Episcopal Priest and Muslim Convert Says She Will Move On

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
3/9/2009

The inhibited Rev. Ann Holmes-Redding has decided to move on to the next phase of ministry as both a Christian and a Muslim, but not as an Episcopal priest. The Bishop of Rhode Island, The Rt. Rev. Geralyn Wolfe says she cannot be both and has threatened to depose her if she does not recant her Muslim faith.

Holmes-Redding says she can integrate the two religions and will say so at a signing of her new book "Out of Darkness Into Light: Spiritual Guidance in the Quran with Reflections from Jewish and Christian sources," co-authored by Holmes-Redding, Jamal Rahman and Kate Elias at the Seattle Town Hall next month. The evening is being billed as her movement into the next phase of ministry as both Christian and Muslim. She will also observe the 25th anniversary of her ordination to the priesthood.

Redding remains steadfast in her belief that she was called to both faiths. The six months she was given to make up her mind which religion she will follow ends in April. At that time she faces certain defrocking. She is based in the Diocese of Olympia, Washington.

Bishop Wolf, who has disciplinary authority over the Seattle priest, said a church committee determined that Redding "abandoned the Communion of the Episcopal Church by formal admission into a religious body not in communion with the Episcopal Church." As a result, Redding was barred from functioning as a priest for six months in October 2008.

Next month she will seal the deal.

Redding remains resolute in her belief that she was called to both faiths, but acknowledges her decision to follow that call has been exceedingly painful at times.

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