Accepting the task of hospitality, the patriarch (Abraham) used to sit at the entrance of his tent (Gen. 18:1), inviting all who passed by, and his table was laden for all comers, including the impious and barbarians, without distinction. Hence he was found worthy of all that wonderful banquet when he received angels and the Master of all as his guests. We too, then, should actively and eagerly cultivate hospitality, so that we may receive not only angels, but also God Himself. "For inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brethren you have done it to me" (Matt.25:40). It is good to be generous to all, especially to those who cannot repay you. --- Theodoros the Great Ascetic, 9th century

"Its [the New Left's] adherents did not go away or change their minds; the New Left shattered into a multitude of single-issue groups. We now have, to name but a few, radical feminists, black extremists, animal rights groups, radical environmentalists, activist homosexual organizations, multiculturalists, and new or freshly radicalized organizations such as People for the American Way, the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), the National Organization for Women (NOW), and Planned Parenthood. Each of these pursues a piece of the agenda of the cultural and political Left, but they do not announce publicly an overarching program, as the New Left did, that would enable people to see that the separate groups and causes add up to a general radical philosophy..." --- Robert Bork, "Slouching Towards Gomorrah"

Dear brothers and sisters
www.virtueonline.org
December 11, 2009

"I'm glad to see that the Anglican Communion believes in equal opportunities for its heretics. Canon Mary Glasspool, who lives openly as a lesbian, has just been elected as an assistant bishop for the diocese of Los Angeles, meaning that the Episcopal Church of the United States now has coast-to-coast homosexuality in its leadership. It already has a male homosexual as Bishop of New Hampshire. Now all it needs is a transsexual in Louisiana and a bisexual primate in North Dakota and it pretty much has the compass covered for the LGBT "movement.

"Canon Glasspool's consecration is actually good news for a variety of reasons. First among them is that, to date, New Hampshire's Gene Robinson has been the holy icon and lightning rod for American Episcopal homosexuality, a role with which he hasn't been entirely displeased. It seems to me that Bishop Robinson isn't over-encumbered by his God with humility and has rather enjoyed his role as gay poster boy and apprentice martyr. It will make a change to have Bishop Glasspool's strikingly handsome features illustrating the gay-bishop stories, rather than just another shot of Bishop Robinson's overexposed, smug mug."

Thus wrote George Pitcher for the "London Times".

In its own understated way, "The Episcopal News Service" noted that the election of Canon Glasspool creates a 'bit of a wave'; tsunami of reaction, expectations, etc. Oh it does more than that. The election of Mary Glasspool and Bishop Jon Bruno's bombastic statements following it blasting the Archbishop of Canterbury and by extension Lambeth '98 Resolution 1:10, The Windsor Report, The Dromantine Communique and any hope of a Covenant binding us altogether.

"I don't foresee how an autonomous Episcopal Church should be influenced by other people's fear of sexuality or homosexuality," Bruno said in remarks reported by the "Los Angeles Times".

So now TEC is "autonomous" and not accountable for its actions to the ABC or the wider Anglican Communion. That's interesting. So TEC can do exactly what it likes and the "bonds of affection" be damned. What does that tell you? At the very least, it says TEC doesn't give a damn about Lambeth resolution 1:10, the Windsor Report's recommendations for a moratorium or anything else for that matter. They care only for the whine of a handful of aggrieved pansexualists who owe their very existence to people who have faith and whom they are now busy destroying.

Bruno's Bombast included this, "I'm moving forward completely dedicated to Diane Jardine Bruce and to Mary Glasspool a woman who happens to be a lesbian. I have an obligation as the bishop of Los Angeles to do what my people call me to do . . . to support Mary Glasspool and help her become confirmed."

TEC Primate Katharine Jefferts Schori does not comment on such elections, but I think it would be fair to say that she whole-heartedly supports the election. Unless she rejects the consents process she will be the chief consecrator at Glasspool's ordination, the Lord willing and The Second Coming hasn't occurred.

Caught in the crosshairs is Dr. Rowan Williams, the putative head of the Anglican Communion. On hearing the news, he immediately jumped into the fray issuing a statement that said her election "raises very serious questions, not just for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the communion as a whole."

