A Prayer for Veteran's Day
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women now serving in our armed forces at home and abroad, and all those who have served honorably and bravely in the past. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Message from Bishop David Anderson
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Bishop Anderson
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Dear Brothers and Sisters, In the United States there have recently been a number of issues centering around sexual harassment or misconduct involving people in high places, in one manner or another. In one case, a presidential aspirant has had old allegations of sexual harassment resurface with unknown damage to his presidential campaign. Yet to be determined is the credibility of the accusations, since many insurance companies will settle financially if the settlement is less than the cost of defending the suit. Having sat for a number of years as the Presiding Judge of the Ecclesiastical Court of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles before I retired, I know that every accusation, even when signed and public, needs to be investigated for factual evidence, and that is what trials are for. In another case, the long and seemingly hallowed career of a major college football coach has come to an unceremonious and abrupt end because he didn't take reports of a staff member's sexual misconduct seriously enough to fully report it, which includes reporting it to the police. As a result, potentially many more young men may have been sexually victimized. Had he reported it properly and followed through, a predator could have been kept off of the streets. Another situation regarding a former Roman Catholic priest and confessed pedophile has come to involve both the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada and the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori. In the Presiding Bishop's case there is some resemblance to the football case referenced above, to wit, failure to properly screen an individual who would work on the team, and failure to take appropriate and timely action to protect those who would come into contact with him.
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Several journalists, commentators, bloggers and activists have commented on the activity of the former Roman Catholic pedophile priest turned Episcopal priest, and some unsettling facts are surfacing with the expected awkward denials, yet with evidence that the denials are just cover-ups after the facts have gone public. Blogger A. S. Haley, writing as the Anglican Curmudgeon, posts information that includes a statement signed by the former priest, Bede Parry, on May 7 of this year, setting forth a complete timeline of his sexual misconduct with young male students at both Conception Abbey and St. John's in Minnesota.
He came into the Episcopal Church when Jefferts Schori was bishop of Nevada. Initial information about his sexual misconduct was given to the bishop, but it is thought that he may have downplayed the extent of his misconduct. It is certain that at a later time the full information on him was made available to her. Any diligence on her part would have revealed the extent of his danger to children, and she did require of him that he stay away from children.
The foolishness of such requirements is that individuals who have acted out sexually deviant behavior seem to have an extremely high rate of recidivism sooner or later. This behavior needs to be a career-ending event as far as clergy are considered, full stop.
Just as the Coach Joe Paterno situation needs to be more fully explored to ascertain his knowledge of and response to the facts in the Penn State event, so the Bede Parry/Jefferts Schori event needs to be fully, publicly and honestly explored in some legal venue such that her prestige as Presiding Bishop doesn't interfere with the legal process. If this is not done, all of the work the Episcopal Church has said and done to prevent victimization of children and young adults from predatory clergy will be diminished in value. It is my belief that the higher in leadership a person rises, the higher standards of honesty and diligence it is reasonable to expect of them.
One thing that many leaders are loath to do is "fess up" and admit that they mishandled a situation, yet in the business world it is well proven that the sooner a mistake is fully and completely owned up to and responsibility taken, and whatever can be done for those hurt by the mistake is undertaken, the sooner the story dies in the media. The American people, and certainly Episcopalians and Anglicans in general, are forgiving when mistakes are owned up to and forgiveness asked, but what is not forgiven is an unrepentant spirit and a cover-up.
At a time when the new Title IV Canons in the Episcopal Church have given the Presiding Bishop greatly increased authority and power over bishops, priests and laity, it is extremely important that the office of the Presiding Bishop not be clouded with accusations related to such grievous misconduct as pertains to former priest Bede Parry.
Material on this can be found at the Anglican Curmudgeon's website and on Patrick Marker's site as well. Patrick is a sex abuse survivor, and is tracking abuse on his website. Additionally, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) has also covered this.
If the Episcopal Church is really serious (and I think they are) about sexual misconduct against children and adolescents, then the Presiding Bishop's activity while bishop of Nevada on down to today needs a thorough investigation and adjudication.
There is no place in the Kingdom of God for crimes against children, nor for those who tolerate such.
Blessings and Peace in Jesus, even while in this troubled sojourn of earthly life.
+David
The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson, Sr.
President and CEO, American Anglican Council
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Chaplain's Corner
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Canon Ashey
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Dear Friends in Christ,
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: ..." Philippians 2:3-5
I am writing between flights, returning from an Anglican1000 conference on worship with congregations from ACNA and the Anglican Mission (AM) who share a passion for reaching secular people with the beauty of ancient liturgy expressed in contemporary ways, capturing the beauty and glory of God. I am on my way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to meet with Anglicans in Wisconsin and Chicago, from multiple jurisdictions, who are eager to form an Upper Midwest diocese for the ACNA.
