U.S. Diocese could secede from National Church
THE Episcopal Bishop of San Joaquin John-David Schofield has written a letter to his diocese saying his diocese could secede from the Episcopal Church [The U.S. Province of the Canterbury-led Anglican Communion] if his diocese votes a constitutional amendment change at their annual convention in December.
Bishop Schofield recently survived an attempt to oust him by four fellow California bishops on grounds that he had "abandoned communion" but was exonerated by the Title IV Review Committee. He appears set for another fight with the national church.
In his letter Bishop Schofield said the actions of his diocese should be determined by the fact that The Episcopal Church (TEC) (1) denies the unique divinity of Jesus Christ and (2) takes a position on human sexuality which undercuts marriage and is destructive to the family unit designed by God and revealed in Scripture. These are not positions and teachings which are merely "revisionist" or "liberal." These are positions of those who have abandoned the Christian faith, he wrote.
Vast numbers of faithful Anglicans have left and continue to leave TEC on a daily basis. "Major parishes across the country have left and continue to leave in record numbers. (We are not immune in this Diocese having lost one parish already.) The statistics are staggering and clearly demonstrate that The Episcopal Church is disintegrating. This is not surprising, given that TEC has chosen to walk apart from the Christian faith."
Jesus says in the Bible that "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) This is a cornerstone of the Christian faith and Anglican worship. It is what we believe in the Diocese of San Joaquin. It is our mission, and that of the Church, to bring all people into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Bishop Schofield said that when faced with unrepentant and public false teaching, Scripture is very, very clear. "Christians are called to withdraw from Eucharistic fellowship.
Bishop Schofield said there would no obvious changes on the surface. "You will see no change in the worship services; they will follow the historic Anglican Faith as they always have. The prayer book and hymnals will remain the same. You will worship and attend services in the same buildings. Your clergy will remain the same. Best of all, Holy Scripture will continue to be our ultimate authority. What will change? The flag; the word "Episcopal" will most likely be replaced with the word "Anglican;"
Bishop Schofield said that as a result of disaffiliation, the diocese could experience rapid growth if the amendment passes.
Raising the issue of risks by his diocese' actions, Bishop Schofield said. "The TEC is highly litigious and will likely file lawsuits in the California state courts seeking to take our property away. Our lawyers tell us we can successfully defend ourselves but there are risks inherent in any litigation. There will be significant costs of defending such lawsuits. However, property considerations are, and should be, secondary to our spiritual salvation and well being. Ours is a spiritual decision which should not be driven by property issues. We can seek guidance from the parable of the rich young man in Matthew 19:16-22."
Bishop Schofield said there would also be considerable risk to his clergy, but that they would be free to leave with their property if they so chose. "I have engaged the rectors of these churches and told them they can have another bishop. I will let priests go with their property, endowment and the people are free to go," he told an Anglican television broadcast.
Source: VirtueOnline 15 Nov 2006
Orthodox Patriarch Warmly Awaits Benedict XVI
ISTANBUL, Turkey, NOV. 17, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, awaits Benedict XVI's visit to Turkey with "fraternal love," says the Orthodox patriarchate.
The Orthodox patriarch will receive the Pope on Nov. 29-30 at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul.
Benedict XVI's three-day visit to Istanbul comes at the personal invitation of the Orthodox patriarch on the occasion of the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle, the older brother of St. Peter.
St. Andrew traveled across Asia Minor and is considered the founder of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, present-day Istanbul.
"We are awaiting the Pope's visit with fraternal love and great anticipation," Bartholomew I in the communiqué from the patriarchate. "It will be very important for our country and Orthodox-Catholic relations."
Benedict XVI is scheduled to arrive in Istanbul, on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 29, to be received by the patriarch. The Pope will participate in a Doxology of Peace at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George.
The prayer service will include a mutual veneration of the relics of St. Gregory the Theologian and St. John Chrysostom, and will be followed by a private meeting between the two Church leaders.
Divine Liturgy
The next morning, Benedict XVI is scheduled to participate in the Divine Liturgy at St. George Cathedral where both religious leaders will deliver official addresses, exchange the kiss of peace, and jointly bless the faithful present.
After the Divine Liturgy, a common declaration of ecumenical solidarity will be read and signed. Following the signing, the Pope will join Bartholomew I for lunch at the patriarchate.
After receiving the Orthodox patriarch at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit and celebrating a Mass, Benedict XVI will depart for Vatican City on Friday, Dec. 1.
Bartholomew I is the archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and the ecumenical Patriarch.
"The Ecumenical Patriarch is a living witness to the world of Orthodoxy's painful and redemptive struggle for religious freedom and to the innate dignity of humankind," explained a communiqué issued by the patriarchate.
"As a citizen of Turkey, His All Holiness's personal experience provides him a unique perspective on the continuing dialogue among the Christian, Islamic and Jewish worlds," added the patriarchate.
"For his inspiring efforts on behalf of religious freedom and human rights," it said, "Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was heralded as a Bridge Builder and Peacemaker and awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by the U.S. Congress in 1997."
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