In a dramatic illustration of the unhappiness among conservative Episcopalians in the United States, an Episcopal priest from the North Shore has decided to become a bishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya.
The Rev. William L. Murdoch, rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in West Newbury, will fly to Nairobi next month for his consecration as a Kenyan bishop, then return to Massachusetts to minister to other disaffected conservatives who are leaving the Episcopal Church over its 2003 decision to ordain an openly gay priest as the bishop of New Hampshire.
Murdoch’s congregation, which averages about 300 worshipers each Sunday, will have to turn over its three buildings and a $1 million endowment to the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. The congregation is planning to buy a closed Catholic church in Amesbury and start over as All Saints Anglican, a local parish of the Kenyan church.
The extraordinary act is part of a new national movement, in which a handful of Episcopal parishes and priests are leaving the 2-million-member Episcopal Church USA and affiliating with the more conservative Anglican churches, called provinces, of Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda.
To the dismay of the Episcopal Church, the African provinces are now developing church organizations in the United States to reach out to those looking for an alternative.
The Episcopal Church is at odds with much of the rest of the Anglican Communion over its support of gay rights and is facing possible sanctions.
Well, at least Bishop Shaw still thinks there’s room for Christianity in the UPPER part of one’s body. Amazing statement from Bishop Shaw.
Who said it was “simply” about the lower half of one’s body? For +Shaw to pretend that’s all this is about reveals something about him – I’m not exactly sure what but it isn’t good…..
One would hope that Bishop Murdock would deconsecrate the building when the church leaves the building.
I am wondering how one can “decide” to become a bishop?
If that’s the case, what then? Does “deciding” make you one?
Amazing idea, think about it.
Gloria
Grandmother, you can decide whether to accept the call to become a bishop. My former rector from California, Fr. Ron Jackson, was a finalist to become Bishop of New Mexico (Bp. Steenson was the winner). Fr. Ron did not want to accept the nomination but was persuaded.
I have the privilege of being acquainted with Fr. Bill Murdoch and believe he would not take a nomination to become bishop lightly. He has dedicated his life, 24/7, to Christ. It is my feeling that he would say no unless he truly felt called by Christ to this position. And I believe he was!
Note the word “handful”. I look at it more like grains of sand falling in the hour glass…..just give it an hour and there will be nothing left.
I suppose if we apply the “lower half of the body” standard, we can ignore adultery also. Oh, wait. TEC did just that in 2003.
I most certainly welcome +elect Murdock. The comment was about the news report where the writer says “he decided to become a bishop”.
Hopefully Anglican TV will make it to the consecrations, and we’ll get to rejoice via video with all of them. I am much aware that one must have a “call” and accept it, the writer just made it sound like one day he woke up and decided..
Blessings
Gloria
Shaw says, “The Episcopal Church is taking an incredible moral stance fighting poverty in the world.” What narcissism. ECUSA is taking a whole 0.7% of an incredible moral stand! Because, you know, the whole world is in favor of poverty, and only ECUSA stands athwart the tide yelling, “Stop!” (with apologies to Bill Buckley)
I thought my body was a temple?
I come from a little own in NH right next to Amesbury, Mass. There are – were – two Catholic Church’s in town, Sacre Coeur for the French and St. Joseph’s for the Irish. I has been like that since the beginning of the world, at least. I don’t know which one has turned up its toes but I will find out. I know one thing, this will stir the sluggish local blood in a thousand ways. There’s an Episky church right next door – where I was confirmed about a century ago when it was still a Christian denomination – and there will be the kind of stress in town that will blister paint on cars. No one will admit it, of course, but it will be there. I know Amersbury. Larry
[blockquote]One would hope that Bishop Murdock would deconsecrate the building when the church leaves the building.[/blockquote]
Comments like this are exactly why all conseratives will never go along with the holier than thou, schismatic crowd. Here in Massachusetts, Bp Shaw has been more than kind to conservatives, not interfearing with ministries, allowing those of conscious not to contribute to their church’s diocesan assessment, and more. Sure, he’s suing a church trying to take property with them, but he’s on the side of the law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in that one.
