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So Much for "Dialogue"

It appears Alabama's Bishop Parsley ordered The Rev. Mark Brown, associate rector at Montgomery's Church of the Ascension (many of whose members, along with two of its clergy, several staff members, and 11 of its 15 vestry members, walked out recently to form a new church), not to attend the "Conversation with the Bishop" event at Ascension.

In a letter to Bishop Parsley, Fr. Brown writes:

I must tell you that I cannot and will not stay away from this evening's "Pastoral Conversation with the Bishop" as you suggested in your message. You seem to think it would be best for me to desert my flock and allow you to come in and have their undivided attention for an hour and a half without my being present. That is NOT, in military parlance, a "lawful" order, and I cannot obey it.

Stand Firm Alabama has the story here.

Posted by Greg Griffith at April 19, 2005 12:17 PM (GMT -6:00)
Comments

Pope Gregory XVI, formerly known as Cardinal Ratzinger. Remember his letter to Plano? Hurrah!

# Posted by: Jim at April 19, 2005 12:22 PM

Correction: Pope Benedict XVI today.

# Posted by: Jim at April 19, 2005 12:56 PM

To the folks over at Stand Firm Mississippi. Please keep Father Mark Brown and his wife, Chris, in your prayers. They are a strong orthodox couple, who are committed to trying to keep orthodoxy at Ascension, in spite of the recent split. Although my family has left Ascension for the new Christchurch-Anglican Communion, Fr. Mark and Chris mean a lot to my family, as well as many others who left Ascension. Please continue to pray God's strength for them and protection over them during this ordeal.

# Posted by: CCT at April 19, 2005 02:02 PM

CCT--I will be happy to keep Fr. Brown and his family in my prayers. It seems like Ascension and Christchurch Anglican have chosen the high road on both sides--with concern for all who worship therein. Too bad the Bishop could not do likewise.

Susan

# Posted by: Summersnow at April 19, 2005 10:40 PM

read Sarah Hey under links at this site

# Posted by: chris lewis at April 22, 2005 02:21 AM