Reader Response

SOUTH DAKOTA: John Tarrant consecrated as bishop coadjutor

From The Rev. Mary Bredlau • Las Vegas, Nevada, Nov 04, 2009 I was thrilled and proud to read of Bishop Tarrant's consecration in Sioux Falls in Episcopal Life Online. I was born and grew up in the rural area surrounding Milbank, South Dakota, an area where Sioux was the primary Native American population. I am now an Episcopal priest serving Grace in the Desert Episcopal Church, and primarily the wider community in Las Vegas as I officiate at mortuary funerals and memorial services and serve as grief counselor and chaplain to the dying. It was good to hear of my home state consecrating a new bishop. I appreciated his quoted words in the online article.

Readers respond to articles about Vatican's proposal to welcome former Anglicans

From James Locke • Dallas, Texas, Nov 04, 2009 The reactions to this action are amazing. It was Anglicans who broke off because we wanted to be able to divorce and re-marry, not because of some theological dispute. Our very founding was petty. It was not until Elizabeth I that we decided to become different from Rome in many ways, but then in the 20th century we decided to ditch it all for no reason. We have never had a good reason to be away from Rome and now they have welcomed us back with open arms! Praise be to God for their generosity and I hope that you will follow us in going back to the one, true church.

Many readers are correct that Rome's ecumenism is "our way or the highway" because truly, the force of truth lies in their hands, not ours. Who are we to disobey the Holy Spirit working within them when they offer us a chance to retain our cultural Anglican norms? Ad Altare Dei, let us go!

KENYA: Coastal church leaders reject Muslim scarves at schools

From Rosemary Bagin • O'Fallon, Missouri Nov 04, 2009 This is a good example of why the "Separation of Church and State" is so important. This article from Kenya shows the government trying to force the religious beliefs of some on to other members of their society, in this case Christian schools.

There are those in the U.S. government who would like to do the same to us. To force us through legislation to live by their religious beliefs. Citizens should be able to live out their lives according to their religious beliefs; but should not be able to impose their lifestyles on the rest of us whether we are atheists, or [belong to] some other denomination.

Send us your Response

From Terry Francis • Covington, Kentucky Nov 04, 2009 I was taken aback at some of the responses to the Vatican's proposal to welcome former Anglicans. Taken aback, but not surprised. Paul Mendenhall called the Catholic Church bigoted and reactionary, Julianne Fletcher implied that Catholic theology needed to move into the 21th century, while Louis Richards proclaimed that those who are closed-minded (funny how conservatives who dare to disagree with or challenge progressives are always "closed-mined") and like to engage in discriminatory practices would be more comfortable in the Catholic Church. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought one of the things Episcopalians aways prided themselves in was to not stand in judgment of others. Well, the rhetoric I just mentioned sounds pretty darn judgmental to me. If as a progressive you disagree with my interpretation of scripture, fine. But don't imply that you are a better person or a truer Christian just because you embrace a different, i.e. progressive version of the Bible. If you do then you are guilty of the very intolerance you are always self-rightously accusing others of practicing. The Vatican is inviting Anglicans/Episcopalians who are no longer comfortable with the leftward tilt the church in Canada, the U.K. and the U.S. has taken in the past 25 years. Progressives should wish them good luck and pray that they have found the church home they were looking for in the Catholic Church - not ridicule and insult them for making the choice.

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