"It sounds to me like the House of Bishops was so anxious to Depose Bishops' Cox and Schofield, that they simply skipped reading the Canons, and decided to hang 'em anyway!" --- +Maurice M. Benitez Bishop of Texas, Retired

The four gospels. The gospels are not biography; they are testimony --- From 'The Upper Room Discourse', in "Christ the Liberator", by John Stott and others

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
www.virtueonline.org
3/27/2008

Increasingly, it looks as though the Lambeth Conference will be a massive gay pride campaign starring sweet newlyweds, Mr. & Mr. Gene Robinson supported by a cast from Changing Attitude (UK) and Integrity (USA) put on for the benefit of an adoring liberal media. Whatever the organizers intend it to be (or say they intend it to be), it will be a three week long International Trade Fair produced by The Episcopal Church, promoting its wares with free publicity from every newspaper and TV station in the UK and beyond. Mrs. Katherine Jefferts Schori, US Presiding Bishop, must be clapping her hands with glee over being provided with such a platform. There's no PR like free PR. Robinson will be held up and portrayed as the poster boy for sodomy, a victim of homophobia, by an elitist press waiting to whack those orthodox Global South bishops who just happen to show up and suggest that sodomy is not good and right in the eyes of God.

Robinson will still go to Canterbury, he told The Guardian in an exclusive story. He will not have official status, but he will have the same access as a member of the public. "Yet he will, inevitably, be one of its star media attractions," according to The Guardian. Robinson would not go into detail, but says he has his own events planned, including one with award-winning actor and gay rights campaigner Sir Ian McKellen, who will perform a reading.

"There you have it. Robinson will steal the show, whine about his lack of inclusion and play The Grand Victim. This is why the orthodox should not go. They should not be a party to this. Perhaps Lambeth should henceforth be known as the "Decennial Lambeth Gayfest"!

If the 25 evangelical bishops can't see this, they are ignorant, innocent and naive. A cleric with an inside track told VOL that the bishops don't want advice, and that they don't talk to each other. On the rare occasion when they do speak out, such as the nine who protested against Jeffrey John, they are singled out and ostracized.

The reports from the JSC meeting - that the Covenant may be implemented by 2015 are most galling and troubling! Why is the GAFCON leadership not shouting this from the rooftops? It is the same old tired Griswold game. Keep everyone talking, set more and more future dates. Push any decisions well over the horizon. Gradually, the infection will spread to the whole body - as it is already doing so effectively in all the western provinces with the sole exception of Sydney. One bishop, Mouneer Anis from Egypt, has finally opened his eyes to what is happening. Why does nobody else see it?

I have written extensively on the upcoming GAFCON conference in a story titled, "Why the Global Anglican Future Conference is Necessary." My argument is that if GAFCON did not exist, it would have to be invented. Lambeth is not going to be a place for orthodox Anglicans. In her article "Tips for Takeovers", Lisa Severine Nolland observes that the LGBT folk know the psychological power of physical presence, which engages warmth and confidentiality and is non-confrontational. They are just "ordinary" people, for pity's sake! And they present their "stuff" in such a whitewashed way that issues of same-sex sex - which is what we are discussing, after all - get completely lost from sight. You can read the story here, or in today's digest. http://tinyurl.com/2w6p4q

For another perspective read "GAFCON and the Highway - A Foot Soldier Reflects" by Dr Chik Kaw Tan, a member of the Church of England's General Synod. Here is a taste: "To the orthodox critics of GAFCON, I say join us in Jerusalem. Your contributions will be more significant and count more towards shaping the future of a vibrant and Christ-honoring Anglicanism than if you sat afar criticizing us. The future of the Anglican Communion is far too important to be 'left to the primates'; they have recognized this and are actively seeking the contributions of lay and clergy alike."

One insightful British cleric opined that instead of the Global South boycotting the Lambeth Show, they should turn up in force and wreck the agenda. "By a small margin, I think they would be better to attend and put on a rival conference-within-a-conference, ignoring the official conference programme." Good strategic thinking. One wonders if Rowan Williams has the power or the backbone to stop it once it gets under way.

