Letter to the Editors linked by TitusOneNine:
Kudos to the Rev. D. Stuart Dunnan for his editorial titled "Include new province" (February). It was refreshing to read this clear and logical approach to diverse postures and opinions within our Episcopal Church. Dunman proposed that our Presiding Bishop make the heroic move toward true inclusiveness by the establishment of an additional oversight or province for traditionalists.
I, too, must ask, "Why are the Presiding Bishop and most diocesan bishops so afraid of giving parishes and members a choice? Why is it that in a church that prides itself on choices, there can be no choice on episcopal oversight?" Are our spiritual leaders indeed afraid many would not stay in line and within the fold without legal bullying and threats re: property?
If one fears overlapping jurisdictions or intrusions into jurisdictions, then one might ask why [the Episcopal Church's] overlapping jurisdiction and intrusion into the Anglican Diocese of Europe (Church of England) with "American congregations" is acceptable.
Perhaps now is the time for our Presiding Bishop and our diocesan bishops to truly make a step toward inclusiveness and allow traditionalists the option of remaining in the Episcopal Church, but on acceptable terms of a separate episcopal oversight or province.
It is indeed sad to see the Episcopal Church becoming a church that is "half the size but with twice the righteousness."
The Rev. Paul J. Andersen
Christchurch, Virginia
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