The Council of Forward in Faith, meeting at Canterbury on 21st July, was appalled at the outcome of the recent General Synod debate of 7th July. The Council remains determined to respond to the needs of its members by securing a structural solution comprising discrete dioceses for those in conscience opposed to the ordination of women as bishops.
makes total sense. If synod repeatedly refuse to provide what was clearly stated as the minimum requirement for Catholic Anglicans- then they leave us with two options. Meekly walk out of the church of our baptism- OUR church to which we have as much- if not more- right to claim. Or we simply TAKE what we need.
We talked, we did the theology, we were gracious, we accomodated others……………..nothing was given in return. Despite continually stating a flimsy code would NEVER suffice it was all that was offered. When we said it wasn’t enough – we actually meant just that/ -that is not being stroppy but stating clear fact.
RPP, you sound just like those rioting college students in the late 60s, bellowing their lists of “non-negotiable demands” as they took over (and usually trashed) campus offices.
As they say here in Texas: Bring it on, bubba.
RPP is quite understandably upset. As Christians we should really look at what we have done to him and his fellow priests and parishioners.
I am truly sorry for what has occurred and I see that 90% of the Church Times survey agree with me that Synod made the wrong decisions.
As a priest who has worked to find a niche for Anglo-Catholics for all of the years of my priesthood (ordained in November, 1976, participated in the planning and formation of ECM, worked in the formation and planning of the ESA, and now have been part of ACN since its formation), the frustration that our English sister and brother Anglo-Catholics is not new or unfamiliar to me.
The tyranny of the majority, and its sinfully prideful clinging to the idea of of diocesan/territorial “integrity” (there’s a word, now!) has never let up. It was the concept that could not be broken in the 70’s, 90’s, and up to the moment. We just call it “polity” now. That is a fancy name for “exclusive franchise.” Of course, a little logic brings up the question of what does such an imperial vision of the Church (TEC’s self image) mean in terms of the Romans, Orthodox, etc with whom we already have overlapping jurisdictions? What an uncomfortable question!
The light at the end of the tunnel is GAFCON, where a vision of the church that genuinely respects the dignity of every person (even Anglo-catholics with a principled–not bigoted–opposition to women’s ordination). The North American interventions, defections to Rome, lawsuits, depositions, and shame that TEC has caused can be avoided in England by provision of a gracious, innovative, and mutually respectful scheme. Will the C of E do it? Well, we’ll see.
RPP, join GAFCON. If you hold to scripture and Jesus you will find a home.
[url=http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=8674]David Virtue[/url] (scroll down) is reporting that FiF plans to begin withholding money from dioceses particularly opposed to recognizing their needs, starting with Southwark. Why ever not? To continue giving support to people who are trying to eliminate you makes no sense.
#2- No I am nothing like that sort at all.
I am guilty only of being an orthodox Christian who will only accept innovations that have their root in scripture and tradition.
I continue to believe, uphold and practice everything that the Church of England itself- the Church of my baptism- taught me. I teach the same faith that they have consistently assured me is not only valid but retains a place of integrity.
Yet completely bizarrely I am suddenly thrown to the margins of the Church- barely toelrated and often hated. (Never by people who know me I should add) What is my crime? Heresy? No. Hatred? No. Simply an inability in conscience to accept non biblical innovations- innovations that the rest of Christendom systematically assures us are misguided.
Not only did Synod refuse us everything we asked for, they voted to rid us of our bishops. Thus leaving us at the mercy of those who have already proved themselves unpleasant and untrustwothy. And many of those bishops are my friends and fathers in God. I will stand or fall at their side. And I will do everything I can to support them. (as it happens it impacts on me less than others- my Diocesan Bishop (Rochester) actually voted for and with us. He will continue to have our support.
So come on- you tell me WHY I should be bundled out of my Church- or else treated as some sort of second class citizen? And in answering- please hold before you the fact that women’s ordination was only permitted with the promise that traditionalists would be respected and treated fairly.
The promise was clearly a lie. Our priests have been excluded and unwanted ever since (despite the facts our parishes are growing) and I have had enough of it. Synod was cruel- but in some ways refreshing. At long last the reality came into the open,.
Our prize for upholding traditonal Christian belief is persecution. No matter what happens from here- the dye has been cast. Synod let slip what it really thinks of us. We are the modern day Samaritans. Aknowledged but often loathed and misrepresented. And yes it hurts.
Well I – and many others- have had enough! The innovators of a new religion have no superior claim over the Church of England to those who continue to worship as ever they did. I will not roll over. I will not run away. Nor will I fight.
I shall stand with my bishops- and if need be- take what is oursby right -our churches and parishes. Not for selfish gain but in order to care for my parishioners. By keeping a corner of the Church faithful- we may yet prove its saviours. When we are wanted least may actually be when we are needed most.
Ignore what the innovators would have you think. We are not awkward hate filled misogynists. We are faithful priests going about our daily work- often in Britain’s toughest communities.
And that is actually the saddest thing of all. OUR money being witheld – will actually cost us. Many of us rely on support because we are in the poorest areas. Unlike the evangelicals we fight from positions of utter deprivation. Our modest protest will- in some cases- only serve to make the authorities laugh. So be it- our dignity is at stake.
Bravo, rpp!
I happened to go from your comment to Ruth Gledhill’s blog, where there is a new post with this in it:
“Dr Williams denied that the Anglican Communion was at an end and said he did not believe the Church of England had entered the Lambeth conference as “a bleeding, hunted animal with arrows in its side†as a result of the vote on women bishops which took place at the General Synod last month.” Do you think this reflects the perception of FiF’ers, or is Williams simply incurably optimistic?
Be assured of prayers for the future of FiF/UK’s members.
(Oh, good grief) – and then in a post by David Virtue it’s quoted this way: “Acknowledging the pain caused to Anglo-Catholics by the recent vote on Women’s Ordination, Williams said there is a huge bit of unfinished business for the Church of England after Synod, as many people felt grieved by the step taken. “It has made us enter this conference as a bleeding hunted animal.” So I wonder what he really did say?
Neither is true! Williams was not happy with Synod vote and is angry that his plea to aide us went unanswered. BUT he is also confident that they do not go into Lambeth like a bleeding..etc..
Fact is that- williams good will or not- the writing is on the wall. The Mother ship ‘Church of England’ was stormed by liberal pirates some time ago- they now hold so much influence and power it will be very hard to shift them and the course we are on. Those who will not comply with them must either be content with sweeping up the hull or else walk the plank. Not horribly of course- as we are prodded down the plank they smile, sympathise and assure us that other vessels will be more to our liking. The bit that sticks in my throat is that it was not their ship to altar!
Mutiny I say!
RPP,
I continue to hold you in my prayers. God bless.
thank you. And the good news is that despite being quite livid with those who would depose us- morale is good on the ground. Only days after Synod we held a launch party for our new nursery which caters for under priveledged children, welcomed an ordinand on placement, heard we are to get a curate and saw three new faces at Mass on Sunday. That is the irony- our parish is in revival having nearly doubled in three years. and the pews full of a wide mix of young and old, male and female, rich and poor. God is good to those who preach the Gospel
Bravo RPP.