Posted on 12/20/2006 8:11:18 AM PST by sionnsar
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has written a brief OpEd piece for the joint Washington Post - Newsweek blog “On Faith” to share her perspective on the latest news from Virginia. So far the piece has prompted 79 comments. Here’s the text of her remarks:
Reconciliation Is the Episcopal Mission
The Episcopal Church continues to focus on its mission of reconciling the world, particularly as it cares for the least, the lost, and the left out.
While the Episcopal Church laments the recent votes by some persons in Virginia congregations to leave this Church, we are clear that individuals may depart, but congregations do not. Congregations are created and recognized by the diocese in which they exist, and can only be closed by action of the bishop and diocesan governing bodies. Even if a large percentage of a congregation departs, the remaining people will be assisted by the diocese and the larger Church to reconstitute their congregation and continue in mission and ministry in that place.
These recent departures have received a significant amount of publicity, but they represent a tiny percentage of the total number of Episcopalians in the Church. We regret and grieve their departure, and pray that they may continue their journey as Christians in another home.
In the hope that some may decide to return, we intend to keep the door open and the light on.
Those Episcopalians who remain will be offered every pastoral assistance we can provide, in the hope and expectation that mission and ministry continue in their communities. Our Anglican tradition is a broad and comprehensive one, with space for people of widely varying theological opinions. We will continue to model an expansive welcome for all people.
Our mission as a Church is the reconciliation of the world. We will continue to feed the hungry, house the homeless, educate children, heal the sick, minister to those in prison, and speak good news to those who have only heard the world’s bad news. That is the work to which Jesus calls us, and that is the work we shall continue - with a priority of peace and justice work framed by the Millennium Development Goals. May God bless that which seeks to unite and build up and heal this broken world.
The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori is Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church.
Posted by Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on December 19, 2006 1:29 PM
The comments at the On Faith blog are largely unmoderated. While this elf finds the On Faith project fascinating (check out the list of panelists, for example), very little true discussion seems to take place. Most comments we’ve seen are of the “hit and run” or “drive by” variety. Say what you want and then leave. Obviously, we strive for a different type of comment exchange here on Titusonenine. Please in discussing the Presiding Bishop’s words, recall what we elves wrote on a comment thread earlier today: Focus on specific words and actions rather than launching generic attacks. Thank you.
(h/t AAC Blog)
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. This could be part of the problem...
In other words, "leave us your money & property, and you are free to go".
More socialist lying drivel.
She doesn't so much care for the left out as for the Left and the "Out."
As if having a female presiding bishop wasn't itself part of the problem.
It's a bit of a misstatement about the Elizabethan Compromise. But they've been misstating this for a while...
Sounds like a shot across the bow.
Problems in your church? Here's a possible cause.
That's a good line.
Such a social-service organization lacks any marks of the Church whatsoever. As my Serbian Orthodox priest says, it is not a church, but a CLUB!!!!
Jefferts-Schori can save ECUSA/TEC, and the American Anglican community, a lot of grief, and a lot of expenses in paying lawyers. Those of its members who want to be the Church of Christ should be allowed to leave, with their property, and without one bit of hassle. All ECUSA seminaries should also be turned over to the Christian group.
Those who want to be part of KJS's social-service club should organize themselves in a similar way to other such organizations (e.g., the ACLU, Doctors Without Borders, Amnnesty International). They will thus not require most of the buildings and other properties that are central to the life of congregations and seminaries. They should also choose a new name for their organization, that does not include the word "church".
Finally, ELCA members and mis-leaders who would prefer that the ELCA be an NGO should join KJS's new organization. Those who instead want to be the Church of Christ should be left to follow our Lord, unburdened by NWO, NGO, feminazi, "gay", and other such baggage!!!
I converted to Catholicism when the Methodists went with the slogan, Open Hearts, Open Minds.
I can understand and believe in an open heart, but the second part of the slogan seemed to me to be saying anything goes.
You are probably right. Our Methodist brethren, thus far, have fended off pro-gay additions at their quadrennial convention. But substantial numbers always go for them, and that bodes ill.
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