Dear Brothers and Sisters,
www.virtueonline.org
12/7/2008

The historic formation of an orthodox North American Anglican Province continues to dominate the news. This past week VOL put out a special digest covering the event, but stories continue to pour in. I have written an analysis on the praise and criticism surrounding this momentous and historic occasion. We will continue to post new stories to the website www.virtueonline.org as they become available. VOL's sources in London will continue to keep you informed about the reaction inside Lambeth Palace and from the other primates of the Anglican Communion.

*****

In the DIOCESE OF NEW YORK, the world's largest cathedral - The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in Upper Manhattan - was re-opened with a rededication service following its $40-million dollar restoration done after a devastating fire damaged ancient tapestries and a 8,500-pipe organ. Every inch of limestone, marble and granite surface was cleaned. The fire wrecked two rare 17th century Barberini tapestries - part of a set of 12 depicting the life of Christ. They were painstakingly restored in the cathedral's textile conservation laboratory, located on its 11-acre campus. The ceremony featured a procession of bishops, fire department members who helped battle the blaze, dancers, and a number of religious leaders.

The church's cornerstone was laid in 1892. It is larger than the French cathedrals of Chartres and Notre Dame combined. It boasts a Gothic nave and Romanesque choir area, eight stately interior granite columns and 150 stained-glass windows depicting religious and historic scenes, including the inauguration of George Washington.

One doubts very much if St. John himself would have much good to say about all this. By today's Episcopal standards, he would not pass the inclusivity test. The cathedral's leadership dalliances with religious syncretism, pansexuality, Gnosticism and a faux ecumenicity would not receive the Great Apostle's good housekeeping seal of approval. One will never see a plaque with Jesus' words, "Ye must be born again" (John 3:7) on a cathedral wall. Bishop Mark S. Sisk is no lover of orthodox Anglicanism. His diocese is riddled with pansexualists. His predecessor Bishop Paul Moore was living a double life. The diocese is financially rich, but spiritually sick and impoverished. You can see a video recording of the event here: http://www.stjohndivine.org/Fair.html

*****

The Episcopal DIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES joined seven other dioceses this week in passing a resolution asking the national church to let homosexuals and lesbians become bishops. The vote Friday at the diocese's 113th annual Diocesan Convention rejected the Episcopal Church's de facto moratorium on the election of homosexuals or lesbian bishops. The resolution will be forwarded for consideration at the July 2009 national convention in Anaheim. Also at the convention, the diocese expressed full support for gay marriage with the creation of the "Sacramental Blessing for a Life-long Covenant." Watch how this will play out in the Global South. It is a rebuke to the Windsor Report. Any future Covenant will be dead on arrival. The new Anglican province begins to make more sense. Congregations are now being encouraged to move forward in what they call a "prophetic witness and in justice" towards same-sex couples who have been denied both the church's blessing and the state's benefits of marriage for so long.

As of Friday the bishop of the Los Angeles diocese, the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, said officiating such unions is official church policy. Bruno's declaration is not expected to have a major effect on Episcopal churches in Southern California. Many have been blessing gay unions for years. Now he has made it official. "The practice has not changed. The policy has. . . . It's sort of like 'coming out,' " said the Rev. Susan Russell, a lesbian priest at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena. Russell also is president of Integrity USA, a group representing the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in the Episcopal Church. The L.A. diocese is expected to elect two suffragan, or assisting, bishops in 2010. Some say it is possible a gay or lesbian bishop could be nominated from among qualified candidates around the world.

*****

Things are heating up again in the DIOCESE OF COLORADO. This past week Bishop Rob O'Neill swooped in on the parish of Grace and St. Stephens. With a warrant in hand, he got Police to remove computers and files relating to the church's finances. O'Neill is bound and determined to get the Rev. Don Armstrong. He inhibited Fr. Armstrong on Christmas (December 27th, 2007). Now he has ruined their celebrations once again - this time on THANKSGIVING 2008. The bishop's sense of timing would be outrageous, if it weren't so banal.

