False independence. The Pharisees loved to be given deferential titles. It flattered them. It gave them a sense of superiority over other people. In contrast to them, Jesus said that there were three titles his disciples were not to assume or be given, 'Rabbi' (that is, teacher), 'father' and 'master'. What did Jesus mean by it? Well, the father exercises authority over his children by reason of the fact that they depend on him. I suggest that what Jesus is saying is that we are never to adopt towards a fellow man in the church the attitude of dependence which a child has towards his father, nor are we to require others to be or become spiritually dependent upon us. That this is what Jesus intended is confirmed by the reason he gives, namely 'for you have one Father, who is in heaven'. --- From "The Preacher's Portrait" John R.W. Stott.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
www.virtueonline.org
5/1/2009

One of the tragic truths of The Episcopal Church's pansexualists is that, as libertines, they are attempting to absolve themselves of their own pansexual behavior while bewailing the plight of the poor. The poor, despite repeated calls for more money to be thrown at them, seem no better off.

The problem of self-righteousness can afflict any one of us. It has a particular hold on liberals and revisionists because they think they can change the world with Millennium Development Goals. At the same time they give themselves a pass in how they behave because they are allegedly doing God's work and saving the world for Him.

The fact that God never told us to change the world, but simply to offer His message of salvation, which might in fact be rejected, seems to have eluded them. So they continue to wallow in unacceptable behaviors, demanding that they be accepted while telling others that they are not permitted to change their behaviors...all in the name of freedom of choice, diversity that they would deny others.

This is precisely what happened in London this past week where I attended a conference on Reparative Therapy for homosexuals put on by Anglican Mainstream (http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/). Two American therapists and an American psychiatrist told men and women struggling with same sex attractions that change is possible for the highly motivated. Based on what I witnessed, I now believe this to be true. Outside the church, gay demonstrators said that what was going on inside the church was hate. They were denying the very right of people who want to exercise their freedom of choice. I have written four stories about this major event including exclusive interviews with psychiatrist/physicist Dr. Jeffrey Satinover and therapist Dr. Joseph Nicolosi. In another story, I have asked the question just who is doing the hating when it comes to those who choose voluntarily to be liberated from same sex attractions. I hope you will take the time to read these in-depth interviews. Please feel free to pass them around to friends and church members.

*****

The ANGLICAN COMMUNION INSTITUTE recently released a document entitled "Bishops' Statement on the Polity of The Episcopal Church" signed by 15 bishops in The Episcopal Church. It comes with plaudits from a number of remaining orthodox bishops in TEC including Bishop Bill Love of Albany. He writes, "I believe the document is very well written, researched, reasoned and accurately states the true polity or structure and organization of The Episcopal Church as outlined and reflected in its constitution."

But he goes on to say, "There have been recent actions taken by the Presiding Bishop and her chancellor, which if left unchallenged, could very easily turn The Episcopal Church into something it is not, and never has been. This document is not intended, nor should it be interpreted as, an attack on the Presiding Bishop, but rather an attempt to provide clarity at a time in which there seems to be great confusion as to the true governance and organizational nature and relationship between each of the dioceses that make up The Episcopal Church and each diocese's relationship with the wider Anglican Communion. This is especially important as the world wide Anglican Communion is presented with an Anglican Covenant for its consideration. I highly commend the Bishops' Statement on the Polity of The Episcopal Church." It can be found here: www.anglicancommunioninstitute.com/?p=391

Other bishops have expressed similar misgivings about the direction The Episcopal Church is taking. Bishop D. Bruce MacPherson, Diocese of Western Louisiana, told ENS that "one common thing [the Communion Partners bishops and rectors who signed the statement] have, and this has been shared from the beginning with the Presiding Bishop, [is that] we are committed to remaining a part of the Episcopal Church as opposed to some of the other directions that have been taken by others."

MacPherson, who said he helped organize the crafting of the statement and is the group's spokesman, acknowledged that the Communion Partners and some clergy and lay people who left the dioceses of Fort Worth, Pittsburgh, San Joaquin and Quincy all share "a concern for the constitution, the canons, the polity of the Episcopal Church being lived out in the manner they are designed to be by General Convention."

MacPherson said those concerns center on how the statement signers perceived the Episcopal Church's governance structure wielding power, including Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's effort to reorganize the four dioceses which lost many of their clergy and laity, and her actions in removing some of bishops involved.

