Episcoblog - The Online Journal of the Rt. Rev. Leo Michael: July 2007 Archives

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July 26, 2007

Et tu Brute(Brutus)?

Life is full of unexpected events and characters. " You too Brutus?" Certainly Julius Caesar would not have said these famous words to Brutus, had he not seen Brutus his dear friend among the chain of his slayers in William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Needless to say Brutus would not have become infamous had he not done his turn of betrayal.

Strange enough, human as we are, we encounter these situations of betrayal. Be it in personal or ecclesial life. You hire someone and they learn the tricks of the trade and begin a competitive business against you. You shelter a stranger and offer them all that you have and deem them to be a part of the family. The stranger leaves all in a sudden with your belonging one fine night.

If the Lord himself faced such a betrayal and mistrust of friendship in the kiss of Judas, well Judases are going to be on the scene always. You entrust someone to teach the Sunday school, they come and share the faith with you and even pretend to be a shepherd and operate under such guise and then they take off causing dissension and divide the flock that you care for. These happen time and time again. You are sure to meet Judases and Brutuses. It is such challenging times that call for fidelity to the flock and to the faithful. Its God's church, they are God's people and therefore we will do the best we can to protect them. But if some sheep heed the voice of a thief and not their shepherds and follow them to the slaughter house, what could the shepherd do. Never mind and carry on caring for the remnant faithful. It's God's church.

Let us fear the Lord and do what right in his sight. His blessing will follow and His grace is sufficient for us. The Judases and Brutuses are not going to have an impact on our ministry and they will have to answer Him someday. Let's move on take care of those who are entrusted to our care.

Posted by frleo at 3:13 PM | Comments (0)

July 15, 2007

Affirmation of the Joint Declaration on Church Unity by Abp. James Provence APCK

RESPONSE FROM THE ANGLICAN PROVINCE OF CHRIST THE KING TO THE ACC STATEMENT ON CHURCH UNITY

As one of the original jurisdictions stemming from the Chambers Consecrations and the Affirmation of St. Louis, the Anglican Province of Christ the King fully agrees with and supports the statement regarding unity issued by The Most Rev. Mark Haverland of the Anglican Catholic Church. The APCK, the ACC and the UECNA represent the three main branches coming from the root of the Chambers Succession. We share a responsibility to the trust that Bishop Chambers placed in us to be a beacon for unity among traditional Anglicans in the United States. The Anglican Province of Christ the King will do all that we can to foster that unity.

The Most Rev. James E. Provence,
Archbishop
Anglican Province of Christ the King
July 10, 2007
San Francisco, California

STATEMENT FROM THE METROPOLITAN OF THE ORIGINAL PROVINCE OF THE ANGLICAN CATHOLIC CHURCH CONCERNING CHURCH UNITY
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For the past twelve years, the Anglican Catholic Church (ACC) has had an official policy of seeking unity among Continuing Anglicans in general, but of seeking it first with the Anglican Province of Christ the King (APCK) and the United Episcopal Church of North America (UEC), which are the other two Churches that share our beginnings in the Congress of Saint Louis (1977), in the Affirmation of Saint Louis, and in the 'Chambers Succession' of consecrations of bishops in Denver (1978). In part, this beginning point rested on a judgment of principle, namely that the unfulfilled hopes of 1977-1978 should be realized as soon as possible. In part, this judgement rested in the practical expectation that Churches with so much in common might find it easier to unite than would bodies with less in common.

In any case, it seems to us now desirable to state firmly and clearly the following points:
1. The ACC believes itself to be in a state of full communio in sacris with the APCK and the UEC;
2. The ACC believes that anything which divides these three bodies from each other is regrettable and should be stopped or overcome;
3. The ACC believes that anything that undermines the internal unity and stability of any of these three bodies harms us all and harms the cause of unity among Catholic and Orthodox Anglicans. In particular we believe that one cannot serve the cause of unity by undermining or dividing any of the foundational Churches of the Continuing Church movement;
4. And, finally, the ACC believes that we cannot be in a state of full communio in sacris with any ecclesial body which is a member of the Lambeth Communion or which is in communion with any body that has such membership.

I now call upon the of bishops UEC and the APCK to join me in affirming these points. I pledge to assist them in sustaining their own unity and stability. And I pledge to work with them, quietly and patiently, in order to build full organic unity amongst ourselves.

(The Most Reverend) Mark Haverland, Ph.D.
Archbishop & Metropolitan
July 3, 2007. Athens, Georgia

STATEMENT ENDORSING THE METROPOLITAN'S STATEMENT CONCERNING CHURCH UNITY
We concur with Abp. Mark Haverland's statement and hope that this would be a great moment for all of our three churches to respond together to the exigencies of Anglicanism in the United States.

The Most Reverend Stephen C. Reber
The Presiding Bishop
July5, 2007

Posted by frleo at 6:02 PM | Comments (0)

July 9, 2007

Notes from St. Louis

After the ordination of Rev. Jack Shrode in Evansville IN, a faithful deacon for 36 years, I stop to write this note. Read a posting on virtue online, that undermines the effort of collaboration amont the three- ACC, APCK and UECNA. Its in this context I would like you to read the following post:

If we fear God and are open to the workings of the Holy Spirit, why should an attempt towards unity -"Father that they maybe all one" be reflected in such a poor light and poor taste?

Regardless of how "new" one is to the continuing church movement, what is important is that we recognize our mission and role in the context of the exigencies of our times and do something about it.

