Bishop Herzog Joins the Roman Catholic Church

The Living Church Foundation ^ | 03/29/2007

[monkapotamus]

Latest News

Bishop Herzog Joins the Roman Catholic Church
03/29/2007

The Rt. Rev. William H. Love, Bishop of Albany, has appealed for unity following news that his predecessor has entered into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

The Rt. Rev. Daniel Herzog retired as Bishop of Albany Jan. 31. Bishop Love said he learned of Bishop Herzog’s decision in a letter dated March 19 which he received upon his return from the spring retreat of the House of Bishops.

“The recent retirement and subsequent departure of both Bishop Dan [Herzog] and Bishop Dave [Bena] from The Episcopal Church can’t help but have a major impact on each of us and our diocese,” Bishop Love stated in a letter. “One of my greatest concerns as your new bishop is that others in the diocese are also struggling with the current issues that threaten to divide the Church. Please know that I am here for you as we work through these issues.

“As your bishop and brother in Christ, I appreciate and give thanks to God for you and every member of our diocesan family. I need you as we move forward.”

In his letter to Bishop Love, Bishop Herzog stated that his decision was based on more than three years of focused prayer and study.

“My sense of duty to the diocese, its clergy and people required that I not walk away from my office and leave vulnerable this diocese which I love,” he wrote. “I believed that it was my responsibility to provide for a transition to the future. Your subsequent election and consecration discharged that duty and has given me the liberty to follow my conscience, and now resign my orders and membership in the House of Bishops.

“It is certainly no reflection on you or your ministry which Carol and I both admire and respect and for which we pray daily. Needless to say, we have only fondness and appreciation for you and the diocese in whose ministry Carol and I have invested the past 35 years of our lives.”

Bishop Herzog’s departure comes less than a month after it was revealed that before his retirement, Bishop Herzog had agreed to transfer the canonical ministry license of Bishop Suffragan David Bena to the Anglican Church of Nigeria. Bishop Love said both former bishops remain “good friends” and will continue to be welcome at all diocesan functions.

To find more news, feature articles, and commentary about the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion not available online, read The Living Church magazine each week. Call 1-800-211-2771 today to start your subscription.

[monkapotamus]

ping

[big'ol_freeper]

All I can say to the bishop is welcome home!! May many more follow you.

[ex-snook]

As John Henry Newman, the founder of the English Oxford movement in 1833 puts it, converts come to the Catholic Church "not so much to lose what they have, but to gain what they have not".

It is the same today. Bishops join the Catholic Church, they do not leave. Truth is truth.

[NYer]

THIS IS MAJOR NEWS!

The Right Reverend Daniel W. Herzog

Here in Albany, I always found it amazing that Anglicans had such a traditional bishop while his RC counterpart was on the opposite poll. As a Catholic in the Albany Diocese, I truly welcome him to the fold.

[ArrogantBustard]

Bishop Love is welcome to come on over, too, if he likes ...

[Mad Dawg]

It's kind of weird for us former clergydudes, but whatever I lost (which in my case wasn't much -- I was never really good at this clergy stuff) has been repaid a thousandfold! Even the concomitant (but rare) persecutions are a gift.

But oh my goodness it's great to be home ...

So I'm happy for the bishop, and I hope he can hold on for the ride. I'd LOVE to be able to chat with him.

[Cheverus]

How old is he? I'm wondering if he'll apply for Ordination under the Pastoral Provision - though he may have to relocate given that Hubbard is the Latin Rite Catholic Bishop in that part of the world.

Did he wife make the switch too?

[NYer]

Something tells me we'll be seing him on EWTN's program The Journey Home , sometime in the future.

[monkapotamus]

http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=5769

ALBANY: BISHOP HERZOG AND WIFE RETURN TO ROME

3/28/2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Upon my arrival home from the House of Bishop's meeting, I received the attached letter from Bishop Dan, informing me that after a three and half year long period of "focused prayer and study," he and Carol have decided to return to their roots and be received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. While I respect Bishop Dan and Carol's decision, it is with great sadness that I receive and pass on this news.

I know this was not an easy decision, nor was it made without great personal cost. Unfortunately, unlike Bishop Bena's decision to transfer to the Church of Nigeria, continuing as a bishop in good standing in the Anglican Communion, Bishop Dan's decision has necessitated the resignation of his orders as bishop, priest and deacon. As such, he will not be able to function in an ordained capacity within the Diocese or larger Anglican Communion.

More

[Macoraba]

WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!! I know of a few Catholic Bishops that I'd like to send over to the Episcopalians!

[NYer]

News is spreading fast through the blogosphere. From Fr. Dwight Longenecker (another convert)

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Thursday, March 29, 2007

Episcopal Bishop Comes Home to Rome

Daniel Herzog, The Episcopal Bishop of Albany has been received into full communion with the Catholic Church. Here's the story.

The detail that interests me is that (if I understand correctly) he somehow transferred his suffragan Bishop's allegiance to an African bishop before resigning and handing over to his Episcopal successor. Can anyone illuminate us on the details of this?

Welcome home Bishop Daniel! I hope and pray that your gifts of faith and love will be fully appreciated and used in the Catholic Church.

You can follow Anglican comments at Titusonenine.

[NYer]

I'm wondering if he'll apply for Ordination under the Pastoral Provision - though he may have to relocate given that Hubbard is the Latin Rite Catholic Bishop in that part of the world.

Just watched the local news and nothing about this was reported. So, it's breaking first on the Internet.

Like you, I am also wondering how this is being handled by the RC Diocese. If you only knew how totally opposite these Hubbard is from Herzog. Were it possible, the Albany Diocese under Hubbard would look like ECUSA does now. But, mercifully, that is not possible - not now - not ever. So my curiosity is now piqued. Will Herzog be ordained under the Pastoral Provision and, if so, is it possible that an Anglican Use Rite would be established in Albany? That would not only attract the fleeing Anglicans but some of the traditionalist Catholics who wander this diocese in search of more reverent liturgies.

As for the 2nd part of your question, Herzog poses no threat to Hubbard. The Catholic Church does not elevate married priests to the rank of bishop.

[annalex]

Welcome home, bishop.

[Salvation]

To the bishop and his predecessor:

Welcome home!

[Running On Empty]

Greetings, Bishop Herzog and many good years ahead.

[phatus maximus]

I didn't know Whitey was a bishop...all this time I thought he was a cardinal...

[Huber]

Thanks to monkapotamus for the ping.

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Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15

[monkapotamus]

Another article:

http://www.episcopal-life.org/79901_84564_ENG_HTM.htm

[NYer]

Apparently, Herzog has returned to the Catholic Church. Here's the story from the Albany Times Union

Former Albany Episcopal Bishop David Ball, reached at home before midnight, said Herzog was a Roman Catholic until about 35 years ago. Herzog graduated from St. Bonaventure University, a Catholic school, in 1964.

Ball described the move as "extremely rare" and could not recall a similar situation.

Retired Episcopal bishop joins Catholics