A sign of finality. There is no need to doubt the literal nature of Christ's ascension, so long as we realize its purpose. It was not necessary as a mode of departure, for 'going to the Father' did not involve a journey in space and presumably he could simply have vanished as on previous occasions. The reason he ascended before their eyes was rather to show them that this departure was final. He had now gone for good, or at least until his coming in glory. So they returned to Jerusalem with great joy and waited - not for Jesus to make another resurrection appearance, but for the Holy Spirit to come in power, as had been promised. --- From "Understanding the Bible" (rev. edn. London: Scripture Union, 1976, 1984), p. 103.

Homosexuals disparage opponents by denouncing them as homophobic, in an apparent attempt to censor criticism of the homosexual agenda. They imply those who are critical have an irrational and powerful fear of them: a phobia. But the great majority of people who oppose them have no hate, only an adamant critique of the sexual practices and rationalizations justifying the lifestyle. --- Activist Episcopal layman Otis Page

Personal and visible. Two aspects of the return of Jesus are really beyond question. His advent will involve the personal presence of one now absent, the visible presence of one now unseen. Beyond this we shall be wise to exercise caution. The actual manner of his personal, visible return will no doubt transcend both the categories in which the prophecy has been made and the measure of our own understanding. It will be a dramatic, cataclysmic event terminating the whole process of history. But, although we may not wish to dogmatize beyond this point, we cannot stop short of it if we would be true to the New Testament revelation. The return of Jesus may indeed be more glorious, but it cannot be less than fully personal and visible. --- From "He Shall Come to Judge", Episcopal Series. The Episcopal Radio-TV Foundation, transcripts of radio broadcasts on the Apostles' Creed.

Dear Brothers and Sisters
www.virtueonline.org
August 13, 2010

Charles Bennison's return to the Diocese of Pennsylvania verges on something out of "Night of the Living Dead." Thought to be permanently gone but as yet unburied, the madman/zombie bishop sparks terror when he suddenly returns to devour what's left of the diocese. All we need to cap it off is that little girl from the Poltergeist movie saying, "He's baaaaaaaaack." Perfect - But maybe like a vampire they forgot the wooden stake...

The return of Bennison to the diocese is exciting more outrage than any bishop in living history. No bishop is being more publicly and deservedly vilified than this sociopathic man. Not only is he despised by the remnant orthodox, but liberal clergy are also beating him up big time and telling him, in no uncertain language, to get lost.

The liberal rector of the historic Christ Church in Philadelphia the Rev. Timothy Stafford told Bennison to "prayerfully consider making the sacrifice of not returning" to the diocese as bishop. Safford told Bennison, "Your return would further divide our diocese" and would "do more harm than good, create more anger and less reconciliation, and hinder, not advance, the church's mission in our diocese." And that was just one of the nicer versions of "Get lost."

Some 300 Pennsylvania Episcopalians including clergy and laity met at the Philadelphia Cathedral last Sunday and expressed their outrage that Bennison was returning to his episcopacy. Impassioned Episcopalians spoke about the travesty of the situation.

An attorney recommended that the Standing Committee as well as the Diocesan Council resign and all money coming into the diocese be stopped. One priest suggested shunning Bennison.

A female priest who had been professionally and personally abused by Bishop Bennison stood and suggested that there were many more cases like her own that need to be investigated. Just two persons rose to save "forgive and forget."

Pennsylvania Interim Assisting Bishop Rodney Michel who stepped in to mind the diocese while Bennison was under ecclesiastical indictment, said he was personally aware of a large number of these victims, and encouraged anyone with a grievance to report the same to the Presiding Bishop.

Speaker after speaker called for Bennison's resignation. It is obvious that serious groups of steadfast and intelligent people are forming to safeguard the Diocese of Pennsylvania from Charles Bennison. Never again should he be permitted to do what he has previously done, the speakers contended.

So why doesn't he gracefully retire when he knows that at nearly every parish where he turns up he will be yelled at, shunned, and told to go fly a kite down the Schuylkill River?

Because he is a sociopath. Here is the definition of a sociopath. See if it doesn't fit Bennison.

Manipulative and Conning. They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.

