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In 1995
David W. Virtue, D.D., established VIRTUEONLINE, an Episcopal/Anglican Online News Service dedicated to serving orthodox Anglicans around the globe. The service has successfully reached nearly 4 million readers across 204 countries.
Commentaries by
David W. Virtue
Biblical Illiteracy Rampant in US // ACNA in Free Fall // TEC Faces Title IV Reform // JAFC Wins Legal Round Against ACNA // Persecution of Christians in Nigeria //
Welsh Lesbian Archbishop Calls for Unity // TEC AWA Figures Show Decline in Church Attendance Dear Brothers and Sisters, www.virtueonline.org November 14, 2025 BIBLICAL illiteracy is growing in America. In 2022, a comprehensive survey found that 26 percent of evangelicals think the Bible is more made-up than historical (up 9 percent since 2016); 56 percent think God accepts the worship of every religion (up 8 percent since 2016); and from 2020 to 2022, 13 percent more ev
Why ACNA will survive, but change is necessary. Confession and repentance are needed at this Kairos moment
COMMENTARY By David W. Virtue DD November 13, 2025 An insider told Virtueonline that the situation in ACNA is worse than we all know. I suspect he is right. This week ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood stepped back from his job as archbishop, his bishopric and his pastoral charge. It was needed and necessary. Two women have stepped forward alleging inappropriate sexual contact. One we know by name, the other we do not. The optics are horrible even if Wood beats the charges as
Anglican Ink accused of Misstating Facts and Conclusions in JAFC vs ACNA Imbroglio
By David W. Virtue DD www.virtueonline.org November 12, 2025 Bishops in the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces & Chaplaincy have publicly accused Anglican Ink blogger George Conger of “publishing numerous untruthful stories about Bishop [Derek] Jones and the JAFC/SJAFC.” An article on Anglican Ink’s website titled “SC FEDERAL COURT HANDS JONES A LOSS IN HIS BATTLE WITH THE ACNA,” is just the latest. “The reporter, George Conger, misstated facts and proposed conclusions that
Libro de Oración Común (2019)
The Official Spanish translation of the book of Common Prayer 2019
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Why ACNA will survive, but change is necessary. Confession and repentance are needed at this Kairos moment
COMMENTARY By David W. Virtue DD November 13, 2025 An insider told Virtueonline that the situation in ACNA is worse than we all know. I suspect he is right. This week ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood stepped back from his job as archbishop, his bishopric and his pastoral charge. It was needed and necessary. Two women have stepped forward alleging inappropriate sexual contact. One we know by name, the other we do not. The optics are horrible even if Wood beats the charges as
Anglican Ink accused of Misstating Facts and Conclusions in JAFC vs ACNA Imbroglio
By David W. Virtue DD www.virtueonline.org November 12, 2025 Bishops in the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces & Chaplaincy have publicly accused Anglican Ink blogger George Conger of “publishing numerous untruthful stories about Bishop [Derek] Jones and the JAFC/SJAFC.” An article on Anglican Ink’s website titled “SC FEDERAL COURT HANDS JONES A LOSS IN HIS BATTLE WITH THE ACNA,” is just the latest. “The reporter, George Conger, misstated facts and proposed conclusions that
Lesbian Archbishop Wants Unity at any Price. The first female Archbishop of Wales has called for "unity" and says that the global Anglican Church should not "be divided" by her selection to the role.