In a press conference this past week on the GAFCON meeting, CANA Bishop Martyn Minns says he expects nearly 300 bishops and their wives to attend with a supporting cast that could top 1,000. They will meet first in Amman and then in Jerusalem. More details as they emerge.

*****

In the DIOCESE OF LONG ISLAND this week, the Supreme Court of Queens County, New York, ruled that the property of St. James' Episcopal Church, Elmhurst, is held in trust for the Diocese of Long Island and the Episcopal Church. The majority of the members of St. James, Elmhurst voted in March 2005 to leave the Episcopal Church and join the Anglican Church in America. Those members formed what is now known as St. James Anglican Church. The parishioners were directed "to turn over the control and possession of property held by St. James" to the priest in charge, the Rev. William DeCharme. Mark Jakubik, the parish attorney, told VOL that he and the parish are reviewing the court's opinion and evaluating their options. "While we are profoundly disappointed by the court's ruling, we are by no means defeated and are holding our heads high."

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Among the exclusive stories in today's digest, you can read how The Evangelical Anglo-Catholic Bishop of the DIOCESE OF NORTH DAKOTA, the Rt. Rev. Michael Smith denied the Rev. Gayle Baldwin a license to function as a priest in the diocese because she is an open and avowed lesbian. Baldwin, 62, an associate professor of religion at the University of North Dakota, blasted Smith in an open letter saying he refused to grant her a license to fulfill her ordination vows in the state of North Dakota. "His reason is that my life partner, whom God has given me to love and cherish, is a woman and not a man. He has stated that he will only grant a license to a priest who is celibate or married," she raged. Ms. Baldwin wrote her whine to Mrs. Jefferts Schori and the HOB hoping to garner support and to twist the arm of the bishop, in hopes there might be a canon or two she could use against Smith. No such luck. Smith is sticking to his guns and won't relent.

However, in the DIOCESE OF NORTHWEST TEXAS, it's the opposite story. In an article I wrote on why the Diocese cannot find three people interested in running for Bishop, a VOL reader wrote, "I am an orthodox priest who was being considered for nomination as bishop of NWTX. I remained in the process through the semi-finalist stage. A group of three from the nominating committee visited with me and worshipped at St. Paul's on February 10. I received a letter the first week of March notifying me that I was dropped from their process. My point is that I am an orthodox priest who did not withdraw my name, but was dropped. I was, frankly, surprised I remained in the process as long as I did."

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According to a report in The Living Church, a SAN JOAQUIN special convention could violate Canon Law. The Rev. James Snell, rector of St. Columba Church, Fresno, Calif., and president of the standing committee in the Diocese of San Joaquin, said he is concerned that Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and the Rt. Rev. Jerry Lamb, retired Bishop of Northern California, may be violating canon law and may be liable for presentment if they make good on plans to convene a special convention scheduled to be held at St. John-the-Baptist Church in Lodi on March 29.

"It's one thing for her not to 'recognize' us," Fr. Snell said. "Acting contrary to the canons of this diocese and of The Episcopal Church is another matter. The Presiding Bishop is not the ecclesiastical authority of this diocese and the canons of this diocese and the national church do not grant her the authority to call a diocesan convention or nominate someone for election as bishop." You can read the full report in today's digest.

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In a move that was hardly a surprise, the retired BISHOP OF QUINCY, the Rt. Rev. Edward H. MacBurney, will face a church trial. It will be the first such case since General Convention of 2006 amended the canons to include members of the clergy and laity among the judges in a disciplinary case against a member of the episcopacy. Bishop MacBurney was served with a presentment, an ecclesiastical indictment. It charges him with violating Article II, Section 3 of The Episcopal Church Constitution and Title III, Canon 12, Section 3 which states: "No Bishop shall perform episcopal acts or officiate by preaching, ministering the sacraments, or holding any public service in a diocese other than that in which the Bishop is canonically resident, without permission or a license to perform occasional public services from the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese in which the bishop desires to officiate or perform episcopal acts."