Grandiose Sense of Self. Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."

Pathological Lying. Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.

Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt. A deep-seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.

This is a partial list. I rest my case.

A normal person would have walked away shamed at what he had done covering his brother's sexual abuse of a minor, spending millions of dollars from a Trust Fund for a camp for a handful of young people, wrecking the career of a black priest, abusing women with his words, lying, and having a theology barely recognizable from Unitarianism, with the final blasphemy of saying that Jesus was a sinner who forgave himself.

One thing seems certain: the Episcopal Church must tighten up the standards for sexual abuse. Will they? Undoubtedly not. Along with adultery, bestiality and sex with minors (till the age of consent is lowered in TEC...and they are working on it) it is still considered a no-no.

FEAR AND LOATHING in diocese. A number of women priests say Bennison abused them. Interim Bishop Rodney Michel invited them to tell their stories to the Presiding Bishop. VOL knows at least two of them. We have invited them to tell us their stories. They want to, but they are terrified of being inhibited and summarily deposed, losing jobs, income, pensions, health insurance, etc. by Bennison.

You see, they know what Bennison is capable of and they fear Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori will not protect them. So they will say nothing. But some are thrilled that SNAP is involved. They realize that SNAP is giving victims, witnesses, and supporters some "cover", but they are too afraid, even now to come forward.

A second parish, St David's Episcopal Church in Wayne, the largest in the diocese, has called on Bennison to resign.

*****

The Diocese of Springfield has finally whittled 14 candidates for bishop down to three. They are: The Rev. Matthew A. Gunter (Diocese of Chicago); The Rev. Daniel H. Martins (Diocese of Northern Indiana); and The Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson (Diocese of Louisiana). After the eighth ballot, a motion was made to suspend the Rules of Order for the Nominating Synod and to nominate three candidates instead of four.

VirtueOnline took a long hard look at what these men stand for and the candidates that were turned down and concluded that these moderate candidates will fit perfectly into Jefferts Schori's vision for the Episcopal Church. It will mean the end of this diocese being a Communion Partner diocese with a CP bishop. It will now become a team player with the national church's sexual innovations and accept HOD President Bonnie Anderson's "new vision" of TEC. A strong orthodox remnant will need to stand up firmly and be counted if they don't want the bishop to carry the diocese clearly into the liberal camp.

*****

The rump Diocese of Pittsburgh got set back on its heels this week. The long standing legal dispute between liberal-led Calvary Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh, against orthodox Bishop Robert Duncan saw a setback for rector Dr. Harold T. Lewis when The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania rebuffed an attempt by Calvary Church, and their adherents, to dismiss the appeal taken from Judge James's order last January directing the real Diocese of Pittsburgh to hand over all its property and assets to the rump diocese. Lewis, its senior warden and a parishioner had moved to quash Bishop Duncan's appeal on the ostensible ground that it was taken too late. This failed. You can read the full report in today's digest. Mr. John H. Lewis Jr., and Mr. Andrew Fletcher represent Duncan.

*****

The Diocese of Alaska has a new bishop, Mark Lattime. Would you guess that he is pro gay? Until recently, the Rev. Mark Lattime was a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester's Committee for Gay and Lesbian Ministry, which "seeks to further the cause of recognition and legitimization of lesbian and gay relationships within the church and in civil society." This little fact was overlooked in his resume. Lattime is married and has three children. You can guess where this diocese is going.

Here's the kicker. Lattime is getting hands laid on him at a ceremony attended by PB Jefferts Schori in a Catholic parish in Anchorage. A same sex marriage ceremony in an igloo will undoubtedly make the national news.

"Catholic churches are consecrated or blessed buildings which have an important theological and liturgical significance for the Catholic community," the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity notes in its 1993 Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism, said a newspaper blurb. I wonder if the Vatican really knows about this consecration especially as Rome has broken off ecumenical talks with the Episcopal Church.

BREAKING NEWS: VOL has just learned that the Catholic archdiocese has withdrawn its offer to allow the consecration in one of its churches. The Diocese of Alaska website now states the consecration will take place at First United Methodist Church in Anchorage.