Bishop O'Neill's paranoia doesn't end there. VOL has learned that following the police raid, the opposing attorney asked that Fr. Armstrong be searched for weapons when he is present at depositions. It is ironic, the orthodox always leaves retribution to the Lord. The Police also invaded the rectory and tossed its contents. "It was like a home invasion," a source told VOL.

Another source told VOL that Bishop O'Neill is a man obsessed. There is little trust of him left among his clergy. He is spending the diocese's future and his episcopate in enraged revenge, VOL was told.

Fr. Armstrong took his parish out of The Episcopal Church and aligned with the Province of the Southern Cone over TEC's consecration of homosexual bishop Gene Robinson. O'Neill has been trying for two years to get him off the property. This is the second time he has gone after the church's books hoping to find evidence that Armstrong pocketed money for his own use. A fiduciary audit of the books, last year revealed nothing. Armstrong remains in his church with the full support of his vestry and congregation, much to O'Neil's annoyance. Unofficial records show that O'Neill has spent upwards of $2 million in lawyers trying to reclaim the parish.

If you would like to see a video of Police actions you can see it here: http://www.graceepiscopalcolosprings.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/answerandcounterclaims.pdf

*****

In a new move for the recently retired BISHOP OF QUINCY, the Rt. Rev. Keith Ackerman has been appointed assisting bishop in the Diocese of Springfield. He will not perform sacramental acts, but will do spiritual retreats for Bishop Peter Beckwith's diocese, until he and his wife move to Texas where the bishop will retire.

*****

The WASHINGTON CATHEDRAL'S COMPASSION DEFICIT. A recent story by VOL on the "National Cathedral Cuts Jobs, Programs," which reported a 30 percent cut in staff at the Washington National Cathedral, prompted a reader to contact VOL who had a friend who worked there.

Behold, the friend didn't know anything about the cuts. Neither did most of the other employees, including those whose jobs were eliminated. They did not find out until they read the story in the Washington Post.

Lewis Freeman in Arlington VA wrote a letter to the editor saying, "From other articles over the past year, it has become apparent that the cathedral's executives are challenged when it comes to financial management. Now, we learn from the circumstances of this most recent revelation that the management is inept with human resources and public relations as well as wanting in the exercise of Christian compassion toward its employees."

*****

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH has a new hatchet man to assist Bishop Clay Matthews in the Office of Pastoral Development. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has named the Venerable Richard I. Cluett as Pastoral Assistant to Reorganizing Dioceses. Interpretation:. "We have more staff to go after parishes and dioceses who decide to leave TEC and try to keep their properties." According to an official blurb, in this new position, Cluett, who hails from the Diocese of Bethlehem, will "provide pastoral guidance and assistance to dioceses of the Episcopal Church who are in the process of reorganizing and reconstituting." No word on salary and costs to move him to NYC.

*****

Interested in what Episcopal Diocesan BISHOPS SALARIES were for 2007 click here: http://images.acswebnetworks.com/1/344/DFMSNewBishopSalaryInfo708.pdf

Given the huge salaries of Episcopal bishops and their recent poor performance (massive attendance declines), why should they not take a pay cut like their secular counterparts? Several bishops make over $200,000 while their dioceses head down hill. The BISHOP OF SOUTHERN OHIO makes $280,000.

That diocese is losing market share. It has dropped over 3% in Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) and is 33rd out of 100 dioceses in church attendance. So the question must be asked why he is worth that enormous salary when the diocese is in such serious decline. Only one diocese (out of 100) showed an increase in attendance in 2007 and that was the orthodox Diocese of South Carolina. Perhaps they should base salaries on performance, in which case many of these purple shirts would be collecting unemployment. For a complete story on AVERAGE SUNDAY ATTENDANCE in The Episcopal Church you can read my story here or in today's digest. http://tinyurl.com/5zkxsg

*****

The ARCHBISHOP OF CANADA, Fred Hiltz would like to abolish the death penalty in his country. Recently, more than 100 people gathered in Toronto to make the case that Toronto be made a "City for Life," one of eight in Canada and more than 900 worldwide that oppose the death penalty. The event was organized by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, which Amnesty International helped found. Hiltz said that God takes no pleasure in the deaths of the innocent, but neither does he take pleasure in the deaths of those who have committed wicked acts. "We gather here tonight to affirm the sacredness of human life," he said. He added that any justice based on vengeance sets society on a dangerous course.