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In the DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA, the Rev. Jerry Kramer, rector of the Free Church of the Annunciation, reports that he and his congregation enjoyed their best Holy Week and Easter since coming to New Orleans. "We had a great attendance and spirit here at Annunciation. By God's grace we continue to grow in numbers, health and impact. Two and a half years ago, folks from around the country raced to our aid in keeping us alive while exiled from home. Some dropped out, some jumped on as we pioneered our way back into New Orleans, paving the way for others to return. More dropped out, others jumped on. Somewhere along the way, God gave us a vision for what church could be. It was an experiment and we had absolutely nothing to lose! Those without eyes to see saw us driving the car over the cliff. But the bottom line is that something special is definitely happening here. This radical reshaping of church around the Gospel, mission and community is undeniably in the spark stage." For more information click on their website: www.annunciationbroadmoor.org

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AS THREE EPISCOPAL SEMINARIES announced they were closing or changing the way they do business, seminary debt is growing to epic proportions within The Episcopal Church. Its effects are already hindering deployment and the mission capabilities of dioceses. According to data from the Church Pension Fund, July 2007, graduates with $4,895.28 annual educational debt would require a starting cash salary of at least $61,191.00 to comfortably afford repayment. All of the diocesan estimates for starting compensation (inclusive of housing)...are less than this figure. You can read a story about all this here or in today's digest. http://tinyurl.com/34wcrh

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Divinity in the human body will be the focus of an Episcopal Divinity School (Cambridge, Mass,) course. It is being billed as the exploration of divinity in the human body. Dr. Mark Jordan, Asa Griggs Candler Professor at Emory University, will be teaching "Queer Incarnation" which will use accounts of Jesus to illustrate how little we understand divinity or bodies or how bodies can show, act, and become divine. You don't think...of course not. And you are wondering why the school isn't attracting new students and is merging with another institution just to stay in business.

*****

Is the ANGLICAN NETWORK finished? Liberal Episcopal blogger Mark Harris would like you to think so. This past week, The Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes, aka the Anglican Communion Network, posted on its web page an announcement of an upcoming meeting on April 24th in Chicago. The posting states, "Bishops of those Episcopal Church dioceses that have formally affiliated with the Anglican Communion Network will meet in Chicago on April 24. The purpose of the meeting is to allow Network bishops to speak frankly with each other about the future.

"As the crisis in The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion has deepened, Network bishops and dioceses have been moving in several directions. Some Network dioceses have re- affiliated or are considering re-affiliating with other provinces of the Anglican Communion. Individual Network bishops have left The Episcopal Church to join other communions. Other bishops are attempting to be a voice for orthodoxy within The Episcopal Church.

"I have called this meeting because we need to talk frankly and openly about the future and how we as Network bishops can help the Network best fulfill its mission to build a biblical, missionary and united Anglican witness in the years ahead," said Bishop Robert Duncan, moderator of the Network," write Bob Duncan, Network Moderator and Bishop of Pittsburgh.

"Common Cause Partnership, a grouping of Anglican communities - some in communion with Canterbury and some not - is a branching off from the Network. The Moderator of CCP seems to think that this new effort is an extension of the Network's mission: "It is clear that the Network has a continuing mission to unite orthodox Anglicans, especially as increasing numbers of Network parishes and now dioceses are exiting The Episcopal Church. We will be talking about how we can work together to accomplish this goal even as we bless the several paths we have chosen as bishops and dioceses."

Not all bishops and dioceses in the Network are inclined to think that uniting "orthodox" Anglicans in North America (including church groups not in communion with Canterbury and groups that have affiliated with other Provinces) ought to be understood as the Network's mission. The several paths will probably lead to a clearer separation of those working in TEC and those working elsewhere.

Well, even if the Network, as a force within The Episcopal Church, is coming to an end, there is no reason to believe that the Common Cause Partnership is not the obvious place to hang one's hat and that, in time, it will become a new North American orthodox Anglican province. We are in a state of realignment. Canon Daryl Fenton, Chief Operating Officer of the Network, has indicated that the Network is now the staff of the Common Cause Partnership.

