Can the Episcopal Church be saved? // Episcopal Bishop calls on Trump to resign // CofE Kills LLF Report on SS Blessings // ABC Mullally's Disastrous Maiden Speech //

Global South Challenges Canterbury's Headship

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"For the essence of sin is man substituting himself for God [Gen. 3:1-7], while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man [2 Cor. 5:21]. Man asserts himself against God and puts himself where only God deserves to be; God sacrifices himself for man and puts himself where only man deserves to be." — John Stott

"I will write this until I'm blue in the face: education is positively related to religious attendance in the United States." — Ryan Burge

"I would rather die than surrender my faith in Christ, and be forced to bow to a foreign nation demanding I forsake the Truth. Christ is King!" — Carrie Prejean Boller

"The earliest Christians did not invent entirely new forms of worship; they adapted synagogue patterns while centering everything on Christ." — Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Moore

"American evangelicalism is very good at producing faith that feels personal. It is far less good at producing faith that lasts." — Adam Finkney

"A church can become large without becoming deep. It can become influential without becoming attentive. It can succeed in ways that quietly leave people unseen." — Sandip Chauhan

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

www.virtueonline.org

February 13, 2026

A forgotten 1930s study observed what Scripture has always warned: sexual disorder does not liberate a people—it dissolves them.

In the 1930s, an English anthropologist studied dozens of civilizations across thousands of years. He wasn't writing as a Christian or attempting to defend biblical morality. He simply tracked what happened when cultures disciplined sexual desire and what happened when they didn't.

His findings were revealing. Societies that restrained sexual behavior tended to flourish culturally. Societies that loosened those restraints did not collapse overnight, but they gradually weakened over time. Energy faded. Cohesion weakened. Purpose blurred. The decline surfaced a generation or two later, when habits formed in private finally reshaped life in public.

The 1960s marked a cultural turning point in America, as the sexual revolution began framing American society for decades to come.

Today, the culture has come full circle with the abandonment of nearly all sexual boundaries and norms. Homosexuality is one of many behaviors outside biblical teaching that now includes transgenderism, bisexuality, sex change operations, mutilation of bodily parts, and various other expressions. "If it feels good, do it" has become a contemporary standard.

The Roman Empire experienced multiple factors leading to its decline: economic mismanagement, military overextension, administrative issues, and political instability.

Does any of this sound familiar? The American empire may not be far behind. Technology alone won't save us. Short of repentance, nothing will stop America's decline. Cries of freedom often mean only freedom from constraints, not freedom to build and obey.

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CAN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH BE SAVED?

One orthodox Episcopal priest believes it's possible. The Rev. Kevin E. Martin has put forth a nine-point plan to help the Episcopal Church recover its soul. You can read his full proposal here: https://www.virtueonline.org/post/can-the-episcopal-church-be-saved

These are noble aspirations. However, there are significant problems, chief among them being that it may be too little, too late. The damage has been done—from John Shelby Spong to Gene Robinson, the consecration of six openly gay bishops, and much more. There appears to be no going back. The long slide into theological error has continued unabated. To this day, many bishops still believe Spong was right, and most believe Robinson's consecration had God's approval. "Apostolic ministry" disappeared decades ago. Same-sex marriage is now fully enshrined in the life of The Episcopal Church—a non-starter for 90 percent of the Anglican Communion.

You can read my full critique here: https://www.virtueonline.org/post/can-the-episcopal-church-be-saved

One commenter noted that "glaringly absent from Kevin Martin's proposals are any reference to correctness of belief and any reference to correctness of morals."

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EPISCOPAL BISHOP CALLS ON TRUMP TO APOLOGIZE OR RESIGN

Pennsylvania Episcopal Bishop Daniel Gutiérrez called on President Trump to "apologize or resign" over a racist video depicting the Obamas as apes. The Episcopal News Service reported that Bishop Gutiérrez released a statement after Trump shared a racist video depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes in a jungle.

"As you know, I am not one who issues statements based on every news item that crosses the wire. However, as a bishop and, more importantly, a follower of Jesus Christ, I was repulsed and sickened by the meme that was on the president's [social media] feed depicting two children of God, who served this nation, as apes," Gutiérrez said.

The likelihood of Trump resigning appears minimal at best.

*****

CHURCH OF ENGLAND ENDS LLF PROCESS

The Church of England at its General Synod finally brought to a close the Living in Love and Faith Report that would have established same-sex blessings. General Synod agreed to end the controversial Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process by 252 votes to 132, with 21 abstentions.

LLF, which began in 2017, aimed to respond to "changing views in our society towards identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage." The process caused enormous division in the church, with many evangelicals viewing the push for prayers, blessings, and even "weddings" for same-sex couples as an abandonment of Scripture.

