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The Episcopal Church: Does Vitriolic Response Reveal the Future for Diocese of South Carolina
By Ladson F. Mills III
Special to Virtueonline
www.virtueonline.org
May 2, 2016
Hard wars produce a brutal peace according to Maya Jasanoff 's book Liberties Exiles, American Loyalist in the Revolutionary World. She shatters the illusion that the conclusion of the American Revolution brought happiness to all. At the war's end the enmity was so great that reconciliation between the former adversaries was extremely rare.
Such notables as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were among the intolerant toward those who opposed the colonies and remained loyal to Great Britain. One in forty members of the American population felt the need to abandon their homes and possessions to depart for the safety of other venues. Many lamented they had lost two countries; the one of their birth and the one of their allegiance. Benjamin Franklin never forgave his son William for remaining loyal to England. They remained estranged for the remainder of their lives.
South Carolinians loyal to the national Episcopal Church increasingly express more confidence that the anticipated decision from the South Carolina Supreme Court will be decided in their favor. They cite the length, some might say excessive, time the court has taken in rendering a decision as clear indication of the court's favor.
It is true that South Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice Kaye Hearn should have removed herself from the case due to conflict of interest. She is an active member of St. Anne's Conway, South Carolina where her husband serves on the vestry. She is a member of the Episcopal Forum of South Carolina and the plaintiff in the case is her bishop. But lawyers for the Diocese of South Carolina chose not to challenge her.
During the trial in St George, South Carolina in July 2014 I asked Provisional Bishop Charles von Rosenberg if there was a plan for reconciliation should the court case was decided in favor of the national church. He candidly admitted there was none.
I would have expected that by now the national church would be training reconcilers and beginning to make overtures and look for ways to reach out to those who left. Two years later not only does there seem to be no plan but the situation is more contentious. What has been a tough war has all the making of a brutal peace.
This was reinforced recently by a spirited, criticism of my article concerning the 75th Anniversary celebration of St. Albans Anglican/Episcopal Chapel on the campus of The Citadel. The entry was signed with the name Edmund Burke.
It seems a stretch that a celebration for 75 years of successful college ministry would arouse such ire. Apparently the antagonism was so great that web administrator Dr. Bruce Atkinson deemed it necessary to edit his comments for the sake of decorum. Given the discussions that I have witnessed and tolerance with which VOL typically exhibits it must have been exceptional.
Edmund Burke from whom the moniker was taken has been dead 220 years. This critic is an Episcopalian from the Diocese of Washington who serves on a committee at The Citadel. He clearly believes the national church is the rightful steward of St. Alban's ministry and that the courts will soon decide as such.
There is nothing shocking about his position. It is taken from talking points of the Episcopal Church legal team, but as lawyers say that's the reason you have to try the case.
And therein lies the rub. If the courts are likely to rule in favor of the national church as he so confidently asserts what could possibly be the purpose of such vitriol. Given his position it would not be unreasonable for this to be the time to reach out and seek to build bridges.
Of deeper concern is the venue chosen for the expressing of such anger. College students today are faced with unprecedented challenges and The Citadel is no exception. Given the unwanted, some might say unfair, scrutiny The Citadel has recently experienced one might question his judgement in wanting to add a denominational jurisdictional issue. Students cannot nor should they be protected from the harsh reality of the world but neither should they be used as pawns in settling personal agendas.
As the article related The Citadel has over 2000 men and women undergraduates who regularly act in a way that reflects their youth and inexperience. Self-serving activist and politicians will on occasion magnify and focus on any mistake that are made to increase personal power. When this happens the desired headlines reduce the young students to little more than objects and collateral damage.
The Early Church warned against the dangers of encratism which is passion unguided by reason. Maya Jasanoff's book is a reminder that even the best of us are not immune from falling into this trap.
After all, The greater the power the more dangerous the abuse. (Edmund Burke)
Ladson F. Mills III is a retired priest with over thirty years of pastoral experience. He lives with his wife in South Carolina. He currently serves as Scholar in Residence at the Church of Our Saviour, Johns Island. He is a regular contributor to Virtueonline.
