Another Episcopal-bishop joins the Catholic Church

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An Open Letter to the Diocese of Southwest Florida from Bishop John Lipscomb
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                                    *Posted by Kendall Harmon*

				  					November 20, 2007,
Dear Friends in Christ,

I have communicated to the Presiding Bishop my request to be released from my ordination vows and the obligations and responsibilities of a member of the House of Bishops. I have taken this step in order to be received into the Catholic Church. Through a long season of prayer and reflection Marcie and I have come to believe this is the leading of the Holy Spirit and God’s call to us for the next chapter of our lives. We are grateful to our brother in Christ, the Most Rev. Robert N. Lynch, the Bishop of St. Petersburg, for his openness to our request and for his prayerful support.

I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home where I was given the gift of a deep love for the Lord Jesus Christ and a reverence for God’s revelation of his love and redemptive purpose in the Word written, as well as the Word made Flesh. I was blessed to be brought into the family of the Episcopal Church 40 years ago. I have a deep love for the sacramental life, most especially the Eucharistic sacrifice through which God continues to pour his grace into our lives in the Word that needs no words.
I will be forever grateful for the opportunities I had to serve this faith community as a deacon and priest. I am most grateful for the opportunity you, the people of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, gave me to serve as your bishop and to participate in the life of the Anglican Communion. You made it possible for me to share in the mission of God that can never be bound by geographical or political barriers.

I believe God is now calling us to continue our ministry to serve in the healing of the visible Body of Christ in the world. I am convinced our Lord’s deepest desire is for the unity of the Church.

Marcie and I will never have the words to express to you the depth of our gratitude for the support you gave us during my medical leave and for the joyous celebration of the ministry you allowed us to share with you that brings to a close my ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church. We will pray for the continued health and vitality of the Diocese of Southwest Florida.

The following prayer by Thomas Merton speaks more eloquently than we can find possible at this moment. Marcie and I have experienced an abundance of God’s grace throughout our lives, and we continue to trust God in the future, which continues to unfold for us:

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

kendallharmon.net/t19/index.php/t19/article/7786/
 
I’m very happy that this is happening in my backyard, so to speak (Tampa area).

From a Catholic perspective, though, I find it interesting that he felt compelled to seek release from his ordination in the Episcopal church. That is to say, given that their ordinations are invalid, he isn’t truly a bishop anyway.

Not a judgement; just a thought.

Peace,
Dante
 
DanteAlighieri said:
I’m very happy that this is happening in my backyard, so to speak (Tampa area).

From a Catholic perspective, though, I find it interesting that he felt compelled to seek release from his ordination in the Episcopal church. That is to say, given that their ordinations are invalid, he isn’t truly a bishop anyway.

Not a judgement; just a thought.

Peace,
Dante
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Well it would seem like more of just a technical thing to do so they dont hound him the rest of his life
 
DanteAlighieri said:
I’m very happy that this is happening in my backyard, so to speak (Tampa area).

From a Catholic perspective, though, I find it interesting that he felt compelled to seek release from his ordination in the Episcopal church. That is to say, given that their ordinations are invalid, he isn’t truly a bishop anyway.

Not a judgement; just a thought.

Peace,
Dante
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While his ordination is invalid, I find it reassuring that he looks for release from his oath. An oath is a promise before God.
 
DanteAlighieri said:
From a Catholic perspective, though, I find it interesting that he felt compelled to seek release from his ordination in the Episcopal church. That is to say, given that their ordinations are invalid, he isn’t truly a bishop anyway.
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But it would not make sense for him to send a letter to the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church asking for release from his invalid ordination.

In Christ,
Irenaeus
 
👍

Wonderful news, it is a great act of faith for someone to all they follow Christ home in that position. Prayers that his journey may help others on their way home:gopray2:
 
Since he is not a valid bishop as an Anglican, will he now be validly ordained a priest and consecrated a bishop?
 
Caesar said:
Since he is not a valid bishop as an Anglican, will he now be validly ordained a priest and consecrated a bishop?
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He is not a valid Catholic Bishop but according to his denomination he has followed those rules and been “ordained” a Bishop in that denomination as such he did ask for release from that.

As to whether he will become a priest or not in the Catholic church, that is up to him and his local ordinary (Bishop) to determine. As to being consecrated a Bishop, well, that is for the Pope to determine isn’t it ;).

Brenda V.
 
Caesar said:
Since he is not a valid bishop as an Anglican, will he now be validly ordained a priest and consecrated a bishop?
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Not very likely. He retired as Bishop of SW Fl because of health issues (Parkinson’s and Malaria I think). I doubt he will seek ordination via the Pastoral Provision. But you never know.
 
Interesting development. Many Episcopalians have been turned off by the ordination of women and the consecration of a gay Bishop. And Episcopal liturgy, of course, closely resembles the Mass.
On the other hand, the local Episcopal Church where I live is full of former Catholics who want the ordination of women, the freedom of theology and other characteristics of the Episcopal Church.
 
Liberals and former dissident Catholic refugees are flushing out the last vestiges of Traditional Anglican thought from the Episcopal Church.

