Today was a traditional day in the life of an Episcopal priest. In my experience sometime during Holy Week the clergy of the diocese meet for a service in which the bishop blesses the holy oils used for baptism and healing. The clergy also celebrate Eucharist together and here a sermon of encouragement for their ministry as priests and deacons in the life of the church. In normal times it is a time of bonding where those who share a similar calling by God are united in celebration of the vocation to which they are all called in service to Christ. I have experienced many such services in my years as a priest in Massachusetts. Some of my brothers and sisters would not attend the gathering in the Diocese of Massachusetts because they could no longer vow "to solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, disciple, and worship of the Episcopal Church". It was a matter of conscience that they stayed away from the service. Although I had problems with the direction of the Episcopal Church I was not prevented from participation by my conscience. Today in South Carolina I attended this same event for the first time. The picture is of my first time in the Cathedral of St. Paul & St. Luke in Charleston South Carolina. Once again the service was meaningful and the sermon was perfect. After Eucharist and the blessing of oils the bishop allowed those who could not participate in the renewal of ordination vows to leave with the recessional hymn, while those of us who were able in good conscience to renew our vows stayed with the bishop for the traditional renewal of vows. The fact that priests that I know and love in both Massachusetts and South Carolina that could not participate in conscience point out a sad reality of our life in these times. Sad or not,one thing I know is that if we don't honor our conscience we are in danger of sliding into a life that lacks integrity. I also know that we are called to love everyone not just those with whom we agree. Living in both realities is the greatest challenge, but God never said it was going to be easy.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Conscience
Today was a traditional day in the life of an Episcopal priest. In my experience sometime during Holy Week the clergy of the diocese meet for a service in which the bishop blesses the holy oils used for baptism and healing. The clergy also celebrate Eucharist together and here a sermon of encouragement for their ministry as priests and deacons in the life of the church. In normal times it is a time of bonding where those who share a similar calling by God are united in celebration of the vocation to which they are all called in service to Christ. I have experienced many such services in my years as a priest in Massachusetts. Some of my brothers and sisters would not attend the gathering in the Diocese of Massachusetts because they could no longer vow "to solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, disciple, and worship of the Episcopal Church". It was a matter of conscience that they stayed away from the service. Although I had problems with the direction of the Episcopal Church I was not prevented from participation by my conscience. Today in South Carolina I attended this same event for the first time. The picture is of my first time in the Cathedral of St. Paul & St. Luke in Charleston South Carolina. Once again the service was meaningful and the sermon was perfect. After Eucharist and the blessing of oils the bishop allowed those who could not participate in the renewal of ordination vows to leave with the recessional hymn, while those of us who were able in good conscience to renew our vows stayed with the bishop for the traditional renewal of vows. The fact that priests that I know and love in both Massachusetts and South Carolina that could not participate in conscience point out a sad reality of our life in these times. Sad or not,one thing I know is that if we don't honor our conscience we are in danger of sliding into a life that lacks integrity. I also know that we are called to love everyone not just those with whom we agree. Living in both realities is the greatest challenge, but God never said it was going to be easy.
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