As Harry Truman observed in his upset reelection, "Reports of my demise are premature." So are similar reports and predictions about the Anglican Church in North America. As I have reported and will continue to report, Anglicans from many jurisdictions are coming together locally to reach North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Where Anglican followers of Jesus can focus on that mission, on what we need to do to reach secular people in our post-Christian culture, and where we can do that in the spirit of Philippians 2:3-5 (see above), we are seeing one unified and biblical movement of Anglicans engaged in mission. I can testify to the spirit of generosity and collaboration among Anglicans everywhere I go.
At the Anglican1000 worship conference at All Saints Durham (an Anglican Mission congregation), I was approached by a younger priest with the Anglican Mission who recognized me from our Anglican Perspective videos. I thanked him and expressed our deep appreciation for what the Anglican Mission contributes to our joint mission as Anglicans, and I mentioned two things in particular. One is the AM's charism for planting churches. We have so much to gain from their experience! The other is the deep, thoughtful, intentionality (for lack of a better word) with which they approach liturgy. I have been so impressed by the work so many AM churches have done, individually and together, in communicating the beauty and reason for liturgy and the "Ancient-Future" to unchurched people. It was evident in this great conference that drew from academics at Duke University (Dr's. Sam Wells, Lester Ruth and David Taylor), from leading authors on worship (Marc Galli of Christianity Today) and from those in the trenches who prepare worship services in Anglican churches every Sunday. I came away with a renewed conviction that our Anglican liturgy, combined with music and the arts, has so very much to offer secular people who are yearning for spiritual depth and mystery as they come to know Jesus Christ. One consistent theme through the plenary sessions and workshops is that our Anglican liturgy actually provides a template for discipleship - communicating both cognitively and evocatively (through our emotions) the resources we need to live our lives as Jesus would.
And the response of the young priest to my thanks was so encouraging: "Thank you," he said, and without pausing he added, emphatically, "And we NEED the ACNA..." and went on to explain how he and other AM and ACNA clergy are working together ever more closely in the Raleigh-Durham area to plant churches and do mission together. His comments were affirmed at a meeting I had with an ACNA priest who spoke in equally appreciative terms of the partnership he experiences with his brother clergy in the Anglican Mission in Raleigh-Durham.
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:6-8
I am on my way to work with Anglicans in the Pittsburgh "Missionary Deaneries" of Wisconsin and West Chicago, representatives of the Greenhouse Church planting movement, and St Edmunds Anglican (CANA) in Elm Grove to explore how we can form an ACNA diocese. It's not about structure, though constitution, canons and processes in good Anglican order are important. It's about how we can all come together in the same mind and spirit of Jesus to work together as a regional diocese of the ACNA to reach secular people for Christ.
Each of these Anglican groups has ventured much to stand firm for the faith once delivered. Some are facing litigation and the full rage of TEC (St. Edmunds). Others are facing the challenge of starting anew in whatever space they can find. I hope you will join me in praying for them as they step out in faith and begin to partner and grow together in missionary relationships. Enjoying the applause of heaven itself, Jesus Christ did not consider it something to be grasped. Instead, he emptied himself and became a servant to all. Pray that we too may do so - in the Upper Midwest, in Raleigh-Durham, and throughout North America - so that we may descend with Christ into greatness!
Your servant in Christ,
Phil+
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Anglican Perspective: Walk in the Light
| Charges of sex abuse and a subsequent cover-up involving a former Penn State football coach and young boys have captured the nation's attention. In Nevada, a former priest and pedophile who left the Roman Catholic Church and became an Episcopal priest alleges the church's Presiding Bishop knowingly allowed him in to the priesthood. These allegations, if true, illustrate not only the sin and problem of child molestation by priests and other leaders, but the sin of those who attempt to cover up what happens. This week, Canon Ashey highlights what the Bible says about how Christians should "walk in the light."
Key Scripture 1 John 1:7
View this week's Anglican Perspective here.
 | | Cover-up: Anglican Perspective, Week of November 9, 2011 |
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Louisiana: Appeals court win for congregation in land battle
| Source: Church of England Newspaper
November 11, 2011
By George Conger
A Louisiana appeals court has opened the legal door for Episcopal churches in the state to quit the national Church and keep their properties.
On 14 September 2011 the First Circuit Court of Appeal in Baton Rouge upheld a lower court decision allowing a Presbyterian congregation to leave its presbytery and keep its property - even though the Presbyterian Church's constitutional documents claimed an interest in the property.
Relying upon the US Supreme Court's decision in Jones v Wolfe, the appeals court in the case of Carrollton Presbyterian Church v the Presbytery of Southern Louisiana rejected the argument put forward by the presbytery that the addition of a trust clause in a denomination's constitution was sufficient to create a valid and enforceable trust on property.
While the ruling addressed the Presbyterian Church's property disputes, the legal principle articulated by the court also applies to the Episcopal Church's Dennis Canon - which purports to create a trust interest in the property of all Episcopal congregations in favour of the Diocese and the national Church. The ruling is in line with a South Carolina Supreme Court decision, but is at odds with rulings made in California, New York and Pennsylvania.
