From Cotton Country Anglican (blog) via TitusOneNine:
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2010
Having to turn my attention from The Who Dat Nation celebration of something truly wonderful to the anything but godly legal trash activity of The Episcopal Church as represented by 815 Second Street, NYC, is almost more than I can abide. Am I surprised that TEC's next target will be Bishop Mark Lawrence, or the Diocese of South Carolina, or parishes within that diocese? Absolutely not, albeit that I must admit to being somewhat taken aback by their timing.
My lawyer instincts suggest to me that South Carolina's initial response to the requests made to them by local counsel hired by 815 and seeking diocesan documents, including documents specifically related to certain parishes was absolutely the right one - - "no." More importantly, the fundamental initial reason for the refusal was quite properly to point out that any such requests, if proper at all, should be made from Katharine Jefferts Schori in her capacity as the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church to Bishop Lawrence as the Diocesan of The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina (and assuming that "her office" affords her any basis to make such requests). After all, there is no pending litigation and, if as the "local lawyer" suggested in his request that there are no plans for litigation, one must logically conclude that there is no need for lawyers to be the vehicles for communication. Of course, we all know that litigation is precisely "the plan" and therefore there is no foundation for trust between the Chancellor and counsel for the Diocese of South Carolina and 815's "local counsel." The wolf's face has early popped from behind the sheep mask so loosely worn.
If there is to be a fight in South Carolina, it strikes me that it should be a fight to be fought not just by South Carolina, but by all who honor traditional Christian values, the historic Anglican traditions and orthodoxy in matters of faith and religion, the grand heritage of The Episcopal Church (and I speak of The Episcopal Church represented by our full history and not that reflected by the current leadership) and even those who simply believe that our church (our province of the Anglican Communion) should honor its own constitution and canons.
As one who loves "this Church" and all that she has stood for, I am hopeful that as individual Episcopalian parishioners, as parishes, and as dioceses, we will put on the whole armor of God and stand firm in support of +Lawrence and the Diocese of South Carolina and, if not too bold to suggest it, make clear to +Jefferts-Schori and the leadership of The Episcopal Church that if there is to be another fight, it be one with all within "the Church" who share the visions, dreams and goals of our brothers and sisters in Christ in South Carolina.
What a lousy way to burst my celebratory Who Dat Nation bubble; and even more, what an ungodly way to introduce the penitential season of Lent.
Clearly those in leadership positions in South Carolina are aware of this truth and each of the rest of us should remember to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing.
May we pray fervently to the Lord for our Church and may the Lord give us wisdom, strength and his holy peace which passes all human understanding.
POSTED BY JOE AT 7:19 AM
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