The distance between The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina widened last week when the diocese relinquished its legal oversight of all church property, sending what’s called a quitclaim deed to each parish.
The Process which brought the whole parish to this historic moment began with a Vestry retreat in October 2007 where it was decided unanimously that Mount Calvary should explore the possibility of becoming part of the Roman Catholic Church. Since then the All Saints Sisters of the Poor were received into the Catholic Church and the Apostolic Constitution for Anglicans coming into full communion was promulgated.
WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - In a letter to parishioners, the Reverend Jason Cantania, rector of Mount Calvary Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland, announced that the vestry of the parish had voted unanimously in favor of two resolutions. First, they have voted to leave The Episcopal Church (TEC) where they are a part of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, and, second, to become an Anglican Use parish in the Catholic Church through the new initiative from Rome - the Anglicorum Coetibus. Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online and the CEO/Associate Publisher for the Northern Virginia Local Edition of Catholic Online (http://virginia.catholic.org). He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.LETTER FROM THE RECTOR OF MOUNT CALVARY CHURCH TO PARISHIONERS
September 21, 2010
Dear Friends in Christ,
I write today to inform you of a special meeting of the Congregation of Mount Calvary Church which has been called by the Vestry for Sunday, October 24, following the 10:00 am Solemn Mass. The purpose of this meeting is to vote on two resolutions which have been unanimously approved by the Vestry. They are as follows:
Resolved: In accordance with Article 12 of the amendment to the Charter of Mount Calvary Church, Baltimore, adopted April 10, 1967, the Vestry of Mount Calvary Church hereby determines that The Episcopal Church (formerly known as the "Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America") has clearly, substantially, and fundamentally changed its doctrine, discipline and worship, and that Mount Calvary Church should become separate from and independent of The Episcopal Church. The Vestry therefore calls for a special meeting of the Congregation of Mount Calvary Church to be held on Sunday, October 24, 2010, following the 10:00 AM Mass, to affirm and enact this resolution.
Resolved: That Mount Calvary Church, upon separation from The Episcopal Church, seek to become an Anglican Use parish of the Roman Catholic Church.
Most of you are fully aware of the history which has brought us to this point. That history extends all the way back to the 19th century, when Mount Calvary became well-known, throughout Maryland and throughout the Episcopal Church, for its adherence to Catholic faith and practice. Indeed, to some it was notorious for its "popish" ways, and in fact for many clergy and people over the years (including two of my predecessors as rector), Mount Calvary has been their last stop before "crossing the Tiber".
The immediate process which brings us to this historic moment began with a Vestry retreat in October 2007, where it was decided unanimously that Mount Calvary should explore the possibility of becoming part of the Roman Catholic Church. Since then, two crucial events have occurred. The first was the reception of the All Saints Sisters of the Poor, our own parish sisters, into the Catholic Church in September 2009.
The second was the announcement the following month of Anglicanorum Coetibus, the Apostolic Constitution calling for the creation of "personal ordinariates" (essentially non-geographical dioceses) for groups of Anglicans entering the Roman Catholic Church while retaining elements of their tradition. The result of these developments is that the Archdiocese of Baltimore now stands ready to welcome Mount Calvary as a body into full communion with the successor of St. Peter, and the process of establishing ordinariates in various countries, including the United States, has begun.
While I know that the vast majority of you are enthusiastic about making this transition, I realize that some may still have questions and concerns about the prospect of entering the Roman Catholic Church. In the weeks ahead, prior to the congregational meeting, I will invite a series of guests to speak about their experience of life in the Catholic Church and to answer questions. Some of these guests will be well-known to you; indeed they will include former parishioners and clergy of Mount Calvary. I think all of them will be helpful in allaying any fears there may be.
Let me conclude by saying how truly grateful I am to be leading Mount Calvary Church at this moment in time. When I became your rector over four years ago, I had not the faintest idea that this would be the journey we would take together. Nonetheless, there is not a doubt in my mind that this is the work of the Holy Spirit and truly the will of God, not simply for me, but for Mount Calvary.
This is not about rejecting our past and our heritage, but rather fulfilling it. We have before us the opportunity to carry with us the richness of the Anglican tradition into full communion with the wider Catholic Church. I therefore ask that each of you pray that God's will be done in this place which we all love so dearly as we approach this momentous decision.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev'd Jason Catania, SSC
Rector
Defrocked Ugandan Bishop Christopher Senyonjo was brought
to the US to push the Episcopal Church's Gay Agenda
During his appearance in Washington, Christopher Senyonjo was hosted by Bishop Gene Robinson of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, the first openly homosexual bishop in the Anglican Communion. The two spoke at the liberal Center for American Progress about anti-homosexuality legislation in Uganda, which they blamed on U.S. evangelicals. They also called for a broader effort to decriminalize homosexual practices in Africa. Senyonjo's appearance at CAP was part of a six-week speaking tour of the United States, sponsored by Integrity USA, an unofficial homosexual caucus in the Episcopal Church.
