I am praying for all involved. This may be the tremor than moves the fault line and rocks the ACNA. The pretense that all can live together with W.O. in the house may be over.
I truly believe the push for Father Robinson being jettisoned is his vocal call to reclaim traditional Christian beliefs, among them opposition to W.O..
Ann offers a long overdue “solution” that if purity is going to be what is required in ACNA then for the sake of balance leftist progressives such as Scot McKnight and Kirsten Du Mez should likewise be excoriated.
Thanks for the post, Mark. It’s good to hear your thoughts.
As an ACNA priest myself, I’d love to venture a thought/ask a question:
What is the definition of a “based traditionalist”? Specifically over 1. How Catholic can you be? and 2. How do you conceive of your opponents who affirm W.O?
I ask (genuinely) because Calvin Robinson seems far more maximalist on 1 then most Anglo-Catholics (celebrating a Latin Mass seems pretty irreconcilable with even very high Anglicanism) and his view on 2 is well past disparaging “dual integrities”. I was in the audience here in Charleston as he identified large portions of the room as theologically cancerous due to W.O.
I’m not necessarily disputing your conclusions here, but my sense is that the ACNA really is leaning on the dual integrities path, which inherently puts “conservatives” in a bit more of a bind than “liberals”. Because it tests the conservative conscience, but merely the liberal patience.
In the end, I would say to any of my based fellow presbyters- do make such an obvious contriversialist your champion! The ACNA is full of much more standard based clerics and no one is gunning for their ordinations etc (like the Stand Firm podcast crew and NorthAm Anglicaners).
Again, thanks for writing. It informed me on some points. 😊
This situation has burdened me too. The ACNA seems to continually prop up and protect liberalizing tendencies while unfairly demonizing and suppressing conservative voices. I don't know what the future holds, and I am committed to Anglicanism, but the ACNA's trajectory scares me.
Thank you for these articles, especially this one. I was raised Roman Catholic and received in the Episcopal Church as an adult. I was “ordained” as a Deacon in the very rural, very tiny, very progressive Diocese of Northern Michigan. I returned to the Chicago area near my family and have yet to find a church to call home for a number of reasons. My personal struggles with the Episcopal church have to do with the extremes at both ends that are allowed “under the umbrella.” If I get my act together I may yet try driving into the city and attend at Church of the Ascension, but I’m not there yet.
The problem with schism as I see it…after the first “Divorce” it seems it becomes easier and easier to “break up.” I find that I am drawn to Liturgy and hierarchy for all my rebellious Protestant tendencies. As I read about the infighting and the different Anglican and Anglo-Catholic denominations I shook my head. I understand what lead to the initial schism…I myself, even as an older gay man, have issues with some of the progressive stances taken by the greater church. I may yet just return to the church of my childhood warts and all if for nothing more than the solidity of its communion. Thank you again.
Thank you. I have been to Church of the Ascension before, very Anglo-catholic. Perhaps pray for me to get moving on it and not just think about it! Ha! Your prayers will be most welcome regardless. It’s the spirit of the intention that matters, not the specifics. Peace!
I don't know what Calvin Robinson will now do. He and the parish in Grand Rapids need prayer. Yes, he's controversial. The ACNA has numbers of controversial clerics, and the ACC has at least one who spouts politics regularly. The deliberate destruction of this one man puts both denominations in a negative light.
I'm sure the pressure must have been overwhelming. It would not be fair to the tragic Ray Sutton to say that he had a moment he may gnash his teeth over for the rest of his life. His tormentor was far more imposing than Cranmer's. Cranmer faced only burning at the stake. Sutton had to try to bear the shrieking of menopausal advocates of women's ordination, and their female supporters.
I’m from a non-denominational background but recently have been looking for a denominational belief and church.
I thought the ACNA would be a good fit until today when I found out about the actions of this Archbishop.
I saw Fr Calvin’s plea on YouTube a year or so ago and was greatly impressed and have much respect for him.
