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This information was sent to me and several others:
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| Katharine J. Schori |
Consecration of the 8th [Episcopal] Bishop of Alaska will take place Saturday, September 4, 2010, 2 p.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 3900 Wisconsin Street, Anchorage, Alaska.
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Following the Consecration ceremony, a reception will be held at the Lunney Center, next door to the church. This is an opportunity for all to meet and greet both the new Bishop Mark Lattime and the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. (Source)
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...the consecration and ordination is scheduled for September 4 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Anchorage. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will be the chief consecrator. (Source)
The following are pertinent parts of the Archdiocesan Vetting Policy:
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This is a "Clarification Memo" (Source)
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This is the page that is linked under Vetting, on the main page of the Archdiocese of Anchorage's website. If you notice the 3rd bullet-point on this memo it says (Original Emphasis) (My Emphasis in red):
This policy is applicable to anyone sponsored by or using any Archdiocesan or Parish resources.
Seems like a pretty clear statement and policy. So why then is Our Lady of Guadalupe being rented/loaned/used by a Christian Denomination whose principal leader speaks
contrary to the teachings of the Church? Here are some quotes by the
woman that will be "consecrating" a new bishop at Our Lady of Guadalupe:
Anglicans should be led by local communities rather than powerful clerics, Jefferts Schori argued in a Wednesday (June 2) letter to her church’s 2 million members. And, after 50 years of debate, the Episcopal Church is convinced that gays and lesbians are “God’s good creation” and “good and healthy exemplars of gifted leadership within the church, as baptized leaders and ordained ones.” (Source)
The Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori derided individual salvation calling it 'the great Western heresy: that we can be saved as individuals, that any of us alone can be in right relationship with God.'
In her opening address to the church's General Conference in California, Jefferts Schori said it was a "heresy" to believe that an individual can be saved through personal faith and trust in Jesus Christ acknowledged in a prayer of repentance. (Source)
How are these teachings acceptable for a person that will be leading a religious ceremony at
Our Lady of Guadalupe?
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There are two major problems that I see with this situation:
1. You are inviting in a religious denomination and a "bishop" that espouse teachings that are directly contrary to those of the One True Church - not only in their construction but in their essence.
2. The double standard that this creates is mind-numbing. I know of several groups, apostolates, speakers, and events that have been denied time and time again in their requests to use facilities, advertising and resources; while this group seems to have full use of OLG.
Does this have everything to do with procedure and the vetting process? Yes, there is a vetting process, and YES it should be followed. In fact, I applaud the Archbishop in taking a stand to ensure that the faithful are safeguarded against heresy, dissident teaching, and heterodoxy. What I cannot understand is how in pursuit of this goal there are good, pious, devout, orthodox, doctrinally sound persons that are not permitted to speak for "procedural reasons." Again, I understand the need for the vetting process, and I understand the necessity in being obedient and following rules and procedure - I work in the legal field; what I can't understand is how procedure is king. How form trumps substance.
How is it that this Episcopal event will occur inside a Catholic church, while some Catholic groups and people are shunned to homes and restaurants to have their events, ones that adhere to the teachings of the Faith? Why are some events which are approved not given space in bulletins, at announcements, or talked about by parish staffs? These questions may have answers, unfortunately no one seems to know what those answers are.
Other Questions linger:
Will the Eucharist be removed from the Tabernacle during this ordination?
Will the Altar be used?
Will the Consecrated Vessels of OLG be used in any Episcopal ceremonies?
Will the the Sanctuary of OLG be used for this "consecration"?
Will anti-Catholic teachings be allowed to be uttered from the Ambo?
I do not take pride or joy in posting about such things. Some might say that this is gossip or rumor. They would be incorrect. This situation is public and posted on multiple websites. The entire world is free to see that a Woman, pro-gay/lesbian, Episcopal bishop will be "consecrating" a new Episcopal priest in a
CATHOLIC church. Simply posting about it, and asking questions should be completely acceptable. All of these questions must have answers.
.. I am simply asking the questions.
It hurts so bad to know people that have been denied access to their own church facilities and resources because there is a safeguard procedure in place that is used in a manner which seems to be
against them and
for outside anti-Catholic groups. As recently as a month ago I saw a parish bulletin with an advertisement for a local
Labyrinth. Yet, some people are forced to email me their events and info in an effort to get the word out, as they have been denied access to and the ability of using parish bulletins and resources to disseminate their
approved information.
I pray that there are good explanations to all my questions... I think we would just like to hear them. If our churches are used as platforms for distortion and heresy, but not as sources of Truth and Doctrine, what chance do we have to give the Faithful proper formation? If the area where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated is used by those opposed to the true teachings of the faith, what does that say about our belief and our understanding of what occurs in the Sanctuaries of our churches?
I trust in our Archbishop. He is a holy, holy man, that has show recently how he is willing to put the true teachings of the faith, and the protection of his "flock" as his first priorities. I know that in the end the right thing will happen. Therefore we must continue to pray for him, for wisdom, courage, understanding, and fortitude.
Please leave comments, but be charitable. I would love to hear others opinion of this, but I don't want this to descend into attacks against persons. Ideas are open for any criticism, people and the judgment of their souls is for God alone. It is important that we use the internet as a place of intellectual debate, and not to pile-on against people. Please prayerfully consider your words before posting. 
Theology of the Body and Art: The Naked Truth
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