COMMENTARY By David W. Virtue www.virtueonline.org November 10, 2025 In the world of fantasy ecclesiastical politics, calling for unity in a global church that is bitterly divided over homosexuality, is a bit like asking Bibi Netanyahu to surrender his IDF forces to Hamas in the hope that peace would come to Gaza. Elected in July, Cherry Vann, who is also the Bishop of Monmouth, became the first female leader of the Church in Wales, as well as its first lesbian in a sam
News From Around the World
Episcopal Church Continues Decline in AWA latest Figures Show
By Mary Ann Mueller www.virtueonline.org November 14, 2025 The Episcopal Church has released its 2024 diocesan stats for Average Weekly Attendance figures. However, the complete statistics for all across the board metrics are still missing in action. Perusing the domestic attendance stats revealed that 57 dioceses registered a drop in weekly attendance from 2023 with the dioceses recording a double digit plunge in attendance. They include: the Navajoland (21%); Georgia (1
SOUTH CAROLINA: ACNA Bishop Calls for Archbishop Wood to be Inhibited
By David W. Virtue, DD www.virtueonline.org November 13, 2025 The ACNA Bishop of South Carolina Chip Edgar has called for the inhibition of ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood, following revelations that include sexual misconduct, abuse of power and plagiarism. In a letter to his diocese Edgar said, “I want to clarify my support for the Complainants in the matter concerning Archbishop Wood and I have urged the senior bishops to call for Archbishop Wood’s inhibition.” Bishop Edga
“Vulnerable Women Should not have to Navigate the Canons…”Make the process credible to victims.
The following letter was obtained by VOL, and we pass it along without comment to our readers. November 6, 2025 Rev. Fathers in God of the College of Bishops, Provincial Executive Committee, Chancellor Nelson, Dr. Butler, and Ms. Deborah Tepley, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Am
Church of England
The quiet revival passes the Church of England by
by John Sandeman Thedothercheek.com November 5, 2025 New attendance stats released by the Church of England are in marked contrast to the Bible Society’s report of a quiet revival in the UK. The Bible Society “Quiet Revival” report claimed that “Church attendance has risen by 50 per cent over the last six years,” according to stats from a You Gov survey in England and Wales conducted for the Bible Society. “In 2018, just 4 per cent of 18–24-year-olds said that they att
EFAC calls on bishops to restore confidence in their leadership
PRESS RELEASE October 28, 2025 On Wednesday 15 October, an update was released by the Church of England on the Living in Love and Faith process, following a House of Bishops' residential meeting the previous week. The House of Bishops reviewed documents produced by the Church of England's Legal Office and the Faith and Order Commission (FAOC) addressing outstanding questions following the 2023 General Synod's commendation of the Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF). Remainin
CofE clergy vow to offer same-sex blessing services despite bishops’ decision
Religion Media Centre October 20, 2025 A number of clergy in the Church of England are resisting a decision by the House of Bishops which put the brakes on moves to allow stand-alone services for same-sex blessings and to allow clergy to be in same-sex marriages. Canon Simon Butler, an influential vicar in “Inclusive Evangelicals”, says the Canons of the Church of England do, in fact, permit stand-alone services. He has officiated at two in his church, Holy Trinity & St M
Viewpoints by David Virtue
Biblical Illiteracy Rampant in US // ACNA in Free Fall // TEC Faces Title IV Reform // JAFC Wins Legal Round Against ACNA // Persecution of Christians in Nigeria //
Welsh Lesbian Archbishop Calls for Unity // TEC AWA Figures Show Decline in Church Attendance Dear Brothers and Sisters, www.virtueonline.org November 14, 2025 BIBLICAL illiteracy is growing in America. In 2022, a comprehensive survey found that 26 percent of evangelicals think the Bible is more made-up than historical (up 9 percent since 2016); 56 percent think God accepts the worship of every religion (up 8 percent since 2016); and from 2020 to 2022, 13 percent more ev
TEC Figures Reveal Continued Decline // ACNA Archbishop Caught in Alleged Sex Scandal and Abuse of Power // TEC Presiding Bishop Blasts Israel //
CofE Vicars will Exercise Local Option to Bless SS Marriage At every step of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend. --- John Stott Why is so much modern discipleship so shallow. It emphasizes “growth” without repentance, “authenticity” without holiness, “belonging” without sacrifice. The call of Jesus — “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up
GAFCON Declares Formation of Global Anglican Communion// GAFCON Separates from Traditional Communion Structure // GSFA Withholds Endorsement // Mullally Appointment Sparks International Response //
"God intends us to penetrate the world. Christian salt has no business to remain snugly in elegant little ecclesiastical salt cellars; our place is to be rubbed into the secular community, as salt is rubbed into meat, to stop it going bad." – John Stott Dear Brothers and Sisters, www.virtueonline.org October 17, 2025 Historic Shift: GAFCON Announces Separation The long-anticipated moment arrived Thursday morning. At 5am, my inbox contained a headline that will reshape An
Culture Wars
‘Roe v. Wade’ Eroded the Church’s Historic Pro-Life Consensus
Abortion and America's Churches: A Religious History of "Roe v. Wade" (Faith, Governance, and Civil Society in American History) By Daniel K. Williams (Author) 384 pages $33.54 BOOK REVIEW By Gillis J. Harp Christianity Today October 9, 2025 It was already unraveling by 1973. Repairing it today won’t be easy. After the Supreme Court’s polarizing Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the liberal Protestant organ, The Christian Century, sometimes expressed deep ethical concerns
The Culture of Mass Delusions. Mental health and the consequences of denying reality.
