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How long? - A call to honesty for the Episcopal Church U.S.A.

How long? - A call to honesty for the Episcopal Church U.S.A.

by Jack Estes

It is certain that anyone reading this is aware of the ongoing controversy within ECUSA. My intention is not to rehash the arguments. Rather, this is a call for honesty for all parties involved, a statement of the obvious, and an appeal for a solution that is reflective of Christian virtue. "How long?" is a call for honesty and for action, a question posed to each of the factions estranged from one another in the Episcopal Church USA. For the purpose of clarity these factions will be referred to as Progressive and Orthodox.

Beginning with the Progressives: How long will you continue on the present course in exclusion to the cries and pain of your fellow Christians? The answer is twofold. First, the present course has been charted over many decades. The ordination of V. Gene Robinson, the affirmation of committed gay and lesbian relationships, and the other major theological tenets of progressive Christianity, have been in development for a long time, perhaps even 100's of years.

Those who hold to this persuasion are committed to the belief that this is a genuine work of the Holy Spirit, a progression of Godly revelation, regarding social justice, love, and dignity for the disenfranchised. This view seeks to uphold the great Christian virtues of charity and justice.

So the honest answer to the first part of the question must be indefinitely. The Progressives cannot turn back without betraying themselves, to abandon the cause is to abandon the very lives of those whom were championed. In order to maintain integrity, they must continue on the path chosen, the way of which is the conviction that God Himself has directed - for them to abandon this path is to abandon God.

However, the second part of the question needs to have a much different answer, for much the same reasons. In order to be honest the Progressives must not persist indefinitely with the exclusion of those who oppose them. For all their sincerity regarding inclusiveness, they are excluding those who disagree with them. In championing the cause of justice, a great injustice is being wrought upon Christian brothers and sisters who cannot embrace their progressive Christian theology.

In fact, by choosing the course of action dictated by their conscience at GC '03, the majority in ECUSA have instituted a theological, and ecclesiological oppression upon those who cannot embrace this path. Therefore, the honest response and action required for the Progressive faction is to state clearly their intention to stand firm in their beliefs without wavering. Nevertheless, some repentance is required to maintain a valid Christian witness.

It is time to allow the Orthodox the liberty to reform into a community that is equally grounded in their own convictions. Civility requires the graciousness to quit forcing the issue on those who want no part of it.

Regarding the Orthodox: How long will you continue to purport to remain conjoined with the other factions in ECUSA, while looking for a definitive ruling on your behalf from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican primates? It is clear to all that ECUSA has charted a new course, the merit of which will be proven over time. Equally obvious is the fact that those who proscribe to an Orthodox understanding cannot follow along with this new progression.

They will not yield their stance on the authority of scripture, Biblical morality, and interpretive principles ensconced in the tradition of the Church over thousands of years.

This view seeks to uphold the great Christian virtues of truth and holiness. If the Orthodox are honest, they must effect some degree of separation from a progressivism that is antithetical to the basic tenets of their belief. It seems evident that this separation is the express desire of the Network and AAC, and thus should be so stated.

To compromise is to abandon the faithful of the Orthodox persuasion. Indeed, day by day more Orthodox believers are leaving the Episcopal church, either by choice, by frustration, or by pressure. And where are they going? They are splintering all over the place, with no cohesive means to accomplish what most of them are longing for - a vibrant expression of Orthodox Anglicanism in North America. Like the Progressives, the Orthodox cannot abandon the theological principles that govern their faith without abandoning their people and in doing so, abandoning God.

The Orthodox have appealed to, and longed for the intervention of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Their desire is for a judicial ruling on their behalf, one that will vindicate their theological position. Yet, while the Orthodox may find sympathy, or even solidarity with the vast majority of the Anglicans, they cannot expect a judicial deliverance.

The Primates, ABC, and ACC are not going to ride in and take over the reigns of the province of ECUSA. They cannot do so - they have no authority - and ultimately it is not their responsibility. The responsibility to sort out the mess that ECUSA is in, both internally, and externally resides with ECUSA - Progressive and Orthodox alike. To be honest is to deal with the problem ourselves.

Therefore, the answer to the question of "how long?" for the Orthodox is no longer. No longer can they remain inside an ecclesiastical structure, which espouses a theology and praxis that is antithetical to the tenets of their expression of the faith. To do so is to literally compromise the laity and clergy of this persuasion, making them vulnerable to all kinds of stress, embarrassment, and even abuse.

Likewise, they can no longer look to the outside for a resolution of the problem. The primates are not going to rescue them, it is not their responsibility. Even if they rule in their favor, the Orthodox are still going to have to take responsibility to deal with the situation.

The situation with ECUSA is a mess, and the mess is compounded by the lack of honesty present in all the factions involved, as a result all are suffering. Internally, dioceses and parishes are under great strain and fracturing: finances are in tatters, relationships are strained and broken, confusion, debate, and even slander are beginning to reign.

Externally, the Anglican Communion is threatened with splitting. Before it goes any further, before it goes too far, let us be honest. We are not united, and need to admit it. We cannot remain together without sacrificing the very integrity of our faith, no matter which camp you are in. In order to find a solution that is worthy of Christian witness, genuine, honest communication and willingness to take action is required. But, exactly what action is being advocated here?

The two distinctly different theological visions of ECUSA must be separated from one another otherwise they will rip each other to shreds. By agreeing together to reform ECUSA into two distinctive bodies, we have the opportunity to maintain integrity, without completely sacrificing our relationships.

Let the Progressive parishes keep their property, and be overseen by the Progressive Dioceses and Bishops. Let the Orthodox parishes keep their property and be overseen by the Orthodox Dioceses and Bishops.

Let the clergy keep their orders and their pensions without fear. Let the two halves of the former ECUSA work together for the expansion of God's Kingdom in all the ways that remain possible. Let us reconcile our differences by honestly dealing with the problem and taking action that brings about a realistic solution. To do so is to uphold the great Christian virtue of civility. The world is watching, the church is waiting; let's get on with it.

--The Rev. Jack Estes is rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Bakersfield, CA in the Diocese of San Joaquin. This article is reprinted with permission from the October issue of The Living Church.

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