On feeling out of communion

Dear Jorge,

Rather proves something I believe in theory: that this issue like the many others separating Protestants from Catholics (not to single anybody out) is a deal-breaker as far as communion goes. Instinctively you feel it as do Catholics.

In other words in principle if you (rhetorical you) are in communion with people officially doing un-Catholic things you’re doing them.

It really is a battle of the absolutes and although I think that parish sounds heroic I agree with the Bishop of Fort Worth (and on the flip side some liberals happily concur) that this kind of religion has no future in the Episcopal Church in the long run.

That said I think I’m ‘pastoral’ and prudent (something my English heritage taught me): I rarely tell people to uproot themselves and convert, only when asked and as a last resort. Which is also why, besides respect, I never try to tell you what to do.

Thanks for making clear that the conservatives you feel out of communion with are not hateful. So I trust they’re authentically Christian about the matter: against the practice but not the people.

All are welcome to come and pray in a Catholic church.

Is the parish St Paul’s-by-the-Lake?

From what I’ve seen online it’s a good place for an Anglican Catholic to drop anchor in Chicago. The congregation is very East African.

In advance, to you, Dr Perry and all at All Saints’, Chicago, happy All Saints’ Day especially on your feast of title. (What the Russian Orthodox call the church’s престольный праздникъ: the holy day commemorating the dedication of the altar.)

I believe in... the communion of saints...

Omnes sancti et sanctæ Dei, orate pro nobis.

Tried to leave this in your com-box but it didn’t seem to go through.

In terms of philosophy, the actual practice of religion is its own good, and not an added bonus for the lucky few. In my opinion, good ecclesiology and poor praxis is no better than good praxis and poor ecclesiology, so why upset the apple cart if you don’t need to or want to? Ideally one would have both.

— Good friend and this blog’s unofficial theological adviser Paul Goings