United to Christ. When we become united to Christ by faith, something so tremendous happens that the New Testament cannot find language adequate to describe it. It is a new birth, yes, but also a new creation, a resurrection, light out of darkness, and life from the dead. We were slaves, now we are sons. We were lost, now we have come home. We were condemned and under the wrath of God, now we have been justified and adopted into his family. What subsequent experience can possibly compare with this in importance? We must be careful, in describing deeper experiences, not to denigrate regeneration or to cast a slur on this first, decisive and creative work of God's love. -- From "Baptism and Fullness" by John R.W. Stott.

"Suing four different dioceses simultaneously is going to be the least of Jefferts Schori's problems if Episcopalians continue to die off, stop going to church or leave for more vibrant communities of worship." -- Faith J.H. McDonnell, Director of the IRD's Religious Liberty Program

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
www.virtueonline.org
11/16/2008

Sitting in the packed cathedral of St. Vincent's in the Episcopal Diocese of Ft. Worth, I watch as history is being made. The final Mass is sung in a cathedral that 24 hours later would no longer be a part of The Episcopal Church. Nearby, a woman dabs her tear-filled eyes with a handkerchief, sensing this is a moment that will not be repeated. During the 'peace' a man comes up to me and says simply and quietly, "You are seeing the last Anglo-Catholic Eucharist in this cathedral in The Episcopal Church." His eyes, too, are red.

And so it went. Delegates to this 26th Diocesan Convention of the Diocese of Ft. Worth broke with The Episcopal Church and declared their solemn allegiance to the Province of the Southern Cone. Because of the overt theological sins of a denomination that can no longer affirm that Jesus is the only way to the Father, (among other doctrines), this predominantly Anglo-Catholic diocese voted overwhelming (nearly 80 percent of its clergy and laity) to leave The Episcopal Church. It was a forgone conclusion. There were no surprises.

No one doubted the outcome. The departure of this diocese was done with relief and minimal fanfare as delegates voted overwhelmingly to leave a denomination they regard as apostate and heretical and align themselves with the Province of the Southern Cone and its evangelical Archbishop Gregory Venables.

It was a day that brought both sadness and jubilation from some 80 clergy and 114 laity in St. Vincent's cathedral in Bedford, a town midway between Ft. Worth and Dallas. It also brought relief to the hearts of some 19,000 Episcopalians who were closing the door forever on a church that has moved away from 'the faith once for all delivered to the saints.' Judy Mayo, director of children's education at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Fort Worth, spoke for many when she said she was in favor of the break, and that she was deeply troubled by an "anything goes" philosophy in which some Episcopal churches perform same-sex unions. "If something is morally wrong in Texas, my friends, it is wrong in Montana or California or Connecticut or Kentucky," Ms. Mayo said. "It's either right or wrong, according to God's word. The train of the Episcopal Church and the apostolic faith are simply on a collision course, now. It is time to make a clear and clean break." The vote was clear and unambiguous. About five of the diocese's 56 parishes will stay with the Episcopal Church, not because they are necessarily liberal on the issues, but because they simply do not want to separate themselves from the national church. VOL was there to record it all. You can read my stories in today's digest. I spoke with Bishop Iker on a number of occasions while here and his mood was always upbeat and friendly. "We are putting the past behind us and pressing forward in mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ."

*****

In the DIOCESE OF PENNSYLVANIA, the inhibited and deposed Bishop of Pennsylvania doesn't seem to know when to quit, especially when you are as far behind the eight ball as he is. A hearing to have his sentence of deposition modified so he can regain his diocesan seat only opened old wounds. Bennison was forced, once again, to listen to a litany of his sins in failing to stop or report his brother's sexual abuse of a minor and listen further as his own pathological behavior was once again rolled out in a hotel 'courtroom'. The judges, including five Episcopal bishops, sat in stony silence after being told they had "abused" their authority in imposing the heaviest sentence on the ultra-liberal bishop.

There was no new evidence. Witnesses were not cross-examined. The sexually abused woman and her mother once again testified that Bennison had failed in his ecclesiastical duties and should be removed forever from Holy Orders as he showed no signs of true repentance - once again.

