The Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill is a gay-friendly parish that had felt marginalized in the original diocese.
“We are really happy in this new configuration,” said the Rev. Cynthia Bronson Sweigert.
But she stays in touch with friends in the Anglican diocese, and they compared notes on their diocesan conventions.
“We had all experienced a convention that was much more positive and happy than in the past,” she said. “Schism is a negative thing. I really agree with that. But yet, it feels like an abstraction. The reality is that we were in an unhappy marriage for so long that we needed to divide before there could ever be any hope of reconciliation.”
Bishop Johnson said he believes that God is at work in all of it.
“We don’t always know for certain just how. I don’t, and Bishop Duncan doesn’t,” he said.
“But we have to believe that we’re called to do the work that our Lord wants us to do, each in his own way, and not look back.”
What a great story. And, they’re all such good friends, the Schori lackies are finally dropping the lawsuits. What’s that you say? They’re still on? Gosh, that would almost make the whole story a fraud.
815 is thinking of making depositions a sacrament, Phil.
Bp Johnson says, “”But we have to believe that we’re called to do the work that our Lord wants us to do, each in his own way, and not look back.” If both sides are not looking back then why are we being sued? And why am I going to be kicked out of the CPF? Just asking.
I think there are plenty of people on both sides who, if given a chance, could easily settle the legal and property issues in a non-litigious and Christian fashion. However, the Calvary crowd now firmly controls the diocese. Those in TEC who would be interested in trying for a settlement via arbitration or negotiation can’t speak out firmly. There is intense pressure right now to do nothing to rock the boat, and opposing lawsuits would be seen as a dangerous disloyalty to the TEC diocese, especially with KJS/DBB now joining in the lawsuit. So the effort to drive all the ACNA people out of their churches goes on. And after all, people like Lionel Deimel, an elected diocesan official, continue to believe bizarre things like this:
ah, yes. sue us into concord and good fellowship.
Nevin:
I disagree with one point your make. I wouldn’t say “the Calvary crowd now firmly controls the diocese” as much as to say those who are willing to support the assertions of the Calvary crowd now firmly controls the diocese. Many of the so-called conservatives in the TEC diocese willingly and actively supported the TEC diocese entering into the Calvary lawsuit. It is their attorney Andy Roman who is now carrying the mail in the suit not Walter Deforest Calvary’s attorney.