Episcopal Presiding Bishop Denounces Apostle Paul in Sermon in Curacao
Jefferts Schori lauds demonic possessed slave girl, says Paul failed to see her gift of "spiritual awareness"

News Analysis

By David W. Virtue DD
www.virtueonline.org
May 21, 2013

In what one blogger described as "the worst sermon ever", the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church told listeners, in a sermon she delivered in Curacao, that the Apostle Paul betrayed his understanding of the faith he had been given and was guilty of bigotry in handling a case of demonic possession found in a slave girl.

The account in Acts 16 reads thus: "Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, 'These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.' And this she did for many days.

"But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, 'I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.' And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities." Acts 16:16-19 (KJV)

Real reasons behind Anglican Church split: An African perspective and critique

News Analysis

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
May 19, 2013

NEWS ITEM: Recently, The Supreme Court of Zimbabwe ruled in favor of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa [CPCA] in a legal case involving the Province and breakaway former bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland Elson Jakazi. In 2007, Jakazi and his supporters broke away from CPCA and unlawfully took over the Cathedral, churches and many other church properties. A final ruling by the Supreme Court confirmed that Jakazi and his supporters had withdrawn from the Church "in their individual capacities", adding, "The Diocese could not be withdrawn by the applicants [Jakazi and supporters] from its first respondents [CPCA].

The First Downtown Church of Sin

A Satirical essay

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
May 17, 2013

Welcome, brothers and sisters, to the First Downtown Church of Sin. Are you tired of feeling rejected because you won't renounce your sinful lifestyle? Because of your sin, are you made to feel ashamed by all those nasty evangelical church preachers who want you to repent of your ways...abandon fornication and sodomy in favor of righteousness?

Are you looking for a church that will welcome you with open arms (and legs) and who want you, nay demand, that you continue in your carnality and concupiscence?

Fret no more. You no longer have to feel harassed because of your sin and lewdness. Here at the First Downtown Church of Sin we embrace you as you are and hope you will stay as you are because God loves you just the way you are and doesn't expect you to change at all. What nasty ol' God would do that to his struggling people?

BALA CYNWYD, PA: ACNA Diocese of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincies to open June
ACNA Provincial Council expected to approve full diocese in 2014

VOL president David W. Virtue D.D. recently interviewed retired US Air Force Fighter Pilot and ACNA Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Derek Jones, about the newest diocese soon to be on the Anglican scene, the Diocese of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy, a ministry of the Anglican Church in North America, and its astonishing growth.

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
May 14, 2013

In 2007, the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) had one military chaplain, an Army Captain. The ministry become part of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) at its founding in 2009, while continuing to be overseen by CANA. There are now more than 200 endorsed chaplains with 65 percent of them working in the United States Armed Forces, Veterans Administration, and Federal Bureau of Prisons. The remaining chaplains are in endorsed civilian ministries such as law enforcement, hospice, hospital and industrial missions. This is more than double the number of chaplains the Episcopal Church has. ACNA is adding to that number almost weekly.

This chaplaincy ministry has been the brainchild of a feisty, no nonsense former fighter pilot and combat veteran who flew F-111s and F-16.He was considered by his peers to be among the very best of the best winning medals and accolades from the USAF throughout his career. Bishop Derek Jones is a deeply committed Evangelical Anglican who was at one time a priest in the Communion of Episcopal Evangelical Churches (CEEC). He was approached by former TEC Bishop Dave Bena, who is now with the Convocation of Anglican Churches in North America (CANA), about giving oversight to one CANA chaplain in the Armed Forces. Jones prayed over the idea and saw the strong connection CANA had with the Anglican Province of Nigeria and hence into the Anglican Communion. He took on the challenge to develop the vision and task of building a chaplain ministry for CANA. He has not looked back.

SCOTLAND: Rowan Williams urges Kirk not to split over gay ministers
Former Archbishop should mind his own business

News Analysis

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
May 12, 2013

The former Archbishop of Canterbury is urging Presbyterians in Scotland not to split over gay ministers. Dr. Rowan Williams is counseling the Kirk to stay together.

The Church of Scotland has been decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation and traces its roots back to the beginnings of Christianity in Scotland, but its identity is principally shaped by the Reformation of 1560. Its current pledged membership is about 9% of the Scottish population-though according to the 2001 national census, 42% of the Scottish population claim some form of allegiance to it.

Williams is urging evangelical congregations within the Church of Scotland not to "walk away" over the ordination of gay ministers. Some 50 congregations have said they might.

New Anglican Diocese to be launched in the Midwest
Upper Midwest Diocese will affiliate with the Anglican Church in North America

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
May 8, 2013

A New Anglican Diocese - the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest - has been launched and should receive official approval and recognition by the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) House of Bishops when they meet June in Nashotah House, Wisconsin.

Some 117 Anglican laity and priests gathered for prayer in Wheaton, IL, on April 27th at the Church of the Resurrection with the idea of giving birth to a new Anglican identity in the Midwest providing a safe harbor for orthodox Anglicans under siege by the liberally led Episcopal Church.

WAYNE, PA: First Anglican CANA East Synod Breaks new ground on Philadelphia's Historic Mainline

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
May 7, 2013

A pioneering decision to jump start orthodox Anglicanism on Philadelphia's historic mainline took place this past weekend when the inaugural synod of the Missionary Diocese of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) ordained two presbyters and a deacon for future ministry.

In front of some 150 people that included three bishops, numerous clergy and laity, the Rt. Rev. Julian Dobbs told the first CANA East synod, held at the centrally located Wayne United Methodist Church, that the diocese and the new congregation of Christ Church Anglican on the Mainline would engage in Gospel mission, Christian ministry, and build a fresh and dynamic future together.

