PENNSYLVANIA: PRIEST AND RETIRED BISHOP EXCHANGE LETTERS OVER ECUSA CRISIS

By David W. Virtue

A retired orthodox bishop and a liberal diocesan priest recently exchanged sharply worded letters concerning the crisis in The Episcopal Church (TEC).

The Rev. Marek P. Zabriskie, rector of St. Thomas’ Church, Whitemarsh, PA—and a representative on multiple national and international TEC bodies—wrote to the Rt. Rev. C. FitzSimons Allison (ret., South Carolina), accusing him of undermining church unity by crossing diocesan boundaries and performing sacramental ministry without permission.

Zabriskie acknowledged that “good Episcopalians can differ on theological and ethical matters”—but insisted that violating canonical jurisdiction is unacceptable. He concluded: “It is my deepest hope that the Communion will stand, the Church will flourish, and we will not be self-consumed and broken irrevocably.”

Bishop Allison responded with a theological and historical rebuttal:

“You see the denial of the Christian faith as an entitlement—but the biggest risk is the ‘destruction of polity.’”

He cited figures like Bishop John Allin, who repented: “I loved the church more than I loved the Lord of the Church.”

“I am thankful our Anglican forebears did not elevate polity over doctrine in the Reformation. I am thankful Irenaeus did not defer to Gnostic ‘polity.’ I am thankful Athanasius defied ecclesiastical order to defend Christ’s divinity against Arianism.”

“Perhaps you can help reduce hypocrisy in TEC by substituting ‘We believe in our polity, Common Prayer, and the episcopate’ for the Nicene Creed.”

“I thank you for your candor—and will share your letter with those who struggle to believe what has become the faith of many Episcopalians.”

Both letters were copied to Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and Anglican Consultative Council Secretary General John Peterson.

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