Despite this vote, Synod agreed to form working groups to further explore the possibility of implementing same-sex civil marriages for clergy and standalone church services for blessing those in same-sex relationships.

Based on what happened in The Episcopal Church, advocates for changing traditional teaching are unlikely to abandon their efforts. Archbishop Stephen Cottrell acknowledged: "These have not been easy or straightforward things to make decisions on. There are still many areas where we have not reached agreement." He leaves the door slightly open for future developments.

General Synod member Rev. Dr. Ian Paul warned the Church of England has "squandered time and goodwill on divisive and damaging debates."

"In some dioceses, we are seeing young people come to faith, and new churches being planted and grafted—real signs of growth. But elsewhere there is serious decline."

Where do we go from here? Interestingly, both The Guardian ("issue is put in deep freeze") and the BBC ("abandons proposals for same-sex blessing ceremonies") were clear: the Church of England has halted the debate and abandoned the possibility of blessing same-sex relationships. By contrast, "Together" (the revisionist group) has declared that progress continues, and though it has been slow, change will come.

The newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, said the discussions had left the church wounded as individuals and as a body. She described the bishops' proposals as a sensible way forward that will lead to the next steps.

You can read Anglican theologian Ian Paul's analysis here: https://www.psephizo.com/life-ministry/the-discussion-at-the-end-of-the-llf-process/

You can read The Guardian story here: https://www.virtueonline.org/post/church-of-england-general-synod-halts-work-on-lgbtq-equality

*****

ARCHBISHOP MULLALLY'S DISAPPOINTING MAIDEN SPEECH

Archbishop Sarah Mullally gave her maiden speech this week, and it fell short of expectations.

The Archbishop used her presidential address to recommit to better safeguarding standards, with no mention of God, Jesus, sin, or salvation.

By any measure, her address to Synod was a disappointing failure to articulate the church's mission.

The address was delivered to members of General Synod—the Church's parliamentary body—meeting in London this week. She lamented the Church of England's past failings on safeguarding, an issue on which she herself has faced criticism. She said she planned to raise standards substantially. However, her own safeguarding record and that of the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, have come under scrutiny.

God was not mentioned, nor was Jesus. There was no articulation of why the Church of England exists or how it might address its irrelevance to 98% of the British public. There was no mention of the gospel that liberates people from their sins—only extensive discussion of safeguarding and anecdotal hope that people have been returning to church over the last four years.

You can read my full analysis here: https://www.virtueonline.org/post/mullally-s-failed-presidential-address

There can be little doubt that the Church of England faces serious challenges. With 98% of the British public not attending church, it represents a sobering reality that neither GAFCON nor the GSFA bishops view with confidence.

*****

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND'S SAFEGUARDING CRISIS

The Church of England's failed safeguarding practices have caught my attention, and I have written extensively about them. You can read my full piece here: https://www.virtueonline.org/post/the-church-of-england-is-a-cesspool-of-failed-safeguarding

If you wonder why the Global South regards the Church of England with deep concern and accusations of heresy, one need look no further than its inadequate safeguarding practices.

These failures represent a serious breach of pastoral responsibility.

Dr. Ian Paul, an evangelical theologian in the Church of England, outlines the issues here: https://www.psephizo.com/life-ministry/do-we-have-safeguarding-leadership-in-the-church-of-england/

The prevailing pattern combines deliberate stalling tactics, prolonged delays in implementing best practices, and the ignoring of facts about clergy who perpetuate harmful practices on children repeatedly without fear of permanent discipline.

The irony is striking. Archbishop Mullally was elected Archbishop of Canterbury despite a problematic safeguarding record, while her predecessor Justin Welby resigned over his failure in the John Smyth case, involving severe physical abuse. The situation would be almost comical if it weren't so serious.

*****

THE COLLAPSE OF PROTESTANT CHURCHES

The collapse of Protestant churches can teach us something, says scholar Carl R. Trueman. Reports of financial struggles and declining membership among large American denominations have become so commonplace that they often elicit little more than a shrug. But occasionally, a report warrants closer attention.

A recent Religion News Service article provides helpful insight into why "Protestant denominations are losing members, particularly the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist and other historic mainline groups," including the Southern Baptist Convention. The inclusion of the SBC is significant because, unlike the other denominations that "have suffered schisms as they moved in more progressive directions," the SBC remains theologically conservative. Conservative Christians should take note.

One reason for the decline of these churches is that God's truth was abandoned in many of them years ago. We are living at a time when the consequences are becoming evident.

