Like Philocrites, all I have to do is look at the fourth finger of my left hand to remember why I should care about what’s going on with the Episcopalians.
But this isn’t the first time that fiery bishops, certain that the central meaning of Episcopalianism was being subverted, have acted to form their own fellowship.
The first time was when a single bishop left over matters of liberty in worship and formed the Reformed Episcopal Church. They were (are?) low, low church.
Until recently, the Episcopal Church and the REC looked to some reconciliation, but no more. So guess who there partner is in a propsective organic church union? The Anglican Province of America, one of the Anglican rite jurisdictions founded in the 70s and is high, high, high church.
They recognize that union will have its difficulties, but they already have unified their publications, including their website: see for yourself.
This is one of those little ironies that keeps everything in perspective.
If you’re interested in this, I can recommend a book – read it about two years ago – For the Union of Evangelical Christendom: The Irony of the Reformed Episcopalians by Allen C. Guelzo. (Penn State Press, 1994.)