Two items of note from Virtue Online

On the international front, a theological clash has occurred between the Archbishop of Kenya, Eliud Wabukala and Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori over what constitutes a true Lenten message. The Kenyan Archbishop issued a strong rebuke to Jefferts Schori's Lenten message over her understanding of Lent.

The Presiding Bishop has called on Episcopalians to focus on the Millennium Development Goals for Lent 2012. "I invite you to use the Millennium Development Goals as your focus for Lenten study and discipline and prayer and fasting this year. I'm going to remind you that the Millennium Development Goals are about healing the worst of the world's hunger. They're about seeing that all children get access to primary education etc etc." The Millennium Development Goals are truly reflective of several of the Five Marks of Mission, she said.

Archbishop Wabukala took issue with the Presiding Bishop saying the Millennium Development Goals have grown out of a secularized Western culture that is pushing Christianity to the margins and using the language of human rights and equality to promote irresponsibility in social life and diminish personal responsibility. Ouch. You can read the full exchange in today's digest.

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Katharine Jefferts Schori is on an Asian trip to promote her worldview and to keep alive the notion that the Episcopal Church has 16 countries in its back pocket even though the combined numbers don't make up one small Nigerian diocese.

According to a VOL reader and observer, the liberals in the Korean Church are beside themselves with glee at Jefferts Schori's visit. They think she will liberate them and pour money over them and their pet causes. I told one of her fans, "What money? TEC is effectively bankrupt from all the lawsuits." A look of horror came over his face. I'm not sure because he couldn't believe that an American would "diss" his own Church, or because he realizes that TEC only survives on the legacy left when its faithful still had the faith. 

The reader is circulating VOL stories about what Mrs. Jefferts Schori REALLY believes and is having them translated into Korean. The Presiding Bishop might be in for a shock when she gets to those shores.