolute truth of their outward and visible footsteps? The footsteps of the majority trampling the Faith of the minority!  The Episcopal Church is so hypocritical l-- crying for peace in the Middle East, while the factual evidence of destruction occurs daily within the Episcopal Church in America.

I am sorry. I don't understand. Are you crying for peace abroad, knowing you can't have peace at home?

In Florence, St. James Church celebrates 100 years of ministry

From Megan Schroeder • Texarkana, Texas, May 08, 2008 As a college junior abroad in Florence in 1985 I attended St. James' and loved it. I returned there a few years ago with my spouse and mother and we had a very special worship service there. We wish St. James all the best for another 100 years!

Fort Worth visit an 'unwarranted invasion,' Presiding Bishop tells Southern Cone primate

From Frank Adams • Ponca City, Oklahoma, May 08, 2008 The Episcopal Church is in a tailspin with a woman at the head who has little concept of leadership, not to speak of grounding in Holy Scripture. I will give not one penny to the Episcopal Church so that it can sue Christians who know and understand that sin is a scourge upon this lost denomination. My money will go to other churches even as I attend the only Anglican Church in my town. I attend in order to receive the grace of Holy Eucharist, but I no longer support church programs. When TEC ceases this madness I may return, but never under the current conditions. I wish Bishop Iker were my leader -- he is more Christ-like than any of the national leadership.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope Benedict discuss ecumenical, Muslim-Christian relations

From Dr. G.E. Chandler • New Haven, Connecticut, May 08, 2008 Anything that can hasten a coming closer together of the two communions is very good news. What separates us is mostly narcissistic trivia, at most of some bit of historic relevance.

Fort Worth visit an 'unwarranted invasion,' Presiding Bishop tells Southern Cone primate

From Peter Winterble • Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 07, 2008 No one can prove the numbers cited in this story. You have no idea how many Anglicans there are in the six so-called Southern Cone dioceses, and I would imagine that, given the Argentina contingent, probably fewer than 5,000 could be counted throughout this whole vast area. It's obvious to some of us that no one from "up North" has a clue how vast this part of the world is and how few people there are. So, once again I challenge anyone to prove this silly 22,500 number. It's made up!

My guess is that no one will address the idea that Canterbury simply jettisoned this whole part of the world -- because it was too much to bother with, and if bothered with, too little to show. Before this whole split-up in the Communion began, this whole "province" was moribund unto death.

And now it's sitting up and barking, and people are actually taking it seriously!

You can bet that if the "power group" in the Anglican Communion were against this silly behavior, it would never have got off the ground.

Oliver O'Donovan awarded Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence

From Ken Hine • Austin, Texas, May 07, 2008 I am grateful to see this venue, one to the formal voices of TEC, noting the significant achievement of this great and contemporary theologian. One does wonder, however, how many in TEC leadership have really read and studied his work. If one were to do so, one would find a theological perspective and resulting moral view relatively unfamiliar to these pages. Still, it is refreshing to see his work given its proper due.

PENNSYLVANIA: Historic St. Thomas in Philadelphia to welcome Jeremiah Wright as revivalist

From Vaughn Mollenauer • Alpharetta, Georgia, May 07, 2008 Hearing of the Rev. Wright's affiliation with an Episcopal church leaves me with mixed emotions. On one hand, he has achieved a great deal in his life of service to God, his church in Illinois and the people in his community. However, his recent interviews, speeches and divisive, hate-filled themes leave me dismayed to see him involved in such a high profile event. I hope it does not contribute significantly to further controversy in the Episcopal Church.

Presiding Bishop's Palm Sunday sermon in Jerusalem

From Melanie Breckner • Foley, Alabama May 07, 2008 It is very fortunate that the words of our Bishop, from almost any day, are available to us. She is a great example, an informed ambassador to her "flock" and to the world. It is with gratitude that there is access to the Episcopal Public Policy Network, that there is such an advocate for the work of Christ in the world. With many prayers for continued work of God and the Episcopal Church worldwide.

CANADA: Athabasca synod supports breakaway churches

From Dee Letter • Seattle, Washington May 07, 2008 Too bad that the Episcopal Church in the United States seems incapable of following the excellent example of our Canadian brothers and sisters.