What all this signifies is that Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori is acting like a purple potentate, taking authority she doesn't have, violating the canons in deposing bishops, and causing a massive hemorrhaging in the church for which she must take much of the responsibility. (It's not all about Gene Robinson). TEC is still losing members at a rapid rate as parishes across the country flee her ecclesiastical grip. Even if parishioners lose their properties, the diocese and TEC is the net loser. Buildings cannot be sustained for long by a handful of aging Episcopalians who long ago lost the plot.

*****

The HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA in The Episcopal Church just grows louder and more strident with each passing day. At this point, four states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont) have legalized same-sex marriage and 10 others (California, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Oregon, District of Columbia, Washington, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland and Colorado) have domestic partnerships or civil unions -- with New York, Maine & New Hampshire on the cusp of marriage equality and California awaiting their Supreme Court decision.

That means TWENTY EIGHT dioceses of the Episcopal Church now have members within their jurisdiction calling on their church to celebrate and bless their same-sex unions, writes Susan Russell of the Episcopal Church's Integrity organization. Then she pleads with everyone to write or call their bishop and tell him or her that they are counting on them to work with the church's gays LGBT community in Anaheim to put this church on the right side of history on the issue of marriage equality.

What all this says is that the gay agenda and the pansexualists will stop at nothing and they will never rest till they have brokered their behavior fully into the church, even if it means destroying it. They will also brook no opposition. When Bishop John W. Howe (Central Florida) tried to put some perspective on things, Russell ripped into him in singularly un-Episcopal language. I have said repeatedly that LGBT Episcopalians are a fascist community bent on winning and sweeping away anyone in their path that opposes full pansexual inclusion. They have co-opted most of the reins of power and they have rolled over most of the bishops who are thinly biblically trained. Now, it is just a matter of passing a handful of resolutions in GC2009. Then they will turn their guns on the few orthodox dioceses that remain in TEC

*****

The bishop who won't quit. Pennsylvania Bishop CHARLES E. BENNISON is hanging on to any threads he can to retain his bishopric even though he hasn't a chance of getting his old job back as Bishop of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Jefferts Schori has given the job to former Long Island Suffragan Bishop Rodney Michel. Charles wants a new trial because some love letters have surfaced which he says vindicates him. The defrocked bishop is asking a religious court for a new trial based on these newly discovered love letters. Bennison was deposed last year after a church trial in Philadelphia found he covered up his brother's sexual assaults of a teenage girl in the 1970s. Bennison's lawyers now say a cache of more than 200 letters between the victim and Bennison's brother contradicts witness testimony at the trial. The attorneys also argue the letters show the victim tried to hide the relationship, making it hard for the bishop to intervene. There's only one catch with this argument (possibly more). Bennison WITNESSED his brother having sex with the woman in question and did nothing about it. Who cares what a bunch of letters now reveals. Bennison is shameless, but then I suppose sociopaths are. No comment from Church attorney Lawrence White.

*****

The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has welcomed the announcement that Vincent Nichols has been appointed as archbishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster in central London. Nichols, who was appointed archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham in 2000, will succeed Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, who has served as archbishop of Westminster since 2000. "I am delighted to welcome the news of Archbishop Vincent Nichols' appointment to succeed His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor as Archbishop of Westminster," said Williams. "He is a thoroughly experienced pastor, already well-known and much appreciated in the archdiocese, with a proven commitment to Christian education, ecumenical cooperation and shared Christian witness to our society." Williams might not be singing that tune for long. Nichols is a conservative on issues of faith and morals. The two may yet bang heads in public.

*****

Thousands of Christians and friends thronged the streets of Bungoma to welcome the new Anglican ARCHBISHOP OF KENYA, Eliud Wabukala. Dr. Wabukala takes over the church leadership from Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi who retires in June of this year. He becomes the fifth ACK Archbishop of the second largest Christian denomination in Kenya. Dr Wabukala has served as bishop for the last 13 years. He won on a simple majority, after the others failed to garner the mandatory two-thirds of the votes in a ceremony that lasted for over five hours at All Saints Cathedral. In his acceptance speech, Wabukala urged political leaders to put aside divisive politics and work towards developmental issues that will benefit all Kenyans.