*****

Would Jesus approve gay marriage? The answer, of course, is no. "From the beginning made He male and female" but that did not stop Unitarian minister Erik Wikstrom from taking to the pages of the Washington Post to tell us what Jesus would have thought about California's Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage. We understand why bishops Jon Bruno (Los Angeles) and Mark Andrus (California) approved of the homosexual judge's decision, but there is something just a little bit weird about Unitarians talking about Jesus. It's sort of like when vegetarians talk about how to prepare steak or football players talk about baseball. As Fats Waller once said about jazz, if you don't know what it is, don't mess with it.

But now it's official. Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker has issued his ruling that California's controversial Proposition 8, which defined marriage in California as being only between a man and a woman, is unconstitutional. Proponents of the Proposition are already appealing the judge's ruling. Coming largely from the ranks of the Christian right, or should we say the Christian sensible, they see their crusade as a moral responsibility.

I'm sure it would come as a surprise to the millions of African-Americans and Hispanics who voted for Prop 8 that they are members of the "Christian right." But I guess they have to be labeled somehow, right?

How does a federal judge striking down California's voter-approved constitutional provision limiting marriage to one man and one woman affect your church? By essentially saying that if your church teaches what the Bible says about homosexual behavior, it is a group of irrational bigots.

At trial, the plaintiffs in the case strenuously argued that many of the Californians who supported Proposition 8's preservation of marriage did so because churches like the Roman Catholics and Southern Baptists specifically teach homosexual behavior is harmful to those who practice it, and to society as a whole. The judge accepted that argument as evidence that Californians' religious convictions make their desire to protect marriage irrational and the law that resulted from those convictions illegal.

If believing what the Word of God says about homosexual conduct is irrational, we're just one step away from courts holding that sermons articulating that belief are not protected speech at all. And if orthodox teaching on sexuality is irrational hate speech, what's next? It's likely to be biblical teachings such as creation, proper discipline of children, and Christ's position as the only path to the Father.

*****

IT'S OFFICIAL. The church in the United States is in a general state of decline, with fewer than one in five Americans attending on a regular basis and almost 8 million -- 150,000 per week -- leaving churches each year. ACNA has its work cut out for it.

*****

There will be an Ordinariate - but it will be a mirror image of the Discontinuum, writes a cleric from England. Despite the Pope's best intentions (the Vatican was persuaded that large groups of Anglicans wanted to join the Holy See) this will be yet another splinter of a splinter, with numerous ex-bishops (all permitted to wear their episcopal insignia, as provided for in Anglicanorum Coetibus) and former priests, with a few, tiny, widely dispersed congregations meeting in RC churches or borrowed halls. They won't be Anglicans any more. They will be Roman Catholics who have signed up to all the rules and doctrines and the papal obedience of the RC Church. And they won't be remotely significant. A RC parish in the UK typically has 500 or more attending Sunday mass. The Ordinariate in England is unlikely to attract that many nationwide. They will convince themselves that they are the True Church within the True Church, but in reality they will be nothing more than an obscure degree in a kind of fustian freemasonry, picking over the finer details of the Sarum liturgy, or comparing antique vestments at high masses where the altar party exceeds in number the congregation. It is not the Gospel. So there you have it from someone who really knows.

*****

The Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas (FACA) will meet on Wednesday, September 8 from 9 am to 3 pm at All Saints' Church, Gypsy Lane and Montgomery Avenue, Wynnewood, PA 19096, 610-642-4098. Hotel information will be available ASAP. RSVP to afdv1@yahoo.com. FACA is the brainchild of GAFCON the orthodox alternative to the Lambeth Conference.

*****

Tucked away in the New York Times, was the announcement that Kelly Anne Holohan and Margaret Anne Sommer were married recently in Provincetown, Mass. Andrew L. Kellner, a youth minister for the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania who received temporary permission from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to perform the ceremony, officiated at the Long Point Lighthouse. Returning Bishop Charles Bennison would undoubtedly approve.

