KenEPISCOPLAGIARISM
I was going to analyze Frank Griswold's letter, dated December 19, 2003, to the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. But as I read it, something gradually occurred to me. I'd read it before. Frank to the Patriarch:
I write to you with a heavy heart, having reviewed the November 17 press release from the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church and having pondered it in my prayers for many weeks. I know that our bonds of fraternal affection and respect have been strained by an action of our General Convention: namely the consent to the election of the bishop-elect of the Diocese of New Hampshire and his subsequent Consecration. I am keenly aware that for you this is clearly contrary to a plain reading of Scripture and Holy Tradition. According to the DECR's press release, "the Biblical texts about the condemnation of homosexualism are clear and unequivocal." Therefore our actions seem to say to you that the Episcopal Church has gone beyond the bounds of what is morally acceptable.
Frank to the Primates of the Anglican Communion, in a letter dated August 19, 2003:
I write to you with a heavy heart, knowing that, in some instances, our bonds of fraternal affection and respect have been strained by an action of our General Convention: namely the consent to the election of the bishop-elect of the Diocese of New Hampshire. I am keenly aware that for many of you this is clearly contrary to a plain reading of Scripture, and in the contexts in which you live, it is unthinkable. Should you be of that view, our action would say to you that the Episcopal Church has gone beyond the bounds of what is morally acceptable.
Frank to the Patriarch:
I see my ministry now as helping our church to find a way forward that both preserves the unity of the church and honors the deeply held divergent points of view among us.
Frank to the Primates:
I see my ministry now as helping our church to find a way forward that both preserves the unity of the church and honors the deeply held divergent points of view among us.
Frank to the Patriarch:
I am now obliged to ask what potential gift is buried beneath the surface of this present situation. One of Metropolitan Philaret's prayers which I say daily contains the phrase: "I am ready for all, I accept all." Therefore, I find myself asking God to show me how this occasion might be used for the good and to build up the life we share in Christ.
Frank to the Primates:
As much as I would have preferred that the attention of the Convention, and indeed the media, be focused elsewhere, I am now obliged to ask what potential gift is buried beneath the surface of this present situation. One of the prayers I say daily contains the phrase: “I am ready for all, I accept all.” Therefore, I find myself asking God to show me how this occasion might be used for the good and to build up the life we share in Christ.
Frank to the Patriarch:
I write now in the hope of answering some questions raised in the press release which, I note, was released by the DECR and not by you personally. First, I must say in the strongest possible terms that if I believed in any part of my being that the consent to this election was unfaithful to an authentic way of reading Scripture and contrary to the leading of the Holy Spirit, I could no longer serve as the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. I pray that you know I firmly believe, as you do, that the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God and contain all things necessary to salvation. That is the oath I took at my ordination and my life is rooted and grounded in this understanding.
Frank to the Primates:
I write now in the hope of answering some questions a number of you have raised. First, I must say in strongest possible terms that if I believed in any part of my being that the consent to this election was unfaithful to an authentic way of reading Scripture and contrary to the leading of the Holy Spirit, I could no longer serve as the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. I pray that – as most of you have come to know me over these years – you know I firmly believe, as you do, that the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God and contain all things necessary to salvation. My life is rooted and grounded in this understanding.
Frank to the Patriarch:
The difficulty before us is not about some of us believing that Scripture is the inspired Word of God and others not believing it is. How we have been shaped and formed as Christians and the context in which we live have a great deal to do with how we interpret various passages in the Bible and the weight we give them in making moral decisions.
Frank to the Primates:
Unfortunately, the difficulty before us is not about some of us believing that Scripture is the inspired Word of God and others not believing it is. How we have been shaped and formed as Christians and the context in which we live have a great deal to do with how we interpret various passages in the Bible and the weight we give them in making moral decisions.
Frank to the Patriarch:
I have said on more than one occasion that, to my mind, consent to this particular election does not mean we now have concluded discussion about the matter of homosexuality which is of such concern in the life of our church and many others. The matter is far from resolved and there are strong opinions on every side.
Frank to the Primates:
Second, and very important, to my mind consent does not mean we now have clarity about the matter of homosexuality in the life of our church, and a vote to consent is not about this larger question. The matter is far from resolved and there are strong opinions on every side.
Frank to the Patriarch:
There are also questions about the resolution passed by our Convention concerning "Rites: blessing of committed same gender relationships." The original form of the resolution called for the authorization of the development of rites for the blessing of same sex unions. This was rejected. Here I, and many others, were mindful of the Primates' letter following our meeting in Brazil. The resolution Convention passed recognizes the reality of a variety of local pastoral practices, without either endorsing or condemning the same, and calls for "continued prayer, study and discernment" under my direction.
