Three Episcopal Parishes, St. David's North Hollywood, All Saint's Long Beach, and St. James Newport Beach, have chosen to leave the Diocese of LA. I've not written on this political dispute, but it demonstrates to the world that Christianity is often skin deep - that we can't settle our differences between us. [Update, Hugo addresses the subject very nicely here, in a less intemperate tone, and even Wannabe, a conservative, appreciates his graciousness].
There's this joke I tell that people in my parish love. This guy goes to heaven. An angel takes him around to area to get acquainted with all the buildings. He sees a Buddhist temple, a Unitarian Church, and an Episcopal cathedral. Then he sees a boarded up room. "Who's in there" he asks his angel. "Oh, those are the Orthodox Anglicans [Roman Catholics, Southern Baptists] - They don't think anyone else is here." Bruno got caught laughing at this joke, and got the ire of all the conservatives when he refused to sign a document affirming the damnations of people of different faiths, and perhaps his own.
Earlier in the year, Geoff Chapman, rector of St. Stephens in Sweickley PA, drafted a memo about supplanting the ECUSA. Although it was a draft, given Chapman's authority in the debate, it demonstrates the tactics that will be used to make the ECUSA pay for its liberality. Beware when someone uses the words "Satan" in a memo [liturgy and prayer is something else, however].
Currently, LA is taking the hard line. It makes sense - Bruno's a football player who lacks the scriptural knowledge, the theological depth, and pastoral finesse of his predecessor. I like the work he's done on behalf of the poor and immigrants. But he's entering the fray ready for combat.
He should be prepared to lose, for combat is a conservative game. Liberal parishes are, however, also making donations for the legal battle. "I was very concerned that our bishop was out there hanging out on his own," said Peter Juzwiak, senior warden of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Studio City. He said his vestry had raised $2,500 toward a $5,000 goal and hopes to enlist other parishes in the effort.
Another vestry member at the Studio City parish, Jim Holmes, said, "We have allowed the religious right to hijack the word and name of Christian, and they are poisoning, in our minds, the vast majority of the faithful with a bunch of radical, fundamentalist ideas that do not represent us as Christians." [quote from the LA times, registration required]
Now, hearing the rector of St. David's talk, you would not consider him "fundamentalist." In fact the Indian rector seems like someone who'd be at home here in our local diocese. Actually, there are already several Indians here.
This is what Bruno should do.