“Comments like this are exactly why all conseratives will never go along with the holier than thou, schismatic crowd.”
BinBoston, your comments are confusing. TEC are the schismatics. Why would you expect the conservatives to go along with them and risk leaving the Communion? Can you clarify?
#12 SHaw is not kind to conservatives. All Saints Attleboro left all the property and is being sued anyway.
#13. We can debate who’s leaving who all day long and not agree. I see no point. The fact is, not all orthodox are leaving or see a need to leave. Deal with it.
#14 All Saints Attleboro took money, not property. All Saints West Newbury took the high road and left both behind.
I am always amused by the “handful” image: “My! what a BIG hands you have, Grandmother!” “The better to measure the churches departing TEC, my dear.”
#15 All Saints Attleboro did not take anything that belonged to the diocese. They are buying a new church with funds that were raised after they left but Shaw decided he wanted that money too.
#17. That is not what the plaintiff alleges and is certainly what the court will decide. (and bank records don’t lie.)
#18 You are absolutely right the bank records don’t lie and the court will see that shortly.
There are times when I cannot restrain myself when it comes to Main Stream Media, and their ignorance/bias, so when I read the following article, I sent a comment to the writer, and thought others would be interested. Reply is first, and my note last. Maybe we should all take the time to correct mistakes, or give another perspective. Not sure it always helps, but you never know!
————————————-
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/07/18/for_episcopal_church_fissure_deepens/
To XXXXXXXXXXX
cc
07/18/2007 10:09 AM
Subject Bill Murdoch
fascinating. thanks so much for the note, and the helpful links.
—————————————————–
Mr. Paulson:
If you will do the research, there is way more than a “handful” that have
left and are leaving. The handful is what The Episcopal Church would have
one believe, when it is actually much more, both parishes and individuals.
FYI,
http://www.greaterdanburyanglicans.org/AMiAChurches/AMiAChurches.html?ShowAll
http://www.angelfire.com/sc3/kaysplace/-finding.html
I saw your article online about Fr. Murdoch leaving for the Anglican Church
of Kenya, and my church is part of that province, and has been since 2004.
We have had annual visits by our wonderful bishop Gideon Githiga Diocese of
Thika, and last January, Archbishop Nzimbi, both both wonderful examples of
what a real bishop should be, as well as an example to all Christians.
—
webmaster@stpetersanglicanchurch.org
Memphis, TN
“We can debate who’s leaving who all day long and not agree. I see no point. The fact is, not all orthodox are leaving or see a need to leave. Deal with it.”
It’s obvious you see no point in using tact or civility either.
Pageantmaster,
You thought correctly. It is someone else who is missing the mark here. :smirk:
#15… “The fact is, not all orthodox are leaving or see a need to leave.”
A number of the Orthodox that I know (and it is a good size number), haven’t left TEc(Cult) because a) there is no local “Orthodox” Anglican Church to go to, or b) we are praying that the Holy Spirit will intervene and change the hearts of the TEc(Cult)’s leaders to repent and return to the historic teachings of the Church before 9/30, or both. The only other option is to leave the Episcopal (Anglican) Church and/or join another denomination.
H
“A handful of Episcopal parishes and priests are leaving the 2-million-member Episcopal Church USA and affiliating with the more conservative Anglican churches” —Globe
Yes, way more than a handful—and we may prove a handful in more ways than one.
#15… “The fact is, not all orthodox are leaving or see a need to leave.â€
An orthodox not leaving is not an orthodox. This is contrary. A real orthodox can not stay. The Truth is the truth. Remember folks, TEC is an heirarchael ( sp) church….the spiritual leadership comes from the top.
Nowhere to go? That is the devil’s lie.
Action cures despair.
bl