Thus, we are "entitled" to differ regarding important theological
and ethical matters" such as denying catholic Christology and the doctrine
of the Trinity (Pike), theism and saving action of Christ (Spong), and
Christianity itself (Carter Heyward) but we must respect bishops who
currently admit they, as a House, are "dysfunctional."

You see the denial of the Christian faith as an entitlement but the
biggest risk is the "destruction of our polity." Jack Allin, of blessed
memory, confessed in his parting address to General Convention in 1985: "I
must repent. I loved the Church more than the Lord of the Church." He
said if for me and perhaps for you.

I am thankful that our Anglican forebears did not do the idolatrous
thing in elevating polity over "important theological and ethical matters"
in the Reformation that gave us our Common Prayer.

I am thankful that Irenaeus did not take our contemporary priorities
that you so well describe in his fight with Gnostics.

I am thankful that Athanasius violated the polity of the Church for
the sake of the divinity of Christ against the Arians whose teachings would
justify Spong's dismissal of the Atonement as "child abuse."

Perhaps you can help reduce the current hypocrisy and perjury in the
Episcopal Church by substituting "We believe in our polity, Common Prayer,
and the episcopate" for the Nicene Creed

I thank you for your candor and clarity and will share it with some
who find it difficult to believe what has become the faith of many
Episcopalians.

Faithfully,

Fitz

cc: The Rt. Rev. Frank Griswold
Archbishop Rowan Williams
Secretary General John Peterson