Update of our Anglican Mission in the Visayas (Retreat in Bacolod December 4-6, 2009 with Rev. Rosendo Sillero,ACP)

Rev.Rosendo and Reynald  



Rev. Rosendo and Bro. Gary






The Pope's Offer - Advantages and the Disadvatages.

Well, the Pope did something we didn't expect and sure surprised us all. What does it mean? The official statement says, "In this Apostolic Constitution, the Holy Father has introduced canonical structure that provides for such corporate reunion by establishing Personal Ordinariates which will allow former Anglicans to enter full communion with the (Roman) Catholic Church while preserving elements of the distinctive spiritual and liturgical patrimony."
The Advantages:
  • Married or single Deacons and Priests
  • Anglican Liturgies
  • Separate Anglican jurisdictions along side of existing Roman Catholic Dioceses
  • Separate Anglican Seminaries
The Disadvantages:
  • No married Bishops
  • Acceptance of Papal Supremacy, Authority and Infallibility
  • Pope defines the Faith rather than Holy Scripture and the Early Church
  • All property owned by Bishop (no local ownership)
  • Acceptance of Indulgences and Doctrine of Purgatory
  • Rejection of the Pauline Doctrine of Grace
  • All Anglican Clergy re-ordained (rejection of Anglican Orders and validity of our Eucharist)
  • Acceptance of non-Biblical Doctrines surrounding Mary, the mother of Our Lord
Conclusion: Not a good deal for Anglicans. We would do much better to seek an agreement of inter-communion with the Orthodox Church which recognizes our Orders and Eucharist.

Fr. John Lathrop, Dean

Ordination of Rev. Rosendo T.Sillero to Diaconate in Dumaguete City













Note: It's ONLY Rev. Rosendo T. Sillero who was Ordained into the Diaconate last October 31st in Dumaguete City and was assigned clergy  for St. John the Apostle Anglican Mission in the Visayas.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++












































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Reformation Day

Reformation Yes, Rome No!
Bishop Robinson Cavalcanti (*)

The calendar of the Brazilian Book of Common Prayer (LOCb) of the Diocese of Recife – and of the majority of evangelical churches in our country – registers today as the day in which we commemorate the Reformation. This year we celebrate 500 years of the birth of John Calvin, and we’re reminded of the fact that the Protestant Reformation of the 16th. Century was one of the most important chapters in the History of the Church, and that october 31st. 1517 was one of the most significant days since Pentecost. The protestant community, ever growing in Latin America owes its existence to the sacrificial work of missionaries in the 19th, and 20th, centuries, who were motivated by the conviction and message of the Reformers. The denunciation of and break with the “errors and superstitions” within Christendom, the affirmation of the supremacy of Holy Scripture - which all should have the freedom to read - the recovery of the apostolic message of salvation exclusively by Grace received through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and the universal priesthood of all believers, comprise a genuine treasure, valuable and non-negotiable.

Latin America, home on the one hand to traditional, nominal and syncretistic Christianity, is, on the other hand, a creedal continent. Its protestant component is almost entirely orthodox, and continues to believe that the errors and doctrinal distortions of non-reformed branches of the Church in the East and West remain unacceptable. We appreciate the spiritual suffering of Christians that live in the developed West, marked as it is by the destructive influence - both spiritual and moral – of revisionist Liberalism, and we affirm our solidarity with those Christians. In our continent, Liberalism was brought to us, principally from the Roman Church, via Liberation Theology. Of the six hundred thousand people who leave the Roman Catholic Church in Brazil each year, the vast majority do not become secular or join non-Christian religions, but, by the liberating experience of new birth, convert to Christ in reformed churches, in both traditional and Pentecostal contexts.