While Senyonjo has been removed from the Episcopate by the Church of Uganda, he continues to portray himself as an Anglican bishop. During his visit, Senyonjo was scheduled to meet at the White House with foreign policy officials of President Obama's administration.
A talk on June 8 between Robinson and Senyonjo began with opening remarks from Michael Posner, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Posner said he was there to "lend the support of the U.S. government to this very important subject."
"LGBT rights are human rights and we are working on a daily basis to promote them as we would any other human rights," Posner said.
"Where I hope we are headed is to discover the enormous diversity in human sexuality," Robinson said. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were as many sexualities as there are human beings?"
IRD Anglican Spokesman Jeff Walton commented:
"Not content to compel Americans to surrender to their agenda of constantly fluid notions of gender and sex, liberal Episcopalians who resent Africa's traditionalist beliefs now want the U.S. Government to compel poor African societies to bend to permissive, secular Western mores.
"These same liberal Episcopalians and other U.S. religionists are often indifferent to international religious persecution, even when churches around the world are under attack. For them, seemingly sexual freedom is more important than religious freedom."
The Episcopal Church consecrated its first openly lesbian bishop Saturday in the face of objections from some conservative Anglicans.
The Episcopal Church has approved the election of a lesbian assistant bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles, making her the second openly homosexual bishop in the global Anglican Communion.Episcopal conservatives said the approval of the Rev. Mary Glasspool was "grieving the heart of God."
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Leaders of the Episcopal Church have rejected the appointment of a bishop-elect who denies that Satan exists, doesn't believe God sent Jesus Christ to die for the world's sins, and teaches that many paths lead to salvation.The Diocese of Northern Michigan's election of the Rev. Kevin Thew Forrester was declared "null and void" yesterday. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori says he failed to receive the necessary consent from a majority of Episcopal bishops and diocesan committees.
Thew Forrester also has been criticized for blending elements of Christianity and Buddhism. In a 2004 diocesan newsletter, Thew Forrester said he had "received Buddhist 'lay ordination."'
Bloggers also have criticized Thew Forrester for calling a reading from the Quran "the word of God."
'Two styles of being Anglican'
Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Canterbury says Anglicans -- of which American Episcopalians are a part -- may have to accept a "two track" communion that embraces churches with conflicting beliefs about homosexual clergy and same-sex unions.
Rowan Williams wrote on his website yesterday that there are "two styles of being Anglican" and that both sides should work to keep the church together.
Williams is the Anglican spiritual leader. His comments are in response to the U.S. Episcopal Church's decision to lift a moratorium on homosexual bishops and to allow blessings of same-sex unions.
The Rev. Ian Douglas, who serves on the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, says this is what happens when what he calls "local leadings of the Holy Spirit bump up against received tradition in the church." He says the question is whether there are any "limits to diversity" in Anglican beliefs.
Episcopalians are moving toward affirming an open role for homosexual clergy in their church despite pressure from fellow Anglicans not to do so. Episcopal bishops voted at a national meeting yesterday for a statement that says "God has called and may call" homosexual men and women to ministry. Delegates to the meeting already approved a nearly identical statement. This latest version is likely to be approved by Friday.
Episcopalians caused an uproar in 2003 by consecrating the first openly homosexual bishop, Vicki Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. That decision has nearly split the world Anglican Communion, which includes Episcopalians.
To calm tensions, Episcopal leaders three years ago had urged restraint by dioceses considering homosexual candidates for bishop. No openly homosexual bishops have been consecrated since then.
Now that the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans has provided orthodox refuge for nearly half of the world's 77 million baptized Anglicans, it appears the corrupt, heterodox remnant they abandoned is now free to show its true colors and lurch even farther from orthodox Christianity. It is akin to what happened in the Democrat Party after so many of us Reagan Democrats became Reagan Republicans. The remnant that is left of the Episcopal Church will now demonstrate that their true commitment is not to the faith handed down from the Apostles, but to the Democrat Party Platform as Barney Frank and Barack Hussein Obama would have it. From OneNewsNow
Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori says it's "heresy" to believe that an individual can be saved through a sinner's prayer of repentance.
In her opening address to the church's General Conference in California, Jefferts Schori called that "the great Western heresy: that we can be saved as individuals, that any of us alone can be in right relationship with God."
