Posted on 04/28/2005 2:39:30 PM PDT by sionnsar
A colleague asks what smooth word we would use while the rest of the world calls our departure from the Anglican fellowship "excommunication." That is easy to answer. ECUSA would not be excommunicated; it would be liberated.
I would hate to think of our severance from the worldwide Anglican Communion -- but in another sense, the separation would be exciting. Faith is not defined by the Anglican Consultative Council or the archbishop of Canterbury or an angry group of primates from Africa or Asia. Faith is the embodiment of deep-seated belief in God, and it is spread through works and preaching and stewardship and prayer and a dozen other means that no office or person or group of persons can dominate or control.
Our separation from the Anglican Communion would be profound. We have many of the resources needed throughout the world. Our people have provided leadership -- and hope -- throughout the world. Our presence is felt, with gratitude, throughout the world. We will continue to be a force in faith -- advancing Christ -- throughout the world. We simply will have to learn some new ways to do business.
My beliefs stem not from arrogance or disregard for brothers and sisters in other parts of the communion, but from my strongly held belief that none of us fully understand the capacity of our faith to embrace change as our understanding of our God evolves. I cannot imagine being a part of a denomination that is not -- or worse, is unwilling -- to deal with controversy. That is an essential element of every faith, if it is to grow.
What we face, in the event of separation, is not failure; it is sacred opportunity. I do not believe we are going to leave the Anglican Communion, but if we must, we will be sorely missed, frequently imitated and acknowledged, and often asked for help. Our presence will be felt, and our example admired.
To respond to this commentary, write to Episcopal Life or e-mail commentary@episcopal-life.org. We welcome your own commentary.-- Judge James Bradberry, a deputy to General Convention and member of St XXXX, is a federal magistrate in the XX district of Virginia.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Your separation would be a blessing to the Anglican Community. Go! Go! Be gone forever!
Let not the door hit-tith thee where the Good Lord Split-tith thee.
Here's their future, joining with the remnants of the ELCA (their hit is coming this August):
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/6947_9255_ENG_HTM.htm?menu=menu6994
And what will that mean re the individual orthodox congregations being able to keep their buildings and cemeteries?
But separation from the main body gives the orthodox a leg to stand on (otherwise in many states, including Georgia, they have no way at all to keep their property.)
This is a good sign, Sionnsar. You'll note how they know that they will be important to the AC after they separate and perhaps indeed they will. I'd suggest they use some of their "pink" missionaries and women priests in Mohammedan areas, just to show those Africans how wrong they are!
I agree. This is a positive sign.
I agree also. It's not the first such statement I've seen, but it is perhaps the strongest yet.
Is this the future of the ECUSA or of the many parishes faithful to the doctrine? I may be missing this, but, to me, the website and the artilce remain unclear.
Yes, the ECUSA and the ELCA are in full communion with one another. Is the article implying that the ECUSA led by Frank Griswold will somehow merge with the ELCA? Honestly, I cannot see it going the other way, since it is only once small step for the ECLA to move to ordain an actively homosexual pastor. They already ordain celebate homosexual pastors.
Guess we can strike Sewanee off my daughter's college list!
(I call the ECUSA a "club" rathter than a church because of a homily that my Serbian priest gave last year, in which he said that "churches" that do not teach the Resurrection are not really "churches", but are CLUBS!!!!)
Even now, Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, as well as Global South Anglican churches, want nothing to do with the Episcopal club. After it is kicked out of the Anglican communion, evan fewer churches will want anyting to do with the ECUSA. It has left the Body of Christ, it is a dead branch, it is withering away!!!!
Only the deluded ELCA keeps its "full communion" agreement with the Episcopal club. If the ELCA continues that agreement even after the Anglican Communion kicks the club out, that will be just one more reason for me to become Orthodox!!
The "Ex-Lutheran Club in America"?
(See my previous posts above on churches versus clubs,and say a prayer of thanks to God for my Serbian Orthodox priest!)
I suspect a number of "active" pastors are already ordained or in the pipe line.
Right now, ECUSA bishops are also ELCA bishops, per CCM. That means V. Gene Robinson is a bishop with full power in the ELCA, per my understanding. And the ECUSA views non-HE (Historic Episcopate -- laying of hands from Peter on) ELCA clergy as second class clergy.
ELCA is smaller and per CCM weaker. I predict the ELCA will, after losing significant membership after their August Churchwide Assembly notoriety, merge with the ECUSA.
Reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend of mine when I was in college. He didn't want to go to the church I attended because it made him feel culpable and to quote "like crap". I explained to him that was the whole point. He would have rather gone to a church that made him feel good about himself. I call them "feel good" churches. They don't preach the what we have ben saved from, only that all have been saved.
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