"As brothers and sisters in Christ in this new missionary endeavor, we are committed to sharing the transforming message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, serving those in need in our communities and the world, standing against injustice where ever it is found, and reestablishing biblical, missionary Anglicanism in North America by empowering our existing congregations and planting new churches.

MADISON, WI: St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church invites NFL Player to speak
Leroy Butler loses speaking gig at church after comment backing gay NBA player

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
May 6, 2013

The feminist priest of St. Dunstan's Episcopal parish in Madison, Wisconsin is bringing Leroy Butler, inventor of the "Lambeau Leap" to her church.

LeRoy Butler, a former Green Bay Packers star, sent a Twitter message of congratulations to Jason Collins, a veteran NBA player who made headlines last week when he became the first NBA player to come out as gay.

Butler had been scheduled to do an anti-bullying presentation at an unnamed church. That church pressured Butler to withdraw his support for Collins. When he refused, they cancelled his appearance.

SANTA ANA, CA: Superior Court Rules Newport Beach Property belongs to Diocese

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
May 6, 2013

The Orange County Superior Court this week granted a motion by the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles seeking possession of a Newport Beach church campus owned by St. James Anglican Church.

The Rev. Richard Crocker who serves as St. James' chief pastor, said, "We are obviously disappointed at the ruling of the court, and surprised that an agreement reached over 20 years ago to facilitate the development of our campus could be swept away like this. But we are a church seeking to follow Jesus, and pursue his mission. We will be in prayer for guidance as to our next steps."

An Open Letter to Wormwood from Screwtape
A word of encouragement from a senior to a junior devil

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
May 6, 2013

My dear Wormwood,

It is hard to fathom, even by our standards of dissimulation and subterfuge, just how fast western culture is moving in our direction.

We have gone from the love that dare not speak its name to full acceptance of homoerotic behavior declaring all opposition to pansexuality as homophobic and hate speech. That same sex marriage is being endorsed in state after state in the Disunited States is most comforting especially with only token opposition from the Roman Catholic Church and a few evangelicals.

The speed with which this is being accomplished has been stunning in its swiftness and fulfillment. Our Father's glee is only matched by his desire for even greater results.

NIAGARA: Bishop Michael Bird sues Canadian Anglican activist blogger David Jenkins

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
May 1, 2013

The ultra-liberal Anglican Bishop of Niagara, the Rt. Rev. Michael Bird has sued an orthodox Anglican blogger, a layman, alleging that he was libeled 31 times on Anglican Samizdat, a blog by David Jenkins that presents facts and pokes satirical fun at liberal Anglican leaders who depart from "the faith once for all delivered to the saints."

The Bishop of Niagara was one of his targets.

The claim seeks:

* $400,000 in damages plus court and legal costs.
* An interim and permanent injunction to shut down Anglican Samizdat.
* An interim and permanent injunction prohibiting Jenkins from publishing further comments about Michael Bird.

Court documents reveal such blog entries as this:

Church of Ireland Bishop Candidate had affair, declines appointment
Moderates and Evangelicals shocked by revelations.
He would have been the first divorced and remarried priest to become a bishop

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
May 1, 2013

NOTE TO ALL VOL READERS: This story first appeared on April 26 but was removed under threat of legal action because of the use of the word "adultery". The more appropriate words should have been "inappropriate relationship" or "affair". The story has been amended and includes the priest's renunciation of the appointment following the release of this story and stories that appeared in the Irish News.

A priest who was to be consecrated a bishop in the Church of Ireland had an "inappropriate relationship" with a woman after being divorced from his first wife, has declined the appointment. The revelations came to light while on his honeymoon with his second wife. The woman in question is a now a priest in the Church of Ireland.

The 53-year old Venerable Leslie Stevenson was elected the new Church of Ireland Bishop of Meath and Kildare. He is currently the Rector of Portarlington, Co Laois. He has served in the diocese for over 13 years. In 2009, he was appointed as archdeacon - a senior post within Church of Ireland dioceses - by his bishop, Dr. Richard Clarke. His election to the rank of bishop was announced recently following a half-day meeting in Dublin's Christ Church Cathedral of an electoral college.

Seminary Dean Blasts "Myth" of Episcopal Church Decline
We need to challenge the narrative despair, says Ian Markham

News Analysis

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
April 30, 2013

The Dean of Virginia Theological Seminary denounced as "untrue" and a "myth" that The Episcopal Church is declining when he addressed delegates to the Diocese of Delaware Convention recently.

The Rev. Dr. Ian Markham said endless stories, [told] over and over about the fact that we're part of the "mainline" and the "mainline" is getting smaller are not true.

"The picture you get in the media is that we (TEC) are among a group called 'mainline' (a very opaque word) and like other mainline churches we are in decline. The other part of this picture is that it has been going on for years. People talk that it all started in the mid-1950's when we were at three and a half million Episcopalians and we're now down to 1,951,907.

BRAZIL: Five Clergy Excommunicated from Liberal Anglican Province

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
April 24, 2013

Five Anglican clergy in the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil (IEAB) including the Dean of the Cathedral in Sao Paulo, have been formally excommunicated by the ultra-liberal Brazilian Anglican province. No reasons were given.

In a letter to VOL, Bishop Miguel Uchoa, Bishop of the separated Diocese of Recife, said they were suspended for schismatic behavior that amounted to abandonment of communion, but not defrocked. "It is all about power," he told VOL. "Naturally it is a futile gesture, even if liberal on liberal."