Letters: Episcopal Life Monthly April 2009
Episcopal News Service. April 7, 2009 [040709-03]
Episcopal Life welcomes letters, especially those with pictures, and will give preference to those in response to stories. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must include the writer's name, address and phone number for verification. Send to Letters, Episcopal Life, 815 Second Ave., New York, NY 10017; or email to letters@episcopal-life.org. All letters will be edited for brevity and clarity.
Honoring nuns' work
A postscript to the article on the Diocese of Haiti: The Sisters of St. Margaret (Boston) have been faithful and courageous workers in Haiti since 1927, undeterred by devastating political and social upheaval. Their work has been pastoral (in parishes and the cathedral) and educational/medical (St. Vincent's School for Handicapped Children and Holy Trinity School).
Foyer Notre Dame provides care for indigent elderly women and men.
In a fine example of reciprocity, three Haitian sisters currently serve in the United States (two in Boston and one in New York at Trinity Church, Wall Street). In viewing the present life and the heritage of the Diocese of Haiti, the work of the Sisters of St.
Margaret must be noted thankfully.
David Siegenthaler
Cambridge, Massachusetts
What do they fear?
Kudos to the Rev. D. Stuart Dunnan for his editorial titled "Include new province" (February). It was refreshing to read this clear and logical approach to diverse postures and opinions within our Episcopal Church. Dunman proposed that our Presiding Bishop make the heroic move toward true inclusiveness by the establishment of an additional oversight or province for traditionalists.
I, too, must ask, "Why are the Presiding Bishop and most diocesan bishops so afraid of giving parishes and members a choice? Why is it that in a church that prides itself on choices, there can be no choice on episcopal oversight?" Are our spiritual leaders indeed afraid many would not stay in line and within the fold without legal bullying and threats re: property?
If one fears overlapping jurisdictions or intrusions into jurisdictions, then one might ask why [the Episcopal Church's] overlapping jurisdiction and intrusion into the Anglican Diocese of Europe (Church of England) with "American congregations" is acceptable.
Perhaps now is the time for our Presiding Bishop and our diocesan bishops to truly make a step toward inclusiveness and allow traditionalists the option of remaining in the Episcopal Church, but on acceptable terms of a separate episcopal oversight or province.
It is indeed sad to see the Episcopal Church becoming a church that is "half the size but with twice the righteousness."
The Rev. Paul J. Andersen
Christchurch, Virginia
Rethink decision
I hope and pray that the dissidents in the church will pray about their decision to leave the Episcopal Church and affiliate with renegade bishops who have no authority in this Anglican province. In an essay "Trouble in the Anglican Communion," a Roman Catholic theologian, the Rev. Richard P. McBrien, wrote: "There is nothing to be said in support of the African bishops (and I presume he would include the Southern Cone bishops) who have meanwhile been fishing in troubled waters, looking for additional Anglicans to bring under their canonical jurisdiction, whatever the gravely negative consequences for the unity of the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Such behavior is pastorally reprehensible, whatever one's view on homosexuality and the consecration of openly partnered gay bishops."
On the property/assets issue: In most cases, generations of Episcopalians have founded, built and maintained the physical plants/assets. As stewards of the property, dissidents have no right to take that property if they decide to leave the church.
The Rev. Charles Frandsen, retired
St. Joseph, Michigan
Positives to BO33
Contrary to what Kim Byham, a Newark deputy, said in the article "Dioceses send resolutions," there was a favorable result in B033.
He stated that those with whom the negotiations might have taken place ignored the attempt because they were intent on going their own way. That is true of a few bishops and a few dioceses, but the vast majority of dioceses that very much oppose the ordination of gay bishops and clergy have not left the Episcopal Church.
My diocese of Western Louisiana is one of these. B033 gives us some hope that the traditional doctrines of the Episcopal Church will be respected. We are, of course, not happy with those dioceses that have ignored B033.
Having been an eight-time General Convention deputy, I have had the opportunity to learn much about the good people who supported Bishop [Gene] Robinson. I do not believe his supporters are very open to learning about his opponents and their reasons for opposition. We also are good and intelligent people. I hope that the controlling group would like for us to continue to be Episcopalians.
