Crosses to bear

As the Episcopal Church wallows deeper in the mire of litigiousness (ecclesiastical as well as secular) as a result of its theological decline, we have greater and greater opportunities to carry the cross.

It is a Cross to Bishop MacBurney, to his friends, and the Church at large that he has been inhibited for providing sacramental care for a congregation that left the Episcopal Church and is under the authority of another portion of the Anglican Communion.

Remember that Bishop MacBurney has done confirmations for us at St. John's by Bishop Gibbs' permission, and was here in January to ordain our Curate, Fr. Fraser. He also adopted me in the ordination process when another diocese wouldn't send this young traditionalist, and ordained me a deacon before he retired in 1994. (all priests are deacons for at least 6 months)

Is there any shame among the leadership of the Episcopal Church?

Here is Bishop Keith Ackerman's statement.

I am beside myself with grief over this unnecessary action taken against my predecessor especially at a time when he is mourning the death of his son this past Friday. I am particularly saddened that with the exception of the Bishop who initiated this action those involved in determining this course have never spoken with Bishop MacBurney directly. In the midst of this difficult time for Bishop MacBurney and his family I am really much more concerned about the implications of St Matthew 18:15-17 as it relates to how reconciliation is pursued than I am with Title IV, Canon 1, Section 6 as it relates to disciplining my dear brother. In the meantime we are ministering to the needs of the MacBurney family.

X Keith L Ackerman, SSC
Bishop of Quincy
President, Forward in Faith North America

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for the Episcopal Church, for its conversion to the Faith handed to us by the Apostles from Jesus Himself!