James A.A. Pabarue, Bennison's attorney pled for a modification of the sentence of deposition, arguing that it was "unjust, unduly harsh and unsupported by the evidence" and calling the actions of the nine judges "Draconian." He described the deposition, which would see the revisionist bishop removed from Holy Orders, as the "ecclesiastical equivalent of the death penalty."

Church attorney Larry White said Bennison is still not aware of the damage he has done by his personal failure in not reporting the abuse and giving his brother a pass in allowing him to be ordained to the priesthood. Charles Bennison was more concerned about his own career path than about a sexually abused underage teenager.

If the court reaffirms its conviction, a conviction Katharine Jefferts Schori regards as a done deal, then Bennison has one more appeal before nine new Episcopal bishops. If he loses there, he is toast. Had he resigned or retired and gone peacefully into that dark night, he could have salvaged what was left of his disastrous episcopacy and perhaps been a rector or teacher. If he is deposed, he is out of the Episcopal Church, forever, a fitting end, we believe, for Charles E. Bennison and his family of losers. You can read the full story in today's digest.

*****

In CALIFORNIA, four Episcopal clergy including a bishop got into angry exchanges with Californians who believe that Proposition 8 is the way to go. The head of The Episcopal Church's gay and lesbian organization, Integrity, blasted voters who backed a successful ballot initiative to ban gay marriage in California and three other states. Mormons were attacked along with members of the Protect Marriage Coalition forcing Los Angeles Interfaith leaders to condemn the attacks. Many California churches also experienced harassment, drive-by attacks, obscenities and defacement of property following the vote. One woman, who carried a cross, had it torn from her and trampled on by a group of thugs from an organization called Bash Back. She is suing. Liberal niceness evaporates when so-called sexual rights are trampled on by people with common sense and a worldview that differs from their own. Los Angeles Bishop Jon Bruno whined and opined that he hoped the courts would overthrow Proposition 8. Californians may well resist that. You can read my story on that event in today's digest.

*****

In the DIOCESE OF CONNECTICUT, the godly evangelical priest Fr. Ronald S. Gauss, a Jewish convert and rector of Bishop Seabury Church in Groton, received notice from Bishop Andrew Smith at his home this week saying that he had been deposed. Smith, the lead bishop in the Bennison deposition, is spending a lot of his time these days deposing one person or another. He must get a kick out of it. Fr. Gauss wrote to VOL saying the ultra-liberal bishop notified him on Thursday, November 20th, 2008 at 6:00pm that he and two Presbyters (Priests) will hold a service of deposition. "This action will remove me from any and all faculties that were conferred upon me at Ordination in the Episcopal Church, U.S.A. Thus ends 35 years, 10 months, 14 days as a Priest in the Episcopal Church." However, Gauss will continue as a priest in God's One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, just under different auspices, he told VOL. More on this story as it unfolds.

*****

President- elect BARACK OBAMA'S honeymoon with the American public might be short-lived. Not only does he inherit an economy in free-fall and an unresolved housing crisis, the nation's Roman Catholic bishops say they will fight Obama on abortion. In Baltimore this week, the nation's Roman Catholic bishops vowed to forcefully confront the Obama administration over its support of abortion rights, saying the church and religious freedom could be under attack in the new presidential administration. In an impassioned discussion on Catholics in public life, several bishops said they would accept no compromise on the church's abortion policy. Many condemned Catholics who argued that it was morally acceptable to back President-elect Obama because he pledged to reduce abortion rates.

Several prelates promised to call out Catholic policy makers on their failures to follow church teaching.