He added that the rest of the confirmation process "will have very important implications. The bishops of the communion have collectively acknowledged that a period of gracious restraint in respect of actions which are contrary to the mind of the communion is necessary if our bonds of mutual affection are to hold."

This begs the question: Are the "bonds of affection" more important than the "bonds of faith". Bishop C. FitzSimons Allison (SC ret.) thinks not and you can read a full account of this in today's digest.

We will now see an enormous power struggle that has been festering and occasionally bubbling to the surface over the years. Archbishop Williams is in the midst of a battle for his credibility and career.

Meantime, orthodox Anglicans will continue to press ahead with their vision of what an Anglican church should look like.

*****

TWO dioceses, Texas and West Texas, have already said they will not give consent and that number will continue to grow. VOL will document how the bishops come down on consents for Ms. Glasspool.

*****

The DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA elected a new bishop who will not trouble the powers that be. The Very Rev. Morris K. Thompson was elected as the 11th bishop of the Diocese beating out front runner Bishop Michael Smith of the Diocese of North Dakota. (Smith has been assisting Louisiana Bishop Charles Jenkins since 2007.) Thompson, 54, dean of Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington, Kentucky (Diocese of Lexington), won election on the third ballot out of a field of six candidates. Thompson is a former Southern Baptist pastor, but he ditched his evangelical heritage when he became an Episcopalian, a source told VOL.

In his profile for the election, Thompson repeatedly emphasized love, a pretty easy thing to do in TEC where everybody defines the word, now horribly sentimentalized, to make it mean whatever one wants it to mean.

Delegates ditched Smith. It's emerging that there was a bad anti-Smith smear campaign by the left. Thompson was nominated by Peter Grey, +Duncan Grey's uber liberal son. He is married to a woman priest in the diocese. The liberals shifted to Thompson to block Smith, VOL was told. Here is how the diocese works. If Baton Rouge block votes, it wins. But the liberals and conservatives split. The liberals teamed up with New Orleans (strong left) to elect Thompson. The balance of power has clearly shifted. St. James and Trinity voted for Thompson . . . that's 30 votes right there. St. James was an original Ritter backer; they dumped him. Somebody made a deal. The clergy of the diocese have clearly shifted left over the past four - five years. Ah, the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

*****

The latest word on who will or will not go to Rome is getting more interesting. Forward in Faith UK was predicting variously 200 - 450 parishes joining the Ordinariate. But a source told VOL that not one parish will want to walk away. Barely a dozen clerics, including two of the flying bishops, will leave. Stay tuned.

*****

In the meantime, orthodox Anglicans in North American keep forging ahead. The acting vestry and people of South Riding Church will celebrate a new ministry when The Rt. Rev. John Guernsey, Bishop of the Diocese of the Holy Spirit, ACNA, institutes the Reverend Rebekah Neumann as Rector of South Riding congregation this Sunday.

*****

The ANGLICAN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA celebrated three years of growth on Dec. 5 despite on-going litigation with the DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA. In the past three years, ADV has grown exponentially - both physically and spiritually, a spokesman reported. From eight Episcopal congregations they have grown to 30 worshipping communities including 27 congregations and three mission fellowships. Many congregations are now working together in mission and ministry, including youth groups, mission trips, and more. CANA Bishop David Bena said, "What a Spirit-filled three years it has been for the Anglican District of Virginia. I have been most impressed with the loving attitude of the people of the parishes as they stand firm in the Gospel and move forward in mission." James Guthrie, Communications Director said the goal is "to plant 150 new worshipping communities in the next five years."

*****

The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith, Bishop of the DIOCESE OF NEWARK, has come out in favor of gay marriages. New Jersey needs marriage equality, he said in a prepared statement. "As a husband of 28 years and as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, which has 110 congregations in eight counties in northern New Jersey, including Morris, Sussex and Warren, I strongly support the marriage equality initiative that will come before the state Senate this week. Last Thursday in Trenton, I joined 650 people (many of whom were clergy from a variety of faiths), to witness to the need for marriage equality.