In its opinion, the court held that "applying neutral principles of law, we find that any purported trust would be subject to the form requirements set forth in Louisiana's Trust Code."
The attorney for the congregation, Lloyd Lunceford told The Church of England Newspaper: "This statement [by the court] would lead one to conclude that the mere addition of an express trust clause in the Episcopal canons (the Dennis canon) would likewise be insufficient by itself to form an enforceable trust in Louisiana."...
The rest of the article may be found here.
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| 'Let them cut off aid:' African countries revolt against UK threat to cut aid over homosexuality | Source: LifeSiteNews
November 8, 2011
by Peter Baklinski
Africa - The president of Ghana is leading the charge as several African countries are making their stand against Britain's threat that they either legalize homosexual acts or be excluded from financial aid.
"I, as president of this nation will never initiate or support any attempts to legalize  homosexuality in Ghana," said President John Evans Atta Mills in an official statement to the UK government under Prime Minister David Cameron last Wednesday....
Cameron, speaking to The Andrew Marr Show in Perth during his stay in Australia, said, "British aid should have more strings attached."
"Britain is now one of the premier aid givers in the world. We want to see countries that receive our aid adhering to proper human rights, and that includes how people treat gay and lesbian people," continued Cameron.
"We are saying this is one of the things that will determine our aid policy," he said, adding that "these [African] countries are all on a journey [to overcome discrimination] and it is up to us to help them along that journey."
However, President Mills shot back that Britain does not have the right to mandate Ghanaian cultural and moral values.
"No one can deny Prime Minister Cameron his right to make policies, take initiatives or make statements that reflect his societal norms and ideals. But, he does not have the right to direct other sovereign nations as to what they should do, especially where their societal norms and ideals are different from those which exist in Prime Minister Cameron's society."...
The rest of the article may be found here.
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A Message from the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans Chairman
| Source: FCA
November 1, 2011
Feast of All Saints From the Chairman to the Members
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Thank you for responding to our call to pray for the recent meeting of the Primates'
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Archbishop Wabukala
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Council. We received many messages of support, and were aware of the Lord blessing us as a result of your intercessions. The Primates' Council remains committed to move forward in the work of the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans and our hopes for a renewed Anglican Communion.
We are immensely aware of being involved in a spiritual struggle. Our Global Anglican movement has made its stand on the gospel of Jesus Christ as expounded in the Jerusalem Declaration. This has united us. It has also divided us from those who promote a different 'gospel'.
Our twofold aim is to promote the preaching and defence of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ and to recognise and have fellowship with Anglican Christians whose spiritual lives are threatened by false teaching. We are longing for the spiritual reform of the Anglican Communion so that in a united partnership we can commend the Lord Jesus as the one and only Saviour of the world....
The rest of the article may be found here.
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| Anglican TV interview with Nigerian Archbishop Kwashi |
Archbishop Kwashi and Kevin Kallsen discuss the recent history and violence in Nigeria.
View the interview here.
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Iranian Authorities Pressuring Jailed Christian Pastor to Convert to Islam, Sources Say
| Source: FoxNews
By Lisa Daftari
Government officials in Iran are trying to convince a jailed pastor to return to Islam as he waits for the nation's supreme leader to decide whether he should be executed for converting to Christianity, sources close to the case told FoxNews.com.
Iran's secret service officials recently approached 34-year-old pastor Youcef Nadarkhani
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Pastor Nadarkhani
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at his prison site in Rasht and presented him with a book on Islamic literature, telling him they would be back to discuss the material and hear his opinion, the sources said.
FoxNews.com obtained a digital copy of the book given to Nadarkhani, a 300-page compilation entitled "Beshaarat-eh Ahdein," meaning "Message of the Two Eras," referring to the New and Old Testaments. Through various narratives, the book claims Christianity is a fabrication and attempts to establish the superiority of Islam.
"This isn't the first time that we have seen this strategy used in the Iranian jail system," said attorney Tiffany Barrans, the international legal director for the American Center for Law and Justice.
Barrans questioned whether this signaled the ayatollah's willingness to give Nadarkhani another chance, or rather "another way to trap him to allow the regime to continue to punish him or have documented evidence of blasphemy against Islam."
Barrans, who said she has been in frequent contact with Nadarkhani's attorneys, said he has been advised by family members, members of the church and lawyers to remain silent, out of fear that the Iranian government may try to use his statements against him, a strategy she said is commonly employed by the regime.
Nadarkhani remains in prison, awaiting a final verdict that has been drawn out and delayed amid heavy and targeted international attention to his case. Iran's judiciary has been caught in a bind, fearing the ultimate decision will have far-reaching political implications.
If Nadarkhani is released, the judiciary risks appearing disrespectful of the tenets of Shariah law. But if he is executed, Iran will face increasing criticism from the international community, which continues to petition for the pastor's release....
The rest of the article may be found here.
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