Note also that the convention has taken no action as yet on a resolution to rescind the ECUSA's membership in the pro-abortion Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. The church's executive council signed up in January.

There's not much hope for this to pass if they're not even sure who Jesus is.
C.J. | Homepage | 06.22.06 - 6:36 am | #

And they also officially said "no" to the installation of any future openly gay bishops. That has to be a blessing for them.
Dennis | Homepage | 06.22.06 - 7:02 am | #

I love that hymn. It's going to be the processional at my ordination to the diaconate in July.
Darren | Homepage | 06.22.06 - 9:12 am | #

I love it too, Darren. Congratulations on your ordination!
Dawn Eden | Homepage | 06.22.06 - 9:15 am | #

Dennis, In fact, they did *not* say no to the consecration of future openly gay bishops. They said they would reject future candidates whose background would trouble the communion at large. There's a lot of weasel-wording in the resolution, and it doesn't go nearly far enough. On top of that, a sizeable fraction of the House of Bishops has already repudiated it.
Will Duquette | Homepage | 06.22.06 - 9:54 am | #

As a former Episcopal priest I can say that it is not surprising that the General Convention killed this resolution. My hope is that this will finally be the straw that broke the camel's back. What I mean is this: there are many catholic-minded priests and laypeople within the Episcopal church who for whatever reason have been reluctant to leave. I hope that they will now see that their church has completely left them behind and has created its own religion. (Which is basically unitarian with catholic vestments.) With this open denial of Christ my prayer is that my former colleagues will finally realize the Truth that is contained within the Catholic Church. To any Episcopalians reading this - the Catholic Church is ready and waiting to receive you with open arms. To any Catholics reading this - pray that those who are being persecuted in the Episcopal Church for actually believing in the salvific work of Jesus Christ will finally come home where they are wanted.
Pax Christi
Jeff | 06.22.06 - 10:31 am | #

Will Duquette is correct. The resolution regarding bishops falls far short of the demands set forth in the Windsor Report, and a number of liberal bishops have already indicated they will ignore the resolution.

On top of that, the GC elected a woman, and a theological liberal at that, as the next Presiding Bishop. She made reference to "Mother Jesus" in a sermon delivered at a GC Eucharist.

What's next for Episcopalians who seek to remain faithful to the Scriptures and basic Christian doctrine? It remains to be seen. Some hope for the formation of a new branch of Anglicanism within the U.S., which may happen if ECUSA is expelled from the Anglican Communion for their noncompliance. Others may convert to Catholicism or Orthodoxy. Still others may depart for evangelical churches.
Rusty | 06.22.06 - 11:48 am | #

I actually tracked back on this one, Dawn, though I don't see on the main page. (I'm beginning to think my ping problems are on the Blogspot end, not the receiving end.)

First the Presyterians, and now the ECUSA... Gaaaah. "Turn out the lights, I don't wanna see."
Nightfly | Homepage | 06.22.06 - 12:02 pm | #

Those who liked the hymn might also like the following verse:

"Ah! Happy they whose hearts can break
And peace of pardon win!
How else may man make straight his plan
And cleanse his soul from Sin?
How else but through a broken heart
May Lord Christ enter in?"

This come from Oscar Wilde's "The Ballad of Reading Gaol." Wilde wrote it after being released from prison and after his request to attend a six month Jesuit retreat was refused. (He converted to Catholicism on his death bed.)
Dan | 06.22.06 - 1:20 pm | #

Thanks, Dan -- I hadn't read that before. I'd like to read Joseph Pearce's book on Wilde.
Dawn Eden | Homepage | 06.22.06 - 1:26 pm | #

Joseph Pearce is mine & my mom's favorite biographer-

He signed a copy of that book for her at one of the local Chesterton conferences:)

He'll be here next month:

http://www.staustinreview.com/ pe...ppearances.html
Faith | Homepage | 06.22.06 - 3:35 pm | #

That's a beautiful hymn and includes a very apropos verse:

"Though with a scornful wonder
"Men see her sore oppressed,
"By schisms rent asunder
"By heresies distressed:
"Yet saints their watch are keeping,
"Their cry goes up “How long?”
"And soon the night of weeping
"shall be the morn of song!"

Faithful Christians in Anglicanism are undergoing trials and we must pray for them but God's children will not be lost. Their victory is already won.

Pax et bonum
Murdoch
Mac in Alberta | 06.22.06 - 4:03 pm | #

It really is a great hymn, isn't it... Music ministry, please pick up on line one!
Nightfly | Homepage | 06.22.06 - 8:01 pm | #

Not to be persnickety, but the Episocopalians (or rather the "Anglicans,)and not the benighted PCUSA, really led the way for the handbasket trip down the Styx to Hell.

I realize this is a heart breaking issue for many faithful Christians in the Episcopal communion, BUT how big does this have to get before they leave? If the C in E (re: Henry and all his girls) had shown this much tenacity from the beginning such a debacle would have been avoided. Now I don't understand why they don't leave!

Now it's a race to see who nullifies their baptism first. I can't watch.
Lauren | 06.22.06 - 10:32 pm | #

Lauren,

Lots of us over here have been asking that question for a long time because we don't get it either.
Christopher Johnson | Homepage | 06.23.06 - 12:26 pm | #