The response from members of the Episcopal House of Bishops is telling. For years it has touted the relationship with Anglican Communion as proof of legitimacy even as it moved further from orthodoxy. It regularly cites the ACNA and others as not being formally recognized by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The carefully constructed image has now been diminished. The individual responses of the Episcopal Bishops (published in January 19th http://tinyurl.com/jptmsbf) attempted to downplay the embarrassing loss of prestige. House of Deputies President Gay Jennings response came across as petulant and defiant.

Someday when reflecting back on the beginning of his tenure as Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry may be grateful for his honeymoon period; all fifteen minutes of it. His tenure has been marked by an exceptionally difficult start which included a surprising health scare.

His initial Executive Council meeting was less than reassuring. The meeting resulted in criticism for a lack of transparency in providing compensation information for senior national church leadership. Suspicion gave way too paranoia when it was discovered that the Executive Council meetings were being secretly recorded. By whom and for what reason has yet to be disclosed.

The plot thickened after several senior Episcopal Church staff members, most notably controversial Chief Operating Officer Bishop Stacy Sauls, were suspended pending a Title IV Investigation. And now the unkindest cut of all; discipline at the hands of his fellow Primates of the Anglican Communion.

Curry returned from the Canterbury meeting to a leadership unaccustomed to having its decisions challenged. Casting damaging aspersions will make it more difficult to tout the relationship with the Anglican Communion as a mark of legitimacy. Dr Walter Edgar, the popular and well known South Carolina historian, cited this relationship as important to his support of the National Church during the 2014 court case against the Diocese of South Carolina. One can only speculate how the disciplinary decision might affect his testimony if given today.

Historian T. J. Stiles writing of the American political scene notes that the White House seems to attract individuals who combine ambition and tragic failings and this is indicative of today's leaders. They seem more comfortable with repeating old tapes than problem solving. Michael Curry reflects this in his tendency to play the race card much too readily. His attempt to link the Primates decision to racism was as unfortunate as it was ludicrous. The Church deserves better from a senior bishop than this type of intellectual disingenuousness.

Black Africans make up the majority of the Anglican Communion. The majority of Episcopalians who support and uphold Curry are not African-American. He will need to decide whether to pander or stand up and lead.

The pain resulting from the Primate's decision may be genuine, but living with pain is the reality of modern church leadership. Every rector worth his salt quickly learns that clergy are expendable, but congregations are not. The bishops may soon have to accept that they are expendable as well.

The Primates three year suspension presents a unique opportunity for the Episcopal Church which regularly promotes dialogue as a means to bridge disagreement. Dialogue presupposes a willingness to listen. Human sexuality is a complicated issue that has been poorly handled, but it might be time to listen to the concerns of the majority of world-wide Christians. Sacraments are a privilege, but they are being treated as rights by the Episcopal Church. Saying no to those we love may be difficult, but it comes with the territory.

Rather than rely on the race card when frustrated it would be more useful to examine the widening disconnect between the Episcopal Church and the majority of the Anglican Communion. It presents an opportunity to model tolerance and inclusion toward more orthodox members. It might prove helpful to revisit the exorbitant cost and impact of lawsuits against congregations and dioceses, and consider arbitration as a better alternative.

The decision by the Primates is a wake-up call that the old days of relying on personal charm and buying oneself out of trouble have passed. Christian brothers and sisters throughout the world put their lives on the line daily to worship Jesus Christ. It might be time to focus more on supporting them and less on issues which seem selfish in comparison.

Bishop Curry your supporters regard you as a decent man and one who is blessed with many talents. By any fair standard you have experienced a rough start. Your task will not be easy, but a rough start does not have to mean a failed finish.

Having nothing left to lose may mean there is everything to gain.

Ladson F. Mills III is a retired priest with over thirty years pastoral experience. He lives with his wife in South Carolina. He currently serves as Scholar in residence at Church of Our Saviour, Johns Island. He is a regular contributor to VIRTUEONLINE