Thad Andress
Deputy, General Convention, 1982-2003
Minden, Louisiana
Find a better argument
The commentary by the Rev. Randall Balmer titled "Bucking precedent" contains the following observations: "Luther based his Reformation on Scripture."
Here, once again, the schismatics fall short. Jesus himself said nothing whatsoever about homosexuality, although he did affirm the religious laws set out in the book of Leviticus. But if that is the redoubt for the conservatives, they would be obliged to observe and enforce the other Levitical proscriptions as well – beginning, I suppose, with the fabric content of the purple shirts they're wearing! One of the Levitical proscriptions warns against wearing garments of mixed fabric."
These observations trouble me because I am growing weary of having the same old arrogant flags hoisted up the flagpole of those who can barely conceal their contempt for an opposing viewpoint. I request that those who would argue for same-sex marriage stop proof-texting the Levitical code – an accusation those same people frequently make against those who differ from them.
There is more than just a hint of overconfidence in presenting all laws in Leviticus as having equal gravity and equal application, an attitude that verges on disrespect for Torah. [Balmer's] statement suggests that if those folks really valued Scripture, they'd follow all of the rules, no matter how antiquated or frivolous they might appear.
There are Levitical prohibitions – such as the mixing of fabrics – that are meant only for Orthodox Jews.
Discussions focused on homosexuality, on the other hand, are more suitably rooted in the Noahic rules of fellowship that are intended for all creation – Jew and non-Jew alike.
The Very Rev. Susan Bear
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Option seems unlikely
I appreciate the Rev. Stuart Dunnan's attempt to point the Episcopal Church in another direction regarding an alternative North American province. And I do think that we should indeed challenge ourselves to think outside the box.
My concern about the examples he used is that I do not believe in those cases those at odds were calling each other non-Christians or heretics or apostates. It is hard to believe as long as this level of discourse continues that there is any reasonable option for the sort of solution he put forth.
The Rev. Robert Thomas
Seward, Alaska
Wise counsel
It was refreshing to read in these pages the Rev. D. Stuart Dunnan's constructive proposals ("Include new province"). They embody the generous comprehensiveness and openness to discernment that is the Episcopal Church at its best.
His proposals also are closely aligned to my own for providing safe spaces for all within the church, known on the blogosphere as the Religious Order Organizational Model (ROOM).
Providing room for all creates the space to test the spirits without quenching the Spirit.
As we approach General Convention, I pray that the bishops and deputies will be open to the movement of the Spirit in ways that lead us to work out our very real conflicts as brothers and sisters in Christ, not as enemies.
If we are enemies of one another, we risk becoming enemies of the cross of Christ.
The problem with irenic proposals, of course, is that the extremes on either side will have none of them. But this should not discourage our leadership from providing alternatives for the majority of Episcopalians who are sympathetic to the legitimate pastoral and theological concerns of both sides. Why let the extremes dictate the terms of our common life?
It is time for the Episcopal Church to take action that demonstrates its commitment to all of its members, by treating all with compassion and dignity, especially when we disagree with each other. There is a way of transcending the zero-sum games of the past decade. The Rev. Dunnan points us in the right direction. We would be wise to heed his counsel.
The Rev. Nathan J.A. Humphrey
Washington, D.C.
Evolution not plausible
Response to "Evolution and faith in dialogue": Faith has nothing to say to evolution except "Get out of my way!" We need to stand up for the God of the Bible.
Why do we feel we have to conform our faith and the Scriptures to the notions of an atheist from 150 years ago? Darwin wasn't even completely convinced his theory had merit. Since then we have learned so much about the complexity of life (even of single cells) that evolution is no longer plausible.
Evolution is not a fact. In fact, it requires more blind faith than creation does. Turn your thinking around. Sandra Michael says that, since she studied under a "famous evolutionist," evolution was a "given." Therein lies the problem. We blindly believe a theory, and we don't question it. We make the evidence fit the theory. Is that good science?
Start with Scripture and common sense and view scientific data in that light. You will learn that science provides more support for creation by God. God and science are not mutually exclusive. God is the author of science.
Please put your biblical glasses on and take another look at our world and thank God.
Kathleen Tarnow
Milan, Illinois