Bishop Steenson’s Statement to the House of Bishops

Posted by Kendall Harmon

Read it all.

Update: The Living Church has an article about Bishop Steenson's statement here. Here's the concluding section:

“From time to time it seems necessary for some to embark on these personal journeys as a reminder that the churches of the Reformation were not intended to carry on indefinitely separated from their historical and theological mooring in the Church of Rome," he said. "I believe that the Lord now calls me in this direction.”

In concluding remarks, Bishop Steenson asked for forgiveness from his fellow bishops “for any difficulty this may cause and for anything I may have said or done that has failed to live up to the love of Christ.

"I hope that you will not see this as a repudiation of The Episcopal Church or Anglicanism. Rather, it is the sincere desire of a simple soul to bear witness to the fullness of the Catholic faith, in communion with what St. Irenaeus called ‘that greatest and most ancient Church.’ I believe that our noble Anglican tradition (‘this worthy patrimony’) has deep within it the instinct of a migratory bird calling, ‘It is time to fly home to a place you have never seen before.’ May the Lord bless my steps and yours and bring our paths together in his good time.”


Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • - Anglican: Primary Source • -- Statements & Letters: Bishops • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Bishops • Sept07 HoB Meeting • TEC Conflicts • TEC Conflicts: Rio Grande

8 Comments
Posted September 25, 2007 at 11:44 am [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Martin Reynolds wrote:

I rejoiced to read a man who thinks, prays and considers carefully before speaking.
I rejoiced to hear a man so engaged in his spiritual journey and who obeys his conscience and has no rancour.
I rejoiced to hear a man of such honour, it would be a joy to meet him one day – God willing!

September 25, 12:20 pm | [comment link]
2. DonGander wrote:

Though I would disagree with him as a leader, he is is a man who knows grace. After true grace is met with, all else fades into a far distant background.

September 25, 1:05 pm | [comment link]
3. Charley wrote:

What an asset this man will be to the RCC.

September 25, 1:49 pm | [comment link]
4. Ad Orientem wrote:

A class act all the way.

September 25, 2:15 pm | [comment link]
5. Mark Johnson wrote:

A solid liberal here, but I think I’d enjoy a pleasant conversation with this man.  Very kind in his choice of words, and gracious in his manner.  Regardless of where we fall, “THIS” is the type of spiritual leader we need!

September 25, 2:25 pm | [comment link]
6. Ross wrote:

Now that was beautifully and gently said.

September 25, 2:39 pm | [comment link]
7. teatime wrote:

While I wish him well and laud his sincerity and goodness, I am troubled by his decision to leave his flock at this time. My heart goes out to the people of his diocese who need a strong and faithful leader to help them through the present difficulties. Now, on top of everything else, they have to search for a new bishop.

September 25, 2:51 pm | [comment link]
8. deaconjohn25 wrote:

The Episcopal- Anglican Church—for all its flaws and problems from a “Roman” Catholic point of view—has, over the last few centuries, led a number of scholarly and good people to finally embrace union with the See of St. Peter and the fullness of the Catholic Faith with love and grace. Apparently, each time the Episcopal Church takes a step away from the Ancient Faith, more Episcopalians and Anglicans suddenly realize just how really Catholic they are at heart.

September 25, 5:02 pm | [comment link]
Registered members must log in to comment.



Next entry (above): Welcome to Alice in Wonderland

Previous entry (below): Michael Watson Chimes In

Return to blog homepage

Return to Mobile view (headlines)