"I pray that the marriage bill passes - so that all couples who have engaged in a lifelong union can have their unions recognized. It is one thing to have the relationship blessed; it is quite another thing to have that relationship legally recognized in emergency rooms or on insurance policies or in a courtroom. The introduction of the 2007 Civil Union law was intended to support these rights. It hasn't. Instead, it has exposed a separate but equal mentality in the state, which is indeed separate, yet anything but equal."

HOWEVER, faced with the prospects of defeat in the Senate, bill sponsors Loretta Weinberg and Ray Lesniak petitioned Senate President Richard Codey to postpone the vote. It has now been postponed indefinitely. Four Democrat senators have now publicly stated their opposition to same-sex marriage, with just one Republican defector -- virtually assuring the bill's demise. An internal vote count suggests it could have been a landslide -- just like in New York last week.

Same-sex marriage advocates couldn't stomach another overwhelming and very public defeat. So rather than bring the bill to a vote, with little or no chance for victory and significant risk of being humiliated, they have put the vote off indefinitely, according to the National Organization for marriage.

In a sign that there are still some sane people in California, a California gay activist group has dropped its campaign for a vote on 'gay marriage' in the state next year. Courage Campaign says it does not have the leadership or financial support to win a vote in 2010. Proposals to legalize gay marriage have failed in all 31 states in which it has been put to a popular vote. Recently, the state of New York rejected a gay marriage bill. It's ironic that California and New York, two very liberal states, should toss out gay marriage. God has a sense of humor. Chair and founder of Courage Campaign, Rick Jacobs, pointed to defeats in other US states in his admission that a 2010 vote win was unattainable.

*****

RUSSIA and the Vatican have agreed to establish full diplomatic relations, the Kremlin has announced. Until now, Moscow only had an office of representation at the Vatican. The new status means full-fledged embassies will be established in Moscow and Rome. The announcement comes after President Dmitry Medvedev met Pope Benedict XVI while on a visit to Italy. The move follows improvements in relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Vatican.

In the decree, posted on the official Kremlin Web site, www.kremlin.ru, Medvedev said the Russian Foreign Ministry should hold talks on "establishing diplomatic relations at the level of a Russian Federation Embassy in the Vatican and Apostolic Nunciature in Russia, transforming the Russian Consulate at the Vatican into an Embassy".

Since 1990 the Russia and the Vatican have exchanged diplomatic representatives but without full relations, the Catholic News Service reported from Rome.

*****

In UGANDA, newly proposed legislation would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, along with their family and friends who could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals.

Western liberals and homosexuals have blasted The Archbishop of Canterbury for not speaking out about this draconian bill. He is said to be in "private" discussions with the Ugandan Anglican Church over the country's proposed anti-homosexuality laws.

Pressure has been piling on the Church of England to speak out over the legislation, which would see gays executed or jailed for life. Canon Gideon Byamugisha, a prominent member of Uganda's Anglican Church, described the bill as "state-legislated genocide".

A statement from Lambeth Palace given to "The Times" religion correspondent Ruth Gledhill said, "It has been made clear to us, as indeed to others, that attempts to publicly influence either the local church or political opinion in Uganda would be divisive and counter-productive. "Our contacts, at both national and diocesan level, with the local church will therefore remain intensive but private." On her Times blog, Gledhill suggested that the Archbishop was obviously "distressed" by the proposed law, but added that intervention could be seen as white-led colonialism.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said the church believes "the public scapegoating of any category of persons, in any context, is anathema" and thus is "deeply concerned" about a proposed Ugandan law that would introduce the death penalty for people who violate that country's anti-homosexuality laws. Jefferts Schori also noted in her statement that "much of the current climate of fear, rejection, and antagonism toward gay and lesbian persons in African nations has been stirred by members and former members of our own church.

"We note further that attempts to export the culture wars of North America to another context represent the very worst of colonial behavior," she said. "We deeply lament this reality, and repent of any way in which we have participated in this sin."

This is an incredibly frank admission, the likes of which we have not seen coming from a sitting Presiding Bishop. Frank Griswold was not nearly so forthcoming, blaming African evangelicals for the narrowness of Biblical interpretation and not at all culturally sensitive. This admission by Jefferts Schori is light years ahead of her predecessor.

