The Cost of Schism

As I noted a few weeks back, there is a schism happening in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. I hesistate to report on this during Christmastide, but few of the major sites have picked this up yet: Events have been unfolding in San Joaquin and in response, and the most recent, terrible occurrences have taken place at St. Nicholas Mission in that diocese. Bishop John-David Schofield, who is not now a bishop of the Episcopal Church, tried to make a pastoral visit to the mission last Sunday, Advent IV. What happened there is recorded by eyewitnesses over at Fr. Jakes. I urge you to take the time to read all the accounts and the comments. They are eye-opening and heart-rending.

Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one: Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit, that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (For the Unity of the Church, BCP p. 255)

RFSJ

Well, they did it

You will know that I do not comment or report much on the goings-on in the wider Church, as I and my parishioners have enough to do trying to be faithful Christians right here in Bayonne. However, today was a historic day. The Diocese of San Joaquin, in Convention assembled, voted today to withdraw from The Episcopal Church and come under the authority of the Province of the Southern Cone. Now I and many others believe this is not possible, that people can leave but parishes and dioceses cannot, but the people of San Joaquin do. And so now the dice are cast, the Rubicon is crossed, whatever hackneyed phrase you want to use. The word I have been hoping to avoid is upon us. There is schism in the Anglican Communion and in The Episcopal Church. I am very sad over this. (H/T to Stand Firm)

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the
great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away
all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us
from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body
and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith,
one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all
of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth
and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and
one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (BCP, p. 818)

Update: Episcopal News service has a press release about this happening.

RFSJ