Posted on 05/03/2006 5:40:08 PM PDT by sionnsar
There has recently been much written about the remaining orthodox bishops choosing to remain within the Episcopal Church even if nothing is done to reverse its heretical trajectory at this year’s General Convention. Andy at All Too Common wrote an open letter to the orthodox bishops of the ECUSA as a call for them to be rid of our association with the unchurch once and for all. I completely agree and here will add my own thoughts on the matter.
As it looks now, rather than repenting, the radicals within the ECUSA are emboldened and will not only stand their ground but seek to push their agenda even further. While orthodox Episcopalians are understanding of a desire to take as much of their holdings (buildings, endowments, etc.) as legally possible and would probably agree with a separation in stages to accomplish this, a strategy built upon remaining within the ECUSA is doomed to failure.
The main problem facing the orthodox remnant in the Episcopal Church is that we have relied far too much on the dwindling contingent of orthodox bishops. These men, who have carried on the ministry of the Church faithfully within their own dioceses, now are faltering when boldness is most needed. The time frame for reforming the Episcopal Church has long since passed. Now what is needed is an exit strategy. If this means losing some beloved buildings, then so be it. After all, are we now to worship idols of stone? Are we to expect churches in the Global South whose people risk their lives everyday to follow Christ to come to our aid when we are unwilling to risk real estate? If that is the case, then we deserve the Episcopal Church.
Those of us who see a once great church reduced to a semi-pagan curator of historic architecture are no longer content to wink at the attacks on the Gospel from our national leadership. We will no longer be satisfied with an orthodox ghetto where we can live as dhimmis so long as we pay our tax and know our place. We will no longer wait for the next shoe to drop as orthodox bishops and rectors retire and are replaced by those who will “get with the program.”
For those bishops who believe that remaining within the ECUSA is an option, consider those who have endured the current state of affairs for years. Do you expect those who are in dioceses without an orthodox parish within a reasonable distance to wait any longer? Are they to spiritually languish in a dead church and expose their children to all manner of ungodly teaching?
What of those who are in orthodox parishes within hostile dioceses? Many of these parishes only stand a chance if they begin an exit stragegy now. If the status quo holds, they will lose many of their parishioners and will eventually fail. Whether they extract themselves legally from the ECUSA with their property intact or turn their backs and start over with a sense of mission, there is a window of opportunity only if decisive measures are taken.
Finally consider your own dioceses and those of other orthodox bishops. Do you really believe that the current situation will change before your retirement? Do you think the national leaders have not already planned a takeover of your dioceses at your retirement? Your replacement must be approved by the House of Bishops. Few, if any, of you would get their approval. Even if your replacement is not an overt heretic, he will be a get along type of moderate who will not rock the boat and can be expected to “grow” in the manner pleasing to the world.
I ask those bishops suggesting this strategy to please reconsider. If, for whatver reason, you cannot provide the leadership called for to take the moves that are necessary, then please step aside. Stop giving the apostates running the Episcopal Chuch into the ground reason to laugh at our challenges. Your own words are now making them seem empty. If you are content to just get along, then by all means do so but do not pretend to speak for orthodox Anglicans. Most of us are tired of endless position papers, hand wringing, empty threats, and official regrets expressed when some orthodox Anglican somewhere actually decides to do something. You may manage to negotiate yourself the leadership of a millet orthodox within an apostate regime, but you will return to a vanishing ghetto.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. A well written article, in the diplomatic, Episcopal manner.
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