*****

The Coalition for Realignment now has its own website http://www.re-align.org/

CANA has launched a new website for the Anglican District of the Midwest. It can be found at www.midwestanglican.org

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The Anglican Archbishop of the SOUTHERN CONE is visiting his Diocese in Recife, Brazil, according to a report from Anglican Mainstream. Archbishop Gregory J. Venables, Primate of the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone, is in Brazil on a pastoral visit to the Diocese of Recife, accompanied by his wife Sylvia and Bishop Bill Atwood, missionary Suffragon of the Anglican Church of Kenya in the United States. Bishop Gregory, was born in England, but has been based for many years in Latin America, where he has worked as a missionary in Paraguay. Currently, he is the Diocesan bishop of Argentina and leader of this Province of the Anglican Communion whose territories also include Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Peru and Bolivia. He is one of the leaders of the Global South Movement that encompasses orthodox Anglican Provinces in the less developed world.

After the ex-communication of the Diocese of Recife from the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil (IEAB), in 2005, Bishop Gregory, in his role as Primate, recognized the Orders and Ministries of the Bishop and Clergy of that diocese, bringing it under his authority and protection. In its last General Synod meeting, the Church of the Southern Cone authorized the House of Bishops and the Executive Council to facilitate the inclusion of the Diocese of Recife in the Province on a permanent basis. For its part, the synod of the Diocese of Recife deliberated, unanimously, to seek full affiliation to the Province of the Southern Cone, which already has Dioceses and Parishes in the USA and Canada within its jurisdiction.

During his time in Recife, the Primate of the Southern Cone will visit Parishes and social outreach projects. He will also meet with Bishop Robinson Cavalcanti and the diocesan leadership for a formal synod session in the Cathedral of the Good Samaritan in the district of Boa Viagem.

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Indicating the international nature of the Network and COMMON CAUSE PARTNERSHIP, the Rt. Rev. Henry Scriven, assistant bishop of the Anglican Communion Network and diocese of Pittsburgh, represented the Network and the Common Cause Partnership at the consecration of Stephen Than Myint Oo as Archbishop of the Province of Myanmar on February 17.

Anglicans from all over the world attended the enthronement, which was held in Yangon (Rangoon), said Bishop Scriven. Those present included Archbishop John Chew of the Province of Southeast Asia, Bishop Michael Scott-Joynt who represented the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Bishop Carolyn Irish of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah.

In his enthronement address, Archbishop Stephen said, "I will seek God's will and purpose first rather than my individual concepts, vision, and personal feeling in accomplishing His mission (or) goal that is set before me. For that, I will obey Him and go forward without turning to the right or to the left."

"The most humbling aspect of the trip," said Bishop Scriven " was that I was treated as an honored guest, not just a visitor or even a friend. Bishop Stephen took me to a local church on the Sunday morning of his enthronement and translated for me when I preached. The Network is pledged to ongoing relationships with the Province of SE Asia and the Province of Myanmar." There is a Missions Roundtable Consultation in Bangkok in October at which the Province of Myanmar will make a presentation.

The Anglican Relief and Development Fund, a ministry launched by the Network, has also been active in Myanmar. In 2006, it supported an effort to provide health care to tens of thousands of people in the dioceses of Sittwe and Toungoo by training 110 health care workers.

Forward in Faith North America, whose members form a non-geographical convocation of the Network, work with the diocese of Pha-an, which is establishing village primary schools and developing a community learning program for adults using the school venues and equipment.

Forward in Faith is also helping to fund a tutoring program at the Pha-an diocese's hostels, to assist Christian young people in attaining the qualifications they need in order to teach in the Diocese's schools.