*****

The Very Rev. Dr. Philip C. Linder, dean of Columbia's Trinity Cathedral, remains inhibited from the exercise of his priestly office following his violation of a pastoral direction issued by the Rt. Rev. W. Andrew Waldo. The Rev. Canon Charles M. Davis, Jr. serves as the cathedral's acting dean. There are two possible paths forward. The first option is for the dean to submit voluntarily to discipline under the bishop's authority. The second involves the convening of the diocesan Review Committee to determine if the circumstances warrant a formal charge or charges that would then be brought before the diocesan Ecclesiastical Court. Specific concerns of the Trinity vestry have not been made public, and no timeline setting forth next steps is currently available. Stay tuned.

*****

A forensic audit into alleged maladministration in the George Diocese of the Anglican Church of South Africa has revealed that six million Rand ($820,000) is missing from the church coffers.

A Port Elizabeth auditing firm has been appointed to investigate 1000 suspect transactions in the diocese after allegations of mismanagement surfaced at the beginning of last year. Teams from the church have also been sent to George to investigate.

"A lot of the six million Rand was made up of money for which no authority could be found, or no documents could be found," said the Treasurer.

Rogerson said a report would be submitted to the Archbishop of Cape Town, Dr Thabo Cecil Makgoba, by the third week of August.

Bishop Donald Harker of the George Diocese, who agreed to take early retirement, will step down on August 10. Rogerson said as the Bishop of George, Harker had to take responsibility for the financial affairs of the diocese, but this did "not by any implication" mean he is to blame for the missing money.

*****

St. Francis on the Hill Anglican Church in El Paso, Texas has announced the appointment of The Reverend Dr. Felix Orji, currently a Rector at the Church, to the honor of Canon. The designation was made at a recent Anglican Council meeting in Virginia and honors the Reverend Canon Dr. Orji in both the Anglican Church in North America and the Anglican Church of Nigeria.

"Our congregation could not be more proud of Father Felix and his new appointment to Canon," said Ron Munden, a Vestry Member at St. Francis. "He has guided our church through difficult times, always keeping his focus on the word of God. This honor is a blessing to him and our church."

Canon Orji came to St. Francis on the Hill in 2005 as an Associate Rector. He was later given the honor of Rector in 2008. He is a native of Eastern Nigeria. Canon Orji is currently the President of the Anglican Fellowship of the Southwest and is a member of the Order of St. Alcuin, an extension of the Federation of the Benedictines. He is an alumnus of the FBI Citizens Academy in El Paso and serves as the Executive Director of Scout Troop 82. He lives in El Paso with his wife and four children.

*****

The Synod of the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada, attended by only 30 lay delegates and 20 clergy, approved the Ordinariate which the bishops applied for last March; but at the "grass roots" level, approval has been less enthusiastic. St John's, Victoria, held a standing vote, which approved the Ordinariate, but at SS. Peter and Paul in Vancouver the "no" vote was one secret ballot greater than the "yes" vote. A further vote on the issue of "disaffiliation" is expected in the fall when more members can be present, a source has told VOL.

On the lower mainland of British Columbia, St Columba's, Halfmoon Bay, and St. Bride's, successor to St Patrick's, Pitt Meadows, will be part of the Traditional Anglican Church of Canada and have the episcopal oversight of Archbishop Haverland of the ACCOP. St Mark's in Victoria will have a church space of their own within a few weeks and have fully organized in the meantime, worshipping in parishioners' homes. They have been accepted under the aegis of Archbishop Provence of the Anglican Province of Christ the King, who formally inaugurated the new parish on July 28, inducting the rector, Fr Stanley Sinclair. He has also granted a license to Fr. Peter Sandercock, rector of Holy Cross, Nanaimo, which has voted unanimously to disaffiliate from the ACCC, over the Ordinariate, and join the Traditional Anglican Church of Canada. (The two American archbishops of two well-established traditional church bodies have agreed to provide interim episcopal oversight until the new Canadian body has been legally constituted and a bishop has been chosen. Election of a bishop is not foreseen in the near future.)

Elsewhere in Canada others have left the ACCC: Fr Robert Mansfield, who recently resigned as clerical secretary of Synod and head of the Convent Society publications, along with the parishes of Perry Sound and Chapleau; Fr Frank Moore and Holy Trinity-St Jude, Thunder Bay; Fr Jim Gibbons and the Roslyn - Belleville congregation; as well as retired priest Fr Graham Stiff. Fr. Byron Woolcock is also among the list of clergy who have left ACCC. Mr. Jim Spencer, the diocesan secretary/office manager, was dismissed after he failed to support the Ordinariate. Most parishes will vote on the matter by October.

