When at one time, the righteous Euthymios, the builder of Iveron's monastery, was the celebrant priest on the feast day of the Transfiguration served on the peak of Mount Athos, everyone who was there was covered by a heavenly light which made them fall down, unable to endure the brightness. --- from An Athonite Gerontikon

Dear Brothers and Sisters
www.virtueonline.org
August 6, 2010

SHOCK AND AWE greeted Pennsylvania Episcopalians on Thursday when they learned the news that Charles E. Bennison the inhibited bishop had won his case on appeal. He turned a blind eye to his brother's sexual abuse of a minor some 30 years ago. Once again, it looks as if he will regain his bishopric. A Court of Appeal said the Statute of Limitations had run out on the charges.

So Bennison has dodged two bullets. The charges that he turned a blind eye to his brother's sexual abuse of a minor have now been dropped and the financial charges presentment brought by the Diocesan Standing Committee were also dropped.

Canon Paul Mottl notified Church House staff that Bennison had won his case and is now back in charge of the Diocese as of August 16 - a day that will undoubtedly live in infamy in the minds of most Episcopalians.

The Standing Committee who hated Bennison as much as the orthodox did went into shock. They did not expect this for a moment. They had sent a presentment up to 815 in New York saying the Bennison was mismanaging the diocese's funds and they wanted him gone. That lost because Bennison had not pocketed any of the money for himself and the millions spent on purchasing camp Wapiti was bad business not fraud. The camp was later sold at a loss.

Attorney Michael Rehill weighed in and said Bennison took one of the wealthiest dioceses in the Episcopal Church and made it one of the poorest. Now Bennison will keep his job till he is 72. He is now 66. The diocese, already in decline, will hit freefall.

Watch what happens now.

Bennison will step up the pressure to get rid of David L. Moyer at Good Shepherd and seize the parish. Bennison will then move against Fr. Eddy Rix at All Saints and oust him. After that he will start to move against the Church of the Good Samaritan in Paoli, an evangelical parish, and will drive away any would be orthodox contenders as they seek a new rector.

Hell has reached the Diocese of Pennsylvania. SNAP snapped and even a number of liberal Episcopal bloggers bemoaned the low definition standards for sexual abuse victims.

Bennison claimed he was being railroaded by high-ranking church officials trying to cover up their own involvement in his brother's case and working with factions within the Pennsylvania diocese who have been trying to oust him because of differences over theology and the handling of church finances.

On hearing the news, Bennison commented that he has developed new perspectives on himself and the church since his ordeal began, and that he hopes he is "a changed person." He suggested he would be focused less on the earthly components of the church going forward and more on its spiritual realm.

The he had the gall and hubris to say this: "I am less anxious about the church's future than I was when I first became bishop.... I think I have shared in Christ's crucifixion." Say what?

Of course, the real truth and the only real truth is that the diocese is a doctrinal cesspool. It has a Wiccan priest and numerous non-celibate homosexuals and lesbian priests with Bennison himself declaring that man wrote the Bible and could therefore rewrite it. He also may yet get his precious Visigoth Rite put to use in the liberalizing Episcopal Church. He also said that Jesus was a sinner who forgave himself - a blasphemy that will return to haunt him at the Last Judgment.

In a very real sense, the diocese deserves Bennison. They elected him knowing his doctrinal proclivities. Most of the diocese, including the Standing Committee, has no better theology than Charles Bennison. They are now reaping what they have sown. Under Bennison the diocese will continue to whither and die, that will be the immediate judgment on the diocese. The long-term picture will be the judgment of God on a leadership and diocese that has no gospel to proclaim except inclusivity, diversity and pansexuality - and that is no gospel at all. You can read my story and the legal/ecclesiastical judgment in today's digest.

*****

In the Diocese of Western Michigan the leading parish in the diocese, Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids is in trouble with its bishop Robert R. Gepert. He dissolved the Vestry of Grace Episcopal Church because they have dropped their full assessment and reduced their giving to the Diocese. Gepert intervened and fired the Vestry causing extreme grief to regulars who have been attending that church for several generations. (It was the parish of President Gerald Ford. He was a Vestryman.) Memo to bishop: never tick off the moneyed old timers, they will outlast you. Furthermore they have the money that pays your salary.

The rector of the parish, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Holmgren got caught in the crossfire and hid behind the bishop's robes infuriating the regulars many of whom were doubly upset that he fired the only deaconess. They were also very upset at the priest's pay package. Now the Moneyed Ones are leaving the church and taking their money with them. Memo to Holmgren: Stand up for what you really believe.

He apparently has the full support of the bishop but for how long is unknown. Holmgren's leadership coupled with Michigan's troubled economy hasn't helped. Parish pledges have gone from $75,000 a year to $25,000. You can read the full story in today's digest.

