AAC Praises Bishop Howe's Stand Against Abortion

Bishop David Anderson, head of the American Anglican Council, writes:

Over the last several weeks, the election of a Buddhist-Episcopal priest as the next bishop for Northern Michigan has generated quite a good deal of controversy here in the States. The balloting process is now underway, and we are hearing from Bishops with jurisdiction and from Diocesan Standing Committees. Whether Kevin Thew Forrester gains enough ballots for election confirmation or not remains to be seen. It may be that, figuratively, the theological revisionists will throw him under the bus, and say, "See! We have limits!" More likely, they will confirm him, if only by a narrow margin, because his theology does agree with most of Episcopal revisionism, and who are they to start throwing theological stones at their compatriots?

The newest Episcopal Church outrage is the selection of the Rev. Dr. Katherine Ragsdale as the next president of the Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is an outspoken advocate of abortion and Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender rights, and models the lesbian lifestyle herself. How aggressive can she be in her new role and why does it matter? She will be overseeing the spiritual formation of incoming clergy and bishops-to-be, helping to shape their world view - both for domestic and overseas clergy from other parts of the Anglican Communion. When EDS offers scholarship assistance for an overseas clergy person to come and study, the recipient of the scholarship will be immersed in the false gospel, the homosexual agenda, and abortion as a blessing. Yes, you heard that right, she believes that abortion is a blessing and you need to see it in her own words. In a 2007 speech entitled, "Our Work is Not Done," she concludes, "These are the two things I want you, please, to remember - abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Let me hear you say it: abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done." Friends, we don’t make this stuff up, we couldn’t; it’s TOO bizarre. Her public statements that "abortion is a blessing" are the full equivalent of saying that genocide is a good thing, for her stand supports the genocide of the most vulnerable. Her statements and her life witness in this regard stand in opposition to the American Anglican Council’s statement of faith, which says "All human life is a sacred gift from God and is to be protected and defended from conception to natural death."

What do leaders of the Episcopal Church (TEC) say about her and her work? Well, their comments say a great deal about themselves as well.

Thomas Shaw, the Bishop of Massachusetts writes: "I am thrilled with the appointment of Katharine Ragsdale as the president and dean of EDS. She brings a wealth of small parish ministry to her new position and it is critical that the new president and dean be able to train and form parish priests for the growth of progressive parishes across the country. She brings a wealth of experience, talent and creativity to this new position."

Dr. Angela Bauer-Levesque, acting academic dean for EDS writes: "I am elated to have the Rev. Dr. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale join EDS as its first woman president and dean. As someone with stature in the church and in the world, she inspires excellence. Her commitments, energy, and clarity, combined with her astute analysis, her collaborative style, and her experience in fundraising will make EDS more boldly live out its purpose of educating lay and ordained leaders for the church and the world, dedicated to work for justice, foster diversity, and seek constructive change."

And Thomas Ely, Bishop of Vermont enthuses: "The search committee sees in Katherine the right combination of a person of immense faith, demonstrated organizational and team leadership ability, a passion for academic excellence and quality theological education, formidable development skills, and the ability to be a strong, articulate, and inspiring voice for the mission of EDS, both within the Episcopal Church and beyond. From among the many gifted candidates we interviewed, Katherine Ragsdale overwhelmingly stands out as the one best equipped and called to lead EDS into this next exciting and promising chapter of our life and mission."

Dr. Ragsdale served on the board of NARAL Pro-choice America as well as 17 years (eight as chairperson) on the national board for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), and is supportive of the TEC national Executive Council’s decision to affiliate with the RCRC, a decision which has generated additional controversy in TEC these last few weeks. To orthodox bishops all over the Anglican world: Beware! If you allow any clergy under your authority to attend the Episcopal Divinity School, this is what they will be indoctrinated with, and no scholarship is worth trading your soul in exchange.

The AAC is pleased that the Rt. Rev. John Howe, bishop of Central Florida (CFL), and his Diocesan Council have written to the TEC national Executive Council protesting and disaffiliating from the national Executive Council’s ties to the RCRC and its abortion advocacy. Now we hear that a member of the TEC national Executive Council, Mr. John Vanderstar of Washington, DC, has written back to Bishop Howe of CFL to ask him to "nullify" the Diocesan resolution of disassociation from RCRC. The AAC would say to Bishop Howe, "You were right the first time. You have seen the duplicitous ways that TEC’s top leadership uses to advance the culture of death on the pre-born. Please continue to champion the lives of the very small and vulnerable children not yet born, and by God’s Grace, stay your course."

From here.