Ordinariate denies favoritism charges

Posted by Kendall Harmon

The head of the U.S. branch of the Anglican Ordinariate, Msg. Jeffrey Steenson, has denied accusations it has given preference to former Episcopal clergy in its ordination process. However, among its first class of priests, 16 of 19 are former Episcopal clergy, with only 3 receiving their formation and orders from the continuing church.

Questions and concerns about the implementation and interpretation of Anglicanorum coetibus have met the Vatican’s initiative to create a liturgical home for Anglicans with the Roman Catholic Church. In an interview with PBS’s Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, Dr. Ian Markham, Dean of the Virginia Theological Seminary criticized the pastoral provision for Anglicans for sheep stealing.

“There was a perception that this was poaching by the Roman Catholic Church of Anglicans around the world. It was discourteous, it was stealing sheep, it was unecumenical,” he said, adding “It’s viewed as not recognizing the value of and integrity of our traditions.”

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Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Anglican Provinces • Church of England (CoE) • Episcopal Church (TEC) • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • * Religion News & Commentary • Ecumenical Relations • Other Churches • Roman Catholic • Pope Benedict XVI • * Theology • Ecclesiology

3 Comments
Posted August 25, 2012 at 1:35 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Marie Blocher wrote:

Re: Dr. Ian Markham’s “It’s viewed as not recognizing the value of and integrity of our traditions.”

Perhaps if TEC was recognizing the value of and integrity of its traditions, the
Anglican Ordinariate would not have been
needed.
This isn’t so much a case of Sheep Stealing, as it is a case of APCA stepping
in to care for abused sheep.

August 26, 8:19 am | [comment link]
2. Sarah wrote:

I also thought that was a fun quote, Marie.  It seemed full of petulant entitlement and sullenness.

I also liked the passive voice he used—like none of us know who they were, or as if all Episcopalians believes what he claims was perceived.

RE: “There was a perception that this was poaching by the Roman Catholic Church of Anglicans around the world. It was discourteous, it was stealing sheep, it was unecumenical,” he said, adding “It’s viewed as not recognizing the value of and integrity of our traditions.”

That’s a bit like my saying: “There was a perception that [the current leadership of TEC] was leaving the faith and importing their own faux gods. It was puerile, it was vacuous, it was Biblically illiterate,” she said, adding “It’s viewed as not valuing Scripture, tradition, or reason.”

Why not simply say “I” believe that.  Or “my friends and I” believe that.  Or better yet, “we revisionist activists in TEC believe that.”

Fact is, plenty of Episcopalians shook their heads and said “yup, that’s what comes of our current leadership in TEC engaging in apostasy and feckless tawdry running after current fads.”

That’s what a whole lot of us thought, even as Ian Markham and his buddies “perceived” differently via passive voice.  ; > )

August 26, 8:57 am | [comment link]
3. MichaelA wrote:

So the Ordinariate is treating applicant priests “brusquely”, and at the same time is “sheep-stealing”.  Looks like Msgr Steenson can’t win.  I doubt that having a thin skin was one of his job descriptors, so I expect he will survive the criticism!

August 26, 11:49 pm | [comment link]
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