Posted on 06/23/2006 6:36:32 PM PDT by sionnsar
The Episcopal Church’s 2006 General Convention is over and, contrary to the predictions of many, it has largely avoided fudging and spoken clearly. In fact, it is hard to imagine a clearer message being sent to the remaining orthodox members of the Episcopal Church and the primates of the Anglican Communion. This gathering has forcefully spoken and the message is that the Episcopal Church has abandoned any connection to Scritpural and traditional Christianity in favor of the religion of political correctness.
The election of the bishopess Katharine Schori as Presiding Bishop illustrates the new center. The fact that Schiori has led a diocese (Nevada) that is stagnant despite a rapidly growing general population seems of little concern. One would think the election of someone with a track record of growing a church might be a priority, but this mistakenly expects the Great Commission to be a higher priority than political correctness in the Episcopal Church. Thus we have moved in a generation from being a church that would not ordain women to ministry because of Biblical mandates to being one that ordains a female presiding bishop strictly because of political mandates.
The orthodox remnant of the TEC formerly ECUSA formerly PECUSA (that’s a story for another post) is ready for action but their “generals” save one (God bless +Jack) seem a little gun shy. One hopes this is trying to avoid rash statements before a paln is put into action but having seen hopes of decisive moves lost in endless delays and a series of lines in the sand, one does wonder. What exactly will it take for them to admit the Epsicopal Church is done? Liturgical orgies? Human sacrifice? Where is the real line in the sand?
Thus far only Bishop Jack Iker and the Diocese of Fort Worth have acted decisively by requesting alternate primatial oversight. The rest of the orthodox bishops seem to still be playing the “we didn’t leave, they did” card that has proven to be little more than public posturing without much to back it up. Maybe they really mean business this time, but can the orthodox faithful in the Episcopal Church tell the difference? More importantly, will they stick around long enough that it will even matter?
It is imperative that the orthodox bishops be as clear and decisice as their apostate counterparts. Now is not the time for words but action. The faithful must be clear as to what their objectives are and the steps that will be taken to create an orthodox Anglican witness in America. If they appear to only wish to maintain the status quo, the leaders will find themselves without followers. Fort Worth has spoken but the remainder are largely silent. What say ye?
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.