(Image: Matt Kirk/Unsplash) By Dave Doveton, Anglican Mainstream September 17, 2025 Thirty years ago, if you had told another person that...
Iran’s Secret Revolution: 2,000 a Day Turning to Christ in the Heart of Islam’s Harshest Regime
By Amine Ayoub THE STREAM July, 2025 While the world’s attention remains locked on nuclear threats, anti-Israel rhetoric, and...
As Eye See It
An Appeal to the ACNA Provincial Assembly on TITLE IV
By The Rt Rev. Dr. Marshall MacClellan www.virtueonline.org November 13, 2025 Growing up helping my grandfather on his cattle ranch I remember his old adage, “It’s useless to beat a dead horse.” This phrase comes to mind as I look at the woes of the ACNA TITLE IV discipline process and the train of litigation running. In the upcoming 2026 ACNA Provincial assembly, delegates will debate adjustments to the current disciplinary process. In this author’s view, the judicial fr
Open Letter from Victims of Derek Jones to the ACNA
Anglican Watch Nov. 8, 2025 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.” Matthew 23:1-4 Faithful of the ACNA, Several months ago Rachel Thebeau released a bombshell let
Concerns from my heart about the deep ACNA leadership crisis: Kendall Harmon. Op-Ed
By Kendall Harmon November 7, 2025 To the Standing Committee of the Diocese of South Carolina With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: ‘You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn for
Devotionals
Stand Fast in Freedom: Galatians 5:1 and the Modern Yokes of Bondage
By the Rev. Dr. Ronald Moore www.virtueonline.org August 20, 2025 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us...
Sola Gratia: The Unmerited Favor That Rescued the World
Grace is not a suggestion, a boost, or a cooperative handshake—it is the sovereign act of God upon undeserving sinners. The Rev. Dr....
Soli Deo Gloria: Glory to God Alone
By the Rev. Dr. Ronald Moore www.virtueonline.org August 12, 2025 There is a Latin phrase that thundered through the Reformation like a...
Theology, History and Science
The Future Has Arrived: A Response to GAFCON's Vision for Global Anglicanism
By the Venerable Canon Dr. Kenneth D. Gillespie, OSC www.virtueonline.org November 12, 2025 On October 16, 2025, the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) issued a bold statement declaring "the future has arrived." In this declaration, GAFCON announced it had single handedly reordered the Anglican Communion, rejecting the traditional Instruments of Communion and establishing itself as the authentic expression of global Anglicanism. The statement claims to represent up
Alexandria Archbishop Focuses on Nicene Creed; Avoids Disputational Doctrinal Bullets in Unity Talks
COMMENTARY By David W. Virtue, DD www.virtueonline.org Nov. 5, 2025 The Most Rev. Dr. Samy Fawzy Shehata (Archbishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Province of Alexandria and Diocesan Bishop of Egypt) recently addressed the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, in which he called for ongoing work to “serve the unity for which Christ prayed”. The conference which ran from 24-28 October, explored the theme: 'Where now for visible unity?' It met at the Logos Papal Center o
The Church is Not Broken Words for a Difficult Week
By Bryan Hollon Oct 24, 2025 What does a faithful church look like? For those of us in the Anglican tradition, it means children and adult converts are being baptized and confirmed, faithful lay Christians are centered increasingly on Jesus Christ through Word and Sacrament – grounded in the biblically saturated liturgies of the Book of Common Prayer. It entails an appreciation for the apostolic faith guarded and transmitted over centuries and received through the English
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