Its only a matter of time before the new “theological freedom” within the Episcopal Church forces the Catholic Church to reconsider the validity of future Episcopalian baptisms. If there is ever evidence to suggest they are fiddling around with their baptismal rites.
 
Its only a matter of time before the new “theological freedom” within the Episcopal Church forces the Catholic Church to reconsider the validity of future Episcopalian baptisms. If there is ever evidence to suggest they are fiddling around with their baptismal rites.
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I left the Episcopal Church 18 years ago after I witnessed a Baptism? “in the name of the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.”

They’ve been fiddling around with baptismal rites privately for years.

BTW, there are at least 3 Anglican bishops swimming or having just swum the Tiber. Pray for them.
 
kaygee said:
I left the Episcopal Church 18 years ago after I witnessed a Baptism? “in the name of the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.”

They’ve been fiddling around with baptismal rites privately for years.
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Wow, so the theological degradation has progressed that far already?

If there are invalid baptisms happening in some ECUSA parishes, I think our bishops and parish priests ought to be made aware of this. And to treat Episcopalian converts as though they were Mormons or non-Christians, or catechumens, if they can’t prove they were baptised using the traditional Trinitarian form of baptism, “in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”.
BTW, there are at least 3 Anglican bishops swimming or having just swum the Tiber. Pray for them.
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I sure am.:signofcross: :crossrc: :byzsoc:
 
God is GREAT!

I’m expecting from the LORD JESUS that the so called Elders of ALL concerned religious groups who broke-away from the Church which was established by the Apostles 2,000 years ago will be enlightened to reunite again NOT tomorrow or coming days BUT TODAY.

The Bible says in Ephesians 4:4 -6 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Reminder: Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the truth… 2 Corinthians 13:8.

Welcome to the family Bro. “Bishop” John Lipscomb, may the Lord Jesus Christ will bless and guide you to be more fruitfull Chirstian and servant of our Most Holy Almighty God.

Peace,
Vergel
 
**Sweet revenge! ROFL
I bet Henry VIII is rolling over in his grave. 😉 **
 
Peace be with You all!

Hi Brethren Peary! We do ALL believe that King Henry VIII violated the sanctity of the Holy Catholic Church because since hunged the Head of The Church of England during his watch was a big big mistake as a Christian and a King of UK.

Everybody knows the history of his time, well LOOK the Holy Scriputure says in the Book of 1 Corinthians 7:27, Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, leh her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to DIVORCE his wife."

The above verse was the main reasoned why King Henry VIII separated from the Church. He broked away and declared that he is the Head of the Church of England.

The troubled started and ALMOST the faithful believers were separated from the mainstream Christianity, THE HOLY CATHOLIC (Catolicos means Universal, established by the Apostles) CHURCH.

Today, I personally invited ALL the Anglican faithfull believers to KNOW the TRUTH and to all other congregations who separated from the Catholic Church from different reasons.

As the Holy Bible says, Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of th Lord is, there is LIBERTY."2 Cor. 3:17.

… For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ 2Cor. 5:10, …now is the day of Salvation 2Cor. 6:2, … For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth 2Cor. 13:8.

A Reminder to all faithfull believers, … Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith…2Cor. 13:5, … take up the whole armor of God, … having girded your waist with truth, having put the breastplate of righteousness, … having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, …taking the shield of faith, …take the helmet of salvation, … the sword of the Spirit, … praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Eph. 6:10-20.

GOD BLESS!

Vergel
Brother in Christ
 
vflibunao said:
Peace be with You all!

Hi Brethren Peary! We do ALL believe that King Henry VIII violated the sanctity of the Holy Catholic Church because since hunged the Head of The Church of England during his watch was a big big mistake as a Christian and a King of UK.

Everybody knows the history of his time, well LOOK the Holy Scriputure says in the Book of 1 Corinthians 7:27, Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, leh her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to DIVORCE his wife."

The above verse was the main reasoned why King Henry VIII separated from the Church. He broked away and declared that he is the Head of the Church of England.

The troubled started and ALMOST the faithful believers were separated from the mainstream Christianity, THE HOLY CATHOLIC (Catolicos means Universal, established by the Apostles) CHURCH.

Today, I personally invited ALL the Anglican faithfull believers to KNOW the TRUTH and to all other congregations who separated from the Catholic Church from different reasons.

As the Holy Bible says, Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of th Lord is, there is LIBERTY."2 Cor. 3:17.

… For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ 2Cor. 5:10, …now is the day of Salvation 2Cor. 6:2, … For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth 2Cor. 13:8.

A Reminder to all faithfull believers, … Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith…2Cor. 13:5, … take up the whole armor of God, … having girded your waist with truth, having put the breastplate of righteousness, … having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, …taking the shield of faith, …take the helmet of salvation, … the sword of the Spirit, … praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Eph. 6:10-20.

GOD BLESS!

Vergel
Brother in Christ
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From another poster on this site, RomanRevert:

The Episcopalian Candy Bar:

a crunchy outer shell that appears to be liturgical with a gooey heretical center… Mmmmmmm… all the goodness of apostasy mixed with a false understanding of their authority! Too bad it will rot your soul.

What a laugh!
 
This man would have been my local bishop if I was an Episcopalian. I’ve very happy he came over to us!
 
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