I should have clarified EC in the USA … a few of my family members stay because they say they do not care if there are actively homosexual clergy – they are there to worship the Lord not care what everyone else is doing.
Dude, just ONE?!? You are one blest man!
Dude, just ONE?!? You are one blest man!
Active gay clergy as a reason to leave TEC has always been a puzzle to me. There could be closeted gay clergy in the Catholic Church engaged in homosexual relationships. The only difference in that case would be they are keeping it a secret.
Other than a Lifeteen Mass here and there I wish I could find just one. But for me to find such a place I would have to go to TEC.Dude, just ONE?!? You are one blest man!
My local Episcopal churches have a variety of services. Ranging from their more traditional Rite 1 and 2. To acoustic guitar which reminds me of the days of Catholic guitar Masses. Except the Episcopalians gather around the altar and pass Communion to each other at their guitar service. To one having a jazz service in their fellowship hall. To the other having a Christian rock band performing at their later Sun morning service. Come as you are they say. Jeans, shorts, and flip flops welcomed. Even at the guitar and jazz services, shorts are welcomed. As one of their rectors told me, no one cares what is on the outside, it’s what is on the inside is that matters.And then there are orthodox, traditonalist Anglicans who are not part of the Episcopal Church, or in communion with Canterbury, at all. All sorts of Anglicans around.
I think when this came up some time ago, we concluded that it was in parishes with a strong Irish background. It certainly isn’t universal.
I converted from the EC to the CC in 1992. Never looked back. Have fond memories of my parish growing up, but bcame convinced of the shipwreck that is the EC and the Truth that is the CC.
I guess I’m more of a moderate by Episcopalian standards, but no, I’m not leaving. I was born here, and while I’m not happy with our current leadership, they’re not getting rid of me so easily.
I wish I could just “be Catholic” since I’m with you guys on nearly everything (especially the Sacraments and the importance of the Pope), but the length and awkward meeting times of RCIA have proved impossible thus far. I’ve tried all the “talk to them and see if they’ll work with ya” stuff; no luck yet. It’s also increasingly hard to read the Church Fathers and tell myself “they were just wrong about the Pope and the Catholic Church.” Pretty sure they were right about far more than I am.Exactly. Thats always the argument in my family. We can always tell when the religion argument is on its way. Unfortunately, its usually at a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
… “whats worse actively gay clergy or priests raping little boys?” that always sends me over the edge.Again, well done, grasshopper.Hey, who keeps your cliches and Jimisms alive with the most vigor in this forum?
History is complicated, motley crew, depends on which Anglicans you ask, a lifelong hobby of mine, decree of nullity not a divorce (!!), huh?, oh my, uh-huh, yep, and the like…
The trick to comprehending catholicism from the outside is to recognize that the facts don’t always line up with your feelings - just like many other things in life. I don’t WANT to eat broccoli with dinner instead of potato chips, but it’s actually better for me… An awful lot of catholic parishes don’t FEEL like very special places, even during the miracle of the mass. But frankly, that’s precisely WHY we need more good, solid converts! Make your faith decisions based on what facts you’ve come to know to be true, not how you feel after you decide. Come on back, stick out the discouraging times and wind up being a leader. The harvest is plenty, but so are the weeds!
