Posted on 11/15/2005 3:41:06 PM PST by sionnsar
You have to give DC PiskieBish John Chane this much. Dude's got a pair on him:
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus;
A debatable point, that. But please continue.
As you may know, on November 12th at a conference sponsored by the Anglican Communion Network, the bishop of Bolivia ordained three deacons and a priest to work under his authority in the United States. One of the deacons was assigned to begin a church in northeast Washington, D. C.
What does any of that have to do with you, John? You scared or something?
These ordinations clearly violate the recommendation of the Windsor Report and the admonition of the Primates meeting earlier this year in Dromantine, Northern Ireland against cross-jurisdictional actions.
The Windsor Report asked for a moratorium on electing practicing-homosexual bishops. You gave them a moratorium on electing all bishops. The Primates asked ECUSA to stay away from the last Anglican Consultative Council meeting. ECUSA went anyway, if only as "observers." Pots and kettles, John.
More importantly, they violate the ancient Catholic tradition regarding the integrity and authority of diocesan bishops.
If I recall correctly, there is also an "ancient Catholic tradition" against giving pointy hats to practicing homosexuals, an "ancient Catholic tradition" that ECUSA relieved itself all over two years ago. So look in the mirror when you blather on about traditions, John.
These are matters I am pursuing with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, and of which I shall keep your apprised.
Looking forward to it, John.
But here, within our diocese, I believe it is essential to keep in mind that we have it within ourselves to respond to provocation with charity, with patience, and with the sure knowledge that previous incursions of this sort have done little to diminish our witness to the Gospel.
Didn't know you had one, John, what with your relentless sucking up to the secular culture and all.
I am informing the rectors whose parishes might be affected by this new initiative to continue in their ministries as they always have. We have a formidable clergy in the District, as any newcomer will see.
Why in the world would your rectors "be affected by this new initiative," John? What do they care that an orthodox Anglican is going to set up shop in your fiefdom? Unless...
In closing, let me say that we have cause to be disappointed, even frustrated, that the Primate of the Southern Cone, the bishop of Bolivia, and, it would seem, the bishop of Pittsburgh and the network which he moderates have taken this precipitous step. But we do not have cause for alarm.
Actually, you do, John. I was not all that impressed by the idea of the recent Anglican Communion Network conference. I figured the time for fine words was over. But I may have badly misjudged the situation(which would not be unusual; my Anglican prognostication record has not been good). Judging from the tone of Chane's letter, I think the Anglican Communion Network has finally struck a nerve.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. I've written "whistling in the dark" letters just like this for clients about to get eaten alive. :)
If you throw a rock, the hit dog is the one that howls.
Say, how's the TTGC doing these days?
I suppose everybody's out on firewood-gathering detail . . . I don't know if the Episcopagans are within our jurisdiction but they sure do produce a lot of likely material . . . < g >
Well, at least Bishop Chane isn't doing what his interim predecessor, Bishop Jane did.
She threw a Rector in a parish in Eastern Maryland out, went down there and conducted services IN the Church while the Rector conducted services in the parking lot. Maybe it was the other way around for the first couple of services - then she threw him out, and she conducted services IN the Church, and the Rector was outside.
It tore the congregation apart, as you can well imagine.
Half of the congregation went off to the elementary school or Elk hall where the deposed Rector started holding services, and the Bishop Jane sent someone on a permanent basis to conduct services in her name, in the Church.
It wound up in Civil Court where the Judge only affirmed that she had liturgical authority to do what she had done, the Rector had to leave despite the Vestry having spent a lot of money moving him and his family from Texas, and I think the congregation is still meeting in 2 places.
Ugly. Very ugly.
I did not appreciate meeting Bishop Jane at the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, the National Cathedral, on the day after President Bush's first Inauguration when he held a "National Day of Prayer" service.
But since there was also a Rabbi and an Imam there - I guess I should have been blessed that there hadn't also been a Buddhist participating in the service. Ugh.
I understand that Pres. Bush got so much flak over the Imam being there, that after his re-election in 2004, while he held another National Day of Prayer following his Inauguration in 2005, the Imam didn't get to say a prayer. He was in the procession/recession however. Ugh again.
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