Posted on 05/21/2005 7:06:13 AM PDT by sionnsar
The departures from the Episcopal Church -- or from Anglicanism altogether – of such good people as Al Kimel should give both the orthodox and the revisionists in that denomination pause.
It should give the revisionists pause. They should consider that something just might be wrong with the direction they are leading ECUSA when Fr. Kimel and a flood of the faithful are leaving or being driven out.
Of course, some have the attitude of the woman who told a conservative at the last General Convention, “Why don’t you just leave, so we can be more inclusive?” Hopefully, most revisionists have more sense than that. But I see more concern about keeping the property of orthodox parishes than about keeping the orthodox.
It should give the orthodox pause. Some are urging that the orthodox stay in ECUSA and fight for its transformation. But so many orthodox have already left that the question has to be honestly asked if such a fight is a waste of time. The way ECUSA is structured, the revisionists are firmly in control.
I remember in my old denomination, the mainline Presbyterian Church, conservatives urging people to stay in and strive to reform that denomination. That was about 20 years ago, and things have not gotten any better.
Is fighting a lost battle for one, two, or more generations when your army is suffering a flood of desertions what God is calling the orthodox to?
Perhaps. Isaiah and Jeremiah were called to prophesy even though God told them people wouldn’t respond. But I think the Lord usually would have us pick more hopeful battles to fight.
I’m not saying right now is the time for orthodox Episcopalians to leave. But I do think the orthodox should think long and hard about fighting a war they have already lost. There is a time to acknowledge defeat, accept exile, and seek a better country.
There is one battle that may be looming that is winnable. There may soon come a time when dioceses will have to choose between ECUSA and the Anglican Communion. And in orthodox dioceses, it is definitely worth staying around to push the diocese to make the right choice.
But in other dioceses, I think the orthodox should look around at the good faithful people who are leaving and honestly ask themselves, “Why am I staying?”
There may be good reasons to stay. But there are certainly good reasons why many are not. And that should give all in the Episcopal Church pause.
[This is odd -- I distinctly recall that Mark is in the REC, not ECUSA. But I could be wrong.. --sionnsar]
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Interesting stuff.
The defection of the orthodox to RC, if that is really what is happening, will give the RC orthodox greater strenght to oppose our own revisionists. Sorry to see the ECUSA lose these people, while still very glad to receive them.
Great quote.
"“Why don’t you just leave, so we can be more inclusive?”
Great quote."
LOL! - doesn't that just sum them up? Do you think she was singing Kumbahyah as she said this?
Since you have determined that the Catholic Church is not the one you seek have you considered the Orthodox churches?
I know there has been some very interesting discussion on Al Kimel's blog about Orthodoxy. Now I only suggest this if you ever in your heart, mind and soul believe you must leave ECUSA.
But in other dioceses, I think the orthodox should look around at the good faithful people who are leaving and honestly ask themselves, “Why am I staying?”
That's our situation in a nutshell.
The Diocese of Atlanta is one of the most liberal in the country, and it is led by a vengeful bishop who does not hesitate to persecute and malign the orthodox. After he succeeded in destroying an (evangelical) orthodox congregation here, he stated for attribution that they had been threatening to leave for years, that they were "not good Christians" and he was glad they were gone.
What on earth is the point of hanging around under the jurisdiction of somebody with an attitude like that? Especially when our local Catholic Archdiocese is very orthodox, and our local parish has a very "high" liturgy and a choirmaster whose favorite composer is William Byrd? (I ask you!)
By any chance do you live in Alpharetta?
PING!
I don't think it was Sionnsar saying that, but rather somebody called "Mark" posting on the Pontificator blog.
Thanks!
Our parish is Holy Spirit, Atlanta.
You can see our choir gracing the front page of the current issue of the Bulletin. My dear hubby and I are both in the pic, as is our genius of a choirmaster.
3400 Old Alabama Road, Alpharetta, GA 30022
(678) 393-0294
I was there this past Christmas visiting area relatives. Midnight Mass was amazing. Solemn Liturgy, excellent homilist, warm, orthodox Priest, Fantastic choir, new, georgeous Church, very friendly Christians. It is a flower in the garden of the new Springtime in the Church.
I can't wait to go back
Here's our digs:
(Looks like traditional architecture is In again . . . and a good thing too.)
And talk about chatter before Mass...
The music was REALLY bad . . . I'm not a big fan of the Haugen Mass, which is used in our parish, but they had pop-schlock of the worst sort. Unsingable.
They do have lovely Stations of the Cross, though.
The last time I showed up, it was the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe . . . there were Aztecs in feather headdresses and loincloths drumming and whistling in the courtyard when I showed up. They had been there all night.
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