As Brazilian Anglicans, we look to the memory of the blood of the martyrs, to Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley, and also to the example of those passionate pioneers, reformed missionaries in our country like our first bishop Lucien Lee Kinsolving. The crisis which Anglicanism currently faces will not be solved by returning to the other side of the river Tiber, but by crossing the bridge of the river Cam(bridge), to get back to the impassioned debates of the White Horse Tavern. We must become more, not less protestant. Reformation, yes: Rome, no! “Almighty Fortress is our God!”.
Thursday, October 29, 2009

DUIN: Anglicans wary of pope's invite



Julia Duin
More than a week has passed since Pope Benedict XVI put out a call for disgruntled Anglicans to cross the Tiber after a nearly 500-year separation.
Some are calling this an open door. I see it as Pandora's box. It raises myriad tricky questions that hopefully will be answered with the Vatican's release of Apostolic Constitution, the document that will spell out the details of how whole congregations, even minidenominations along with their bishops, can transfer their allegiance.
Numerically, it's tough to tell how many may take the pontiff's offer. At the initial press conference, Cardinal William Levada, the Vatican's chief doctrinal officer, estimated 20 to 30 bishops along with groups of "hundreds" of laity would switch over. Archbishop Augustine DiNoia, who was also at the press conference, said the number of bishops was closer to 50.
But the bishops who want to defect all seem to be overseas, notably in Britain. The reaction on this side of the pond has been cool.
"The pope has invited Anglicans to join him, sort of," said the Rev. Larry Johnson, the bishop of Virginia for the Anglican Church International Communion, an 800,000-member group that includes former Episcopal clergy. "In reality, it appears he has made only slight provision for us. What I understand is that our people will be accepted fully, but bishops will be what is called "ordinariates" or "personal prelates."
He adds, "Anglicanism as we know it will have no place in the Roman Catholic Church. The pope has called the people while only vaguely accepting their leaders."
And which elements of the Anglican liturgy will these converts will be allowed to retain? Anglicans have multiple versions (1662, 1928, 1979 to name a few) of their Book of Common Prayer. Will they have to accept Roman Catholic theology on transubstantiation (the bread and wine really becoming the body and blood of Christ), on papal infallibility, on the bodily assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, not to mention the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, which holds that Mary was born without sin?
Scanning the remarks by various continuing Anglican groups - the ones who have left the Episcopal ChurchRome - I see a lot of negativity. and who presumably would be most apt to go to
The Rev. Robert Hart, priest-in-charge of St. Benedict's Anglican Church in Chapel Hill, N.C., noted that Anglicans converting to Catholicism would lose their bishops. Their new head would be selected by the Vatican, not elected, as has been the Anglican/Episcopal custom.
"In the 'pray, pay and obey church,' your bishop will be appointed - maybe even someone with an Anglican past if you can find a celibate clergyman, and one hopes, a clergyman who is cream of the crop," he wrote.
Also, although Rome accepts Anglican baptisms as valid, will the new converts have to be re-confirmed because the Anglican/Episcopal prelate who originally confirmed them was not a bishop in the eyes of the Catholic Church?
And will Anglican-turned-Catholic priests have to be re-ordained? Will they be limited to these Anglican-rite parishes or allowed to minister in other Catholic churches?
The road from Canterbury to Rome still has some potholes in it.

The APA Statement on the Vatican Announcement



Monday, October 26, 2009

APA Statement on the Vatican Announcement of October 20, 2009


From the Office of the Presiding Bishop,
The Most Rev. Walter H. Grundorf, D.D.
October 26, 2009

The Anglican Province of America (APA) welcomes with hopeful interest the Note of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith about Personal Ordinariates for Anglicans entering the Catholic Church. It has opened a way for persons who are currently Anglicans to enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church while retaining elements of Anglican liturgy, spirituality, theology, discipline and ethos. This remarkable decision demonstrates on the part of the Roman Communion a recognition of the integral virtues of historic Anglicanism. These characteristics can serve to be a gift to the wider Catholic and Apostolic Church. The new structure proposed by the Roman Communion is a fruit of the prayer and labor of faithful souls who for over a century have devoted themselves to such a form of reconciliation. While many in the Continuing Anglican movement may not avail themselves of this new ecclesiastical structure, the APA awaits with anticipation more information, which will give it a greater opportunity for consideration and reflection.

Our Province remains grateful to Almighty God for the positive relationships which have existed and continue to exist between the Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions. Traditional Anglicans possess in common with the Roman Communion the essentials of the Catholic Faith, including the canonical Scriptures, the universal Creeds, the Seven Sacraments, the male character of the Apostolic Ministry of bishops, priests and deacons, and traditional Christian teaching and doctrine concerning Holy Matrimony. We share what Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey called in 1966 a Faith “founded on the Gospel and on the ancient common Tradition.”

