Mark Shea links to this news item about a newly elected Episcopal bishop who is also a Buddhist.
You couldn’t make it up.
It reminds me of a conversation I had some time ago with my friend David (with whom I wrote this book). He speculated, “What would you do if they discovered the bones of Jesus, and it really was, without a doubt the skeleton of Jesus of Nazareth?”
I thought for a moment and said, “I think I’d become a Buddhist. That way I could follow a beautiful, peaceful and ancient religion in which I would not have to believe anything.”
“In that case,” he replied, “You could just become an Anglican again.”
Very droll.
If the Anglican Church was a dog some vet would put it out of its misery by a simple injection.Come on – all Catholic minded Anglicans, get out of that sinking ship! Return home! The Catholic Church is waiting for you.
Is it bad that I find that exchange really, really, funny?
If the Anglican/Episcopal USA church wasn’t so absurd in their theological positions, they would be funny. But it’s really just so sad..
These days don’t a lot of American Anglicans cross that line into paganism anyway with their nature spirit worship and whatnot? I don’t know why we’re that surprised, even though it’s sad.
I live on Long Island, NY. Our local Jesuit retreat house “Inisfada” features a Jesuit priest who is also a buddhist “priest” (roshi). Fr. Kennedy leads many zen retreats. If you look at the retreat house schedule, you will see that it is filled with yoga and zen sessions: http://www.inisfada.net/index1.html. Unfortunately, this has been going on for a long time.
What ever happened to that lady Episcopal priest who “also” became a Muslim? Anyone know?
Gulp! What would His take on Anglican Liturgy be like I wonder?Next, there will be a Taoist Presbyterian ordained :Is this funny Very much so! And… not so much all at the same time.-g-
No need to practice Zen Buddhism. Zen is boring as heck. Why any bishop would engage is such non-sense is beyond me.
Gail,She was inhibited.
Gail F.,As far as I know her home bishop (the one in whose diocese she is canonically resident) deposed her; it seems to have made little impact in the diocese where she actually lives and works.
She is not yet deposed.”Bishop Geralyn Wolf of the Diocese of Rhode Island has inhibited the Rev. Ann Holmes Redding for publicly professing her adherence to the Muslim faith.The notice states that the diocesan “Standing Committee has determined that Dr. Redding abandoned the Communion of the Episcopal Church by formal admission into a religious body not in communion with the Episcopal Church. The bishop has affirmed that determination.”The inhibition prevents Redding from “exercising the gifts and spiritual authority conferred on her by ordination and from public ministry” and is in force until March 31, 2009. In accordance with Episcopal canons, unless Redding “reclaims” her Christian faith, said Wolf in an interview, the inhibition will automatically lead to a deposition, ending Redding’s priesthood. “
[i]veritas[/i] @ 6:17pm,You wrote “Catholic minded Anglicans, get out of that sinking ship! Return home! The Catholic Church is waiting for you.”Allow me to report that I have done my part. And, having met Mark Shea when he made a presentation to my RCIA class, he can attest thereto.Finally, returning home is what if feels like, despite the fact that I was born and raised in the LCMS, prior to becoming Episcopalian.Blessings and regards,Keith Toepfer
I agree that it is completely absurd, but can you please pray for us. It really is laughable and should be laughed at (for the Devil cannot bear to be mocked), but please pray that the people under his care are really told the good news by someone. Perhaps that someone could be you.