A Statement from the President Forward in Faith North America

Forward in Faith North America ^ | 8/7/2003 | The Revd Dr David L Moyer SSC

[trad_anglican]

The revisionist majority has taken the Episcopal Church out of the Christian religion and severed it from any claim to uphold Biblical, Catholic, Apostolic, and Evangelical Faith and Order. This departure, open rebellion, and act of schism is decades old, beginning with the ordination of women to the priesthood and reaching a climax with a mockery of God’s moral order for sexual relationships. False teachers and teachings reign; and the men, women, and children who seek to be obedient to and humble before God and His divine revelation for their health and salvation have been misled and misused by so many of those solemnly entrusted with authority and loving care for Christian souls. The Episcopal Church has ignored and dismissed the counsel of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and has rejected the mind of Anglican Communion. The Episcopal Church as a denomination has willfully created a new religion.

[hellinahandcart]

The Archbishop of Canterbury's position is that it's only wrong for HETEROSEXUAL men to engage in homosexual activity. These guys are worse than Clinton in the truth department. If you don't believe me, go here.

There are priests and parishioners in your church spreading this pernicious stuff right now, you can bet on it. I hope your next Pope is African, or you could be in our shoes sooner than you think...

[NYer]

There are priests and parishioners in your church spreading this pernicious stuff right now, you can bet on it. I hope your next Pope is African, or you could be in our shoes sooner than you think...

Yes, it is true that there are those in the catholic church who would love nothing more than to shift the church to the left but .... it ain't gonna happen. The Magisterium MUST follow Scripture and the Apostles. Christ instructed the Church to preach everything he taught (Matt. 28:19–20) and promised the protection of the Holy Spirit to "guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13). That mandate and that promise guarantee the Church will never fall away from his teachings (Matt. 16:18, 1 Tim. 3:15), even if individual Catholics might.

"Jesus said his Church would be "the light of the world." He then noted that "a city set on a hill cannot be hid" (Matt. 5:14). This means his Church is a visible organization. It must have characteristics that clearly identify it and that distinguish it from other churches. Jesus promised, "I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). This means that his Church will never be destroyed and will never fall away from him. His Church will survive until his return.

Among the Christian churches, only the Catholic Church has existed since the time of Jesus. Every other Christian church is an offshoot of the Catholic Church. The Eastern Orthodox churches broke away from unity with the pope in 1054. The Protestant churches were established during the Reformation, which began in 1517. (Most of today’s Protestant churches are actually offshoots of the original Protestant offshoots.)

Only the Catholic Church existed in the tenth century, in the fifth century, and in the first century, faithfully teaching the doctrines given by Christ to the apostles, omitting nothing. The line of popes can be traced back, in unbroken succession, to Peter himself. This is unequaled by any institution in history."

Interestingly enough, one of the Cardinals considered most likely to succeed Pope John Paul II is Francis Cardinal Arinze from Nigeria. Like Joh Paul II, he is a conservative.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, chats with Francis Cardinal Arinze, president of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue. [ photo - David Harris ] Anglican Journal

[NYer]

Is the Bible our authority?

My heart and prayers are sincerely with ALL of you! Who could ever have imagined that the enemy of faithful christians would be other "christians" (in quotes because I question their christianity). Scripture can NEVER be rewritten! It then comes down to interpretation and what is meant by 'this' said in 'that' context, etc. I feel helpless as do all of you but trust that God in His divine Mercy will guide you on your journey.

The Anglican Church is very close in its belief system to the Catholic Church. It has retained a rich and beautiful heritage. So much so, that several years ago, a group approached Rome with the intent of realigning themselves to the Catholic Church. Here is a small portion of their story:

"Following the 1976 Episcopal Church Convention, a number of catholic-minded Episcopalians gathered together to explore ways to approach Rome, and the Society of St. Augustine was founded for this purpose. The San Antonio group formed St. Anthony’s Church. The laity contacted Fr. Phillips in Rhode Island, who came to San Antonio with his family in January of 1982. Prior to that, in 1979, a formal request and proposal was made to the Holy Father through the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. In June 1980, the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued the Holy Father’s “Pastoral Provision,” which granted the petitioners’ request: “... a common identity reflecting certain elements of their own heritage.” [Art. #84, “More Vatican II Documents” ed. Austin Flanney, O.P.]. These people, who formerly constituted St. Anthony’s Anglican Catholic Church, were received on the Solemnity of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother, 15 August 1983. "

Here in the Religion Forum, there are several members of the Anglican Use Catholic Church. I hope you will take a moment to visit the parish of one poster. It is absolutely magnificent!! Would that there were more of these in the US. Presently, there are only 6 Anglican Use churches - 4 in TX, one in NC and one in AL.

