Both the reasserts and the reappraisers would do well to stop pretending that being inhibited/deposed/sued/snubbed at the parish hall coffee pot is worthy of invoking the blood and hardships of the martyrs.

Nobody in North America—liberal or conservative, gay or straight, 815 or ACNA, has been or will be truly martyred over our little family squabble. 

“This dreadful conflagration continued nine days; when Nero, finding that his conduct was greatly blamed, and a severe odium cast upon him, determined to lay the whole upon the Christians, at once to excuse himself, and have an opportunity of glutting his sight with new cruelties. This was the occasion of the first persecution; and the barbarities exercised on the Christians were such as even excited the commiseration of the Romans themselves. Nero even refined upon cruelty, and contrived all manner of punishments for the Christians that the most infernal imagination could design. In particular, he had some sewed up in skins of wild beasts, and then worried by dogs until they expired; and others dressed in shirts made stiff with wax, fixed to axletrees, and set on fire in his gardens, in order to illuminate them. This persecution was general throughout the whole Roman Empire; but it rather increased than diminished the spirit of Christianity. In the course of it, St. Paul and St. Peter were martyred.” (Foxe) 

To review: 
Peter =Martyr
Paul = Martyr
Gene Robinson = Not a Martyr
The Folks in the Post Above, no matter how unfortunate/unfair their recent situation may have been =  Not Martyrs

This is great news, Kendall—thanks for posting this!  Good to see parishes in SC establishing pastoral relationships with other parishes in other dioceses.

And blessings to the Minors, who have experienced the blessing of God when they were persecuted, reviled, and despitefully used by revisionists in TEC.

“Good job” to St. James for getting moving on this connection.  May it inspire others to do the same.

A hearty AMEN to Sarah (#2) and Rob Eaton+ (#3).  This kind of networking and partnership is absolutely vital.  A great example.

David Handy+

Let’s make use of another venerable category then, that the Minors count as confessors in the ugly, ugly environment in which Anglican Christianity is placed in North America.

yohanelejos, your suggestion in comment #5 is a splendid one, recalling a rich catholic history.

Todd, that’s very kind of you to say. I do have to confess that I don’t think we have reached the depths known by the confessors of the early church days. Still, there are similarities here that make you sad, and point to the need for prayer.

Glad to read about these parishes making a connection with each other.  What exactly is this SC parish doing for their partnered parish, All Saints in Belmont, MA? Please keep us all informed so perhaps more of our parishes will be willing to enter such relationships.