Bishop Bill Atwood, who looks after the Kenya Anglican franchise in the US, had nothing but praise for the new archbishop. He wrote VOL, "I am thrilled. He is committed to the Word of God. He has an earned PhD. He is as smart as a whip. He is humble and full of the Holy Spirit. He is guided by principle. He is an amazing man and brother."

Dr. Wabukala is expected to serve until 2016 when he will attain the age of 65.

In other news from KENYA, Ecumenical News International reports that Africa could find a dependable partner in China, if Europe does not change the way it relates to the continent, says a Kenyan Anglican and World Council of Churches leader, Agnes Abuom said, "I think Africa will slip away." Abuom spoke during an April 6-7 conference in the Kenyan capital, which discussed the Joint Africa-European Union-EU strategy, adopted in Lisbon, Portugal in 2007. The strategy is designed to change the relationship between the two continents given geopolitical changes and globalization. "Europe feels Africa is shifting its focus to China and her relationship is weakening. There is also mistrust," said Abuom. "With the mistrust and emergence of China, it has to find new ways of engaging Africa." *****

My recent figures on parish decline with respect to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC, were off base. In short, it is worse than what I reported. A VOL reader, who attends the cathedral, said recent attendance at the main Eucharist service has gradually declined to about 300 people in the last 4 months or so. Average attendance in previous years has been about 500 people. Ushers, who pass the collection plate, are commenting about the lower collections and attendance, and wondering what's going on. The Cathedral Dean, James Kowolski has been spending more time helping Diocesan Bishop Mark Sisk with the crisis in the Episcopal Church. "Obviously," he writes, "the crisis in ECUSA is affecting many clergy in many different ways."

"I served at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine for years, ending at around the time this was written. The Ushers counted the people. There were about 125 people at the largest Sunday service in 2004. They did a good job spreading out and LOOKED like more people - I remember being surprised myself by how low the number was - but that's how many there were. And there were NEVER 500 on a normal Sunday in the time I was there. There were 200-300, which then declines to between 100 and 150. I am told that there are now less than 100 at the 11:00 Sunday Service, although I haven't been there myself to check in several years. Part of the problem with the Cathedral of St. John the Divine is that they think it's all about the building."

*****

No fuddy- duddies please. The ANC party in South Africa says it will not respond to Nobel laureate, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu's latest criticism, that a Jacob Zuma presidency would be "a hiccup" for the country, because the party does not respond to the comments of "elderly people". Tutu has, in recent months, become increasingly outspoken about the impending Zuma presidency, raising the ire of the ANC, its youth league and Cosatu. Undeterred by their fierce condemnation, he repeated his reservations in an article published by the UK's "Daily Telegraph". Tutu said a court should have made the decision about the corruption charges that were controversially dropped by NPA acting head Mokotedi Mpshe, two weeks ago, and described the imminent Zuma presidency as "a hiccup". "I'm very concerned that we didn't do as well as we should over the charges," Tutu said. "It would have been a great deal better for himself (Zuma) and for our country if the charges had been cleared by a court, not something that was done administratively." A spokesman for the president said, "We never comment in response to what elderly people say. The archbishop has the right to make comments, we will not comment".

*****

Efforts to allow gays and lesbians to serve as clergy in the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) have been defeated, again. Votes on Saturday by two presbyteries, or district church bodies, ensured the defeat of a proposal to drop a requirement that would-be ministers, deacons and elders live in "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between and a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness." The church's General Assembly approved the proposal last summer, but it required the OK from a majority of the nation's 173 presbyteries. Those votes have been trickling in for several months. At least two more presbyteries voted no on Saturday, enough to seal the measure's defeat. Similar attempts to open the door to gay clergy in the 2.3-million member church have failed in the past, but by wider margins.

UNITED METHODIST clergy cannot perform same-sex marriages, even in states where such unions are legal or where a regional church group endorses such ceremonies. The Judicial Council, the denomination's top court, ruled at its spring meeting that it is a chargeable offense for United Methodist clergy to perform ceremonies celebrating same-sex unions.

The ruling overturned resolutions from two annual conferences supporting clergy who perform same-gender marriages. "An annual conference may not legally negate, ignore or violate provisions of the (Book of) Discipline with which they disagree, even when the disagreements are based on conscientious objections to the provisions," the council ruled.

The 2008 General Conference, the denomination's top legislative body, voted to retain its ban on same-gender marriages and to bar clergy from performing such marriages or consecrating them in the church. Pastors who perform same-gender unions risk losing their clergy credentials.