*****

Ah, the joys of patronage. This week the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, awarded the CROSS OF ST. AUGUSTINE to members of the 2008 Lambeth Conference Design Group at a ceremony at Lambeth Palace. The recipients of the Cross of St Augustine were The Rev. Dr Ian T. Douglas, Associate Professor of World Mission & Global Christianity, Episcopal Divinity School in Massachusetts; The Most Rev. Ian Ernest, Archbishop of the Indian Ocean & Bishop of Mauritius, Province of the Indian Ocean; The Rt. Rev. Colin Fletcher, OBE Bishop of Dorchester, Church of England; The Rt. Rev. Winston Halapua, Suffragan Bishop for the Diocese of Polynesia in New Zealand, The Most Rev. Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town, Anglican Church of Southern Africa, The Rt. Rev. Miguel Tamayo, Bishop of Uruguay, Province of the Southern Cone, The Rt. Rev. James Tengatenga, Bishop of Southern Malawi, Province of Central Africa and Ms Fung Yi Wong from the province of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui. The Cross of St Augustine was founded by Archbishop Michael Ramsey and was first awarded in February 1965. There are gold, silver and bronze crosses, but in recent years the Archbishop has generally awarded silver crosses. The Cross is presented to a small number of clergy and lay people each year who have given long and exceptionally distinguished service to the Church of England or the Anglican Communion or, occasionally, other Christian denominations. These awards are being used as patronage to tie in the loyalty of people, who are still mid-career and might expect further advancement, to an individual, - a seminary professor (to bishop?), a suffragan (to diocesan?) rather than at the end of a career to recognize service to all. The currency is clearly being devalued. Irish Archbishop Robin Eames got it after a long and distinguished career sorting out the Windsor Report and other Gordian Knots. At the end of the Lausanne Congress in Manila in 1980, the list of those being thanked and honored almost extended to the tea-ladies - All this shows is that the plan worked.

*****

ROWAN'S RULE: THE BIOGRAPHY OF THE ARCHBISHOP. There's a new biography of Dr. Rowan Williams out and it's official. The blurb says Rowan Williams is a complex and controversial figure. Widely revered for his personality, he is also an intellectual giant who towers over almost all his predecessors as Archbishop of Canterbury. Among many other achievements, he has trounced the atheist Richard Dawkins, and published over twenty well-regarded books, including several volumes of poetry and a major study of Dostoevsky.

Yet, he is also one of the most reviled church leaders in modern history. Long before facing calls to step down after his lecture on Shari'a Law in 2008, he was accused of heresy on account of his pro-gay views. Conservative members of his own flock begged him to resign. He has disappointed many of his own following. He has disappointed many of his supporters, as well. Progressives who expected him to champion the cause of clergy in same-sex relationships are dismayed by what seems his ragged retreat on the issue.

So how has high office changed Rowan Williams? Has he been bullied and manipulated? Or is he perhaps playing a long game, obliged to rate church unity above the pursuit of his own vision, at a time when the Anglican Communion has never looked more unstable? This biography by Rupert Shortt offers answers to these and other questions in this biography. It was written with Rowan Williams's full co-operation. A criticism of Williams appears in a story out of England in The Telegraph about the shabby leadership in the church.

*****

Will there be an activist PASTOR TO THE NEXT PRESIDENT of the U.S? A conservative Christian activist says it's a sad omen for the Obama administration and the United States that Barack Obama has been seeking guidance from the Episcopal Church's first openly homosexual bishop. The Times of London reports that the president-elect sought out New Hampshire homosexual bishop Gene Robinson for advice three times during his presidential campaign. Robinson, whose ordination in the Episcopal Church has caused a deep rift within the Anglican Communion, was reportedly sought out by Obama to discuss what it feels like to be "first." Robinson notes in their three private conversations, Obama voiced his support for "equal civil rights" for homosexuals and described the election as a "religious experience." Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, believes Obama's consultations with Robinson show the true tenor of his upcoming administration. It looks like Billy Graham has been replaced by a gay bishop. LaBarbera suggests Robinson may possibly replace Jeremiah Wright as one of Obama's main spiritual advisers. Wright was Obama's Chicago pastor for 20 years before disassociating with the controversial preacher during the presidential campaign.

*****

PEOPLE. The Very Rev. Canon Robert S. Munday will serve as dean and president of Nashotah House for a further five years, the board of trustees for the Wisconsin-based seminary announced recently. Now in his eighth year as dean and president of the Anglican seminary, Munday has won the enthusiastic support of the trustees, says retired South Carolina Bishop Edward Salmon, chairman of the seminary's board. "These are hard times for seminaries across the country," Salmon said, "but Nashotah House is thriving and it's in recognition of the strength of our M.Div. program, and the tremendous growth of our distance learning and post-graduate programs, that the trustees are delighted to extend our dean's term of service here."

Throughout Munday's tenure at Nashotah House, the number of degree-seeking students has more than doubled, and currently stands at 109, a press release from the seminary said. "Ninety-five students enrolled in Nashotah House's summer school program in July, by far the largest summer school population the seminary has ever enjoyed. Most of this growth has been due to Nashotah House's Doctor of Ministry program and the M.A. in Ministry distance-learning program, both of which were instituted under Dean Munday's leadership two years ago."

