OHIO: FIF/NA SUPPORTS ACTIONS

Statement from the President of FIF/NA March 15, 2004

Forward in Faith, North America, the oldest orthodox and traditional organization in the Episcopal Church, offers its support and prayers to both the bishops who took the pastoral initiative to reach out to beleaguered members of the church, and to the clergy and people of the "Ohio cluster." We believe in the necessity of Sunday's action as a response that provides Godly leadership and hope for members of the church who remain steadfastly committed to biblical Christianity as practiced in the vast majority of the Anglican Communion.

We remember with thanksgiving the first provision of emergency pastoral care when in November of 2000, two Anglican primates and a diocesan bishop confirmed 85 individuals at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Rosemont, Pennsylvania. That event and Sunday's event are not to be viewed as acts of provocation, but as responses to the on-going crisis of faith and authority that has plagued the church for decades. Faithful clergy and their people must have apostolic care and oversight from bishops who are committed to upholding orthodox faith and practice.

Forward in Faith has chosen to be a partner with the American Anglican Council (AAC) and a member convocation of the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes (NACDP) to join with those with which we hold much in common and with which we view our commitment to the Church's historic position on Holy Orders as an integral ingredient for the realignment of orthodox Christianity and the Anglican tradition.

The Rev. Dr. David L. Moyer President Forward in Faith North America