*****

Scottish ministers threaten to quit over ordination of gay man. The dispute is threatening to create a schism in the CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. One in six Church of Scotland ministers may quit if the Kirk refuses to overturn a decision to ordain an openly gay minister, a poll has suggested. The research, conducted by "The Sunday Times", found that eight of the 50 ministers questioned said they may leave over the ordination of The Reverend Scott Rennie. Twenty-three said they disagreed with the ordination. Rennie, 36, was appointed to Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen in January. He lives openly with his partner. The matter has now reached the church's general assembly. The debate in Scotland intensified last week after an editorial in the church's official magazine, "Life and Work", criticized Christians who use the Bible as an excuse for homophobia. The dispute has been compared to the ordination of Gene Robinson, the first openly homogenital bishop in the US.

*****

In Beaufort, South Carolina, a motorist passing by a dilapidated business mistook three people walking about with their hands raised in the air for victims of a robbery in progress. With their hands held high in prayer, Love House Ministries Pastor Randy Roberts and The Parish Church of St. Helena (Episcopal) lay prayer members Roz Dixon and Karen Kusko -- all wearing business attire -- were walking outside a run-down building they hope to turn into a respite. The group was praying that God would deliver the building for their needs. Five Beaufort County Sheriff's Office vehicles responded in just minutes after the call came into dispatch. While there was no incident report, Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Cpl. Robin McIntosh confirmed the call came in from a passing motorist. McIntosh said it was reported as an armed robbery. But the hands raised were actually in prayer, asking God for the building with curtains hanging out of the windows and abandoned vehicles littering the parking lot. "It was such a beautiful day. I wanted to reach right up to God really out of gratitude for his creation," said Kusko. Dixon said it was a harmless, if exuberant expression of their faith.

*****

CELEBRITY HERETIC, Dr. Ann Holmes Redding, was the preacher recently at The Riverside Church, NYC. Holmes Redding was guest preacher in morning worship. Redding, a former Episcopal priest from Seattle, was recently defrocked by the Episcopal Church after announcing in 2007 that she is both Christian and Muslim. Redding formerly served as the Director of Faith Formation at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle. After the Service of Worship she joined guests and members of the congregation for a time of conversation about her call to Islam and Christianity, and her commitment to both faiths.

*****

President Barack Obama has named to his faith-based advisory council a self-professed gay Christian who holds that the New Testament's teaching that homosexual behavior is unnatural and wrong--which is found in St. Paul's letter to the Romans--"is not true." The appointee, Harry Knox, has also said that Obama's decision to invite The Rev. Rick Warren to say a prayer at the Inauguration "tainted" the ceremony and that Pope Benedict XVI is a "discredited leader." Harry Knox, a professed gay Christian who is director of the religion and faith program at the Human Rights Campaign, a homosexual rights group, was named to President Obama's Advisory Council on Faith- Based and Neighborhood Partnerships on Monday. The advisory council gives federal grants to faith-based organizations. *****

The ANGLICAN CHURCH OF THE CONGO has elected Bishop Henri Kahwa Isingoma of the Diocese of Boga as its next archbishop. Isingoma will succeed Archbishop Fidèle Dirokpa, who has served as primate of the French-speaking province since 2003. A date has not yet been set for Dirokpa's retirement or Isingoma's enthronement. Isingoma was elected during an April 28 bishops' retreat in Goma out of a field of two nominees. He received four of the seven votes cast in a secret ballot. The other candidate was Bishop Masimango of Kindu, who also serves as dean of the province.

*****

The Rt. Rev. Azad Marshall has been elected the new president of the National Council of Churches in Pakistan (NCCP). The NCCP, which represents all the Protestant churches in Pakistan and 14 Christian organizations, elected The Rt. Rev. Azad Marshall, the Anglican Bishop for Iran and Gulf States, as the new president in its 59th session. The NCCP members also recommended the continuation of services of Victor Azariah as the general secretary of the Council.