***** A shrewd observer of the times noted with interest that The Episcopal Church isn't using women to replace outgoing bishops in their cobbled together dioceses. In fact, they are using old retired men. Well praise be. VOL always knew there was a place for DEAD WHITE MALES after all.

*****

CRITICISM of lay presidency plans in the DIOCESE OF SYDNEY has sparked controversy around the world. Some like Dr. Peter Toon, former President of the Prayer Book Society, have called for the removal of this diocese from the GAFCON as punishment for its ecclesiastical sins. But lest one get too exercised about the alleged sins of an orthodox diocese, one might want to consider the sins of The Episcopal Church in some of their dioceses. A recent survey by the Diocese of Massachusetts found that nearly three-quarters of its congregations are violating the canons of The Episcopal Church by encouraging unbaptized worshipers to receive communion. Is this a case of moat and beam?

*****

WIDELY-REVERED preacher and author Billy Graham celebrated his 90th birthday November 7, marking the milestone with a private family dinner near the evangelist's mountainside home outside Asheville, N.C. The celebration came as Graham pondered the historic changes wrought by the election of his country's first African-American president.

During October and early November, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), the worldwide ministry Graham started in 1950, invited individuals around the world to bless and encourage the evangelist by sending a birthday greeting or a story of how his ministry had impacted their life. Tens of thousands of messages poured in, and were collected together to share with him as part of the birthday celebration.

*****

THE Archbishop of the CHURCH OF UGANDA, Henry Luke Orombi, has urged government officials to work with all stakeholders to curb the high rate of corruption in the country. "We are faced with corruption and lack of ethics, which is threatening the delivery of social services to the community. As religious leaders and institutions, we face the challenge of mobilizing citizens and other stakeholders to speak out against corruption," Orombi said.

He was speaking on behalf of the members of the Inter-religious Council (IRCU) at a meeting with the new head of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), David Eckerson, in Kampala last week. IRCU is one of the agencies that benefit from the US Presidential Emergency Fund for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) support to religious institutions engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention. The program is being implemented in 32 districts and sub-grants to 76 faith-based implementing partners.

Orombi also highlighted the plight of the people of northern Uganda, who are just emerging from the effects of two decades of conflict. "People of northern Uganda have experienced armed conflict that has left them without access to basic life. As religious leaders, we are confronted with the challenge of implementing the National Peace Recovery and Development Plan put in place by government and development partners," said Orombi.

*****

The raging Montecito, California wildfire has destroyed historic MOUNT CALVARY RETREAT HOUSE, staff and Santa Barbara County officials have confirmed. The resident brothers, members of the Order of the Holy Cross, and staff are safe following evacuation, said Nancy Bullock, program director for Mount Calvary. Bullock said that All Saints is currently working to determine if any parishioners have lost homes in the blaze, which has claimed more than 100 residences across 2,500 acres. Bullock's husband, Jeff, is rector of the parish.

Bishop J. Jon Bruno, who is in close telephone contact with clergy leaders in the Santa Barbara area, asks the prayers of the diocesan community for all those affected by the fire. The bishop and staff of the Diocese of Los Angeles have pledged their support in assisting the coordination of fire recovery efforts. Checks, payable to the Treasurer of the Diocese and earmarked "Montecito Fire Recovery" may be sent to the Bishop's Office, 840 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90026.

Mount Calvary's prior, the Rev. Nicholas Radelmiller OHC said the brothers and staff at Mt. Calvary, were able to leave with some of the hilltop retreat house's valuable art treasures, as well as computer records, "but so much is lost."

Mount Calvary Retreat House, with its panoramic ocean views, was founded in 1947 by the Order of the Holy Cross, based in West Park, N.Y. Source: Bob Williams, canon for community relations, Diocese of Los Angeles.

*****

ANGLICAN ESSENTIALS CANADA reports that a new ANiC church plant took place in Pembroke, Ontario this week. A group of about 70 came together to form a new ANiC church plant under newly licensed ANiC rector, the Rev Tim Parent. The group's first Sunday service is Nov 16, meeting at a local Seventh-day Adventist Church. Parent had resigned from his Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) church, Holy Trinity, on Sunday, November 9, as well as from his position as archdeacon in the ACoC Diocese of Ottawa.