*****

From CANADA comes this word on arbitration proceedings from the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC). Negotiation with the Diocese of Niagara has reached interim agreement. Negotiations on building sharing among three of the Niagara ANiC parishes and the Diocese of Niagara have been completed, giving the Diocese exclusive use of St. George's Lowville and ANiC exclusive use of St. Hilda's Oakville and Good Shepherd St. Catharine's. This new sharing arrangement will remain in place until the building ownership is settled.

Follow up on BC Supreme Court decision. ANiC chancellor Cheryl Chang has written to the four Vancouver-area churches involved in the recent court proceeding reporting on a meeting held November 30 with the leaders of the four churches and their legal counsel. She says that while there are clear grounds for appeal, no decision has been made. "There were views expressed on both sides of the equation and everyone agreed to pray about it and try to discern what God is calling us to do. Unfortunately, this decision has come at the beginning of the busiest month in our church calendars, making it very difficult to properly consult with all the congregations on the long-term implications of such a major decision. The Trustees agreed to consult as widely as possible over the following 2 weeks and they will meet again on December 14 to discuss the matter further and, ideally, make some decision as to whether or not to file an appeal before the end of the expiry of the 30 day time limit... It is important to remember that should we choose to file an appeal, we can later discontinue that appeal, but if we do not file within the 30 day time limit, our decision will be final... I am recommending that we file an appeal... to give the congregations more time to... seek a consensus so that we [can] act in unity... "

*****

Western Anglican liberals regularly criticize Global South Anglican leaders of being obsessed with Western pan-sexuality and showing no interest in local social justice needs. This is not true. In fact it is a lie. Both the Archbishops of Nigeria and Uganda frequently take their governments to task for not doing more for their people and berating public corruption.

With this link you can read what the newly installed Archbishop of Kenya said about his country, http://www.ackenya.org/news/statements/harmonised_draft_constitution.pdf

In other Global South news, the Most Rev. Peter Akinola, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, has tasked the new Frequency Modulated (FM) radio station at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Love FM, to broadcast the truth at all times without fear or favor in order to help create a better Nigerian society.

Akinola, who was represented by Rt. Rev. Duke T. Akamisoko, in a sermon during the dedication of the ultra modern office complex by Multimesh Broadcasting Ltd, as part of the prelude for commencement of services by Love FM 104. 5 in Abuja, decried the dearth of truth in the public service sector and the decay in the nation's polity.

He also urged the station to strive to always report the truth in order to help liberate and reposition the country for growth. He challenged the station to promote and commend the industrious while removing the cover from the evil and corrupt ones who do not want to see the growth of the nation.

*****

Ever wondered who and what The Episcopal Church stands for? Well you can see it all here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_LahXMV5UY&feature=player_embedded One blogger mused that The Episcopal Church should call itself the International Health and Wellness Advocacy Group. As this video signals, they have re-defined themselves. No longer are they a church.

*****

Parents in California have started reacting to the state's newly mandated homosexual indoctrination program by pulling their children out of classes. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell is warning districts they'll lose money if that happens.

A spokeswoman for a ministry called Considering Homeschooling said she already has seen an overwhelming increase in requests for information about homeschooling. As a result, spokeswoman Denise Kanter told "World News Daily" that her group is sending out 5,000 DVD packages to churches around the state that includes basic "how-to" information providing parents with a direction to turn when they choose to protect their children from the new school agenda. The new law demands, "No teacher shall give instruction nor shall any school district sponsor any activity that promotes a discriminatory bias because of a characteristic [including perceived gender.

"With the passing of SB 777, a Christian parent cannot, in good conscience, send their child to a public school where their child will be taught or coerced into a lifestyle or belief system that is contrary to the faith they hold dear," Kanter told WND.

*****

A new bishop will be appointed for the EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CUBA. This, after two special electoral synods failed to elect a successor to Bishop Miguel Tamayo Zaldivar, who plans to retire early next year after serving as interim bishop for six years.

