The former Gov of NJ, the Honorable James McGreevey

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is about to become an Episcopal priest. He is an openly gay man since coming out of the closet a couple of years ago or so. I believe the Episcopals approve of women priests and apparently they welcome openly gay men. Is this progressive for this particular sect? A sign of the times? Is it a matter of recruiting more as to a shortage? Catholic priests are to be men only and I don’t suppose they want or accept an outwardly gay man to be called to this vocation. i think I read or actually heard while the Pope was here in the USA, that the average age of a Catholic priest is about mid 50’s and dwindling as to those called to this vocation. What is your thought, Catholic or Protestant or Jewish?
 
By the way, the former governor was born and raised Roman Catholic in case some did not know. Wanted to add that as an edit but too late for editing.
 
I have no words, except watch for a major schism in the Episcopalian/Anglican Church and hordes coming home to Rome.
 
Pax_Vobiscum_57 said:
I have no words, except watch for a major schism in the Episcopalian/Anglican Church and hordes coming home to Rome.
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The schism has already begun.

However I don’t think there will be ‘hordes’ going to Rome from this point on. Most who were inclined to do so, have done so.

The majority (not all, but…) of conservative Anglicans in TEC are actually evangelical Protestants. For them, the destination will likely be another Protestant church. They do not agree with the changes in theology or practice of the Episcopal church, they have firm convictions in the Protestant Faith that brought them Christ.

Also, sadly, TEC is sustained to a great extent by former Roman Catholics, who for the most part have strong reasons for not going back or not feeling welcomed back.

Among those reasons are:
  • Birth control and abortion opinions and use
  • second marriages after not qualifying for annulments
  • gender issues/women’s ordination stance
  • LBGT issues, the whole rainbow.
Thirdly, the denomination is aging rapidly, there have been so many departures already a large proportion are already beyond child bearing years (except, of course, for those liberal/cafeteria Catholics who keep joining). The congregations tend to be small on average but they are composed largely of people who are lifelong Episcopalians and cannot make the switch so easily at this stage of life. They already have close relatives (spouses, siblings and parents) in the parish columbarium and want to be placed beside them in their own time.

These have already seen their grandchildren go to the Catholic church, the Orthodox church or…most likely…any number of other Protestant churches. When these small parishes can no longer sustain themselves they will close.
 
I have a family relative who broke away from the Catholic to become or at least practice as an Episcopalian. They had a family 6 children who grew up under this church. The wife, not related to me, was raised catholic as was her husband related to me. She was a native american of south Texas, Mexican Indian tribe or related, not sure the ethnic mix which is not here nor there. Anyway, I do recall they broke away from the Catholic church and my peer age group cousins from that family adopted anEpiscopal church probably 40 years ago as a family. Not sure what the rift was, but something turned them off as to the Catholic church, the local parish I suppose. Well, 40 years ago, it was very restrictive in their mindset. Their way or the highway? I don’t know where the shoe pinched for them or her. Those parents are both buried in that graveyard. The memorial service was very nice and with communion, and the priests, I think were married, wore the familiar vestments and quite non alien as to the Catholic service at the time in my analylitical views at the time… I was impressed with the service and kindness of the clergy. Since then they allowed female priests and openly gay to enter the priesthood. They’ve come a long way baby, not sure how my relatives would approve the “gay” thing today. They are probably rolling in their graves as to this part of it. And I’m not so sure the cousins or their offspring, all still local to that parish or whatever they call it, are really into that or any religion.
 
My point in adding about him being from an Irish Catholic family, it was to establish here about his leaving the Catholic faith/Church and for one of more acceptance of his same sex attraction/affliction. The Catholic religion was not accomodating or accepting his gay lifestyle, and he found open arms somewhere else. PS: His ex-wife is Hispanic and I’m guessing she was and is Catholic. I’m sure they/she are bringing the childen up Catholic if they practice religion. The poor woman has been brought through a mess of lies and deceit on his part. I don’t know where she stands but hope she can find strength in God for herself and the children. He so used her to gain his way politically. Some priest, man of the cloth, he’s going to be!!
 
What is your thought, Catholic or Protestant or Jewish?

Why did you leave out Orthodox?
 
The governor is an example of the type of Roman Catholic that is sustaining the Episcopal church. It is nothing new but I don’t think open personal gayness was a major reason until the last decade.

The amazing Bishop James K. Pike was a Roman Catholic of Irish descent.

Archbishop Schori, the current Primate came from a Catholic family which bolted when she was young. The number of priests and bishops in that church that started out as Roman Catholics is pretty significant, including no small number of former nuns. Few can go back and fewer still would want to.

No one should kid themselves into thinking there will be a future groundswell of new converts from the Episcopal church into Roman Catholicism. We have already seen it, although most people will not have noticed.
 
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