ECUSA follows Kubler Ross in Death and Dying, Commission floats trial balloon

"They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might be plain that they all are not of us." — 1 John 2:19

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In her famous book “On Death and Dying,” Elizabeth Kübler-Ross identified five stages in the process of dying: Denial and Isolation, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and finally Acceptance.

The Episcopal Church is currently moving through varying stages of this DABDA model.

A number of revisionist bishops remain in denial and isolation—“No, not me; it cannot be true”—unwilling to admit that the consecration of Gene Robinson is tearing the Episcopal Church apart. This writer was recently in the Diocese of Connecticut, speaking to about 20 orthodox priests about the ECUSA situation. There, we learned that ultra-liberal Bishop Andrew D. Smith told several hundred Episcopal women at an ECW luncheon that the church was in a terrible mess and he could see no way out. “He looked awful, haggard,” an ECW delegate told Virtuosity. Smith may be taking his first tentative step out of denial.

Many more bishops—like J. Michael Garrison of Western New York—are angry: “Why are you (the orthodox parishes) doing this to me by cutting off funds?” That sentiment echoes across dioceses throughout ECUSA.

Then come the bargainers:

“So you won’t pay your fair share? Aw, come on, guys—pay up… or else I’ll come down on you like a ton of bricks.” — Charles E. Bennison, Diocese of Pennsylvania

“You want to leave ECUSA with your property? In your dreams.” — George Wayne Smith, Diocese of Missouri

“If you stay, maybe we could work something out. Maybe.”

Next is depression—and God only knows how many bishops, both orthodox and revisionist, are weighed down by the current crisis. Each side feels pressure from angry priests withholding funds and threatening to join the AAC or NACDP, or even leave for AMIA or seek oversight from a Global South Primate.

It’s a mess everywhere, and depression is rampant—despite the Presiding Bishop’s frequent talk of “graceful conversation.”

Revisionist bishops refuse to acknowledge that their dioceses are in numerical decline, that orthodox clergy are challenging their authority, and that laity are leaving—or staying but speaking out forcefully against revisionist theology, policies, and biblical interpretations.

Yet many bishops continue to live in denial, often refusing to respond to letters from clergy and laity about ECUSA’s direction, the Robinson consecration, and related issues.

AND THIS WEEK, a trial balloon emerged from England: both The Times and The Telegraph reported that formal plans for a split in the Anglican Communion are under consideration to resolve differences over homosexuality.

The Lambeth Commission—an 18-member international body established last year by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams—is reportedly exploring a proposal to restructure the Anglican Communion as a looser confederation. According to Ruth Gledhill of The Times, this would allow new cross-geographic loyalties based on shared theological convictions.

Jonathan Petre of The Telegraph added that advisers are drafting a blueprint to create an all-powerful “star chamber” led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, granting him significant—but not papal-level—authority to mediate disputes and prevent total collapse.

Perhaps this marks the moment of Acceptance breaking through into the “pluriform” mindset of Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold—that the Anglican Communion is fracturing, and ECUSA’s consecration of an openly gay bishop is largely to blame.

As one priest told Virtuosity: “Maybe it should happen. I hope it does. At the end of the day, we’ll know who stands with Scripture and apostolic tradition. When it happens, Griswold and his 62 revisionist bishops will be isolated—and we can watch them wither on the pluriform vine.”

He has a point.

How this unfolds remains uncertain, but clearly Irish Archbishop Robin Eames is struggling to hold things together—and may now realize the Communion’s days are numbered.

African voices grow increasingly strident, while orthodox forces in the U.S.—from the American Anglican Council and the Network (NACDP)—are intensifying pressure. A steady stream of statements from groups like Plano and individual dioceses paints a bleak picture.

The next seven months will be crucial. Orthodox priests and bishops are ratcheting up pressure on ECUSA’s liberal leadership like never before.

This writer has spoken in four major locations over ten days to thousands of concerned Episcopalians. Many parishes are now developing strategies for confronting their bishops.

These are heady days. Much is at stake.

FRANK GRISWOLD received a sharp rebuke this week from Southern Cone Primate Greg Venables, responding to a letter in which Griswold tried to frame his actions positively. Venables wrote: “You speak clearly of your grief over the pain your actions have caused—yet you proceed with your relentless agenda. Do you not see the enormous contradiction?”

Of course Frank doesn’t. In a “pluriform” world, one never needs to say they’re wrong. Griswold would rather fall on his sword than “betray” ECUSA’s pansexual advocates.

Both letters are published in today’s digest.

CONTINUING THE PRESSURE ON THE LAMBETH COMMISSION TO STAND FIRM FOR ORTHODOXY

The Rev. Canon David H. Roseberry of Christ Church, Plano, reports over 600 signatures already gathered in support of his appeal—and the list grows daily. To sign, visit www@ChristChurchPlano.org. The Eames letter is also posted there.

IN THE CONTINUING SAGA OF THE OTIS CHARLES MARRIAGE

Retired Bishop Otis Charles of Utah has been removed as assisting bishop in California and had his license to officiate revoked by Bishop William Swing. This followed a San Francisco Chronicle report that Charles was “married” to a four-times-divorced man at St. Gregory of Nyssa Church on April 24. The diocese says the matter is under investigation.

