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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

It's Official - The Episcopalians Have Split

Protestant denominations breaking up is not an unusual occurence, but I think the current establishment of the Anglican Church in North America is a hopeful sign. I've been watching ECUSA (The Episcopal Church U.S.A.) deconstruct for years while the liberals forced women and gay ordination on the conservatives in the community. I've read the conservative Episcopal publication, The Christian Challenge, which gave a blow by blow account of the disintegration for years. Watching the battle was heart-wrenching.

And now it's official. The conservative Episcopalians (who fought to conserve an authentic bible-based faith) are holding their inaugural church assembly in Texas through June 26th. They have passed their constitution. The canons will also be voted upon before the end of the week.

The canons affirm life: "God, and not man, is the creator of human life. The unjustified taking of life is sinful. Therefore, all members and clergy are called to promote and respect the sanctity of every human life from conception to natural death." The canons also call for compassion and healing for women who have experienced the tragedy of abortion.

They affirm marriage between one man and one woman and repudiate homosexual activity: "This Church upholds faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in
lifelong union, and believes that abstinence is right for those who are not called to marriage, and cannot legitimize or bless same sex unions or ordain persons who engage in homosexual behavior. Sexual intercourse should take place only between a man and a woman who are married to each other."

The canons say nothing about women's ordination, however. In a talk at Bedford, Archbishop elect Robert Duncan who will head the new body said that "for those who believe the ordination of women to be a grave error, and for those who believe it scripturally justifiable - reflecting Global Anglicanism - that we should be in mission together until God sorts us out. It is not perfect, but it is enough." At present each church in the assembly may choose whether to ordain women as priests. Most do not. As for women bishops, that will be a question for the future, currently they are forbidden.

The movement of 700 episcopal congregations away from the evils of homosexuality, easy divorce, and abortion must be a source of joy to Catholics. And a number of the congregations which have left ECUSA, as Duncan pointed out, have suffered serious loss. "Many of us have lost properties, sacred treasures, incomes, pensions, standing and friends," he said, "but few had suffered to the point of shedding their blood." Despite it all, however, "there is no one here who would go back," he said. Sacrifice to move toward the truth - is perhaps, as Duncan said, "enouth" for now.

The assembly ends on Friday. Let us pray that God's will be done as these brothers and sisters move closer to the Catholic church. It is especially noteworthy to see the assembly taking place as a miracle is approved that will allow famous Anglican convert Cardinal John Henry Newmanto be declared Blessed. Cardinal Newman, please pray for all those struggling to find the truth in a very confused time in history.

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