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I was privileged this past weekend to join over 1600 people gathered from all around the country at the AAC/ACN conference "From Surviving to Thriving: Anglicans in the 21st Century". This was a great time of encouragement and enthusiasm that uplifted our spirits and gave us direction. It was exciting to be with Christians of like mind and mission who care about the Church and want to do everything possible to save it.We heard the Most Rev. Gregory Venables, Archbishop of the Southern Cone, The Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan, Bishop of Pittsburgh and Moderator of the ACN, the Rev. Kendall...

Pity the Most Reverend Frank Griswold, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. He leads a fractious denomination, in a highly litigious society. His church has taken positions that place it well outside mainstream Anglicanism, as well as Christianity. While he no doubt agrees with the new positions of the Episcopal Church, he seems to do it more out of duty than a joyful sense of calling. He is a non-ideologue, trying to lead a church that is now driven by ideologues. I don’t know Griswold personally, so I’ll resist the temptation of offering an in-depth psychoanalysis of the man. But...

Despite unresolved controversies over homosexuality in the church, the head of a traditionalist group within the US Episcopal Church said Anglicanism is heading toward a theologically orthodox and spiritually vibrant future. In statements made during the Anglican Communion Network’s Mid-Atlantic Convocation conference in Woodbridge, Va., Bishop Robert Duncan explained that traditional Anglicans have gained “lots of triumphs” in the past few months. In particular, Duncan pointed out he “stunning triumph” gained internationally when Anglican Primates worldwide called on the US and Canadian Anglican churches to halt gay “marriage” blessings and ordinations or face a break in fellowship. However Duncan cautioned...

This is probably the first time I have ever linked to something like this--but this is an online denominational selector quiz that purports to help the user discern which Christian traditions most accord with his or her beliefs. As the quiz designer says, "Many of these are vast oversimplifications, and it is very hard to set options when there are often many differing views even within certain denominations." Therefore this quiz is hardly infallible, but I do think it is one of the better ones I've seen online. Try it out and see where you come out in its analysis....

No I’m not talking about *that* sin. I’m talking about a sin far greater than whatever he does with Whatshisname. I’m talking about his lending his support to those friendly baby killers of Planned Parenthood. He’s going to keynote their interfaith prayer breakfast. Excuse me for a moment. . . . Sorry. Combining “interfaith,” “prayer,” and Planned Parenthood makes me lose my breakfast. I’m a very pro-choice kind of guy. So I say Mr. Robinson has a choice. He can repent. Or he can face the judgement that awaits those who use Christ’s name and offices to support abortionists and...

The recent finding by Bishop Andrew Smith of Connecticut and by his Standing Committee that six conservative priests of his diocese have “abandoned communion”, and currently stand in a position deserving of inhibition and even deposition raises grave concerns. These concerns touch upon not only the bishop’s integrity, but on matters that threaten the very structures of episcope, already weakened in the last years within the Episcopal Church. The Anglican Communion Institute is in possession of those facts that have been made public to all. On the basis of these, we cannot but voice our strongest objection to Bishop Smith’s...

The Only Thing Necessary Sometimes in the midst of controversy, people get forgotten. by the Rev. Kevin Martin I first met Ron Gauss, Rector of Bishop Seabury Church in Groton, Connecticut, in seminary. He entered the year after I did. Although he had a pleasant smile, he tended to be an intense person and was passionate at moments. Sometimes his conversations with faculty and other students were a bit strident. I do not think he has changed much over the years. I have come to appreciate him better, however, after my own post-seminary conversion to Christ. Ron is a convert...

Exclusive interview with Bishop Robinson Cavilcanti of the Diocese of Recife By David W. Virtue Bishop Cavlicanti cites lack of public support and apathy as Brazilian Primate comes down hard on him. He is appealing to the Archbishop of Canterbury and says orthodox primates will intervene if nothing is forthcoming. Six months ago VirtueOnline interviewed Bishop Robinson Cavalcanti. We have talked to Bishop Cavilcanti again about the situation in the orthodox diocese of Recife and its struggle with the provincial liberal leadership of Archbishop Oliviera. VirtueOnline: You have said that one obstacle has been the lack of information about what...

To put it mildly, Peter Akinola is unimpressed by ECUSA's response to the Newry Anglican primates meeting.  For Akinola, the bottom line is that ECUSA still doesn't get it:While the statement issued by ECUSA’s House of Bishops expressed a desire to remain in the life and mission of the Anglican Communion, I was disappointed that the only regret offered was for their failure to consult and the effect of their actions instead of an admission that what they have done has offended God and His Church. As was pointed out in the Primates Communiqué issued in February ‘the underlying reality...

From the Primate of all Nigeria, Archbishop Peter J. Akinola:Greetings in the name of our risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!It has been my privilege to meet Nigerian Anglicans in places across America including Washington D.C., New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, Indianapolis and Chicago. I have witnessed your faithfulness and seen what a blessing you are, both to those who share our love for the Lord Jesus and also those who have yet to hear the good news of His love. I have also become aware of the challenging circumstances in which many of you find yourselves...

Main Entry: pri'mate Pronunciation: *pr*-*m*t or esp for 1 -m*t Function: noun Etymology: Middle English primat, from Old French, from Medieval Latin primat-, primas archbishop, from Latin, leader, from primus Date: 13th century 1 often capitalized : a bishop who has precedence in a province, group of provinces, or a nation2 archaic : one first in authority or rank : LEADER 3 [New Latin Primates, from Latin, plural of primat-, primas] : any of an order (Primates) of mammals comprising humans, apes, monkeys, and related forms (as lemurs and tarsiers) -pri'mate-ship \-*ship\ noun --pri-ma'tial \pr*-*m*-sh*l\ adjective A letter from...

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Darien, Connecticut is the church where Angela and I found a spiritual home when we moved from England almost 38 years ago. It was a loving community where Jesus Christ was honored. It also was one of the early pioneers in the Charismatic movement and in many ways was a sister church to Truro in the early days of the Renewal movement. It is no exaggeration to say that it changed our lives and was the community that helped us discern our call to ordained ministry.Today, St. Paul’s, together with five other Episcopal Churches of...

He answered them, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Can you believe it has been over a month since the 174th Diocesan Convention? By every measure, time as we know it on this earth is screaming by. Tell me it isn’t true. Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday that you trimmed your toenails and now it’s time to do it again? (You can do it while you read this.) But why has it taken me over a month to post anything about Bishop Andrus’ address...

According to IRD: You folks might like to know that I have renounced by ordination vows, and formed the Llynhydd Grove of the Druid Order of the Yew. You might want to take my forced letter of ‘recantation’ off your website.OakWyse (Bill Melnyk)Follow up: Lauren called Bill Melnyk to confirm this note was true.

[Well. Just to provide balance to "Why Orthodoxy, not Rome", the Pontificator has posted the following. As before, I am posting this article not because I think Anglicanism is fundamentally flawed (at the very least, such is a rush to judgement because it has not reached the final act), and not because I think the Continuing churches ought to be dismissed (I don't). --sionnsar] Over a year ago, on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I wrote a letter to The Most Rev. Charles Chaput, bishop of the Archdiocese of Denver, exploring reception into the Roman...