Posted on 07/30/2005 7:55:50 AM PDT by sionnsar
In Connecticut Episcopal news, Andrew Smith responded to the recent letter from the Network bishops threatening to bring presentment charges against him. There's nothing particularly surprising in the letter but this part jumped out at me:
Had you first inquired concerning Father Mark Hansen and the conditions at Saint John’s, Bristol, our communication would be far more productive. I regret that none of the bishops who signed the letter had the wisdom or courtesy to call before launching this broadside. If we are engaged in a “very public conflict,” it is the work of others, and of letters such as yours.
Since the Network bishops indicated that their recent letter was the second they had written to Smith. The rest of Smith's letter contains his version of events while Dr. William Witt, a St. John's vestryman, has a much different take on the situation and the man who caused it. Hansen, by the way, has formally denied the charges against him
The Obergruppenfuhrer wrote another letter recently. Smith dropped a line to whatever's left of St. John's telling them how great everything is now and introducing me to the creepiest Episcopal usage since "Godself."
On July 13 I told the Senior Warden of Saint John’s that it is my hope that we could work together, Bishop, Priest in Charge, Wardens and Vestry, for Saint John’s future. However, on July 18 most of the Vestry of Saint John’s chose not to meet with Mother McCone. Several parishioners and one Vestry member did come that night, and they began to talk about the future.
We have begun to address the parish finances. We asked several times for the Treasurer to work with Mr. Ed Seibert, who is assisting Mother McCone, so together they could bring the parish into financial order.
The devotion of the people to St. John’s is inspiring and encouraging and the Diocese is committed to helping the parish rebuild - financially as well as spiritually - and to renew its relationship with the larger Episcopal family. If you have questions or thoughts of ways in which I, Mother McCone or my staff can be helpful, please call the Church. I certainly am keeping all of Saint John’s in my prayers, asking Christ’s peace and blessing.
Smitty? If you ever want to have any kind of a relationship with people like me, I'm going to have to insist that you never use that word in that context EVER AGAIN!! Now if the rest of you will excuse me, I have to go take a shower.
Huber's "fix" is here; worth a read!
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. "Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind."
Eric Arthur Blair or George ORWELL
British novelist and essayist (1903-1950)
Actually, I've been wondering what the familiar title is for a female priest. "Mother"? "Sister"? "Father" seems quite wrong, so what do you call them?
finding the right title is just the beginning of the problem IMHO
Congratulations! You've just constructed the shortest, yet most complete, argument against female ordination possible.
To expand (because that's all that's even possible; your argument is complete on its own): the Catholic POV is that the priest, in celebrating the Eucharist, stands in persona Christi, in the person of Christ the Bridegroom. The congregation is the Church, the bride. The imagery is implicitly a marital one.
Women can't become priests precisely because they can't be called "Father" and can't represent a bridegroom. They aren't ontologically configured to be a bridegroom any more than I am ontologically (or anatomically) configured to be mommy. Peter Kreeft put it succinctly 10 or more years ago, long before the agitation for "gay marriage," when he said "If we're going to ordain women as priests, we ought to also endorse lesbian marriage."
Actually, I've been wondering what the familiar title is for a female priest. "Mother"? "Sister"? "Father" seems quite wrong, so what do you call them?
Reverend?
Works for me.
We call ours Mother. It only hurts for a little while.
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