Excellent. Neuhaus strikes again!
I often scan these threads, and I am always impressed by the devotion and hard work of the Episcopalians on them. But there is something I honestly don't understand: how can one remain an Episcopalian?
I think I would probably not have understood this even in Newman's day, when the matter was of a more purely doctrinal nature, but I honestly don't understand now how any person of good faith can remain a member of a church that opposes all traditional Christian moral teachings, has a theology that depends on what day of the week it is, and is led by people who range from the merely self-satisfied (Schori) to the totally heretical and even angry (Spong, the various Episcopal bishops of San Francisco, etc.).
This is not meant as a challenge or an insult, but simply as a real question about something that has puzzled me for a long time.
This is a question that has plagued (and still does) members of the ping list who find themselves in an orthodox church or even an orthodox diocese.
It's not always a matter (particularly on this list!) of their being unaware of or sheltered from the storm outside, but one of when and how things will play out. If you man the lifeboats mere moments before the ship reaches safe harbor, are you being hasty? A few minutes? A few hours? The option of leaving is always there -- but will you do it alone, with your parish, with your diocese? And what if other options develop?
Looking at it only as a matter of Spong&Schori&Co is to miss everything else that factors into the equation, including the rest of the worldwide Anglican Communion -- and I speak from experience, it can be very hard for a cradle Episcopalian to leave, even for the relatively familiar territory of a Continuing church.
Consider those who came before us, felt themselves at the same crossroad. Stay & hope to convince for rebirth from within or go, abandoning those who were unable to follow.