The presiding bishop said that view is "caricatured in some quarters by insisting that salvation depends on reciting a specific verbal formula about Jesus."
According to Schori, it is heresy to believe that an individual's prayer can achieve a saving relationship with God. "That individualist focus is a form of idolatry, for it puts me and my words in the place that only God can occupy."
Bishops want marriage rituals for homosexualsMeanwhile, six Episcopal bishops are pushing for greater recognition of same-sex marriages at a national gathering of church officials in California. Bishop Thomas Ely of Vermont says he and other bishops from states recognizing same-sex marriage will offer a resolution urging the church to adapt marriage rituals to include homosexual couples.
Ely says the resolution will be introduced at the church's General Convention, which started Wednesday in Anaheim. The convention is held every three years.
Besides Vermont, states that have legalized same-sex marriage are Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Iowa, and Connecticut.
Hundreds of conservative parishes formerly associated with the Episcopal Church are forming the Anglican Church in North America. The new denomination seeks “to ensure an orthodox Anglican Province in North America that remains connected to a faithful global Communion.” The church professes adherence to Sacred Scripture, the first four ecumenical councils, parts of the fifth, sixth, and seventh ecumenical councils, the Thirty-Nine Articles “in their literal and grammatical sense,” and the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
Source(s): these links will take you to other sites, in a new window.
Oh, wait. Father Perry is an Episcopalian priest, not a Catholic. And the Episcopal Church allows priests to marry. So this case will probably cause pundits to write.....
...
... nothing at all.
From OneNewsNow The vote at the diocesan convention rejected the Episcopal Church's de facto moratorium on electing homosexual bishops since its 2003 consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who lives with his same-sex partner. The resolution will be considered at the Episcopal Church's national convention next July.
The Los Angeles diocese also expressed support for homosexual "marriage" with the creation of the "Sacramental Blessing for a Life-long Covenant."
Anglican archbishops will hold an emergency meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury today to discuss the unfolding schism in the Church in America.
The meeting between Dr Rowan Williams and the primates of Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the Southern Cone comes two days after conservatives in the US unveiled the constitution and canons of the new Anglican Church in North America.
With a membership of 100,000, drawn from disaffected members of the Episcopal Church of the US and from churches that broke away over the women’s ordination dispute, leaders of the new “province” claim they are not splitting from the 75 million-strong Anglican Communion.
A formal proposal arguing for recognition as the 39th province of the Anglican Communion will be put before the primates at their meeting in Alexandria, Egypt, at the end of January.
However, a statement from Lambeth Palace last night made it clear that no request for recognition as a province had been made and seemed to indicate that this was unlikely.
The Palace said there are “clear guidelines” set out for the creation of new provinces. “Once begun, any of these processes will take years to complete,” it said, making it clear that in the case of the US conservatives no such process had begun.
The new church remains relatively small compared to the 2.2 million members of the Episcopal Church, which sparked the crisis in 2003 with the consecration of the openly gay Bishop of New Hampshire, the Right Rev Gene Robinson.
Today Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria, Bishop Gregory Venables of the Southern Cone (South American states), Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi of Kenya, Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini of Rwanda and Archbishop Henry Orombi of Uganda will discuss the crisis with Dr Williams at The Old Palace, his home in Canterbury, in a meeting arranged at their initiative.
Bishop Venables said the meeting had been in the diary for some time. He said the founders of the new province wanted to maintain unity. He said: “It would be unthinkable if those who believe in original Anglicanism found there was no place for them in the new Anglicanism.”
However, Jim Naughton, of the Episcopal Church denied charges of unorthodoxy. He said: “There are small antigay Christian denominations all over the US and we have existed in the midst of these denominations for ages. At this point, this is just another of those small antigay Christian denominations. They are distinguished from other small antigay churches in the US by their global pretensions, but the relationships they have cultivated with a handful of like-minded leaders in Africa do not really change the dynamic here in the US.”
Robert Lundy, a representative for the American Anglican Council, believes the time for a new Anglican Church in North America is long overdue. "It's finally come to the point where so many people have left the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada that they want to come together and...join together for purposes of mission and say that we're fighting for the orthodox historic faith," he explains.
The network of conservative Anglicans is known as The Common Cause Partnership. According to a press release, the movement unites 700 congregations representing approximately 100,000 people.
The Anglican Church in North America plans to assemble next summer in Bedford, Texas, where those who choose to join the new Anglican church will have the opportunity to ratify a provisional constitution and the first set of canons that were unveiled Wednesday in Wheaton, Illinois.