*****

A WORLD FIRST? About 100 parishioners at St. Christopher's in Hinchley Wood, Surrey, England, will receive an electronic sermon delivered to their e-mail inboxes by their Anglican vicar. The words spoken by the Rev John Kronenberg, will be converted into text and sent to church members' computers. Sunday's sermon is being billed as a world first by St. Christopher's Church. "There are many reasons why people may not be able to make it to church on a Sunday," said Mr Kronenberg. "Some families can only get to church a couple of times a month because of other commitments, but they still want to keep in touch. "We have a website and a Facebook page and regularly contact the community via email, but this is a bold next step in reaching people in a new and relevant way."

*****

The Second Annual Traditional Anglican MILITARY CHAPLAINS Conference will be held February 16-20 at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, PA. The Federation of Anglican Churches in the America (FACA) has endorsed this event. Traditional Anglican Chaplains of all jurisdictions are invited and encouraged to attend. The Conference will include a guided personal retreat "On the Priestly Life" led by Father David Ousley. Dr. Thomas Howard will make three presentations centering on the thoughts of C.S. Lewis on prayer, the Psalms, and the liturgy. Full details for the Conference may be found on the "Military" page at acahome.org

*****

The DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA is concerned that offering Holy Communion is become a standard practice in numerous dioceses around the country. To counter the trend, a resolution is being proposed, "On Refusal Of Communion To Non-Baptized." The explanation is that during the 2003 General Convention, the question of the communion of the un-baptized came up as matter of debate/discussion/possible action. The matter was referred, but the issue will most likely come before the Convention in 2009. Some Parishes within The Episcopal Church currently invite those of other faiths such as Hindu, Moslem, Jew, Buddhist and even Wiccan to receive the Sacraments without Baptism, faith, repentance or salvation. Canon I.17.7 of the Episcopal Church explicitly states that No un-baptized person shall be eligible to receive Holy Communion in the Church and thus prohibits administering Holy Communion to un-baptized persons. To welcome nonbelievers and those who are not baptized to receive communion is not an act of hospitality, but of disrespect both for them and for the Blessed Sacrament itself.

*****

The bishop of the DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA, the Rt. Rev. Charles Jenkins has announced his retirement effective December 31, 2009. This orthodox bishop says the move is based on issues of health and a concern for the mission strategy of the diocese. The bishop has been struggling with PTSD since Katrina, which became exaggerated by the experience of the mandatory evacuation in Hurricane Gustav, he says. "I considered and explored the possibility of a medical leave and even a sabbatical. I could not bring myself to do this for there is no assurance that I would be back to lead the Diocese." He says he will continue his social apostolate of the Church across Louisiana. Jenkins is institutionally orthodox so the question will be if his successor will be the same or a liberal. If the diocese chooses an out and out liberal, some of the priests will move to leave the diocese, VOL was told.

*****

The fourth annual "MERE ANGLICANISM" CONFERENCE, titled "Guard the Treasure", is being held again this year in Charleston, SC from Thursday, January 15 - Saturday, January 17, 2009 at Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul, 126 Coming Street, Charleston, South Carolina, 29403. The line-up of speakers is top class. VOL will be there to cover this outstanding conference.