And really don’t have much knowledge of Anglican and its history, but I was drawn to the biblical foundation and scripture that it seems to adhere to. Sadly, I get the feeling that this Archbishop wants to inject wokeness into the ACNA.
I could be wrong about that, but now I’m suspicious.
And that hurts.
It’s not just young men looking for truth, even hard truth.
The Archbishop prejudges Calvin Robinson and then drops the hammer on pushback. I’m curious about the Archbishop’s friend, Bishop Stewart Ruch lll, and if ACNA is any closer to a “judgement” in that situation.
I am perplexed. A letter was signed by ACNA clergy demanding that Bishop Ruch be inhibited awaiting trial. A serious felony was committed against a child and the Archbishop has the appearance of covering for a “woke” friend who was responsible for overseeing the convicted perpetrator. As a parent and a retired law enforcement officer it is appalling to me that this most egregious crime has not been thoroughly investigated. It makes me question why our family remains in ACNA.
I thought Bishop Wood had said that information about disciplinary matters would be on the ACNA home page, but nothing is there at the moment. Wasn't there going to be a trial?
Women's Ordination is only one symptom of the feminist cancer infecting Anglicanism. Modesty and wifely duties are completely neglected as well in so called "traditional" parishes.
On the subject of untouchable bishops. The Bishop Todd Atkinson trial transcript made it abundantly clear that Bishop Trevor Walters was responsible for investigating serious allegations back in 2016 and covered for Atkinson. The victims suffered for another 8 years until other means brought Atkinson to justice in 2024.
Anglican Unscripted #857:
George Congers noted that Bishop Trevor Walters was responsible for the worst scandal in ACNA history to date regarding the Atkinson case.
Why was Trevor Walters never disciplined when the trial transcript so damning?
I am praying for all involved. This may be the tremor than moves the fault line and rocks the ACNA. The pretense that all can live together with W.O. in the house may be over.
I truly believe the push for Father Robinson being jettisoned is his vocal call to reclaim traditional Christian beliefs, among them opposition to W.O..
Ann offers a long overdue “solution” that if purity is going to be what is required in ACNA then for the sake of balance leftist progressives such as Scot McKnight and Kirsten Du Mez should likewise be excoriated.
Thanks for the post, Mark. It’s good to hear your thoughts.
As an ACNA priest myself, I’d love to venture a thought/ask a question:
What is the definition of a “based traditionalist”? Specifically over 1. How Catholic can you be? and 2. How do you conceive of your opponents who affirm W.O?
I ask (genuinely) because Calvin Robinson seems far more maximalist on 1 then most Anglo-Catholics (celebrating a Latin Mass seems pretty irreconcilable with even very high Anglicanism) and his view on 2 is well past disparaging “dual integrities”. I was in the audience here in Charleston as he identified large portions of the room as theologically cancerous due to W.O.
I’m not necessarily disputing your conclusions here, but my sense is that the ACNA really is leaning on the dual integrities path, which inherently puts “conservatives” in a bit more of a bind than “liberals”. Because it tests the conservative conscience, but merely the liberal patience.
In the end, I would say to any of my based fellow presbyters- do make such an obvious contriversialist your champion! The ACNA is full of much more standard based clerics and no one is gunning for their ordinations etc (like the Stand Firm podcast crew and NorthAm Anglicaners).
Again, thanks for writing. It informed me on some points. 😊
This a bad day for me to do definitions. :)
Sorry.
“Don’t* make such an obvious controversialist your champion”
This situation has burdened me too. The ACNA seems to continually prop up and protect liberalizing tendencies while unfairly demonizing and suppressing conservative voices. I don't know what the future holds, and I am committed to Anglicanism, but the ACNA's trajectory scares me.
Thank you for these articles, especially this one. I was raised Roman Catholic and received in the Episcopal Church as an adult. I was “ordained” as a Deacon in the very rural, very tiny, very progressive Diocese of Northern Michigan. I returned to the Chicago area near my family and have yet to find a church to call home for a number of reasons. My personal struggles with the Episcopal church have to do with the extremes at both ends that are allowed “under the umbrella.” If I get my act together I may yet try driving into the city and attend at Church of the Ascension, but I’m not there yet.