*****
No single parish in The Episcopal Church faces more lawsuits or has been in litigation longer than the Church of the Good Shepherd an Anglo-Catholic parish in the Diocese of Pennsylvania along Philadelphia's historic, blue blood mainline. Good Shepherd has been dogged by lawsuits for nearly a decade. It is time for them to end. The rector David L. Moyer is suing his old friend and attorney for malpractice because Moyer lost in his fraud case against Charles Bennison. The diocese is suing Moyer. The Vestry wants Moyer out and the parish returned to the diocese. You can bet your last razoo that with Bennison back in power, Moyer is history. The net effect is that the parish is deeply divided about going to Rome, money is drying up and the gospel is being butchered by all these lawsuits

*****

The website called "The Daily Beast" has reported that NEWSWEEK magazine was sold for a $1 (plus its liabilities) and that its editor Jon Meacham has been dumped. The Washington Post Company explained: "The losses at Newsweek in 2007-2009 are a matter of record. Despite heroic efforts on the part of Newsweek's management and staff, we expect it to still lose money in 2010." Newsweek, which has been under The Post's umbrella since 1961, unveiled a new look and a new editorial strategy last year.

It was Meacham a liberal Episcopalian with links to Sewanee: The University of the South who wrote a piece in NEWSWEEK blasting Bishop Bob Duncan for starting the ACNA and upholding gay marriage. Well, Duncan gets the last laugh. ACNA is thriving, TEC is slowly dying and nobody in their right mind would or should send their children to Sewanee for an education.

*****

Expressing their deep distress at the prospect of the ordination of women bishops in the Church of England, 15 Anglo-Catholic bishops have told their clergy that some among them will seek communion with the Holy See.

"Whatever happens in the Synod, there are some Anglo Catholics, including in our own number, who are already looking at, indeed are resolved to join the Ordinariate as the place where they can find a home in which to live and proclaim their Christian faith, in communion with the Holy Father, yet retaining something of the blessings they have known and experienced in the Anglican tradition," they write.

A number will remain, perhaps even reluctantly because of personal circumstances, family loyalties, even financial necessity, but with a deep sense of unease about the long term future, an unease that is surely well founded. There are faithful Catholic clergy and lay people, though deeply opposed to the likely Synodical decision who cannot currently imagine being anywhere else but within the Church of England. They wonder how they can stay, yet cannot imagine leaving their much loved church and parish. They do not want to be forced out of the Church they love and will persevere where they are, whatever the theological or ecclesiological ambiguities, and seek God's blessing on all they do ...

The other truth is that a number of these bishops are already retired and have nothing to lose by going to Rome. The latest information I have (unconfirmed but convincing) is that three of the bishops concerned (Fulham, Ebbsfleet and Richborough) are planning to resign after the papal visit next month, to spare the pope any embarrassment, and will announce their plans for an Ordinariate in October. I am guessing that they will use the Forward in Faith Assembly as the launch pad. There are very few indeed who plan to join them. It will probably be confined to a few retired priests (and bishops) in London. The ordinariate will, in the end, be a flop.

*****

The death of Proposition 8 as unconstitutional is reverberating around the country. To no one's surprise, the Episcopal Bishop of Los Angeles J. Jon Bruno and Marc Andrus Bishop of California came out praising the judge who saw fit, against the will of the people, to dump it. What people might not know is that the judge is reported to be gay himself. He is one of two federal judges who are practicing and admitted gays. So one gay judge can overthrow the votes of 7 million people. How sweet it is. Put another way: it is a nail in the coffin of American democracy that will one day bring it all crashing to the ground. Just as the Roman Empire fell, so will the United States.

*****

The Rev is "rather good" says the Archbishop of Canterbury. Senior church figures have flocked to praise the BBC2 comedy series, which shortly finishes its six-week run. Tom Hollander in "The Rev" has attracted an audience of two million every week. In the beginning it was the script. And it was good. So good that it attracted an audience of two million every week to become the highest rating new comedy on BBC2.

"The Rev", a series about an inner-city vicar with a threadbare congregation, has won the praise of clergy and critics for its gently mocking take on the struggles of a vicar to maintain relevance, earn revenues, survive clerical politics, fend off godless middle-class parents trying to get their kids into the church school ... and still retain his libido.

Dr Rowan Williams thought the series is "really rather good" and reveals "something about the continuing commitment of the church to run down and challenging areas. It also shows us someone who prays honestly."

Another fan who has warmed to lead character the Rev Adam Smallbone, the incumbent of St Saviour-in-the-Marshes, is the Right Rev Alan Wilson, the bishop of Buckingham.

Writing on his blog, Wilson said: "At last the BBC has moved beyond The Vicar of Dibley. It's a noble enterprise. Those who wrote it know whereof they speak. Adam sits in his church trying to pray the office, wishing God would bloody do something, but secretly suspecting he won't ... It's a ministry that resents all the distractions, until it realizes that the ministry is the distraction."

