The launguage of this letter is very troubling for several reasons. First, it is not clear-headed at all. I would expect someone elevated to the bishopric in a church to be much more articulate than this letter demonstrates. The grammar is poor in a couple of spots, and the logical formulation fails to communicate even a clear message, whether true or false, ordinary or controversial.
Second, the Bishop sets up a strawman when he implies that any division within a church denomination is based on the premise that one group views itself as more pure than another. In fact, I would assert that the bishop is actually arguing from the side that believes itself to be the more pure. After all, he is the one who asserts that the superior approach is that of the Episcopal Church.
Thus, I would assert another view that suggests the need for division arises from the substance of the Church's currently professed faith. If the Church "authorities" no longer espouse the essential teachings of the Church, deny the foundational tenets of the denomination and its traditions, and declare these deviations to be of no consequence to the teachings from which it has deviated, then it has simply become irrational, not to mention unfaithful and un-Episcopal. So, the division arises because of the loss of substance and rational behavior by the established church authorities, not due to changes initiated by those who decide to remain steadfast in their beliefs, the essential beliefs of the denomination.
I know that I wear only filthy rags and lack any notion of purity in my thoughts, words, or deeds. It is only by the Blood of Christ that I am made clean in the sight of God. The Word is Pure, but I am not. Division over purity? No, hardly. Division due to denial of what is Pure and Divine? Of course, since there is only One Way. To deny this is to cause the division, and that is what the chirch authorities have done. They simply do not want this to be known (even to themselves I suspect).
Finally, the fact that the Bishop's letter contains so many weaknesses and no strong statement of purpose or faith indicates that there is something less than wholesome or truthful or sincere in the Bishop's intent. Clearly, the letter attempts to "spin", at best, and dissemble at worst. Such behavior, especially in the written word has no place in a Christian denomination. The letter reveals the character, or lack thereof, in the leadership of the diocese. While I am called to forgive, and I will, I am not called to follow error.
The Bishop is in error, serious error, and refuses to admit to this. That is most unfortunate for him and his flock. The consequences can only be serious and profound given the fundamental nature of the error.
Well put. Let's hope this reasoning was in the hearts of those who voted...