tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031852996869768738.post2799335963420695584..comments2024-03-29T08:14:29.603+01:00Comments on The Ugley Vicar: CofE 'yet another liberal protestant denomination'Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590979027426082714noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031852996869768738.post-18185795412590582202008-07-11T05:46:00.000+02:002008-07-11T05:46:00.000+02:00John,I note that your posting of the piece by Andr...John,<BR/><BR/>I note that your posting of the piece by Andrew Carey, which I read last night (9 July) on the stand firm website, has, according to your blog, still received no comments (perhaps some more by now). This is surprising to me, since I think it is the best commentary I have read so far on last Monday's synod debate and vote, and find it deeply thought-provoking and sobering.<BR/><BR/>While born in the UK, I spent the 25 years immediately before coming to Chile as a missionary, living and working in the US, mostly in Mississippi. I still keep in contact with friends there. One fellow, a very observant RC, is an attorney and something of a polymath. When the Gene Robinson affair blew up in 2003, he said, and has since steadfastly maintained, that the history of the Anglican Communion (of which he is fond) is one of compromise and mutual adjustment. The AC has, according to him, a genius for finding settlements which reconcile people of conflicting viewpoints. By the end of the day, when this affair is over, they will find (he affirms) some way of staying together.<BR/><BR/>I sent him the link to Carey's article, and received a reply e-mail this morning. His tone has clearly changed! The article clearly got through to him. It will be shortest to quote his words: "It is hard to believe that such a rock as Anglicanism may break up. This is rather astounding. This is tragic for Christianity. Very tragic." Of course, you don't know him, but I do, and his "conversion" on this topic shouts at me.<BR/><BR/>This is something about the article. Andrew Carey lays it out with remorseless logic. If conditions remain as they are, the end result is inevitable and unavoidable. <BR/><BR/>I also found some of the comments quite pungent. One of the contributors on the stand firm site said: "I ... suggest the time has come for Rome to name a new Archbishop of Canterbury, as the incumbent has now discarded even a tenuous claim to the office. Whatever the organization is that Rowan Williams is leading, it will shortly be no more apostolic than Presbyterianism or Methodism." This helped to give the piece a yet more historical perspective for me, bringing it into even sharper focus.<BR/><BR/>It is so sad. The Elizabethan settlement that has lasted more than 400 years is about to end, and we are going to lose something truly great. What makes it even sadder is the apparent ignorance, or deliberate neglect, of this fact by people bent only on pursuing their own agenda.<BR/><BR/>On a lighter note, I gather, from a different thread, that you are soon to be married. May I offer my congratulations. This also means there is hope for me (I am 59 and single)!<BR/><BR/>TopperTopperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14537239370392917165noreply@blogger.com