The problem with schism as I see it…after the first “Divorce” it seems it becomes easier and easier to “break up.” I find that I am drawn to Liturgy and hierarchy for all my rebellious Protestant tendencies. As I read about the infighting and the different Anglican and Anglo-Catholic denominations I shook my head. I understand what lead to the initial schism…I myself, even as an older gay man, have issues with some of the progressive stances taken by the greater church. I may yet just return to the church of my childhood warts and all if for nothing more than the solidity of its communion. Thank you again.
I'll make a point to pray that you find a good church home.
Thank you. I have been to Church of the Ascension before, very Anglo-catholic. Perhaps pray for me to get moving on it and not just think about it! Ha! Your prayers will be most welcome regardless. It’s the spirit of the intention that matters, not the specifics. Peace!
Fr Robinson just can't win for losing. God have mercy on him, his parish, the ACNA, the ACC and whoever else is in desperate need of mercy.
I don't know what Calvin Robinson will now do. He and the parish in Grand Rapids need prayer. Yes, he's controversial. The ACNA has numbers of controversial clerics, and the ACC has at least one who spouts politics regularly. The deliberate destruction of this one man puts both denominations in a negative light.
Is it even worth being shocked over?
I'm sure the pressure must have been overwhelming. It would not be fair to the tragic Ray Sutton to say that he had a moment he may gnash his teeth over for the rest of his life. His tormentor was far more imposing than Cranmer's. Cranmer faced only burning at the stake. Sutton had to try to bear the shrieking of menopausal advocates of women's ordination, and their female supporters.
Few of us would have had the strength to bear up.
I’m from a non-denominational background but recently have been looking for a denominational belief and church.
I thought the ACNA would be a good fit until today when I found out about the actions of this Archbishop.
I saw Fr Calvin’s plea on YouTube a year or so ago and was greatly impressed and have much respect for him.
And really don’t have much knowledge of Anglican and its history, but I was drawn to the biblical foundation and scripture that it seems to adhere to. Sadly, I get the feeling that this Archbishop wants to inject wokeness into the ACNA.
I could be wrong about that, but now I’m suspicious.
And that hurts.
It’s not just young men looking for truth, even hard truth.
It’s also this 57 year old woman in rural Alaska.
God help us.
The Archbishop prejudges Calvin Robinson and then drops the hammer on pushback. I’m curious about the Archbishop’s friend, Bishop Stewart Ruch lll, and if ACNA is any closer to a “judgement” in that situation.
Yes, it is odd how it is taking such a long time. I honestly don’t have any idea why.
I am perplexed. A letter was signed by ACNA clergy demanding that Bishop Ruch be inhibited awaiting trial. A serious felony was committed against a child and the Archbishop has the appearance of covering for a “woke” friend who was responsible for overseeing the convicted perpetrator. As a parent and a retired law enforcement officer it is appalling to me that this most egregious crime has not been thoroughly investigated. It makes me question why our family remains in ACNA.
I thought Bishop Wood had said that information about disciplinary matters would be on the ACNA home page, but nothing is there at the moment. Wasn't there going to be a trial?
Women's Ordination is only one symptom of the feminist cancer infecting Anglicanism. Modesty and wifely duties are completely neglected as well in so called "traditional" parishes.
On the subject of untouchable bishops. The Bishop Todd Atkinson trial transcript made it abundantly clear that Bishop Trevor Walters was responsible for investigating serious allegations back in 2016 and covered for Atkinson. The victims suffered for another 8 years until other means brought Atkinson to justice in 2024.
Anglican Unscripted #857:
George Congers noted that Bishop Trevor Walters was responsible for the worst scandal in ACNA history to date regarding the Atkinson case.
Why was Trevor Walters never disciplined when the trial transcript so damning?
Thanks, and I will pray for you. I am a layman, btw. :)