One of the senior bishops of the Church of England has cited the Rev. Katherine Ragsdale’s appointment as dean of Episcopal Divinity School as an example of the possible need for a new Anglican province in North America.
“That a promoter of abortion on demand, who describes abortionists as engaged in ”˜holy work’, might be given a senior position must call in question any possibility of normal relations with the province concerned,” wrote the Rt. Rev. Peter Robert Forster, Bishop of Chester in a letter to the Church of England Newspaper (April 9 edition). “If any right-thinking Christian has doubted the need for a new province in North America, they should ponder your astonishing report.”
I was wondering how long it would take for anyone to notice that. Rev. Ragsdale’s appointment to a position of education leadership cannot bode well for the future of the American church.
[blockquote]“If any right-thinking Christian has doubted the need for a new province in North America, they should ponder your astonishing report.â€[/blockquote]
[blockquote]the Anglican Church in North America says this: “God, and not man, is the creator of human life. The unjustified taking of life is sinful. Therefore, from conception to natural death all members and Clergy are called to protect and respect that sanctity of every human life.†[/blockquote]
Based on this Katherine Ragsdale would not be teaching in an ACNA approved seminary let alone any leadership position. Additionally, I believe her stance on abortion as a blessing would get her deposed as a priest.
Reading of Ragsdale’s teachings and beliefs makes one wonder if the Protestant Reformation in the classic Reformation churches and divinity schools has a terminal illness.
I think this is one of the most significant stories of the year in the continuing decline of TEC, and will alienate increasing numbers of those inclined to give TEC the benefit of the doubt — both in the US and abroad. Ragsdale’s positions are extreme even by the standards of the Obama administration, let alone the Christian community. Every person I know who has read the infamous sermon has been deeply disturbed by it and incredulous that such a person could be associated with a Christian community, let alone the leader of a seminary. Some have said that this is the moment at which TEC has stepped entirely beyond the bounds of “mere christianity.” It left the Catholic faith behind many years ago.
Ragsdale’s positions are not extreme by the definitions of the Obama administration. They are the same extreme positions. There is no difference.