*****

St. Mary Magdalene of Loch Lloyd Missouri, opened its doors and had a building consecration, July 31, 2010. The Rt. Rev. Barry Howe, Bishop of Western Missouri, consecrated the new building. Despite it being a TEC parish, Ron McGee told VOL that the preaching is Biblical and enlightening and the love of Jesus is ever their guide.

You can learn more about the church here: www.ReginaRon.com/consec

*****

The Church of Denmark (Dansk Folkekirke) bishops, the Queen and the Government's Church Minister have agreed to accede to the Porvoo Agreement in October of this year. Same sex marriage will the big policy decision before the Danish Church. The Government has asked the Church to formulate a policy before going ahead with proposed legislation along the lines of the laws recently brought in Sweden, Norway and Iceland (and also on the way in Finland), allowing for gender-neutral marriage. At all levels of the Church of Denmark, there are strong majorities in favor of following Sweden and allowing for same-sex marriage in church. Civil partnerships have been blessed in churches openly for many years.

Anglicanism, far from appearing grand or attractive, currently comes across to Danes as being over-hierarchical (something that Danes tend to be suspicious of) and wrapped up in the kinds of petty discrimination they left behind some time ago, and which they associate with Roman Catholicism (Danish society tends to be fairly anti-Catholic).

So the church faces the prospect this autumn of another national church entering full communion with the C of E and moving forward on the gay issue at the same time. The Church of Sweden now performs "homosexual 'weddings'" in its churches/parishes but there is a "conscience clause" allowing pastor's of conscience to opt out. One observer noted, "I don't think this conscience clause will last more than 20 years."

*****

Three-quarters of non-Muslims believe Islam has provided a negative contribution to British society, according to a new poll, which has prompted calls for Muslims to help improve the perception of their faith.

The study for the Islamic Education and Research Academy (iERA) also found that 63% of people surveyed did not disagree with the statement "Muslims are terrorists" and 94% agreed that "Islam oppresses women". It included qualitative as well as quantitative data. One respondent said: ""If I had my way I'd kick them all [Muslims] out of here."

The results follow an online YouGov poll published in June that found 58% link Islam with extremism and 69% believe it encourages the repression of women.

Despite the widespread negative perceptions of Islam, iERA believes the fact that most opinions are formed in ignorance of the faith indicates that Muslims can positively influence them.

Four-fifths of those polled said they have less than very little knowledge about Islam, while 40% did not know to whom "Allah" referred while 36% did not know who the Prophet Muhammad was.

*****

The first woman bishop of the Church of England could be appointed by 2014, the Second Church Estates Commissioner told Parliament on July 27.

Speaking in response to a question from the member for Kingston upon Hull North, Diana Johnson (Lab), as to his "guess" when the Church of England might first see women bishops, the Second Church Estates Commissioner Mr. Anthony Baldry stated the legislation completed its Report stage at the meeting of General Synod at York.

"It now has to go to all the 44 dioceses of the Church of England. If a majority of them agree, it will go back to General Synod, probably in 2012. If two thirds of each of the General Synod's houses agree to it, I would then expect it to come here to the Ecclesiastical Committee and this House in 2013, and if this House agrees, we could see the appointment of the first woman bishop in 2014," Mr. Baldry said.

The member for The Wrekin, Mr. Mark Pritchard (Cons.), rose and asked Mr. Baldry whether he agreed that "the first appointment of a female bishop, which will undoubtedly happen soon, must be on merit rather than political correctness?"

Mr. Baldry replied that he was "sure that all appointments in the Church of England, including that of the Second Church Estates Commissioner, are made on merit," sparking laughter from some members of the House.

*****

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recently added seven pastors who are gay, bisexual or transgender, to its clergy roster. This occurred at a Rite of Reception service.

Here are a few things you may not have heard concerning this.

