Either Father Howson truly doesn’t understand most of the dissenting bishop’s arguments or he is deliberately trying to distract the standing committee with numerous red herrings.

The issue for most is not “strictly adhering to the BCP.”  There are other liturgical resources that have been approved by General Convention.  Enriching Our Worship is among them. 

What most bishops have pointed to is Forrester’s mangling of the liturgy for Holy Baptism so far that it is not recognizably Christian.  But Father Howson never addresses this.

By the way, I hope this was not a open letter.  Brian from T19 would be most displeased to learn that yet another open letter has been written.

In other words:
“Canons?!  We don’t need no stinking canons.”
(Except about stuff like property and who controls what…then I’ll labor like a scholar over the fine details). 
Hireling.

And what about parishes that feel strongly about inviting all, even the unbaptized, to the Eucharistic table? This happens all over the country and, shy of instituting a Liturgy Patrol, my guess is it will (and should) continue.

With quotes such as the above, this is an excellent piece for those who still do not grasp what TEC is about these days.  Condemn the opinions if you will (I certainly do), but this is a man who knows what he is about, is honest about it, and is clearly expressing what TEC stands for.  I for one find it rather refreshing.

But then again, I am not an Episcopalian.

Christ is risen!
John

Interesting.

Maybe this will shed some light on Fr. Howson’s views.  He came to NWPA from the Diocese of Bethlehem, PA and is originally from Canada.  At his installation portions of the service were taken from some of the Canadian Liturgy sources.  It was, “interesting”, to say the least. 

That said, I am pleasantly surprised that NWPA voted No on NW Mich.