What Bishop James Mathes Really Means by "Reconciliation" (Bishop MacBurney Presentment)
As this story involves my parish, more local perspective on this story will be forthcoming...
It's well known that Bishop Mathes, Diocesan of The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego brought these charges against Bishop MacBurney (80 Yrs. old, retired, & currently dealing with a dying son of his).
For now see these threads:
- http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/10801/
- http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=7908
Comments
Yes, Bishop MacBurney will apparently pay the price for daring to confirm our children, huh David?
So much for, "what happens in Argentina, stays in Argentina." ; - )
It's a big absurd double standard, of course, because TEC is going to march their people right across the border of the Diocese of San Joaquin and perform all kinds of episcopal acts (man, I hate that phrase) without asking the permission of that sitting bishop.
Clearly, they've got nuthin. I can't believe this stuff gets them out of bed in the morning, nuch less reaching (and reaching) for their wallets to pay for it all.
David Turney
Site Editor
RE: "The basis of the charges against MacBurney relate to the allegation that he did not receive permission to perform liturgical rites from the sitting Episcopal diocesan bishop in San Diego." [From t19]
I don't know all the details, but two words come to mind: Petty and graceless.
It's GOT to stop, and stop soon. This wreckless confirming of children by orthodox Anglican bishops is a real threat to the good work being done in the Diocese of San Diego, apparently.
David Turney
Site Editor
Thanks for posting this video David. It reminds me why I haven't set foot in an episcopal church in years. Many things come to mind: postmodernist decay, cultural suicide, the deep shame that the elites have ingrained over our heritage, but ultimately the video speaks for itself. It is crystal clear, and the dancing looks sad and somehow forced. One thing that comes to mind: the Romans had "sacred brothels" dedicated to, I think, Dionysius and Artemis. Granted, they were pre-christian and as such operated in the innocence of the world before Christ and his Church. How long before we see such things in St.Pauls "cathedral"? It is not such a leap from "sacred discotheque" to "sacred brothel". Throw in some controlled substance abuse for good measure.
Thanks for posting this video David. It reminds me why I haven't set foot in an episcopal church in years. Many things come to mind: postmodernist decay, cultural suicide, the deep shame that the elites have ingrained over our heritage, but ultimately the video speaks for itself. It is crystal clear, and the dancing looks sad and somehow forced. One thing that comes to mind: the Romans had "sacred brothels" dedicated to, I think, Dionysius and Artemis. Granted, they were pre-christian and as such operated in the innocence of the world before Christ and his Church. How long before we see such things in St.Pauls "cathedral"? It is not such a leap from "sacred discotheque" to "sacred brothel". Throw in some controlled substance abuse for good measure.
Once again it goes to show you the depths that Mr. Mathes will stoop in order to be a reconciling presence. Instead of building bridges of understanding he comes like a thief in the night to build walls and to harangue those who answered God and left TEC. Even with such petty acts on the part of Mr. Mathes, I am reminded of Jesus words in Matthew 5:11-12:
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you”. (NIV)
Bishop MacBurney is and will be blessed for his faithfulness. We must keep him in our prayers even as we pray that Mathes will see the light and repent before it is too late.
The Rev. Russell E. J. Martin
The ironic and somewhat sad thing is the blatant hypocrisy that Bishop Mathes allows in the Diocese of San Diego. He is a stringent adherent to National canons when it suits him especially in the case of Bishop MacBurney. However, this is not the case with the issue of Open Communion that is practiced blatantly by the Cathedral and several other Churches in the Diocese of San Diego—another clear violation of National Canon (at least for the present). I know he is aware of it because it was an issue several of us raised it with him numerous times, including during his first diocesan convention. He clearly does not believe in practice, that all Canons are equal. Some canons are by his way of thinking more equal than others; especially any that he believes break or undermine his sovereignty. The man is neither the reconciler he claims to be nor a good “shepherd” for goodness sake he drove 8 congregations and over a dozen orthodox clergy out during his first two years. Moreover, he takes no responsibility for the problem, preferring to publicly state that “no churches” have left. His success is such that now just about half of the parishes in the Diocese receive aid, though according to him that is because of the clergy who left. Despite the fact the parish in question, took the higher road and did not embarrass Mathes by making a media spectacle out of Bishop MacBurney’s visit; Mathes cannot show any grace even to fellow Bishop, who has a dying son. This just demonstrates the extent to which Mathes is both a great reconciler and true defender of the Christian faith. He is not a reconciler but rather a hand puppet of 815and KJS. I am blessed to be part of the Diocese of Argentina, for a little more than a year, where we have real bishop and not some little boy playing dress up. The sad thing is that James Mathes had the potential for being a real bridge builder and force for good in the diocese of San Diego but instead in his hubris, he squandered that opportunity. Mathes desperately needs to surrender to God’s grace and I suspect that will make all the difference. Pray for him!
The Rev. Russell E. J. Martin
I also remember being reminded at the time to focus solely on the reason why Bp MacBurney was there because he fully suspected a "spy" would be present to "confirm" his nefarious deeds. Which he also thought comical since he was making no secret of why he was there or that he was there. But that's the way Bp Mathes operates.
I am from the Diocese of Quincy. I met with our present bishop and heard of these charges about a week and a half before the internet and media got ahold of them. I feel sorry for you people in San Deigo. You have no idea what it is like to have a true Shepherd. For those parishes who have left, we in Quincy stand with you and pray for you daily.
Picking on my old bishop and close friend tells me on thing; THEY (Mathes, Schori, etc...) ARE SCARED! With 1,000 leaving weekly, ondiocese leaving and three more to leave in November and December they are scared and hope these schoolyard bullying tactics will scare the masses.
It is having the opposite affect here in Quincy. We will never cave in and never give up. There will be no "Continuing Episcopal". There won't be anyone left.