Analysis and reflection around the church's engagement with secularism and Islam will constitute the program of this coming year's conference, which will be led by a roster of internationally renowned speakers:

Bishop Michael Nazir Ali - Engaging Islam Dr. R. Albert Mohler - Engaging Secularism Dr. William Abraham - Do Muslims and Christians believe in the same God? Bishop Mark J. Lawrence - Conference Keynote Sermon at Choral Evensong Bishop Jack Iker - Beyond the Elizabethan Settlement: toward a new Anglican Conciliarism Archbishop Valentino Mokiwa - Global Anglicanism: The African Connection Dr. Stephen Noll - Global Anglicanism: Ecclesiological Renewal post-Gafcon/Lambeth Bishop Robert Duncan - North American Anglicanism post-Gafcon/Lambeth Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi - Concluding Keynote Sermon at the Conference Eucharist

Plenary panels and small group opportunities will be interspersed throughout the conference. Networking sessions and gatherings for theological educators and bloggers will be held. Major panelists, discussion leaders and liturgical participants will include Bishop FitzSimons Allison, Bishop Alex Dickson, Roberta Bayer, Michael Carreker, Bill Dickson, Kendall Harmon, Edith Humphrey, William McKeachie, Joe Murphy, William Nikides, Ashley Null, Steve Wood, Al Zadig, and many other lay leaders, clergy and bishops.

Cost: $85 includes box lunch on Friday and BBQ on Friday night Attendance at individual addresses: $10 per presentation Register today at www.MereAnglicanism.com or call Kester Heaton at: The Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul: 843-722-7345

*****

In the DIOCESE OF QUINCY, a number of members of the congregation of St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Peoria, Illinois, held a meeting on December 4 and voted 181 to 35 to remain in the Episcopal Church. The decision follows the November 7 meeting of the annual synod of the Diocese of Quincy at which a majority of delegates voted to leave the Episcopal Church and realign with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone.

St. Paul's Cathedral is the largest congregation in the Diocese of Quincy, with approximately 400 baptized members in 2007 and an average Sunday attendance of more than 200. The Rev. Canon John Blossom, priest at Bread of Life Anglican Fellowship, Peoria, who is working to help reorganize the Diocese of Quincy, says the cathedral vote "dwarfs the 54 layperson votes cast at the recent synod that purported to remove the diocese from the Episcopal Church."

*****

The process for the election of EPISCOPAL BISHOPS is due for revision, a survey of nominees and search participants reveal. The way in which the Episcopal Church elects its bishops could change as the result of a survey being conducted now by the Episcopal Elections and Transitions Project.

The project, sponsored by the Episcopal Church's College for Bishops, the Presiding Bishop's Office of Pastoral Development and the CREDO Institute, is attempting "to obtain insights into the existing best practices of episcopal elections and to identify possible new directions for the best-practice models of the future," according to a news release. Historically, the Episcopal Church has revised its recommended method for the election of bishops approximately every ten years. That method takes the form of a manual of best practices to follow during the course of a search and election process, which the Presiding Bishop's Office for Pastoral Development offers dioceses. (General Convention is responsible for making constitutional and canonical changes governing election of bishops.)

*****

On the meaning of the word "CELIBATE" or asking the right question,. I have been advised that "celibate" is used nowadays as meaning "unmarried" by those who wish to disguise their homosexual practice. A VOL reader wrote to say he had been deceived by this use of the word and suspected VOL readers might have been as well. The key question to ask a prospective Bishop who is unmarried - "Is your life chaste?" Don't hold your breath for an honest answer.

*****

SAMS, The South American Missionary Society (UK) met in Birmingham, England, recently and voted by 26-6 to merge with the Church Missionary Society (CMS). This will form a united evangelical Anglican front for global missions.

*****

WEST INDIES BISHOP TO ACT AS ARCHBISHOP. The Rt. Rev. Errol Brooks, Bishop of the Diocese of the Northeastern Caribbean and Aruba, a native of Anguilla and Senior Bishop in the Province of the West Indies, one of 39 provinces in the world Anglican community, will take charge of the Province of the West Indies at the end of the year, pending the election of a new Archbishop. He and another Bishop, to be named, will be the candidates for election. Bishop Brooks made the announcement on Sunday, November 30, at a joint Parish Family celebration on St. Andrew's, Island Harbour. The service involved the three Anglican Churches and climaxed a week of activities in celebration of the St. Andrew's Patronal Festival. VOL recently interview the archbishop- elect. The interview can be read here: http://tinyurl.com/58omyj