You can read the full article here: https://www.virtueonline.org/post/the-collapse-of-protestant-churches-can-teach-us-something

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MERE ANGLICANISM CONFERENCE

"Gospel Identity in an Age of Expressive Individualism" was the theme at this year's Mere Anglican conference in Charleston, SC. I was unable to attend due to COVID-19, but Jeff Walton of IRD covered the event.

Christians are contesting an alternative gospel in the present age—one that promises fulfillment through the longings of the self, according to speakers at the prominent Anglican conference.

Expressive individualism is an alternative gospel, insisted the Rev. Vaughan Roberts. "It is saying if you fulfill the longings of the self, if you look within and resist all the pressures of external authorities, then you'll find the fruit and fulfillment you long for. That's a gospel message, but it's a false gospel, it's a lie, and increasingly we're seeing the effects of it: dehumanization and loss of meaning."

You can read Jeff Walton's full report here: https://www.virtueonline.org/post/mere-anglicanism-in-an-age-of-expressive-individualism

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ANGLICANISM AT A CROSSROADS

Anglicanism is at a crossroads, writes the Ven. Alex Uzor. The rise of the Global Anglican Communion and the future of Canterbury hang in the balance.

The formal confirmation of the new Archbishop of Canterbury occurs within a much larger global conversation about the identity, mission, and direction of Anglicanism in our time.

While some may celebrate her confirmation, the worldwide Anglican family is passing through deep transitions. The landscape that surrounds the office she now occupies is no longer simple or unified. Instead, it reflects a Communion wrestling with profound theological differences and searching for clarity about its future.

What once looked like a single global family gathered around Canterbury now appears more like two distinct expressions of Anglican identity. One is centered in the historic institutions of the West. The other is rising from the Global South with strong conviction, missionary zeal, and a firm commitment to Scripture.

This development did not appear suddenly. It has been building for more than twenty years. The debates around human identity and marriage only exposed what was already weakening. At the heart of the tension is a simple question: What does it mean to be truly Anglican in the twenty-first century?

What we see today is a Communion where Canterbury still has a historical place but no longer speaks for the majority of Anglicans. Most Anglicans now belong to churches that stand with GAFCON and the Global South Fellowship. These churches have made clear that authentic Anglican identity comes from faithfulness to Scripture, not from institutional loyalty.

You can read more here: https://www.virtueonline.org/post/anglicanism-at-a-crossroads-the-rise-of-the-global-anglican-communion-and-the-future-of-canterbury

*****

TENSIONS AT THE MARCH FOR LIFE

President Donald Trump faced criticism at the recent March for Life over his "flexibility" on the Hyde Amendment. In the wake of Trump's comments about Hyde, the administration has faced backlash from the anti-abortion movement, which also believes the administration has taken insufficient action to restrict access to mifepristone, an oral medication used to end pregnancies.

The event's organizers praised Vice President JD Vance, who addressed the march, and the Trump administration in general. However, the tensions that have emerged in recent days over President Trump's commitment to fighting abortion were evident in the crowd.

"@therealdonaldtrump We are not 'flexible.' Abortion is Murder!" read one sign, referring to Trump's recent comments that House Republicans should be flexible on the Hyde Amendment.

"We're taught in Scripture that every human is made in the image of God. That gives us intrinsic value. The murdering of that life is wrong," one anti-abortion attendee said.

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ANGLICAN ORDINARIATE UPDATE

Anglicans who take up the Pope's offer of an Ordinariate may be allowed to continue worshipping in their Church of England buildings, it emerged this week.

Until now, commentators had assumed that groups wanting to join the new structure set up by the Pope would have to abandon their Anglican churches.

However, William Fittall, secretary general of the Church of England General Synod, said it would be "entirely possible" for these buildings to be shared between the new members of the Ordinariate and Anglicans.

You can read more here: https://www.virtueonline.org/post/top-official-ex-anglicans-may-remain-in-parishes

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NOTABLE EVENTS

Two notable events took place this week.

Social critic and Anglican Dr. Os Guinness will be honored with the 2026 Wilberforce Award at the Colson Center National Conference in Knoxville, Tennessee. This award recognizes his significant contributions to addressing societal issues from a Christian worldview and his efforts to help the Church think wisely about life and culture in a post-Christian age. Dr. Guinness has been a dedicated advocate for truth and has authored or edited over thirty books, including "The Call," "The Magna Carta of Humanity," and "America Agonistes." His work continues to influence and inspire many in the Christian community and beyond.

The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D., will retire at the end of the 2027-28 academic year. His retirement marks the conclusion of 21 years of transformative leadership at Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) and The General Theological Seminary (GTS). During his tenure, he has been recognized for his commitment to excellence in theological education, the creation of a Reparations Program, and the long-term stewardship and renewal of the campuses.

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