*****

Concerns are being expressed over INDABA GROUP 'manipulation', according to unconfirmed reports. Middle East Archbishop Mouneer Anis was in Dallas recently, speaking at the Church of the Incarnation and at the Stanton Lecture series on the Anglican Communion for clergy and laity. Cheryl M. Wetzel of Anglicans United said that attempts were made to present the conservative viewpoint at the Lambeth Conference and pointed to the large press conference with Archbishop Anis. She said he has high hopes for the future of the Communion and is determined to be pro-active in helping those hopes come to fruition.

*****

THE ARCHBISHOP OF JERUSALEM and the Middle East, Dr. Mouneer Anis, has welcomed Dr Rowan Williams' decision to hold the 2009 Primates' Meeting in Alexandria, Egypt, telling "The Church of England Newspaper" that the witness of Egypt's embattled Christians in the face of persecution can serve to strengthen the Anglican Communion. Archbishops Peter Akinola of Nigeria, Henry Orombi of Uganda, Emmanuel Kolini of Rwanda, and Benjamin Nzimbi of Kenya who boycotted the 2008 Lambeth Conference are expected to attend the Alexandria meeting.

While the agenda and locale remain to be settled, the Bishop of Egypt, Dr. Anis, said he is proud to be able to host the conference. However, suggestions by the Archbishop of Canterbury that he would use the Indaba process to manage the Primates' Meeting has prompted private scorn from the primates contacted by CEN, and public criticism from evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics unhappy with the 'manipulation' and management of the Indaba process at Lambeth. VOL has learned that it will be held at the Helnan Hotel in Alexandria.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said that he will use the Indaba process to manage the Primates' Meeting. Many of us believe that this only temporarily holds off decision making by the Primates. Evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics were unhappy with the 'manipulation' and management of the Indaba process at Lambeth, and many fear it will only be repeated here. Anglo-Catholic Bishop Jack Iker of Fort Worth said Indaba groups frustrated him. In his group, Iker reported that the bishops became frustrated at the regimentation of the conference and its avoidance of discussion of the presenting issues before the Communion. This past week his diocese voted to leave TEC and come under the ecclesiastical umbrella of the Province of the Southern Cone.

*****

And if you thought that only Anglicans had problems then watch this brawl by monks at one of Christianity's holiest shrines in Jerusalem. Israeli police had to restore order: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/7718587.stm

*****

If you haven't purchased a copy of the new THE NORTH AMERICAN ANGLICAN I urge you to do so. There are a number of first rate pieces on The 39 Articles in this first volume. It is beautifully bound and a keepsake edition for years to come. This First Edition of is a blockbuster of fine stories and even comes with a CD of Anglican music. You can buy the 240-page edition by e-mailing Fr. Joseph Gleason at editor@39articles.com You can purchase an individual subscription for as low as $19.00

You can write to Fr Joseph Gleason at:
The North American Anglican
679 2nd Street,
Omaha, IL 62871

*****

CHURCH BULLETIN BLOOPERS. More gems from Church Bulletins for your enjoyment.
1. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care for you.
2. At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
3. Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
4. Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
5. Potluck supper Sunday at 5.00pm - prayer and medication to follow.

*****

The last few weeks have been tough with overlapping conferences and reports of whole dioceses leaving TEC. At the same time two dioceses announced they were pulling out of The Episcopal Church, there were two ANGLICAN AWAKENING conferences in Akron, Ohio, and in Massachusetts that were not widely reported on. VOL will endeavor to obtain reports on these two conferences and bring you the news. Conferences like these are the Good News of Anglicanism in North America, and often get overlooked with all the bad news. Please be patient as we pull these stories together for you.

*****

VOL was delighted when Bishop Jack Iker of Ft. Worth, publicly recognized this veteran journalist at their 26th Annual Diocesan Convention at St. Vincent's cathedral. He mentioned that VOL does need financial support to maintain its unique worldwide ministry. I could not agree more. I realize that for many of you money is tight. In giving, however, you are helping hundreds of thousands of Anglicans around the world get the news they would not otherwise obtain from any other source. There is no news service like VIRTUEONLINE according to world renowned missiologist David Barrett, in any mainline Christian denomination. We have pioneered the Internet.

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In His Service,

David