*****

THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK John Sentamu says Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe should be removed from power and tried by a war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands. "Mugabe and his henchmen must now take their rightful place in The Hague and answer for their actions. The time to remove them from power has come." The Uganda native says on his Web site that the crisis in Zimbabwe is comparable to the suffering caused by Ugandan tyrant Idi Amin. Sentamu is an outspoken critic of Mugabe. Last year, he cut his white collar to pieces on national TV, saying he would not wear one again until Mugabe was out of power. On the Net: http://www.archbishopofyork.org/2058

*****

IN BRITAIN, one in three believe in the virgin birth according to Theos, a public theology think tank. Out of 1005 British adults surveyed, 34% agreed that the statement "Jesus was born to a virgin called Mary" was historically accurate. Only 32% considered it fictional. Women are more likely to believe in the virgin birth (39%) than men (29%). 56% of Britons believe that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. In terms of the significance of Christ's birth, 52% agree or strongly agree that the birth of Jesus is significant to them personally. 72% of people think that the birth of Jesus remains significant culturally. The number of people who believe the birth of Christ is significant to them personally is especially striking. "In periods of financial uncertainty, when there is concern about losing jobs or homes, perhaps people are more open to thinking about life's ultimate questions."

*****

The ANGLICAN PROVINCE OF RWANDA will consecrate two newly elected bishops on Dec. 21 2008 and January 5th 2009, respectively. Huge delegations from the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMIA) and from across the Anglican world is are expected to attend this event, according to VOL African correspondent Mugabe Grace. The newly formed Diocese of Kivu boarders with the DRC Congo where there is on-going fighting.

*****

SOME INTERESTING VIDEO CLIPS for your consideration and reflection

The Real Apostles Creed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYumBRKrG8s&feature=related

Jos Goes up in Flames http://www.anglicandioceseofjos.org/CRISESPHOTOS.html

*****

JOHN R. W. STOTT'S BOOK "BASIC CHRISTIANITY" celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a special edition from InterVarsity Press. If Jesus is not who he said he was, and if he did not do what he said he had come to do, the whole superstructure of Christianity crumbles in ruins to the ground. Is it plausible that Jesus was truly divine? And what might this mean for us? Stott's clear, classic statement examines the historical facts on which Christianity stands. Here is a sound, sensible guide for all who seek an intellectually satisfying explanation of the Christian faith. To order online go here: http://www.episcopalbookstore.org, or call 800-903-5544.

*****

It is with sadness that we announce the suspension of publication of THE CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE magazine. The magazine's editor Ms Auburn Traycik cited the wide-ranging impact of Internet communications and the significant transition underway within the conservative Anglican movement. The magazine has been inexistence since 1962. You can read the full story in today's digest.

*****

ALEXA RANKINGS. This past week VirtueOnline got word that it was rated No.1 in world rankings for Anglican News. VOL is in the upper third of the top million in world websites. VOL continues to be the undisputed leader in Anglican news in the Anglican world. Here is how it looks: Site Traffic Ranking

VirtueOnline 283,033
Stand Firm 370,910
TitusOneNine 420,214
Episcopal Cafe 858,772
Thinking Anglicans 953,274

*****

VOL welcomes readers from Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Oman today. May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you and give you peace.

*****

As we approach the end of the year, WE URGENTLY NEED YOUR SUPPORT to carry us through 2009. VOL will be present at the Mere Anglican Conference in Charleston SC, with guest speakers that include Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, Stephen Noll, Bob Duncan and many others. Later, I will be attending the AMIA conference in NC and then on to the Primates meeting in Alexandria, Egypt. Please consider a tax- deductible donation to:

VIRTUEONLINE
236 Waterford Rd.,
West Chester, PA 19380

Or you can make a donation through PAYPAL by clicking on this link www.virtueonline.org

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

David

PS. ALL of the VIRTUOSITY and VIRTUEONLINE Digest Archives are now in one place. There you will find the definitive history of the last decade of ECUSA/TEC at VOL. I am grateful to my webmaster, Mr. Robert Turner for making this available to VOL's readers. Click here. http://www.virtueonline.org/archives.html