During the "festival Eucharist celebrating the reception and reinstatement of pastors," the congregation recited the "Our Mother who is within us" prayer taken from the Goddess Rosary. The prayer goes like this -

"Our Mother who is within us we celebrate your many names. Your wisdom come, your will be done, unfolding from the depths within us. Each day you give us all that we need. You remind us of our limits and we let go. You support us in our power and we act in courage. For you are the dwelling place within us, the empowerment around us, and the celebration among us, now and forever. Amen"

And you thought only The Episcopal Church could be that stupid. Please readjust your spectacles.

*****

The website for the Diocese of Huron, in Canada has been revamped. The same-sex blessings liturgies once removed have returned and are posted, evidently to be used by the various churches in the Diocese.

Ironically, the Anglican Church of Canada has not finally ruled on the validity of same-sex blessings, but jumping the gun is a time-honored tradition in liberal Anglican provinces along with 'local option' and who will say anything against Archbishop Fred Hiltz?

*****

Episcopalians for Traditional Faith (ETF) has launched its first annual Cranmer Prize competition. Three prizes will be presented for the best essays by seminarians: First place award for best essay on the classic 1928 Book of Common Prayer will be $1,000. Two finalists will receive $500 each. Authors of other outstanding essays will win prizes and receive certificates of merit.

The three top essays will be published on the ETF website and in Update, the ETF newsletter. News releases about the winners and their work will be sent to the media.

The Cranmer Prizes will be awarded on Thomas Cranmer Day, Sunday, March 20, 2011. Archbishop Cranmer, author of the original Book of Common Prayer, was burned at the stake for his faith on March 21, 1556.

Seminarians enrolled in M.Div. programs at Episcopal Seminaries in the United States are eligible to compete for The Cranmer Prize. Entrants may choose their own essay subjects on the influence of the 1928 BCP on the Episcopal Church, our culture, and society, or choose one of the suggested topics in the Guidelines section below.

Each essay must be the original work of the author. It must not have appeared in any other publication or form, and it must not be a rewrite of a former written work.

A blue-ribbon panel of Episcopal clergy and laity will judge the essays based on content; knowledge of the 1928 BCP; writing skills, including grammar and syntax; accuracy; and organization.

ETF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing use of the classic, scripture-based 1928 Book of Common Prayer within the Episcopal Church.

*****

Funeral plans for former Alaska U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, who died in a plane crash early this week include his lying in repose at All Saints Episcopal Church, 545 W. Eighth Ave., Anchorage. The public may pay their respects between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

*****

On the HOB/D list there is an announcement of the completion of a new edition of the Works of Richard Hooker. This edition, in four volumes is a unique student edition. It contains a facsimile reprint of John Keble's 1836 edition and a distillation of the Laws currently published as "Hooker's Blueprint." The combination of the two great thinkers, Hooker plus Keble's introductions, plus my own modest contribution in a section-by-section summary of what Hooker has written allows students to move through the sweep of his work and then delve into the sections they want to read more fully.

The total price for the four volumes is $81.80. The volumes can be purchased separately as well. Proceeds of the sales of these books will be used to keep Mr. Hooker in print for the duration of my life and beyond. Here are the links.

Volume 1

Volume 2

Volume 3

Volume 4

Their system is a little clunky, but it gets you a great price.

*****

Uganda will play host to more than 400 bishops at the All African Bishops' Conference set to take place from August 23 - 29 at the Resort Beach Hotel in Entebbe.

The Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) is organizing the conference that will provide the bishops with a forum to discuss issues that include war, poverty, poor leadership, diseases and corruption.

President Yoweri Museveni will open the conference. The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is expected to attend.

I will be attending this conference both as a reporter and as a delegate from the Anglican Province of Rwanda at the personal invitation of Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini. Two bishops from the Anglican Missions in the Americas, Doc Loomis and John Miller as well as the Rev. Dr. Kevin Donlon will also be present.

The conference, scheduled to convene every four years, is the second of its kind. The first was held in Nigeria in October 2004.

I am deeply honored to be going not only as a journalist but also as a delegate, and thus be the proverbial fly on the wall. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to make this and my other travels possible.

I will be filing reports daily from Entebbe.

*****

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David