Frank to the Primates:
There have also been questions about the resolution passed by our Convention concerning “Rites: blessing of committed same gender relationships.” The original form of the resolution called for the authorization of the development of rites for the blessing of same sex unions, which would then have been considered by the General Convention in 2006. This was rejected. Here I and many others were mindful of the Primates letter following our meeting in
Frank to the Patriarch:
It is important to note that this in no way relates to Holy Matrimony, about which our teachings are clear. I say this because some reports following Convention falsely indicated we had departed from the teachings on marriage. I see the question on blessing same gender relationships as a quite separate matter from that of consenting to the New Hampshire election.
Frank to the Primates:
It is important to note that this in no way relates to Holy Matrimony, about which our teachings are clear. I say this because some reports following Convention falsely indicated we had departed from the teachings on marriage. I see the question on blessing same gender relationships as a quite separate matter from that of consenting to the
Frank to the Patriarch:
St. Paul once wrote: "Glory to God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine." These words give me strength and courage and open me continually to the mystery of God's ever unfolding ways. May they sustain us all in the ministry we share, which is none other than Christ's continuing ministry of reconciling love.
Frank to the Primates:
“Glory to God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.” These words of
Just when I think that my disgust for the man can't possibly get any higher, Frank blows me away. Frank Griswold, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America, wrote a letter to the head of one of the greatest churches in all of Christendom and couldn't even trouble himself to come up with something original. I have never been so embarrassed to have been baptized an Episcopalian. But on the bright side, at least the PrezBish only stole from himself.
Submitted by Fuego
at 2/25/2004 9:12:25 PM| When will people admit that their intelligence has been insulted? It is not just a matter of revisionism; it is El Grizzo pretending that either the scriptures have no meaning; or that he alone can read them correctly.
I am sorely afraid that we have permanently lost the Episcopal Church. If El Grizzo were to resign in disgrace tomorrow, his clone (and there are many) would pop right up to continue his works. The Episcopate is full of them. |
Submitted by Joey W
at 2/25/2004 9:20:52 PM| In the [edited] words of the immortal Bard,
"Who steals [Frank's words] steals trash; ‘tis something, nothing......" Chris, you have to remember that coming up with these deeply meaningful and spiritual missives is a great toll on Frank; consider how much it must have taken to pen the "forcefields" letter. And the shallower the well, the faster it runs dry.......... |
Submitted by Terrence, in Vancouver, BC
at 2/25/2004 9:23:36 PM| Grizzie has a word processor - and out comes multi-purpose, cut and paste theobabble; i.e.; meaningless gibberish.
Garbage in, garbage out. |
Submitted by bjorn free
at 2/26/2004 12:26:15 AM| J. Scott,
That gives new meaning to the phrase "Frank to the Primates." |
Submitted by Observer
at 2/26/2004 2:02:05 AM| At least you have to credit Griswold for being consistent - consistently heterodox. |
Submitted by Aaron
at 2/26/2004 6:12:28 AM| Christopher, you are the man! Good catch! To me it reveals how insincere Grima Griswold is. Make sure the Russians see this information! |
Submitted by Gayle
at 2/26/2004 8:18:37 AM| Duane, how awesome. To bulldoze a chapel that has been desecrated, I love it.
I find this all very healing, in an upside-down sort of way. The election of Grima Grizzie and others of his ilk indicate to me that a lot of commissions on ministry lack discernment. If they can't always tell who isn't being called, then they can't always tell who is. |
Submitted by Duane
at 2/26/2004 8:39:37 AM| The picture of the monkey with the typewriter reminded me of the comment that a number of monkeys given unlimited time could write Shakespeare. For Griz, Vicki and the Archdruid Rowan: 10 monkeys, 3 days (apologies to Dilbert, I plagiarized this from an old strip). |
Submitted by Peter O
at 2/26/2004 10:05:36 AM| Shocking - Griswold is not just theologically bankrupt, he's correspondently bankrupt as well. |
Submitted by MC from CA
at 2/26/2004 10:09:56 AM| but at least he's man enough to admit that if he ever stopped believing in his own infallibility, he'd quit his job. How many of us could say the same? |
Submitted by Elkanah
at 2/26/2004 10:27:46 AM| A form letter telling all the Anglican Primates and the heads of every Christian denomination to sod off. Very efficient, Frank. |
Submitted by dfwcelticguy
at 2/26/2004 11:26:14 AM| Gee...I can't wait to see what PB "Clark" Griswold's Easter letter to the Episcopal Church says. Hopefully he'll at least have the presence of mind to change the opening salutation, so as to avoid creating 2.2 million additional Patriarchs of the Russian Church! |
Submitted by Joey W
at 2/26/2004 2:31:24 PM| dfwcelticguy,
You made a minor error in your posting - remember, Frank is unlikely to believe in "Easter" as such, just in "an even which is part of the forcefields of energy that reach out from within us to touch on the multitude of individual universes which form our corporate consciousness of journeying to the wilderness." Frank may have something to say about the 'Easter' Bunny, Cadbury eggs, etc., but since he is admittedly deluded about his relationship to Christianity, it's unlikely that he will want to deal with a topic as meaningful as the Resurrection - except possibly to explain it away as an "alternate understanding of Scripture, no longer needed by those who have experienced Hmmmmmm....... Years back, the name which people recognized as meaning someone with multiple personalities was "Sybil." Perhaps we should update that with "Frank", since there must be more than one personality bouncing around amidst all the haze in his head - how else can his writing be explained? Doesn't it sound like more than one person trying to write at the same time, with the result being chaos? |
Submitted by Joey W
at 2/26/2004 2:32:58 PM| *&%@&* blasted new keyboard.....
