It is an undisputable fact that colonialism and Christian mission twined in and out of each other. Both shared the same objective as Bishop Stephen Neill has acknowledged, 'The Churches have tended too easily to identify themselves with the colonial powers and to believe rather too naively in the mission of the white man to civilize the rest of the world'.

Yet, the migration to Rome is surprising because: (1) Current scandals make Rome unattractive and undermine its claims to uphold the historic faith, at least in practice; (2) Rome holds certain doctrines, such as papal infallibility, which cannot be reconciled within Scripture, nor could ever be rightly considered necessary to salvation.

In 2013 an extraordinary session of the Synod of ROCOR removed the heads of their WRV, and passed a decree that Western Rite communities should be assimilated into their mainstream Eastern Liturgical practices. Although this decision has never been officially reversed, ROCOR's WRV under the leadership of it's latest Vicar General, former Anglican clergyman Archpriest Mark Rowe, continues to expand- while employing some very unorthodox methods.

Rewriting History

For Christians dealing with each other and dealing with non-Christians, it must be asked, "Are we supposed to be aggressive, passive, passive-aggressive, or assertive?" I think that the NT says that it depends on the situation. It is not always easy to tell which situation is which.