As we in South Carolina keep one eye on the projected path of Hurricane Irma, the other eye is on the continuing legal battle between The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina (ACNA) and the Episcopal Diocese in South Carolina (TEc). The best account of this debacle can be found at the blog of Allan Haley, the Anglican Curmudgeon (link on the right-hand column), who I count as a friend and fellow sojourner on the road out of the mud swamp that is the Episcopal organization.
It took the South Carolina Supreme Court almost two years to come to a decision on the first lawsuit between "The Protestant Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, et al." and "The Episcopal Church, et al." A 3-2 ruling went against the ACNA diocese meaning that they may have to turn over their church buildings to the TEc diocese, a small group which cannot fill or maintain most of these structures. Appeals to the court are already winding their way through the legal system which probably means more years of litigation.
Any ruling that takes two years for a court to formulate has to be suspect, and our Anglican Curmudgeon has all the details here and here. First, one judge is a party to the case. Justice Hearn is a member of TEc and the Episcopal Diocese in South Carolina. She should have recused herself but did not, and her bias is documented in Allan's posts.
Second, the majority could not agree as to how they came to their conclusion (Allan's second post).
In conversations with clergy and pewsitters in the ACNA diocese it is clear that they are uncomfortable with the situation and some are losing sleep over the matter. I am glad to report that they are keeping God in the forefront, praying together, and fasting, while their legal team tries to right the injustice done by the South Carolina Supreme Court.
As an outside observer who has always believed that the Episcopal organization should let God's people go, I pray that God will right the wrong, but I know that his answer to my prayer may not come in the form that I expect.
If my friends lose their buildings, I am confident that the new churches they build will be vibrant hatcheries for new disciples of Christ, whereas I cannot express the same confidence in the evangelistic abilities of TEc or its followers if they wind up with the old, empty church buildings.
You cannot evangelize a false gospel. Nobody needs what TEc is peddling.
It took the South Carolina Supreme Court almost two years to come to a decision on the first lawsuit between "The Protestant Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, et al." and "The Episcopal Church, et al." A 3-2 ruling went against the ACNA diocese meaning that they may have to turn over their church buildings to the TEc diocese, a small group which cannot fill or maintain most of these structures. Appeals to the court are already winding their way through the legal system which probably means more years of litigation.
Any ruling that takes two years for a court to formulate has to be suspect, and our Anglican Curmudgeon has all the details here and here. First, one judge is a party to the case. Justice Hearn is a member of TEc and the Episcopal Diocese in South Carolina. She should have recused herself but did not, and her bias is documented in Allan's posts.
Second, the majority could not agree as to how they came to their conclusion (Allan's second post).
In conversations with clergy and pewsitters in the ACNA diocese it is clear that they are uncomfortable with the situation and some are losing sleep over the matter. I am glad to report that they are keeping God in the forefront, praying together, and fasting, while their legal team tries to right the injustice done by the South Carolina Supreme Court.
As an outside observer who has always believed that the Episcopal organization should let God's people go, I pray that God will right the wrong, but I know that his answer to my prayer may not come in the form that I expect.
If my friends lose their buildings, I am confident that the new churches they build will be vibrant hatcheries for new disciples of Christ, whereas I cannot express the same confidence in the evangelistic abilities of TEc or its followers if they wind up with the old, empty church buildings.
You cannot evangelize a false gospel. Nobody needs what TEc is peddling.
Posts
It doesn't matter whether TEC is under presiding bishop Schori or under presiding bishop Curry. Can a leopard change his spots?
ReplyDeleteThey're doing what they can, and trusting in God, which is their best route.
ReplyDeleteLooks are, Pewster, that the hurricane may pass right over you in Greenville (do I have that right?). Trust in God for human and natural storms.
Katherine, If you put your e-mail address in a comment (I will not publish it), I will update you on our situation.
DeleteI see the ACNA will allow an individual diocese to ordain women deacons and priests but no bishops will be ordained. Does anyone believe that women bishops will not follow? Have we fought so hard for orthodoxy and lost so much, only to follow in the footsteps of TEC.
ReplyDeleteI read the statement on your blog Dale. It looks like an open door for variations in interpretation of scripture and you know what that leads to.
DeleteIs it unity vs truth once again? When ++Welby talks about "Good disagreement" does this mean the end is near?
DeleteFriday updates indicate you might be off the hook, but my daughter in Sarasota isn't! May God preserve all those in the path of this storm.
ReplyDeleteI hope she made it out all right. Prayers ascending.
Delete