OUR LADY OF THE ATONEMENT

Constructed in 1986, the church building of Our Lady of the Atonement is built to resemble a medieval English church, while benefiting from modern construction.  In keeping with Catholic tradition and biblical expectation, the consecrated altar within the Sanctuary faces East.  Given the recent trend in American church architecture, parishioners genuinely appreciate the beauty of this church, and the beauty it inspires. 

[hellinahandcart]

Church tomorrow should be quite interesting.....

I am meeting my aunt and uncle for the nine o'clock tommorrow. I don't think I'll hear anything momentous just yet (although you never know, our rector was so upset about one bishop's mischaracterization of Jesus that he actually turned purple for a second when he mentioned it), but I want to see if there's anything unusual in the air. Like a sudden high attendance in August while the church's air-conditioning is being replaced...

I'll give a report after brunch tomorrow, I think we all should.

[hellinahandcart]

That's an old photo, from back in the days when we still had an Archbishop. :-(

[NYer]

That's an old photo, from back in the days when we still had an Archbishop. :-(/i>

????

[hellinahandcart]

Archbishop Carey retired last year and was replaced by Rowan Williams, the one who thinks homosexuality doesn't bother God as long as only homosexuals are doing it.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for your kind words.

The operative words are other "Christians!"

Most of these homosexual predators and their main line supporters are CINO's. Christians in Name Only. They are not Christians.

[NYer]

Most of these homosexual predators and their main line supporters are CINO's. Christians in Name Only. They are not Christians.

Grampa, we are under attack!! Call them what you want, these CINO's are fully aligned with the homosexual agenda, fueled by their pathetic attempt to have their lifestyle adopted as normal and their message fed to the masses via the media. The UN has now taken a stance in full support. The election of Vicki Gene Robinson as bishop 'legitimizes' their vociferous denouncement of ALL conservative religious belief based on scripture.

The morning following his approval, I turned on NBC where Matt Lauer asked the 'soft' questions, switched to NBC where they followed the same 'soft' line of questioning. Fully expecting that CBS would follow suit, I hesitated before switching to that channel - BIG MISTAKE!! When it came on, Robinson was answering what I presume was a 'hard' question from Harry Smith. The only part of his response that I caught was this ... "they were not aware of this in those days". Aware of what??? Homosexuality???? Sure they were!! Homosexuality, like prostitution, has been with us as long as the cockroach. What was the question and what was Robinson's verbatim response?

Someone on another thread noted that if Robinson had divorced his wife and moved in with another woman, under the guidelines of the Episcopal church, he would never have been elected to bishop. Is that true?

Instead, he and his wife held an "un"exchanging of rings and vows in church!! What the heck is that? He then shacks up with a man whom he regards as his partner and for this he is rewarded with a bishop's mitre (do you also use the mitre as a symbol of office?).

How clever is Satan!!! He is attacking from within.

[mustapha mond]

Please add me to your list. --MM

[Grampa Dave]

More than one E priest wanting to be a Bishop has been shot down when those voting for him found that he was having an affair with a woman, who was not his wife.

Years ago in our diocese, Northern California, a parish looking for a priest had narrowed it down to a couple of candidates. The selection committee was contacted by the wife of the priest. She said that her husband, the priest, was having an affair, and it was not the first one. He was dropped from consideration immediately.

About five years ago a female priest was getting a divorce from her husband. She and a male priest who was getting a divorce started seeing each other. The Bishop told both of them to knock it off. If he caught them living together, they would be out of a job as priests under him. Yet, he voted for the Gay Bishop last week, apparently. If true, a real fouled up double standard.

[NYer]

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of Battle; Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke Him, we humbly pray, and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell, Satan and all the other evil spirits, who prowl through the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Beautiful prayer!! Catholics used to say this prayer at the end of mass. It ended with Second Vatican Council II. (and look at the problems we have experienced since then)

This is how this prayer came to be written: It is said that one day having celebrated the Holy Sacrifice, the aged Pontiff Leo XIII was in conference with the Cardinals. Suddenly he sank to the floor in a deep swoon. Physicians who hastened to his side feared that he had already expired, for they could find no trace of his pulse. However, after a short interval the Holy Father rallied, and opening his eyes exclaimed with great emotion: "Oh what a horrible picture I was permitted to see!" He had been shown in spirit the tremendous activities of the evil spirits and their ravings against the Church. But in the midst of this vision of horror he had also beheld consoling visions of the glorious Archangel Michael, who had appeared and cast Satan and his legions back into the abyss of hell. Soon afterward he composed the well-known prayer.

