A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE

I had to learn about this story from The Opinionated Catholic.
 Canterbury Tales
Jeffrey Steenson’s page. 
The resignation letter.

The Living Church version:
“…Bishop Steenson said he did not find an “inner dynamic toward Catholic unity” in those choices, and added, “It doesn’t appear that one can get there from where we are now, at least not corporately, considering Anglicanism’s present configurations.

“From time to time it seems necessary for some to embark on these personal journeys as a reminder that the churches of the Reformation were not intended to carry on indefinitely separated from their historical and theological mooring in the Church of Rome," he said. "I believe that the Lord now calls me in this direction.”

In concluding remarks, Bishop Steenson asked for forgiveness from his fellow bishops “for any difficulty this may cause and for anything I may have said or done that has failed to live up to the love of Christ.

"I hope that you will not see this as a repudiation of The Episcopal Church or Anglicanism. Rather, it is the sincere desire of a simple soul to bear witness to the fullness of the Catholic faith, in communion with what St. Irenaeus called ‘that greatest and most ancient Church.’ I believe that our noble Anglican tradition (‘this worthy patrimony’) has deep within it the instinct of a migratory bird calling, ‘It is time to fly home to a place you have never seen before.’ May the Lord bless my steps and yours and bring our paths together in his good time.”…”

A MINI RANT
I have this problem with conscience, standards, and going out on a limb for one’s beliefs.  I have a tendency to do this, and have a tremendous amount of respect for anyone who stands up for what they believe.  We live in a world today where people refuse to take a stand for what they believe.  More power to him!

Okay, I’m annoyed out of pure selfishness. When I first heard that Jeffrey Steenson was to be our new Bishop I was thrilled.  While working as the “interim” secretary for our Parish here in Lincoln County, I would work with Bishop Steenson when he was Canon of the Ordinary and special assistant to Bishop Kellshaw. I found him to be an EXTREMELY fair, honorable, and honest man.  Knowing him as I do, I can understand why he has made this move.  It makes quite a bit of sense, actually.  He is a very kind, considerate person.  I think I can see why he made this move.

Darn it all! 

I just hope our new bishop is half as nice. 

The great thing about Jeffrey Steenson is the fact that he will stop and visit with people.  Sometmes people with a position such as his let ‘success’ go to their heads.  But that was not the problem here. 

He will be missed – very much so.  I can only wish him well and hope he finds peace.  For some strange reason I just don’t think this is the last we are going to hear from him.  I have a feeling…

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