This move qualifies as theater of the absurd. Bishop Swing—who leads the United Religions Initiative, a syncretistic spiritual network—now disciplines Charles? Swing is as revisionist and pro-gay as they come. When a denomination lacks core doctrine, anything goes—especially in California. Now Swing fires a former bishop with whom, deep down, he likely agrees. The antics never cease.

AND FROM THE DIOCESE OF THE CENTRAL GULF COAST

A Virtuosity reader shares Bishop Philip M. Duncan II’s convention address, which strongly criticizes the AAC:

“To establish an alternative ecclesiastical body—within or outside the Episcopal Church—has not been helpful for reconciliation and seems to foster its own turmoil and schism. I do not support their agenda.”

On same-gender relationships, he stated:

“Our teaching on sacramental Christian marriage remains unchanged: it is a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman. Committed same-gender relationships exist in our culture and matter to many in this diocese. In my study of Scripture, I find no affirmation of these relationships, nor condemnation of homosexuality.”

So what does he believe?

“The norm for ordination here remains celibacy or heterosexual Christian marriage. I will not authorize blessings of same-gender unions.”

Bishop Duncan also noted declining diocesan finances: giving is down nearly $200,000, and $233,000 in pledges have been restricted to local use only—which the diocese is honoring.

AND FROM THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN PITTSBURGH

Delegates voted 579–376 to uphold the church’s stance: “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.” They also defeated (527–423) a resolution claiming Christians disagree on this issue.

This makes the UMC the first Mainline Protestant body to formally oppose same-sex marriage—a significant development for the Lambeth Commission and global Anglicanism. With four times ECUSA’s U.S. membership, the Methodists are declaring: Scripture’s position is clear; Christians cannot “agree to disagree” on this; and the church need not conform to American cultural trends.

This vote aligns U.S. Methodists with the Roman Catholic Church, Russian Orthodox, global Baptists, the majority of Lambeth bishops, and orthodox Episcopalians. It directly contradicts ECUSA leaders’ argument that “American culture demands an exception.”

What’s happening in mainline Protestantism follows a pattern: a minister violates Scripture → faces a church trial → jurors reinterpret church law → minister is acquitted → other churches protest → journalists speculate about “schism.”

AND FROM THE DIOCESE OF UTAH

Bishop Carolyn T. Irish announced she will permit same-sex blessing services:

“After discussion with clergy and Diocesan Council, I’ve set policy allowing such blessings. Bishops must authorize liturgies not in the Book of Common Prayer and share responsibility for these occasions. A future bishop may reverse this policy.” One hopes so.

Notably, Bishop Irish—formerly Mormon—was never rebaptized upon joining the Episcopal Church. On same-sex unions, she said: “In Anglican tradition, we can live with such diversity. Each diocese may develop policies and liturgies as appropriate.”

This is precisely the kind of reasoning that drives Global South Primates to declare broken communion with leaders like Bishop Irish.

THERE’S A CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL FOR MINISTRY (TESM)

The Rev. Dr. Paul Zahl has resigned as Dean of the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama, to become Dean/President of TESM, effective August 1—succeeding retiring Dr. Peter Moore. Zahl is an excellent choice.

He writes: “On May 4, I accepted the unanimous call from TESM’s search committee. This decision brings Mary and me clarity and joy. I’ll remain Dean in Birmingham through July 31 and hope to move to Pittsburgh in early August.”

But Bishop Henry Parsley of Alabama opposes orthodoxy. He has publicly condemned the Network and threatened parishes that join. Since deans are appointed by bishops—not vestries—you can be sure Parsley will block any orthodox successor to Zahl. Under pressure from the bishop and cathedral dissidents, Zahl’s departure opens the door for a liberal replacement. If that happens, hundreds may leave.

Two of Alabama’s three congregations that redirected funds are now seeking new leadership. With Parsley cracking down on Network-affiliated churches like Ascension in Montgomery, he appears determined to purge orthodox voices from his diocese.

AND IN ENGLAND

About 40 angry evangelicals will meet with the Bishop of St Albans over the appointment of Jeffrey John. Sparks are expected.

AMONG TODAY’S POSTED STORIES

Dr. Robert Sanders, Virtuosity’s cyber theologian, asks: Who are we in communion with? “Nicea teaches that believers must be under orthodox bishops. If a diocese is led by a heretical bishop, orthodox bishops must step in. If Nicea means anything, there must be a network.”

Dr. Leander Harding explores “Homosexuality, The Church, and Truth and Justice for Children”—an essential read.

If you can’t read everything at once, take time daily to engage with these stories before the next digest arrives.

Please share these articles. Thanks to the internet, no one needs to stay uninformed. Encourage friends to subscribe at www.virtuosityonline.org.

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING VIRTUOSITY

New stories are posted daily. Visit www.virtuosityonline.org to stay current. Your financial support makes this ministry possible—especially in this critical year for the Anglican Communion.

Thank you for your support.

All blessings,

David W. Virtue, DD