COLORADO: ACA PRIEST CHALLENGES EPISCOPAL BISHOP TO DEBATE

Feast of St. Hilary, January 14, 2004

An Anglican Church in America priest has challenged the Episcopal Bishop of Colorado to a public debate on whether "the devil has entered" the Episcopal Church.

Father James C. Barlow of St. Francis of Assisi Anglican Church in Estes Park issued the challenge to Bishop Robert O'Neill, proposing debate on one of three resolutions regarding demonic influence, spiritual discernment, and the authenticity of recent Episcopal Church decisions.

The challenge follows an African archbishop's public declaration about demonic influence in the Episcopal Church and Bishop O'Neill's statement that "we have more in common than what divides us."

Father Barlow proposed using National Forensic Society debate rules with impartial university judges and mutual preparation time. He cited historical precedent from theological debates throughout Christian history, from the early church fathers through the Reformation.

The challenge included extensive bibliographical references on discernment, spiritual warfare, and church authenticity, ranging from ancient church fathers to contemporary theologians.