The proof is in the pudding. UECNA has three decades of unflinching fidelity in the continuum and our faithful are being cared for with pastoral concern. If this is not the yardstick of fidelity, then a church should desist from being a church. Punditry, skepticism or desktop opining is not what has kept the UECNA going. Pastoral care of the daily grind—nourishing of the faithful by Word and Sacraments, care of the sick and elderly, care of the young and their spiritual growth and formation, service to the community—has been the hallmark of our presence and mission. For those who are skeptical about our churches, they are welcome into any of our church families to see for oneself.

We will continue as faithful Anglicans, following the 1928 Prayer Book liturgy, fostering the faith once delivered unto the saints and continuing in our commitment to the Lord and His people in being Biblically Sound, Sacramentally Orthodox and Apostolically Valid. We will continue to stand by our creedal faith statement, “I believe in holy catholic and apostolic church.” That's the church for which the apostles and martyrs laid down their lives, in love, for Christ and His body - the church. The Catholicity (universality) is not newly found terminology to appease anyone. Nor is it a pretext for the benevolent eyes of Rome to befall on us while we wait to be hitchhiked by them, let alone that catholicity is not synonymous with nor the monopoly of Rome alone. Catholicity is the right of every Christian who believes in Scripture, Sacraments and Apostolic Tradition within which salvation is offered for all.

As shepherds, we are accountable to the Good Shepherd and therefore we continue our pastoral work with utmost consciousness of being in charge of souls that belong to the Lord. So, Fr. Sam or any priest or deacon who wears their heart on their sleeve in working for the spread of the Gospel and mission in the traditional Anglican way, please continue on. Clergy of your caliber is what Anglicanism and the Continuing church needs at this time

Are we seeking publicity and grandiose alliance, at any cost-compromising here and there? Certainly not. But the consciousness of the purpose of our beginnings should be what motivates us in the diligent execution of our pastoral responsibility. We will continue our work as we have done in the past and leave the skeptics to their own opining.

The chaos caused by grand alliances and big names in the Anglican pastoral arena of the United States has necessitated the efforts of these three to come together and work for the people. Why it did not happen in the past, is not our concern. What we can do now, in helping every faithful Anglican find a stable home, is what is relevant. Reminiscent of Christ's words, a hireling is a hireling, a shepherd is a shepherd, and we will continue to be shepherds. We claim the words of Joshua, "As for my house (church) we will serve the Lord" until He comes again. Regardless of what pundits say, we will continue to work with the consciousness of being stewards and servants of the people entrusted to our care!

Posted by frleo at 12:38 PM | Comments (0)

July 6, 2007

Combined Declaration of The Metropolitan(ACC) and The Presiding Bishop(UECNA) Regarding Church Unity

STATEMENT FROM THE METROPOLITAN OF THE ORIGINAL PROVINCE OF THE ANGLICAN CATHOLIC CHURCH CONCERNING CHURCH UNITY
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(The Most Reverend) Mark Haverland, Ph.D.
Archbishop & Metropolitan
July 3, 2007. Athens, Georgia

STATEMENT ENDORSING THE METROPOLITAN'S STATEMENT CONCERNING CHURCH UNITY
We concur with Abp. Mark Haverland's statement and hope that this would be a great moment for all of our three churches to respond together to the exigencies of Anglicanism in the United States.

The Most Reverend Stephen C. Reber
The Presiding Bishop
July5, 2007

P.S: We pray that the Holy Spirit make us responsive to the needs of the hour. May His will be done on earth as in heaven.

Posted by frleo at 4:21 PM | Comments (0)

July 5, 2007

To those that are wondering about APA- UECNA concordat

For clarity's sake let it be known that the concordat between the Anglican Province of America and the United Episcopal Church of North America has ceased to exist. This had already been communicated through an email to the Most Reverend Walter Grundorf of the APA from the Presiding Bishop of the UECNA dated May 28, 2007

From The Most Rev. Stephen C. Reber to the Kind attention of The Most Rev.Walter Grundorf

Dear +Walter,

Greetings!

You should have noticed by now the communio in sacris between the Anglican Catholic Church and the United Episcopal Church of North America.

At the same time we are aware that the intercommunion between APA and UECNA has been subdued. This has resulted from APA seeking communion with REC and the rest of the FACA. Due to our differing views, it would be my wish that the intercommunion between the two of us be revoked and that this also is reflected on the APA website.

I'm on the road but will be available after 5th of June on the phone. Would be glad to talk with you then.

Blessings

++ Stephen Reber
Presiding Bishop
The United Episcopal Church of North America

P.S: May I add that there has been no formal response to this letter from APA. But by APA's very decision go on its own, the intercommunion between APA and UECNA has ceased ipso facto.

Posted by frleo at 11:48 AM | Comments (0)

July 4, 2007

'One Nation under God' celebrating Freedom

At a time when freedom itself is being challenged by some uncouth anti-socialists, who want to instill terror and violence upon the face of the earth, it is great to celebrate and be grateful for the gift of freedom. However, does Freedom mean to do whatever one wants – anything that is not guided by the true spirit of one’s religion?

At the least the terrorists think freedom means to do whatever they want, even falsely borrowing religious sanctions to support their ideology.

We would all be insane if we bought into this terrorist ideology even for a moment. We could end up turning the hearts and minds of people towards embracing such an ideology—perhaps backed by religious scripture and religious sanctions—an ideology run amuck. Neither religion nor sanity advocates such an act that intrudes into the freedom of humanity. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). True fear of God will allay such an insane pursuit.

Freedom is the greatest gift of God to humanity. It’s unto each individual to engage one's volition in the light of faith and reason. We are 'One nation under God' and we cannot think of any other mode of existence other than being under the banner of God's love and mercy. For the history of this nation is rooted in Him. “…It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor…” President George Washington
Let's then celebrate our faith and freedom and continue to live as good and faithful Christians and honest citizens.

Posted by frleo at 12:02 PM | Comments (0)