*****

With unanimous approval from its Board of Directors, SEWAAC, the Southeastern WI Chapter of the American Anglican Council based in Milwaukee, has announced the formation of a new ANGLICANS FOR LIFE Chapter comprised of SEWAAC participants from a number of area churches interested in supporting the pro-life movement. The new organization joins 77 other AFL chapters around the country in promoting life for the unborn. Membership in the new Anglicans for Life Chapter is not confined to any one religious denomination. Inquiries are invited by calling SEWAAC President Bill Chapin at (414) 352-4586 or by e-mail, bchapin2@wi.rr.com

*****

The Episcopal Church has issued the following statement concerning the current swine flu outbreak: "The Episcopal Church recommends that its dioceses actively review the most current information about swine flu in order to make decisions based on local practices and safety concerns in our church communities. Episcopal Relief & Development is closely monitoring the needs related to swine flu by remaining in regular contact with public health officials and authorities on both national and local levels. Episcopal Relief & Development is also reaching out to potential collaborative responders through the network of agencies affiliated with the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters. In addition, extensive information about preparing for the swine flu and other potential pandemic influenza outbreaks is available to our dioceses and all faith communities on the Episcopal Relief & Development's web site www.er-d.org. This site links to strong examples of pandemic preparedness plans and offers resources that can help people to provide for congregational gathering needs should an outbreak occur."

*****

On the Lighter Side: In our Anglican Church, each service begins with a greeting. The officiating clergyman says, "The Lord be with you." The congregation used to respond by saying, "And with thy spirit." But, with the modernizing of the liturgy, the minister now says, "The Lord be with you," and everyone responds with, "And also with you." One Sunday a visiting bishop went to a church where the sound system was known to be old and unreliable. As he approached the microphone, he tapped it several times and finally said, "There's something wrong with this." Without hesitation the whole congregation answered faithfully, "And also with you."

*****

The name, Primate's World Relief and Development Fund, really is a misnomer: it's not really the primate's fund at all, even though Archbishop Hiltz, the primate, currently chairs the board. Calling itself The Anglican Relief and Development Fund would be more appropriate, but that name is taken by orthodox. Episcopalians who have fled The Episcopal Church have started their own ministry to aid Global South Anglican leaders and their various ministries and they have the franchise on ARDF.

*****

Pushing marriage for priests in the Roman Catholic Church is gaining momentum. So far, more than 25,000 priests have married in the United States since the 1970s. At present, more than 5,300 parishes are without priests. In the last thirty years, seminary enrollment has dropped from 45,000 to just 3,500.

*****

Pastors push pot for patients. When Jesus proclaimed "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone," he was preaching compassion. Some Illinois clergy, who support a different kind of getting stoned, say they are urging compassion, too. More than 60 religious leaders in Illinois are calling on state senators to pass a bill that would allow patients to use medical marijuana with a doctor's recommendation and without criminal consequences. Among the pot pushers is, of course, an Episcopal priest. Denominations with official positions supporting medical marijuana include the United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), Union for Reform Judaism, Unitarian Universalist Association, Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ. If passed, the legislation would create a three-year pilot program allowing the state Department of Public Health to give registry identification cards to people with doctor's recommendations for cannabis. Eligible patients would be entitled to seven dried cannabis plants and two ounces of dried usable cannabis. Dawn Smolak of Herrin doesn't agree. She says, because she's a Christian, medicinal marijuana is morally wrong, "I don't think it's needed. I don't think it's necessary."

*****

If you want to take seriously young people evangelizing, then listen to this radio program on "A Conversation on Apologetics for Young People" which can be found here: http://lineoffireradio.askdrbrown.org/

*****

It is with deep and profound sadness that VOL announces the passing this week of The Rev. Dr. Peter Toon. Peter was a personal friend whose writings can be found at VOL's website www.virtueonline.org. Peter and I became friends over the course of many years of writing to each other. In 2006, I asked if he would join VOL's team of writers and help cover GC2006. He did, writing a daily commentary on the news. From thenceforth, it was hard to keep him down. He wrote several columns a week which VOL published. Peter, was, above all else, a faithful Prayer Book Anglican. He described himself as a Reformed Catholic. I shall miss him enormously. A fuller obituary can be found in today's digest. Most of Dr. Toon's books are "posted" to a section within www.anglicanbooksrevitalized.us. (When you get to the main page, click on "Peter Toon's Books Online" at upper right.)

*****

We leave you today on a high note. Watch this video clip from Westminster Abbey: Oh God our Help in Ages Past. I believe it will inspire you in these dark days. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asrwlIxLeko

*****

The next time I write to you will be from Kingston, Jamaica, where I will be attending the Anglican Consultative Council's meeting of Anglican leaders. Your prayers sought.

*****

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All Blessings,

David