The appointment will be announced in January by the Metropolitan Council of Cuba. The council is composed of Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori of The Episcopal Church, and Archbishop Errol Brooks, acting primate of The Church in the Province of the West Indies. It has overseen the Iglesia Episcopal de Cuba (Episcopal Diocese of Cuba) since it separated from The Episcopal Church in 1967 because of difficult relations between the two countries' governments.

*****

The Bishop of Barbados, The Rt. Rev. Dr John Walder Dunlop Holder is the new Archbishop of the Church of the PROVINCE OF THE WEST INDIES. This is something of an upset as Archbishop Errol Brooks, acting primate of The Church in the Province of the West Indies, was expected to win.

*****

The Episcopal House of Prayer in the DIOCESE OF MINNESOTA will play host to convicted child molester (The Rev.) Lynn Bauman who is is scheduled to lead two retreats there next year. On February 18-21, he will lead something called "2012 Apocalypse: Humanity's Future in Light of Prophetic Vision." He writes, "Something is afoot. Not only do ancient prophecies point to an apocalyptic ending, but, more importantly, there is an unveiling phenomenon that humanity is on a trajectory pointing either to a consciousness shift or a bleak and treacherous future. We will explore a new-school of awareness that history and the cosmos are, indeed, inter-related events. God is acting through humanity's will and we must be wide awake."

The center bills it:

Lynn Bauman, Director of Praxis Learning Center, Texas and Ward Bauman, Director of the House of Prayer.

And the cost for this weekend of theobabel rubbish? A mere $355. Don't say you weren't warned.

For a VOL story on Bauman's past go here: http://tinyurl.com/yanfkfe

*****

IN other good news, a report on www.lifesitenews.com says that over two-thirds of all Abortion clinics have closed since 1991. Operation Rescue released the results of an extensive research project into the abortion industry showing that the number of abortion facilities continues to dwindle as Americans become more pro-life.

"We now have an accurate listing of every open abortion clinic in the country," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "In 1991, it was estimated that there were nearly 2,200 abortion clinics in the country, today there are just 713. The pro-life movement has made significant strides exposing and closing abortion clinics and shifting public opinion toward the pro-life position. This has resulted in lower abortion rates."

*****

Political correctness bordering on the insane took a back seat this week in England when a Christian couple was cleared of insulting a Muslim hotel guest after the judge said their accuser had twisted the truth.

Ben Vogelenzang, 53, and his wife Sharon, 54, were said to have insulted Muslim convert Ericka Tazi. The 60-year-old - who had stayed at their Bounty House hotel for four weeks while undergoing pain therapy at a nearby hospital - said she was verbally abused after she wore a Hajib for the first time. Mrs Tazi of Warrington, Cheshire, claimed they branded her a terrorist and compared the Prophet Mohammed to Hitler. The Vogelenzangs were charged with causing religiously aggravated harassment under the Public Order Act.

But District Judge Richard Clancy, at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, dismissed the case, hinting it should never have come before him. And he suggested Mrs Tazi had cleaned up her language. The Vogelenzang's from Aintree said they were "delighted" at the verdict. Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2765432/Judge-clears-hoteliers-of-abusing-mu.html#ixzz0ZHs4mCQ5

*****

The Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler, Rector/Minister of St. John's Church in Maadi Cairo, Egypt, wrote VOL to say that he has a new book out with an Advent theme, titled "Songs in Waiting: Spiritual Reflections on Christ's Birth...A Celebration of Middle Eastern Canticles." You can learn more about it on his website: www.paulgordonchandler.com. "It is about focusing us this season on Christ through the lens of being reminded that our own faith is Middle Eastern in origin." Chandler is in his 7th year now as rector of the international (expatriate) church (Episcopal/Anglican) Church. St. John's largely serves the international English-speaking diplomatic, NGO, academic and business communities here. You can read more here: www.paulgordonchandler.com and www.maadichurch.org

*****

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY. Episcopal liberals and revisionists do not want orthodox Episcopalians and Anglicans to be literalist about Scripture, but they do want us to be literalist about the church's canons and constitution.

*****

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In Christ,

David