Presiding Bishop's Pentecost letter: Gift of Holy Spirit is 'breath of ever-new life'

From Al Lingo • Stockton, California May 05, 2008 This letter from our Presiding Bishop reflects well the spirit of love and acceptance being formed and developed in the newly born Diocese of San Joaquin, not the old one that left with ex-Bishop Schofield.

IOWA: Bikers take to the roads in support of clean water, MDGs

From Sarah H. Hill • St. Petersburg, Florida, May 05, 2008 Fellow Iowans -- I am so proud to see Episcopalians from Iowa making a difference in faraway places. I am a cradle Episcopalian who grew up at Grace Church, Decorah, Iowa and have lived in St. Petersburg, Florida for 35 years. We are very active in the Cathedral here and also on a larger scale. My family are all cyclists too! This story warms my heart and I know you will do wonders for those who need fresh water. YOU will make a difference. The MDGs offer something for everyone.

Presiding Bishop writes to House of Bishops on process, canons

From Frank Allan • Atlanta, Georgia May 05, 2008 Can we learn anything from the Church's experience during the Civil War when all the bishops of the 11 southern dioceses seceded and established the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States of America? The House of Bishops simply and graciously called the roll until the war ended and we were all back together again. Supporting the institution of slavery was surely as grave as a sin can be, more grave even than affiliating with a South American or African diocese. Maybe our present House of Bishops should simply call the roll until our warfare is ended.

PENNSYLVANIA: Historic St. Thomas in Philadelphia to welcome Jeremiah Wright as revivalist

From Robert Myers • Morrow, Georgia May 05, 2008 He's way too controversial at this time. Isn't there anyone in the Episcopal Church who can head up a revival? I guess I should admit that I am not black, but that shouldn't matter.

In Sudan, ecumenical group reviews peace process, builds Church partnerships

From Catherine Thomas • St. Joseph, Michigan, May 05, 2008 Having just spent five weeks in southern Sudan getting a hospital, surgical unit, clinic and pharmacy up and running, I saw first hand the need for partnerships and the importance of ecumenical groups to the area. I worked with two Sudanese doctors who have returned to their country and trained three Sudanese to keep things running. We must support this type of operation if we want the south to be self sustaining and a viable place for people to return to.

Presiding Bishop writes to House of Bishops on process, canons

From The Rev. Katherine Sedwick • Minneapolis, May 01, 2008 Thank you for the letter and its dissemination. My congregation and I remain most appreciative of our Presiding Bishop's leadership in this time, and her ability to focus on both the call of the Gospel to continue its work, and the call to her to lead us with clarity and insight through canonical actions and questions of church polity and the administration of this church through her office. Her courage and willingness to deal frankly and directly on such things is refreshing and I feel proud that we have so gifted a leader in this time of change and growth.

ENGLAND: Canterbury denies New Hampshire bishop permission to preach or preside

From The Rev. Dr. Charles H. Morris • St. Charles County, Missouri, May 01, 2008 What is disgraceful also is Archbishop Williams' disinviting Bishop Robinson to the Lambeth Conference and now adding insult to injury, not permitting him, a duly elected and ordained bishop, in good standing in his Episcopal Church, to celebrate or preach in England. The Archbishop is also weak and wimpy in not excoriating Archbishop Akinola for his political and other views, power plays and so forth.

ENGLAND: Canterbury denies New Hampshire bishop permission to preach or preside

From N.A. Wilson • Sylva, North Carolina, May 01, 2008 Rowan Williams is a stunning example of poor leadership within the Church. He has done nothing to attempt to reconcile the parties and Bishop Robinson, preferring instead to further drive a wedge by denying Bishop Robinson his rightful place at the table. As Bishop Robinson was duly consecrated according to the laws and canons of the Episcopal Church, it is his duty, yea responsibility, to preach and celebrate the Eucharist. It is not within the purview of Rowan Williams to decide differently.

CENTRAL FLORIDA: Diocese anticipates 'amicable separation' with Vero Beach parish

From TJ O'Rourke • Brooklyn, New York May 01, 2008 I hope that the malcontents on both sides of the issue read this carefully and see how Christians are supposed to settle their differences. I also dare the mainstream media to report on this and other arrangements like it.

ENGLAND: Canterbury denies New Hampshire bishop permission to preach or preside

From The Rev. David W Arnold • Kingston, New York, May 01, 2008 God Bless our Archbishop for his proper actions. Our PB should do the same!