That first sentence should read "event", not "even". |
Submitted by Duane
at 2/26/2004 2:59:25 PM| Pink Floyd is coming to mind:
The lunatic is on the grass The lunatic is on the grass Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs Got to keep the loonies on the path The lunatic is in the hall The lunatics are in my hall And if the dam breaks open many years too soon And if there is no room upon the hill And if your head explodes with dark forbodings too I'll see you on the dark side of the moon The lunatic is in my head The lunatic is in my head The paper holds their folded faces to the floor And every day the paper boy brings more You raise the blade, you make the change you re-arrange me 'till I'm sane You lock the door And throw away the key There's someone in my head but it's not me And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear You shout and no one seems to hear And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes I'll see you on the dark side of the moon. |
Submitted by Patrick
at 2/26/2004 3:40:29 PM| J. Scott, thank you for giving me the biggest laugh of the day. That was absolutely fabulous!
As for you Duane, how dare you desecrate such a classic song from my youth by associating it with His Grizziness the Archapostate (it was appropriate, however) |
Submitted by Duane
at 2/26/2004 4:37:10 PM| The song is called Brain Damage, after all |
Submitted by Adam
at 2/26/2004 5:20:42 PM| “My name’s Blodgett – Elexander Blodgett – Reverend Elexander Blodgett, I s’pose I must say, as I’m one o’ the Lord’s poor servants.”
“I say funeral orgies, not because it’s the common term, because it ain’t – obsequies bein’ the common term – but because orgies is the right term. Obsequies ain’t used in England no more now – it’s gone out. We say orgies now in England. Orgies is better, because it means the thing you’re after more exact. It’s a word that’s made up out’n the Greek orgo, outside, open, abroad; and the Hebrew jeesum, to plant, cover up; hence inter. So, you see, funeral orgies is an open er public funeral.” |
Submitted by Chris
at 2/26/2004 7:45:01 PM| How much longer before Rev. Griswold's term is up? |
Submitted by Christopher Johnson
at 2/26/2004 8:47:24 PM| It's up in 2006. |
Submitted by Margaret
at 2/27/2004 3:18:42 AM| Don't hold your breath though - 'they' got him there, 'they' will find a replacement. |
Submitted by Chris
at 2/27/2004 8:36:13 AM| Margaret, you may be right, but in light of the current situation I think the next PB will need to be much more conciliatory towards the reasserters. Perhaps there could even be a reasserter? I was reading a NYT article about Bishop Lee and Rev. Marty Minns struck me as the kind of person who could lead us out of our present morass.
I'm interested in how this process works. One reason I think the leadership is so out of touch is that there are too many Bishops who represent not very many parishoners (Eastern Oregon, Northen Michigan, Easton (PA) etc.), yet retain substantial control over church affairs. We need proportional representation! How do we change that? And can that be part of the Network's mission? To reform, not destruct, is the better path IMO. |
Submitted by Karen B.
at 2/27/2004 9:09:35 AM| Well... I am one of Martyn Minns biggest fans. I thank God daily for his leadership and faithfulness. I am blessed to have him as a pastor. (And I use that "low church" term personally because he has been a faithful shepherd to all of us at Truro).
But Presiding Bishop?!? Uh... doesn't he need to be a bishop first?! LOL. For awhile I was disappointed when Martyn wasn't chosen as a bishop in several elections for which he was a candidate. But now I'm thankful... I think he was needed in his current role "for such a time as this" He's great at seeing through & deciphering revisionist spin, and is committed to helping link orthodox individuals, parishes, clergy, etc. together around the world. He has a great vision for the realignment of the Anglican Communion. I'm not sure he would be as free to help work to bring this realignment into being as a bishop. |
Submitted by Joey W
at 2/27/2004 9:09:46 AM| Chris (not Christopher J.)