Our differences over the role and authority of the papal office, the infallibility and universal jurisdiction of the Pope as defined in the decrees of the I Vatican Council of 1870, the 1854 and 1950 dogmas regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary, the validity of Anglican Orders and Apostolicae Curae will require further intensive and deliberate dialogue. Nevertheless, we anticipate a deepening relationship and collaboration with the Roman Catholic Church as a result of the new Apostolic Constitution about to be promulgated, a Constitution we are eager to read, evaluate and prayerfully consider.

We commit ourselves to fervent prayer for all those who will follow the path now created by the See of Rome, as we pledge to continue our prayer and work with Roman Catholics everywhere for the visible unity of Christ's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Posted by Father Chad at 5:41 PM
The Latest Anglican Divide

The Pope has invited Anglicans to join him. Sort of. In reality it appears he has made only slight provision for us. What I understand from my readings about the subject is that our people will be accepted fully, but bishops will be what is called "oridinarietes" or "personal prelates."  
As bishops, that is not perhaps our major concern! What about:
1.                Our vows. We took vows as Anglicans, will we now renounce those vows if we go to Rome?
2.                Our spiritual guides. Can we dismiss the Articles of Religion, or the Canon of the 1928 Prayer Book
3.                Our faithful. A shepherd must serve the entire flock.  As Anglican bishops go to Rome, what happens to the remaining sheep?
4.                If we are married? It is not yet clear whether a married Anglican bishop would ever become a bishop in the Roman Catholic Church. 
5.                Sheep stealing? Dare I say this? The Pope has called the people while only vaguely accepting their leaders. This appears to be sheep stealing, regardless of his claim to the contrary.
A personal concern: As a member of the Armed Forces, I took an oath to defend the United States’ Constitution. What I understood as young Marine was that an oath has no expiration date. How would swearing allegiance to a foreign sovereign jibe with that?
Disgruntle Anglicans have for years been going to Rome individually; so have some priests and bishops.
After so many years of conflict and divide in the Anglican Church, I understand the initial enthusiasm that has burst forth in the Pope's move to accept Anglicans. It is as if there has been a collective sigh of relief from the entire body “now we will finally be united.”
But nothing could be further from the truth. There will be "no compromise" regarding our liturgy; Anglicans will be allowed to use only bits and pieces.  We would give up the Articles of Religion, the Canon of the American Prayer Book. If accepted, priests and deacons would have to be re-ordained. Bishops would be "ordinaries" or "personal prelates" and if approved, re-consecrated. All would be based upon whether or not they accepted the canons and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church.
These new vows would cause us to forsake the Anglican Faith.
As Anglicans, we have a heritage as ancient as that of Rome. We have a Faith as rich and beautiful as any God has ever placed on this earth. The Anglican Way is as unique as any in the history of civilization. Anglicans have always taken their faith with them and given it to those who would abide and listen. There are millions of Anglicans in India, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Africa, the Caribbean, Mexico, South America and in many Muslim nations to name a few. All remain traditional, conservative, Bible believing, evangelistic and motivated to serve Jesus Christ. It seems we are more successful in these places than here in the USA.
What are the reports from our ACIC bishops? The feed back from the American ACIC Bishops is that none desire to accept the offer of the Pope. 
On behalf of ACOVA, what I would propose to the Pope is that we come “along side” each other, developing a similar relationship as exists with certain Orthodox churches. We have the same beliefs on the major moral issues. Our Declaration of Principles is clear on this. It could be a very simple thing. For example, he, the Bishop of Rome, and I, the Bishop of Virginia, would determine to communicate and celebrate the Mystery of the Holy Communion together. 
As Anglicans, we already offer communion to Roman Catholics if they attend our services, but Rome does not allow the reverse. We accept those who convert if they have been confirmed without having them be confirmed again. The Roman Church does not.
One half of my proposal is, therefore, already met. In view of the Pope’s understanding of the pain that has existed so long in the hearts of Anglicans, I extend my hand, asking that the Pope not further the divide, but strengthen the communion.
Until then I will continue to honor the oath as Anglican bishop with full knowledge that the road is not easy. The Anglican mission is vital and necessary and will continue to be until Jesus returns. I cannot give up the trust that God has given me as His bishop.  Abandoning the mission is not an option.


In Christ's service, I am

Your obedient servant,

++Larry Johnson

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)