*****

The Rev. John Sheridan Smylie was consecrated as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming at the Casper Events Center this past week.

During the ceremony, Smylie presented a plant to each church in the diocese, symbolic of the growing relationships he hopes to cultivate, he said.

Smylie got his miter even as the diocese wraps its arms around an ASA hovering around 2,000 in 50 parishes.

*****

The Diocese of Rio Grande will get Bishop-Elect Michael Louis Vono as the required majority of consents have been received, according to Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori.

Bishop-Elect Vono was elected on April 29. His ordination and consecration service is slated for October 22; Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori will officiate.

In the Diocese of Alaska Bishop-elect Mark Andrew Lattime has received the necessary consents to be their next bishop. No personal knowledge on what he believes or how he will rule.

Bishop-Elect Lattime was elected on April 10. His ordination and consecration service is slated for September 4; Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori will officiate.

*****

In West Jerusalem, an Anglican church built in 1874 and shuttered for 62 years is finding new life as "a house of God for all, a center for bringing people together."

"This is our hope and our vision," said Bishop Suheil Dawani, leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, in a recent interview about the restoration and upcoming re-dedication of St. Paul's Church as "a place of reconciliation and love for all people."

Speaking from his office adjoining St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem, Dawani said "we as a diocese are keen for St. Paul's to be a continuation of what we do here," citing the unique blend of hospitality, prayer and education offered on the cathedral close, also home to St. George's College.

*****

In Nairobi, the Anglican Archbishop of Kenya Eliud Wabukala has called for the formation of a post-referendum forum to help the country to heal from the effect of the "Yes" and "No" campaigns.

Delivering a sermon at the All Saints cathedral, Dr. Wabukala said the Government should work in conjunction with the Church and Parliament to create the forum.

He said the forum would, among other things, be charged with the task of formulating amendments to be introduced to the proposed constitution if the "Yes" side wins.

In the event of a "No" victory, the forum would be charged with the task of jump-starting a fresh constitution writing process, the Anglican head urged.

"The Government should lead the process of establishing this forum regardless of the outcome of the referendum, it should also involve the church, parliament and other stakeholders," he said.

Dr Wabukala also asked the Church to build on the unity it has forged during the campaign by establishing a post referendum platform.

"This is the first time the church has truly been united and we need to build on this by forming a post referendum platform which will help in national healing," he urged.

He asked Kenyans to maintain peace and remain united during and after the referendum regardless of the outcome. "Kenyans must approach the referendum with calm and peace, this is not a contest between 'Yes' and 'No' sides but rather an important process that should unite and not break our great nation," the prelate said.

*****

In India a criminal case has been filed against a Church of South India bishop and 12 others in Salem on charges of misappropriation of some three crores of church funds.

The case charged against Bishop Manickam Dorai, his wife and 10 others, includes cheating, Inspector Kennedy said.

The police are already investigating the alleged misappropriation of funds against the accused in Coimbatore, Udhagamandalam and Erode, the English daily Hindustan Times has reported. The Bishop and his wife have already obtained anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court in the Coimbatore case.

Following the alleged irregularities, Bishop Paul Vasanthakumar of Tiruchi and Thanjavur diocese has taken over the additional charge of Coimbatore Diocese.

The Church of South India is the second-largest Christian denomination in India after the Catholic Church. It is affiliated with the Anglican Communion.

*****

The Primate of The Anglican Church of Nigeria Archbishop Nicholas D. Okoh, has constituted a committee to help him revise the church's vision with a view to taking it to the next level.

Among eminent Nigerians appointed to serve in the committee is a communication expert and resident consultant (on media, publicity and events) to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Chief Folu Olamiti.

The core of the committee's mandate, according to a letter written to Olamiti by the Primate, is "to develop a strategic framework for the discharge of our responsibility for the next ten (10) years of our primacy." This, the committee is expected to do in tandem with the process already initiated by the Primate for the revision of "the vision of the Church so that we can break new grounds as well as review some policy directions/targets in the light of our present realities." In the letter, Archbishop Okoh said he came to the decision to constitute the committee "after series of thoughts and a deep spiritual reflection", as well as the nominees' "credible antecedents/contributions to the growth of the Church.

"As part of the process leading to this assignment," the Primate continues, "I have successfully visited the 14 Ecclesiastical Provinces which make up the Church of Nigeria."

*****

The Anglican Diocese of Kumasi in the Province of Ghana has ordained its first woman priest of the Church, the Rev Mrs. Priscilla Lovia Owusu-Asiedu. She joined the priesthood alongside Rev Father Gilbert Dua Otuo-Acheampong, Rev Father Joseph Adarkwa-Yiadom Akowuah and Rev Father Augustine Kwasi Boateng Acheampong at an ordination service held at the Obuasi Saint Paul's Anglican Church.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, the Diocesan Bishop who performed the ceremony, advised them to lead Godly lives to set a good example to society.