If logic and common sense were to prevail, the next PB should be someone to "unite" ECUSA and truly heal the wounds. But that's not likely to happen. If you recall, according to many folks Grizzo was supposed to be a "centrist" or "moderate" when he was elected. If he turned out to be the helmsman steering ECUSA into these stormy waters, and he was a "moderate", the chances of finding someone for PB who will actually seek to be a shepherd to all is next to nil. And no matter who the PB is, power still remains firmly seated in the Council of Bishops, which is so openly liberal by a large majority there's no way to circumvent them. They never took action against the heresies of Spong; Righter was given a walk; Bennison openly broke promises; Dixon blew over a million dollars fighting off a legitimately called orthodox priest and got no criticism; in fact, the only time discipline against a bishop comes up is when the orthodox faction is forced to take some kind of drastic action in attempts at self-preservation. And the deck is firmly stacked against election of future conservative bishops - just look at some past (and current) underhanded strategies the revisionists have employed to avoid even having an orthodox nominee be considered, let alone consecrated. Reform is the better path, but how to accomplish that lofty goal is somewhat of a mystery. |
Submitted by Chris
at 2/27/2004 10:21:45 AM| Could the Network circumvent them with the help of (some) the other Primates? I mean, the dynamic has clearly shifted against the ECUSA in the last 6 months. Were the ABC and the Primates to covertly influence the PB process as a way to accomodate the Network, the ECUSA's chance of survival in its present composition would be better, right? Surely the ABC knows this.
Let's not say anything is impossible, that's a defeatist attitude IMO. |
Submitted by BWK
at 2/27/2004 2:00:09 PM| Didn't the ABC and the Primates advise the PB and ECUSA Bishops not to do what they did at GC2003? And they just thumbed their noses at them. Like Balaam, they don't hear "NO" or take advice, even from the Most High. We need a Phinehas, zealous for the Lord, who after taking counsel with Moses and the other elders, led a purge against the Midianites. So too the Risen Lord called the Church of Pergamum to repent of the Balaam types and Nicolaitans, or He would come quickly and make war against them with the long sword from His mouth. Does not that long sword divide even father and son, mother and daughter, etc.? Is this not what's happening now in the Anglican Communion? |
Submitted by Huw Raphael
at 2/28/2004 12:03:07 PM| When I worked at 815, the PB (in those days Browning) never wrote his own mail, but rather farmed it out to the various staff officers. Letters from "ecumenical partners" or on ecumenical issues got farmed out the Ecumenical Office. Letters from "Anglican partners" or on Communion issues got farmed out to Anglican and Global Relations, to be answered by one of the various offices there. I think I recognize the style here in this one letter (done twice). This is a (really bad) habit stolen from the business world.
To be honest, Ed had better handlers. I would guess that Frank doesn't even realize he said the same thing twice. |
Submitted by BWK
at 2/28/2004 4:00:35 PM| Huw Raphael,
How disarming. Just a routine clerical bungling. Like breaking off further ecumenical talks on charges of heresy and apostasy is in the same category as different takes on Icons or the Immaculate Conception. If so, it just underlines how little 815 cares to work towards communion with our Orthodox Christian brethren. "Had my brains just scooped out with a great big spoon!" --Caroline, a deleted scene in the Notting Hill DVD. |
Submitted by William Tighe
at 2/28/2004 9:53:10 PM| Are "Huw Raphael" and "Bill Bailey" the same person -- or did they just work together in the same office? |
Submitted by bc
at 2/29/2004 7:41:53 AM| Where is the manufacturer of those little eponymous talking dolls that used to be sold by street vendors? He's got a script for the Griswold one! |
Submitted by rdrjames
at 3/1/2004 12:36:28 AM| Just found your blog. As a former Episcopalian (for about 35 years) and now an Eastern Orthodox for about 15 years, I don't find the current goin's on very surprising. As has been pointed out, it mostly started with the weaselly way the HOB dealt with Pike. He got to do just what he wanted and no one ever tried hard to turn him aside.
As for any prospect of "intercommunion" with the Orthodox, I suggest that it be forgotten. To us, the term means communion among and between the various Orthodox Churches that all confess the same faith. The Episcopal Church does not confess the same faith as the Orthodox. They have tried to minimize this, but now it can no longer be denied. At the same time, we must all pray for each other to be faithful to our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. |
Submitted by Huw Raphael
at 8/29/2004 3:06:02 AM| William Tighe - Huw Raphael and Bill Bailey are the same person. (Sorry, only just now finding the quesiton :-) |
Pennsylvanian in Exile