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May 15, 2008
Wyoming pastoral visit
Back to our Wyoming pastoral visit!
As our Lord said, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" Matthew 7:20 Diocese of Holy Trinity and Great Plains has a strong presence in Wyoming because of the hard work of Bp. Kinner.
Bp. Kinner, as the Bishop of Missionary Jurisdiction of the American Indian People, has continued to care for them. So much so, the American Indians have recognized him one among them and affectionately call him 'Buffalo Jump". Seen in the picture is the Church of the Morning Star. A picture with Eagle Drum and their Drummers, Sr.Teresa who works for the Roman Catholic Mission and Bp. Kinner.
It was 150 miles trip one way to this Church of the Morning Star, in Wind River Reservation for Bp. Kinner. Though advancing in years, Bp. Kinner has continued to serve the Lord and his flock. He is also the rector of Holy Family in Casper Wyoming and assists at St. John's, Lander WY. Bp. McNeley concurs with me its Bp. Kinner's missionary zeal that has kept the church growing in Wyoming.
From the mission land he writes to tell me how in the past week, making pastoral calls, giving last rites and burrying one of the dear departed, preparting youth for confirmation, delivering bedding and clothes to the Indian people, teaching the postulants and taking communion for the home bound. All these within the last week, despite going on eighty plus years.
Holy Trinity in Sheridan WY, is under the rectorship of Fr.Crawshaw. Fr.Crawshaw is a great host and cheff, besides tending for to his flock. We are grateful to Fr.Crawshaw and his dear wife Connie and the members of Holy Trinity for the wonderful reception given to us.
We thank God for zealous shepherds like Bp. Kinner, who are with zeal for His kingdom. HCCAR has great shepherds, whose churches and faithful have been cared for all these years and we will continue to care and work for His sheep!
Posted by frleo at 8:32 AM | Comments (0)
May 13, 2008
OPEN LETTER TO DR. DAVID VIRTUE
STATEMENT FROM THE ACTING METROPOLITAN OF THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH ANGLICAN RITE
Dear Dr. Virtue,
We were saddened to note this posting on the status of St. James, which contains many misstatements of facts and regret to engage in such an endeavor. However in the interest of truth and justice, we would like to set the records straight. We wish you had called us before posting such an article. If you are going to keep the article online, please publish the following clarifications:
1) The property of St. James is owned by St. James, contrary to other claims. St. James’ Committee is comprised of long term and faithful members of St. James, who wanted to protect its property. The rector, who came from another jurisdiction, and a few renegade vestry members attempted to disenfranchise long time loyal members of the congregation by eliminating them from the parish roll in order to carry out their exit strategy—the vote to
leave or stay in the diocese. Ironically, in the annual parish meeting of January 20th, 2008, the parish voted to stay in the Diocese. Even after such a decision, the rector and his few loyalists were soliciting other jurisdictions, while declaring the see 'vacant'. The congregation as referred to in your article is not the entire membership of St. James, but the few disgruntled ones under the direction of the inhibited rector, that have left St. James.
2) The disciplinary action was taken by the Diocese against three clergy: the rector and two priests who have been very disobedient to the Bishop Ordinary; these include dropping the affiliation HCC-AR from the parish’s name, changing the locks of the church and locking out his bishop ordinary, the clergy threatening to sue their bishop on charges of theft when with due permission of the senior warden (and assisted by rector) he took his personal vestments, for arbitrarily changing the bylaws of the church, for eliminating long term members from the parish roll (who are referred to as guests in your article) to vote to take the property out of the diocese, for suppressing all communications to the parish from the Bishop Ordinary, for soliciting to take St. James Anglican church to Rome and/or other jurisdictions, for asking for oversight from the ACC claiming they had no bishop, for illegally convening meetings against canons. Despite their disloyalty to the diocese they had been extended an olive branch (on the April 20th meeting) but rejected any reconciliation. When this was not heeded, according to the diocesan canons, the parish was reduced to a mission status, and the said Committee was appointed to be in charge of the administration of the property. The rector and the vestry were defiant to accept the writ from the diocese, and went ahead and held a vestry meeting. Since this was not heeded to, the same writ was filed and obtained as an injunction. This was done to in order that the majority of the parish maintain ownership of the property. The attorney is Mr. James Wirken for the Diocese of Holy Trinity and Great Plains and Mr. James Daniels is the diocesan chancellor.
3) Also the appointment of the new bishop for the diocese was in keeping with the apostolic and diocesan canons, which were endorsed by the clergy and laity of the entire diocese, except these few former members of St. James. Bishop Leo Michael left the UECNA on February 10th, 2008 as acknowledged by its leadership and was elected by the college of bishops on February 14th, 2008. The alleged statements of Bp. Michael in the said April 20th meeting as stated in your article, are totally false, and witnesses can attest the same.
The HCC-AR is part of the continuing church movement, governed by the college of bishops, the apostolic and diocesan canons, served by faithful clergy. In matters of protecting the faithful and congregation, we are accountable to the Lord and we will continue to serve in the biblical, sacramental and apostolic orthodoxy. Any other twist, is to add insult to the body of Christ.