Tradition gives to St. Michael four offices:

To fight against Satan and his host of fallen angels

To rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy, especially at the hour of death

To be the champion of God's people, the Jews in the Old Law, the Christians in the New Testament

To call away to heaven those who have died, and bring their souls to Judgement

Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as "one of the chief princes," and leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over the powers of hell. As St. Michael is often depicted as taming (or slaying) an evil being, he is a wonderful Archangel to call upon when we need help taming the evils within our lives. He has been especially honored and invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. Although he is always called "the Archangel," the Greek Fathers and many others place him over all the angels - as Prince of the Seraphim. St. Michael is the patron of grocers, mariners, paratroopers, police and all who are ill.

[hellinahandcart]

Instead, he and his wife held an "un"exchanging of rings and vows in church!!

You left out the best part. Communion was served too.

What the heck is that?

For all I know, some of these priests have invented a divorce blessing.

[hellinahandcart]

The only part of his response that I caught was this ... "they were not aware of this in those days".

Aware of loving, faithful, monogamous, life-intentioned homosexual unions. Like this is a new thing or something. You can watch that interview at the CBS site, it's at the top of the right-hand sidebar.

[hellinahandcart]

Kenyan Bishop Attacked for Opposing U.S. Homosexual Appointment

[TruthNtegrity]

I will be signng a letter of disappointment to be sent to the Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia, Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, later this Morning at Church.

As a 5th generation Episcopalian, and 4 generations back in England and Scotland that I've been able to trace so far, on my Dad's side, and a long line of protestants fighting to not be Roman Catholic (Heugonots) on my Mom's side, I am furious at this decision and will fight to see it overturned by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Here are some other links I've found:

http://www.communionparishes.org/

......started as a result of primates from the Anglican Communion meeting at Truro Episcopal Church in Fairfax City, VA. Please sign the petition that is listed on the website.


http://aplacetostand.org/


http://www.americananglican.org/


And for now, I have to leave or I'll be late.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for your excellent reply and please keep us posted.

[Grampa Dave]

I'm reposting this site that you posted in your reply as an excellent source for us at this time.

http://www.communionparishes.org/

[polemikos]

There has been a long and often close relationship between
the Anglican and Catholic Churches. In many important areas
there remains a mutual recognition of the validity of key
doctrines, liturgies, and practices. And the Catholic
Church continues to hold and propagate the faith and moral
teachings as handed down by the Apostles.

In 1980 the Holy See, in response to requests from priests
and laity of the Episcopal Church who were seeking full
communion with the Catholic Church, created a Pastoral
Provision to provide them with special pastoral attention.

Three key areas were addresed in this document:
1 - Establishment of parishes for former Episcopalians
2 - Development of liturgies familiar to Anglicans
3 - Ordination of Episcopalian ministers as priests

The establishment of personal parishes in dioceses of the
United States was in response to the many requests of
former faithful of the Episcopal Church. Several have been
set up under this provision:

Our Lady of the Atonement Parish, San Antonio, TX
Our Lady of Walsingham Parish, Houston, TX
St. Mary the Virgin Parish, Arlington, TX
St. Thomas More Parish Fort Worth, TX
St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Austin, TX
St. Anselm of Canterbury Catholic Mission, Corpus Christi, TX
St. Athanasius Congregation, Boston, MA
Church of the Good Shepherd Parish, Columbia, SC
Atlanta Area AU Catholic Laity, Dunwoody, GA
California AU Catholic Laity, St. Francis of Assisi Church, La Quinta, CA

They also retain certain liturgical elements proper to the
Anglican tradition. This Anglican Use liturgy uses the
Book of Common Prayer (with minor updates) for the Mass.
So there is no need to lose the liturgy Anglicans are
familiar with. This Mass is valid for all Catholics as well.

Under the Provision the ordination of married Episcopal
priests was made possible as well. Since 1983, close to 100
former Episcopal ministers have been ordained for priestly
ministry in Catholic dioceses of the United States.
(Yes, there are married priests in the Latin-rite church).

Resources for those interested in the Catholic faith:

Catholic Answers
www.catholic.com
A superb site for clearing away the myths propagated by too many.
Offers free on-line library that examines all the major issues,
free on-line archive of over 1,500 hours of radio/audio material,
plus magazines, books, pamphlets, tracts, videos, and more.

Coming Home Network
www.chnetwork.org
Provides fellowship, encouragement and support for Protestant
pastors and laymen who are somewhere along the journey or
have already been received into the Catholic Church.

Biblical Evidence for Catholicism
www.biblicalcatholic.com
Dave Armstrong's monster site. Eclectic, fun, exhaustingly
detailed, personal, moving, and more.

Resources for those interested in the Anglican Use rite:

Yahoo Discussion Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnglicanUse/

And our own Sockmonkey and B-Chan are Anglican Use converts.
They have generously made themselves available for answering
questions via FreepMail.

May the Word be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks, my friend for posting your links and another alternative for us.