In July I reported on Birmingham Alabama's Cathedral Church of the Advent (A.K.A. The Advent) and how its conservative priest was forced out by his Episcopal bishop. The move left us wondering how long it would be before The Advent went down the tubes. Well, it looks like the bishop is aggressively moving her agenda forward by ordaining a gay priest at The Advent as reported at Virtue Online,
"In what many will view as a complete break with its evangelical past and identity, progressive Episcopal Bishop Glenda S. Curry, led worshippers at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in ordaining a practicing homosexual to the priesthood in a highly attended, colorful, liturgical service."
"Jose Fernandez was one of four priests ordained at the formerly evangelical cathedral, while his 'husband' Kevin Fouts was one of his presenters. The Rev. Canon R. Craig Smalley, Interim Dean and Rector of Advent knew of the priest's sexual orientation and said nothing."
The Advent's interim Dean and Rector and the vestry claim to have been unaware that a partnered gay priest was to be ordained,
"Second, none of the clergy, staff, wardens, or vestry knew anything about those who were being ordained. The ordination was a Diocesan event that was vetted and planned by the Diocese, but was held at the Advent because of its role as the Cathedral of the Diocese."
Look, you already know that you are dealing with a progressive bishop who is after your flock. You need to check everything she does or end up with having a stunt like this pulled on you.
"Third, this incident has revealed systemic failures at the Advent and the Diocese in how we interact together as the Cathedral. The Diocese failed to inform the Advent of this issue even though the Bishop had agreed that the Advent would not be asked to participate in, sponsor, or otherwise be seen to endorse an event that was incompatible with a traditional view of Scripture, or do anything that would assert, suggest, or imply that the Advent approved, condoned, or authorized such theological expressions. Although we are disappointed in and deeply grieved by the Diocese’s failure to communicate this issue to the Advent, as leaders of this parish we must also recognize that we should have done more to investigate this issue on our end."
I strongly advise people at The Advent to think about their options and come to a decision to either stay and fight or to shake the dust from their feet. There must be no more deals with the devil.
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The bishop issued a statement a couple of hours ago saying that everyone knew it was in the public domain who the ordinands were. Dean Smalley chose to ignore what the bishop was doing. And he has still not repudiated the bishops actions.
ReplyDeleteA he said, she said situation which puts the poor pewsitters in the congregation as judge and jury in the case of the Dean vs the Bishop. The Rev. Andrew Pearson's new church should gain more members as a result.
DeleteBishop Curry just issued a statement saying that everyone knew who the ordinands were. Dean Smalley chose not to pay attention to what the bishop said, and by ignoring brought disgrace on the cathedral.
ReplyDeleteI saw the interim Dean's and Vestry's denial. If true, it was tremendously naive. Hear no evil, see no evil, hope it turns out okay. Given the power a bishop holds, and ECUSA's track record, it seems unlikely that this situation will improve. The handwriting was probably on the wall the moment the female bishop was elected.
ReplyDeleteThere are at least two thriving ACNA parishes near Birmingham, an REC parish a bit farther out, and Andrew Pearson is said to be starting a parish in Birmingham proper. Those hoping Advent will withstand the progressive tidal wave are fooling themselves, in my opinion.