*****

IN THE UK, at least 18,000 churches and chapels have been sold across England, according to a report in The Telegraph newspaper. Not all have been turned into homes - some are restaurants, community centers or nightclubs, and, in Yorkshire, one has even become a mosque - but a very large number are now residences. The Christian Research group says that of the 47,600 English churches operating today, some 10 per cent will be declared "redundant" by 2020. With developers and planners both keen to convert any disused property into housing, expect most of those redundant churches to become homes.

****

IN CANADA, even as four churches voted in February to leave the Vancouver-based diocese of New Westminster and the Anglican Church of Canada over changing attitudes toward homosexuality, two churches asked to be able to join eight other parishes in offering blessing ceremonies to same-sex couples. St. Mary's, Kerrisdale, Vancouver, BC and the Church of the Holy Spirit in Maple Ridge B.C., passed motions at their vestries (annual meetings) asking to be allowed to perform the ceremonies, if and when diocesan Bishop Michael Ingham lifts a moratorium limiting permission to the eight parishes. Both churches followed the vote with motions, passed unanimously, that expressed loyalty and support for Bishop Ingham.

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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING....From a layman, in a parish in the Diocese St. George's, Huron, comes this, "It was with much regret that I recently decided to cease attending worship services at the Anglican Church. I say it this way because in my heart I am still an Anglican, and find that I am missing the traditions and liturgy of the Anglican worship service. However, the move away from the Holy Scriptures that is happening within the Anglican Church is unacceptable. Within the Diocese of Huron, a priest may (with the Diocesan Bishops permission) bless a homosexual relationship, but not perform a nuptial blessing. Thus homosexuals living together outside of marriage may have their sinful behavior blessed. Can anyone imagine what would be said if a heterosexual couple 'living in sin' asked to have their relationship blessed, but did not want to be married?" Indeed we can.

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For those interested and who live near or around MILWAUKEE, I will be guest speaker at the next General Meeting of the Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the AAC (SEWAAC) on Saturday, March 29th, at Zion Episcopal Church in Oconomowoc, beginning at 10:00 a.m. A Holy Eucharist in the Church will precede the meeting, starting at 9:15 a.m. The General Meeting will take place in the Great Hall. All are welcome. My topic: "The Anglican Communion: Whither Bound?" For more information, you may contact SEWAAC President Bill Chapin at either bchapin2@wi.rr.com or (414) 352-4586.

*****

ITALY'S most prominent Muslim commentator converted to Roman Catholicism last Saturday during the Vatican's Easter vigil service presided over by the Ppope. An Egyptian-born, non-practicing Muslim, Magdi Allam has infuriated some fellow Muslims with his criticism of extremism and support for Israel. The deputy editor of the Corriere della Sera newspaper, Allam often writes on Muslim and Arab affairs. He told the Il Giornale newspaper in a December interview that his criticism of Palestinian suicide bombings generated threats on his life in 2003, prompting the Italian government to provide him with a sizeable security detail. The Muslim author and critic of Islamic fundamentalism said on Sunday that Islam is "physiologically violent" and he is now in great danger because of his conversion.

*****

OOPS. Mikhail Gorbachev Dispels "Closet Christian" Rumors; Says He is Atheist. VOL ran a story saying that the former Soviet leader had converted to Christianity. Not true. Gorbachev made clear this past weekend that he is an atheist after European news agencies last week claimed that he had confirmed his Christian faith during a visit to the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi in Italy. "Over the last few days, some media have been disseminating fantasies - I can't use any other word - about my secret Catholicism, citing my visit to the Sacro Convento friary, where the remains of St. Francis of Assisi lie," Gorbachev said, according to an Interfax article posted Friday. "To sum up and avoid any misunderstandings, let me say that I have been and remain an atheist."

*****

FINALLY, a report in the Daily Mail says that an Anglican vicar, the Rev Robert Harrison, has written a book, "Must Know Stories", which contains retellings of ten Bible stories one of which features Goliath as a drunk and Eve as sex mad. Goliath is portrayed a celebrity binge drinker, Eve is a sex-obsessed man-eater and Noah's wife wants to kill him . . . welcome to the updated Bible. And you wonder why the Church of England is in trouble.

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