He reminded them of the challenges in the Gospel Ministry and said it was through fasting and prayers and the support of the Holy Spirit that they could overcome them.

*****

The website called "The Daily Beast" has reported that NEWSWEEK magazine was sold for a $1 (plus its liabilities) and that its editor Jon Meacham has been dumped. The Washington Post Company explained: "The losses at Newsweek in 2007-2009 are a matter of record. Despite heroic efforts on the part of Newsweek's management and staff, we expect it to still lose money in 2010." Newsweek, which has been under The Post's umbrella since 1961, unveiled a new look and a new editorial strategy last year.

It was Meacham a liberal Episcopalian with links to Sewanee: The University of the South who wrote a piece in NEWSWEEK blasting Bishop Bob Duncan for starting the ACNA and upholding gay marriage. Well, Duncan gets the last laugh. ACNA is thriving, TEC is slowly dying and nobody in their right mind would or should send their children to Sewanee for an education.

*****

Forward Movement turns 75 years old and it could be on the rocks. It is trying to re-invigorate itself according to its publisher. For 75 years the "Forward Day By Day" booklets have been giving Episcopalians and others a page-a-day way to reflect on their faith.

Now, Forward Movement, its publisher, is looking for new ways to continue living out the mission given to it during a financially bleak time in the life of the Episcopal Church and the world. Forward Movement board members, staff and experts from outside the organization are spending this anniversary year leading an effort to dream about and plan strategically for the years to come.

No brain surgery needed. This is what will happen. It will be both a print and digital effort for a time and then fade into digital only, and with no discernible message it will fade into nothing.

*****

The recent meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council's Standing Committee in London which brought us the truth that the Episcopal Church must stay in the club without fear of retribution despite consecrating a gay and lesbian bishop, got this response from an insider when VOL inquired how it is possible that a body like this could give TEC a pass.

Read this and weep. "There are now only two persons left in the Standing Committee who can be termed 'conservatives' and they are Bishop Paul Sakar of Bangladesh and me. All others including the Chairman, Bishop James Tengatenga of Southern Malawi, Mrs. Phillipa Amable of Uganda, and Bishop Kumara of Sri Lanka and the newly appointed Canon Janet Trisk of South Africa are hawks protecting the position of TEC in the Communion. These people are from countries that believe in the basic teachings of scripture and who shun homosexuality whether culturally or scripturally yet they speak as if they are part of the ECUSA leadership. It is depressing to hear Primates, Bishops and Priests denying the plain truth of the Holy Word merely to accommodate a rich and powerful nation."

He then wrote, "I have challenged them to show me one biblical authority that nullifies or excuses all that is in the written Word against homosexuality. What they give me is reasoning and deductions, PERIOD."

There you have it. Archbishop Rowan Williams is on this Standing Committee and must be accused of complicity in this apostasy of TEC.

The Primates will decide the place of Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi meeting while that of Bishop Azad Marshal will be decided at the next meeting, VOL was told. You can expect liberals to replace them. ACC General Secretary Canon Kenneth Kearon will see to that.

*****

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary Magdalene was planted by the Rt. Rev. Barry R. Howe, Bishop of West Missouri eight years ago. Its mission is to serve the growing suburban area just southwest of Kansas City. Parishioners first met in a living room with only a few members but steadily...if slowly at first... they grew in numbers and in the breadth of their ministry.

*****

Are Christianity and science really in conflict? The Vibrant Dance of Faith And Science Symposium will be held October 26-28, 2010 in Austin, TX. You can sign up here: www.vibrantdance.org

It will be a chance to meet thoughtful and interesting people who share your questions and concerns, say it organizers. Leading speakers include Alister McGrath, Andy Crouch, Hugh Ross, Stephen Meyer, Darrel Falk, John Collins, Deborah Haarsma, Walter Bradley, Dan Heinze, Ross Hastings, Jack Collins, Rob Norris, Fazale Rana, Walter Kaiser, and more.

The Hill Country Institute for Contemporary Christianity, along with Reasons to Believe, Discovery Institute, The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, The Biologos Foundation, The American Scientific Affiliation, and World and Relevant Magazines, are supporting this initiative. Larry Linenschmidt is its Executive Director.

*****

While Episcopal homosexual activists garner millions of dollars for their cause, we at VOL need your support to counter the liberals and revisionists who daily ply their spin and degradation to persuade you that you are on the wrong path. We do need your help.

Please consider a tax-deductible donation. You can send a check to:

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If you would like to make a PAYPAL donation you may go to VOL's website: www.virtueonline.org and click on the PAYPAL button. Thank you for your support. VOL's website is available in 34 languages. Our Global Anglican Theological Institute is available in 40 languages.

In Christ,

David