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Traditional Fort Worth Episcopal Priests Seek Communion with Catholic Church

FORT WORTH, Texas, August 13, 2008 (CNA) - A senior Episcopal prelate recently confirmed that a delegation of Episcopal priests from Fort Worth visited the Catholic bishop of the diocese, Most Rev. Kevin Vann, to discuss how their diocese might enter full communion with the Catholic Church. While the seriousness of the discussion is not yet known, a document presented by the priests claims an overwhelming majority of clergy in the Episcopal diocese favor pursuing plans to bring the diocese into the Catholic Church.

A spokesman for Bishop Vann, bishop of Fort Worth, confirmed that the meeting took place, the Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rev. William Crary, who is senior rector of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, confirmed that he and three other Episcopal priests met with Bishop Vann on June 16. They presented the bishop with a document that is highly critical of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.

"The lack of a teaching office [in the Episcopalian Church] has resulted in communicating un-baptized persons, same-sex unions and liturgical chaos everywhere," reads the document. "There are no boundaries and it is all uncontrollable. This is not theory but day to day reality."

"We came to realize that, like the Prodigal Son in the Gospel, it is up to us to make the initiative to return to the rock from whence we were hewn," continues the priests' proposal, saying that they have come to see "the need for perusing unity with the See of Peter now."

The Dallas Morning News says the document claims an overwhelming majority of Fort Worth Episcopal clergy favor pursuing an “active plan” to bring the diocese into full communion with the Catholic Church. The document also reports that Episcopal Bishop of Fort Worth, Jack Iker, is supportive of the effort.

Rev. Crary confirmed Bishop Iker’s support, but did not explain the remarks further. He said it likely would not mean the Episcopal diocese’s “absorption” by the Catholic Church. He said the initiative was part of longstanding efforts to increase cooperation between the Catholic and Episcopal Churches and also to further the goal of Christian unity.

"These discussions between the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion have been going on for 42 years," he said, according to the Dallas Morning News. "We would like to bring these down to the local level."

Rev. Courtland Moore, retired rector of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Arlington, said there is a “very serious attempt” on the part of clergy in the Episcopal diocese to “petition Rome for some kind of recognition.”

“They make it clear that they no longer believe there is truth in the Anglican Communion, and the only way they can find truth is reunion with Rome,” he stated.

The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth is reportedly one of the most conservative Episcopalian dioceses. Under Bishop Iker, it has declined to ordain women as priests and has strongly opposed the acceptance of an openly homosexual Episcopal bishop.

The diocese has held one of the two votes required to leave the Episcopal Church and will vote again in November.

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

US Episcopal Church: We'll Leave Anglican Communion Before Homosexuality
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/mar/07032303.html

Archbishop of Canterbury Fears Coming Anglican Schism over Homosexuality
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/jan/07010904.html

Homosexual Scandal in Anglican Church Puts Spotlight on Discussions of Reuniting with Catholics
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/feb/07021903.html

Anglican Hierarchy ~ US Anglicans Have Seven Months to Shape up or Ship Out
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/feb/07022007.html

Traditionally Christian Anglicans Ask to Join Catholic Church En Masse
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/oct/07102506.html

Worldwide Anglican Communion at an End says Nigerian Primate
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jun/08061908.html

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