Episcopalians Gird for Battle
Diocesan Press Service. October 27, 1975 [75373]
James Quinn
JACKSON, Oct. 15 -- The Rev. Canon Charles H. Osborn spoke to the adult church school class of a Jackson church Sunday, and someone asked him what he would suggest doing if women were ordained to the priesthood of the Episcopal Church.
"Save your confederate money," Fr. Osborn told them. Was he ready, indeed, to hoist the flag of secession in the stately halls of Episcopal history? Was he suggesting that the American Church Union create an uproar unequaled since King Henry VIII told the Pope that the Anglicans would do it their way ?
"Of course not," Can. Osborn said and laughed. "We are not protestant; we are not going to leave the church. "
Certain the point was settled, the Canon then explained that the American Church Union (ACU), of which he is Executive Director, has no authority to make decisions for the constituency. They can only advise and offer leadership and guidance.
But what about the ordination of women?
"We can only hope," he said, "that the General Convention will again reject it." Later in the day, Canon Osborn cautioned communicants of St. Columb's parish against secularism in the church.
"Our seminaries have been turning out ordained social workers," he told them. "The ordination of women involves a major sacrament and this takes it out of the realm of social issues."
"The church," he said, "should be getting on with its major mission of spreading the gospel."
Fr. Osborn was in Jackson for the annual meeting of the 10, 000 member ACU. About 50 of the organization's leaders from throughout the nation were meeting at St. Columb's.
The Rt. Rev. Duncan Gray, Bishop of Mississippi, in greeting the group, said that though he was not a member of the organization, "As the old saying goes, some of my best friends...."
It was suggested that the organization go after the votes in the House of Deputies in the forthcoming General Convention that are undecided and thereby block approval of women's ordination.
Later, the body in a unanimous vote went on record as supporting "wholeheartedly" EPISCOPALIANS UNITED, a group that seeks to encompass all Episcopalians opposed to the ordination of women.
Fr. Osborn said later that approval of the ordination of women should rest with the whole catholic church. "Since the decision affects catholic doctrine and tradition, the decision should come from the entire catholic community.
Another issue that has created some stir among many churchmen, revisions in the Book of Common Prayer, met with less than excitement by the body. "Prayer book revision falls in the area where we have the liberty of disagreement, and when we have this liberty we should exercise it," Fr. Osborn said.
On the subject of ordination, however, he feels one does not have this liberty. He thinks it is not debatable. It is wrong, pure and simple, he says.
But while the ACU made it clear it is not considering the white flag of surrender, the group also made it plain it is not considering the banner of rebellion. "We stand by the church," said Fr. Osborn.