Ordinarily (ordainarily?) I do my best to keep this space away from goings on in my own life. It now appears necessary to suspend that practice. I am the center of a disagreement that has gone public and become blog-worthy in the eyes of some.
I don't wish to overplay what is happening. I think it a minor thing in the grand scheme of current issues. But since it got picked up by a credible Episcopal blogger I offer you the facts and my perspective, hopefully before this gets distorted, exaggerated, and worthy of David Virtue, Fr. Jake, and whoever else out there wants to take a shot at me or the Bishop of Los Angeles.
Since 2004 I have been a Postulant for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. +Jon Bruno has supported my vocation with personal and financial generosity. I am finishing my last year at Nashotah House where the bishop was pleased to let me attend. In mid-October my Candidacy interviews took place with the LA Commission on Ministry. The CoM did not recommend me for Candidacy or ordination, and the bishop thus did not recommend me for Candidacy to the Standing Committee. By the bishop's written notice I am released from any obligation to the diocese.
Those are the facts.
Before I become anyone's whipping boy or sacrificial lamb I wish to state the following:
- +Jon Bruno is a discerning man who has on multiple occasions given me extremely good advice on spiritual and practical matters. I have great respect for him and his office - an office he has held under significant duress and personal attack from almost every side. I have been given no reason to doubt that his discernment about this matter is more perceptive than my own and that he has made the best decision for all affected.
- There are important facts about this matter that are confidential. Charity and discretion command that private concerns between myself, the bishop, and my rector remain private. THE WHOLE STORY HAS NOT BEEN TOLD. And I will not blab it. Those who have rushed to judge are ignorant of important and private matters.
- The FACT is that I have been released from Los Angeles as unsuited to serve in that diocese. Do not interpret this as condemnation of my vocation or an official diocesan antipathy towards orthodoxy. Many are presuming these are inextricable. Give +Bruno his due and take him at his word. With charity.
- Again, it is my express wish that I not become fodder for speculation or uncharity.
Brad Drell has blogged the contents of my public email about what happened and he has picked up some hot comments. I am also asking that he update his post with the contents here.
And finally I ask that the matter now be let to rest. Instead of wasting electrons on me, maybe you could go tell someone about the atoning work of Jesus Christ through his incarnation, death, and resurrection. An awful lot still don't know about this.
Have I mentioned my explicit personal wish that this matter be treated with charity?
10 comments:
Perhaps you should have not released a "public" e-mail that left the road wide open to assuming bad faith on the part of the diocese. And certainly not before verifying the reason(s). You could have asked for prayer without going down this path.
If the reasons of the diocese are based on personal concerns that are appropriate and not based on things such as orthodox faith/adherence to scripture, then you should post it here and on Drell (SFIF, etc. would be responsible at this point)and apologize to the diocese. No matter what their politics, if they have been wronged, you need to make amends.
If you have made an error, it is your Christian duty to correct it. You would not have to cite the actual reasons. But at this point - if the reasons are personal - don't be surprised if someone in the diocese leaks it to "protect" the diocese.
If the reasons for your release are theologically based and not personal, then your actions appear even more confusing.
In any even, come clean and do it quickly, sooner than later.
And remember - which you probably will never forget now - anything written in e-mail or blogs doesn't vanish...it's always there to be passed around.
God bless you, you are in our prayers.
As Matt Kennedy has said: 1 John: Do not even wish the heretic Goodspeed - for doing so you participate in the work of the Devil.
Bruno has said nothing about our Unbridled Warhorse's unsuitablility to serve as a Priest of the Christian Church - and Bishop Iker has already confirmed that he will ordain this candidate!
Therefore the only reason for Bruno's rejection of this good man is Bruno's heresy and apostacy.
There is no other reason. And - as John commands - I will not wish Bruno Godspeed or any other thing
Your obfuscation and retreat are not surprising since you count Blessed Sacrament as your home parish. The 'go along to get along' Anglo-Catholic creed of Canon Baumann apparently has infused those seminarians who might look to him as spiritual adviser.
How much longer before Bruno is called on the carpet by those Episcopalians in his own diocese who heretofore have persisted in supine and misguided loyalty? By way of your blog, you have simply put a face on the muddled consensus that prevails in Los Angeles. It will be interesting to see if at the next diocesan convention, Fr. Baumann is once again allowed to grab a few headlines by excoriating TEC for its heretical ways, only to then return to the sinecure of his Placentia parish where all is well with smells and bells.
In your original email you claimed, "I have omitted everything not pertinent," but you now admit that "There are important facts about this matter that are confidential." Don't be surprised, then, that you have stirred up a hornet's nest.
Getting those hornets back into the nest will not be an easy task.
Micah:
I have done as you have asked. Please know that your email was sent to me in the hopes of publicizing what happened to you for the greater good, and your email indicated it was public and could be passed around.
Godspeed.
YBIC,
Brad Drell
Maybe this one time the diocese is right. It doesn't sound to me like you are anywhere near ready for ordination.
As one of those 'orthodox', I think your explaination was gracious and said all that needed to be said. God tends to work in mysterious ways - all to His glory!
"Perhaps you should have not released a "public" e-mail that left the road wide open to assuming bad faith on the part of the diocese."
I think the bald public facts of the matter left that road wide open.
Both of the Warhorse's statements have opened up the possibility of another road, through example of charity and grace. I have a good deal of respect and admiration for the way in which he is dealing with this situation.
You know I can't help myself, Micah. I have to contribute to the firestorm.
You are awesome. In all seriousness. Don't let the cackling of the crows bother you (which is always much easier said than done, of course).
We love you. We love your adorable daughter more, but hey, those blue eyes are hard to resist.
Hey Micah,
I know we only met the once back last Holy Week, I doubt you'll remember me, but my wife Erin and I came up and visited the house. Anyway, just wanted to let you know you and your family are in our prayers.
And remember, it's easy for people to say things online they wouldn't have the "you-knows" to say in real life.
God Bless,
-Scott Smith
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