In Fide,
+Thomas
"Ad majorem Dei Gloriam ~ To the Greater Glory of God"
www.holycatholicanglican.org
Posted by frleo at 5:52 PM | Comments (0)
Of ownership and of governance
Some like to fish in the troubled waters, without hearing both the side of the story. In the light of what happened at St. James, in Kansas City, MO, there was a story published on Virtue Online filled with inaccuracy, false quotes, and falsehoods. I wish facts would have been checked into. This does not build up the body of Christ or give any credibility to the continuing movement. The problem at St. James had nothing to do with ownership of property. The faithful of St. James still own it. The problem was one of church governance. The rector, coming from another jurisdiction, reduced parish membership, changed church’s name, changed the bylaws, locked out his own bishop, threatened to sue his bishop on false charges of theft, refused reconciliation, denied the authority of any bishop, conspired with a small group and eliminated long time members of the parish roll from the voting list and prohibited proxy voters, only to have a majority vote of his coterie so that he could take the church and its property to Rome, against the will of the faithful or the benefactors who had bequeathed the property in perpetuity for Anglican worship.
Also, I was quoted on virtueonline saying, “Maybe you aren't worthy of me" and "Yes, I have the ability to take you to court and take this property." How arrogant of me to have uttered such words, I would be totally lacking the basic requirement of humility that Christ demanded of His followers.
What followed this false report was very sad. Even Bishops in the continuing movement lowered themselves to grab the opportunity and claim to have holier than thou attitude, stating that they maintain the three principles of St. Louis, 1928 BCP, Male Clergy and Property ownership, as if the problem with St. James was the diocese grabbing the property.
This same bishop has sent out “IMPORTANT WARNING TO ALL IN THE CONTINUING CHURCH” to the people of the continuing faith regarding the church property as though the people have been deprived of the property, which is not the case. They are totally off the mark.
Too bad this story has been passed as truth and capitalized on by those with an axe to grind. I’m committed to the growth of God’s kingdom than be sullied by the insolence of such people. There is plenty to be done and we will accomplish everything, God being our helper.
The HCCAR is not a one man show in terms of running the church. There is a hierarchy, there is collegiality, there are canons that are guidelines, and there is discipline. At St. James the faithful are being cared for, those disobedient to canons are being held accountable by the very canons that they had professed by. (For those who questioned whether there are canons at all, they know we do have them now).
In case of the property ownership, the intent of those who have gone before us needs to be revered and perpetuated. To attack a fellow bishop out of ignorance is unchristian. Do what you can to further the growth of God’s kingdom: if you can’t ask the Lord for grace and strength.
Posted by frleo at 5:27 PM | Comments (0)
Barry Reed - a great inspiration for all
.
On the evening that we reached Casper WY, Bp. Kinner took us to one of his member' homes. The parishioner, Barry Reed, had fallen from a horse and has been confined to a wheel chair for 27 years, and remains in the same condition as was Christopher Reeve. We joined Barry in the evening prayer. There he was in his wheel chair surrounded by his loving parents who continue to care for him. When the time came for the lessons, there was Barry, in total paralysis, reading the scripture. With a special instrument he uses with his mouth, he turned the page and he read Ephesians 6. Every word was articulated and we all listened with such intent. "Put on the armour of God..." Never did I listen with such attention. The whole passage had such an impact on me.
What dedication and dignity with which Barry continued to read. I asked him if it was ok to take a picture of him and he happily consented. His parents later told us, that its God's grace that Barry is doing so well, knowing what happened to Christopher Reeve. He had only been given a couple of years to live. These saintly parents have been there beside their son ever since the accident. And great is Barry's faith! To all those who read lessons and epistles in the prayer or worship setting, can we take time to proclaim God's word and articulate it, because we are His mouthpiece?
Berry is also a great artist. You can imagine how much time it would take him per stroke. And yet he is glorifying God through his disability. To those of us for whom life seems too much to handle, Barry is an inspiration to continue on. Thanks Barry for allowing us to post this inspiring story of yours.
Posted by frleo at 8:08 AM | Comments (0)
May 12, 2008
Our prayers for those in recent natural calamities
In the past few days we have been watching the news of natural disasters from cyclone in Myanmar, earthquake in China and tornadoes in mid south of our nation. In Myanamar and China, thousands of lives have been lost. Our thoughts and prayers go with those who have lost their dear and near ones. Please take a moment to join our brothers and sisters in prayer.
O GOD, merciful and compassionate, who art ever ready to hear the prayers of those who put their trust in thee; Graciously hearken to us who call upon thee, and grant us thy help in this our need; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Posted by frleo at 10:33 AM | Comments (0)
May 7, 2008
Of being a still small voice...
Apologize for my long abscence: Just got back from a whirlwind pastoral visit together with the retiring Bishop James McNeley. Our visit included four parishes: Casper, Lander, Sheridan and one parish in the Wind River Indian Reservation. We may be a still but small voice in the society and yet this voice is so pertinent to God's kingdom. In the eyes of our Lord, a little child, a mustard seed assumed immense proportions. I'm so glad to be part of this diocese to witness first hand the wonderful and yet silent works that have been done over the past many years by faithful people and clergy in the Diocese.
Bp. Kinner's contribution to the growth of the church is so great. Not only is his own Missionary Jurisdcition of the American Indian People doing wonderfully well, also his service to the Diocese of Holy Trinity and Great Plains. What wonderful care and oversight he provides for God's people. We are blessed with such honorable and saintly men of God who have been toiling for His kingdom without much ostentation.
We went through all kinds of weather: rain, sunshine, snow blizzards, wind storm. At one point, while pumping gas, I had to hold on to the gas pump as the wind was so wild and gusty. And that only one time, but Bishop Kinner has been ministering through all times and conditions.
So glad and proud to belong to and serve a diocese full of such saintly and dedicated people like Bp. Kinner and Bp. McNeley.
Much has been given us and therefore more will be expected of us. We continue to work for the Lord and for His greater glory, for upon His return we would like to be found worthy stewards, still serving God's people. We will have more of the story in pictures and words on our provincial website.
Posted by frleo at 9:40 AM | Comments (0)