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SOUTHERN OHIO: Orthodox Priest Resigns Parish. Bishop Outlaws Network

SOUTHERN OHIO: Orthodox Priest Resigns Parish. Bishop Outlaws Network.

By David W. Virtue

CHILLICOTHE, OH (8/9/2004)--The rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chillicothe, has resigned from his parish because he found himself at odds with his bishop Herbert Thompson over his parish's affiliation with the Anglican Communion Network.

"For the sake of the Gospel, I'd rather switch than fight," said Fr. Rick Terry to Virtuosity.

In his letter of resignation, that has been widely circulated, he wrote, in part, "Rather than pursue the avenue of an inhibition, an ecclesiastical court trial, a potential deposition, and all the accompanying pain and expenditure of resources that would accompany such a process, I have decided to leave quietly. This is not about me. This is about fidelity to the Gospel of Jesus Christ ..."

The Evangelical rector of St. Paul's resigned last week and will plant a new church and conduct the first worship service for Chillicothe Anglican Fellowship an Anglican Mission in America church at 90 N. Paint Street, Chillicothe.

A first service on Sunday at a store front Christian cafe in downtown Chillicothe drew 75 worshippers mostly from St. Paul's.

Fr. Terry, 54, has become the first rector in the Diocese of Southern Ohio to receive a written Pastoral Directive from Bishop Herbert Thompson, concerning St. Paul's affiliation with the Anglican Communion Network (ACN).

"This spring, the Vestry of St. Paul's, voted to affiliate with the Anglican Communion Network (ACN) as part of their witness to the Network's stand for Gospel truth." St. Paul's was warmly received into the Network by its moderator, Bishop Robert Duncan, but Bishop Thompson subsequently refused to allow any Southern Ohio congregations to affiliate with the ACN, and threatened me and St. Paul's with canonical actions if his church did not withdraw from the Network," said Fr. Terry.

Bishop Thompson had written a letter to Fr. Terry and St. Paul's telling them to disaffiliate with the ACN.

In his letter, Thompson blasted the orthodox rector and the Network saying that he believed the Anglican Communion Network to be a threat to the unity of the Church. "The directive clearly stated that while individual members lay or ordained might affiliate with the Network, congregations under my jurisdiction could not."

Drawing on his personal history Thompson said, "As Bishop for 16 years I have made it clear in the Diocese and the National Church, that I will not bless or countenance the blessing of same sex unions in the Diocese, nor ordain any person living in a sexual relationship with another person. I believe and have taught that, for those who have sworn allegiance to Christ, sexual relations are to take place only in the context of Holy Matrimony between a man and a woman," wrote the exasperated bishop.

Fr. Terry said he seemed to be on the same page theologically as the bishop. "I personally have needed a very clear unequivocal statement from Bp Thompson as to his desire to lead the diocese in an orthodox biblical direction. Unfortunately that has never came forth. The tragedy is that Thompson is surrounded by liberals thus effectively cutting us off from a gospel mainstream."

"In my conversation with Bishop Thompson we talked at length about the concept of unity. I believe very strongly that any lasting unity presupposes a strong adherence to the faith once delivered and when we depart from that into pluriform truths that the unity we seek becomes a mirage."

Writing to his congregation Terry said, "I believe Jesus, who is Lord of time and circumstances, clearly led me to become the 25th rector of St. Paul's Parish back in March of 1993. As your pastor, I have sought to remain obedient to the Lord Jesus, endeavoring to be a faithful minister of God's Word and Sacraments. I have sought to be obedient to my ordination vows, in remaining loyal to the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as the Church has received them."

"As events have unfolded in recent months, I have searched my heart, and I am unable, in accordance with the canons of the Episcopal Church, to obey my bishop in his recent Pastoral Direction of June 3, 2004. Rather than pursue the avenue of an inhibition, an ecclesiastical court trial, a potential deposition, and all the accompanying pain and expenditure of resources that would accompany such a process, I have decided to leave quietly. This is not about me. This is about fidelity to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as I have embraced that Gospel for the past 32 years as a disciple of Christ."

"Throughout the challenges of the past year, I have sought to "conduct myself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ ... contending as one man for the faith of the Gospel." (Philippians 1:28) I leave the ministry here at St. Paul's with a profound sadness, but also with an overwhelming expectation of the wonderful things the Lord has planned."

Prior to his departure, Terry had received a letter from Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan welcoming him into the ACN family. "As Moderator of the Network of Anglican Communion Diocese and Parishes, it is with great joy that I welcome you to the Network based on the approval by the Steering Committee of your application to associate. I rejoice in counting you among the diocese, congregations and clergy who are standing together for Gospel truth and our faithful expression of Anglicanism in North America."

Local American Anglican Council representative Andy Figueroa observed that St. Paul's and Fr. Terry courageously determined they could not follow the direction issued by Bishop Thompson and that they would not be intimidated.

But the bishop himself came under fire from his orthodox wing. On August 8, 2003, after General Convention, Bishop Thompson issued a pastoral letter saying, in part: "I will not associate myself with those who seek to divide the Church over this matter. Under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, I look forward to our continued conversation about this issue both within the House of Bishops and across the wider Church, including the Diocese of Southern Ohio. In the meantime, I also look forward to welcoming Bishop-elect Robinson as a colleague and to working with him for the mission that Christ has set before us."

Later, in the fall, Bishop Thompson met with a large group of orthodox clergy, whom he promised to support by issuing another pastoral letter which would clearly state his position regarding the actions of General Convention. The letter was never sent. At Diocesan Convention he lent no support to his orthodox clergy, even ruling against the possibility of discussing a proposed amendment to a resolution that would have
repudiated the actions of the General Convention (violating Roberts Rules of Order). Furthermore, Bishop Thompson has not only failed to work with and support orthodox bishops in the Episcopal Church in their attempts to prevent the apostasy of General Convention, but he has also criticized their efforts to respond to the convention appropriately.

VIRTUOSITY FOOTNOTE: Never at any time has the ACN said it was in the business of separating from the Episcopal Church. The Network is Griswold's and the church's orthodox opposition. If Episcopalians can join Integrity the unofficial ECUSA sodomite organization, then Episcopalians should be free to join the Network. The Network's First
Statement in its charter states that they will endeavor to work within the boundaries of the constitution of the Episcopal Church.

END

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