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A Word of Knowledge

More questions answered: Part 1; Part 2

What Happens to Church Property...?

In the News...
An Episcopal Church in Fallbrook, CA voted to leave the Episcopal Church. After taking the vote, they proceeded to amend the by-laws and change the name of the church and its affiliations.

People leave churches all the time. Why this elaborate procedure? Because they wanted the property when they went. Because of the agreements that parishes have with the larger Church, it all ended up in court.

The California Court of Appeals found that the minute they voted to leave the Episcopal Church, they were no longer Episcopalians and therefore had no authority to change the by-laws of any Episcopal Church, hence the property remained with the Episcopalians, ie. those who voted not to leave the Church.

The Bible

All religions treasure their sacred writings. Such tomes are called “Scripture” in the English language. The word is used in our Bible on a number of occasions. St. Paul notes that “All Scripture is inspired by God…” It matters not whether they are Jewish, Christian, Muslim or Buddhist scriptures. Paul makes It plain that “All Scripture is inspired by God.” Admittedly, in Paul’s mind, the scriptures he probably was referring to was the Septuagint, that Greek compilation of the Old Testament and the Apocrypha that was used and treasured by the first Christians. What happened then to raise some of these sacred writing from the rank of ‘Scripture” to that of “The Holy Bible”?

Early in the fourth century the Emperor Diocletian waged war on the Christians demanding that all sacred texts be handed over to the authorities on pain of death. The Church realized that some Christians were dying for some rather questionable texts and something must be done to determine which texts were to be defended and which could be turned over. The Ecumenical Councils of 393 and 397 separated the wheat from the chafe and established the Canon of Scripture as we now know it.

So, Christianity got along just fine and spread like wildfire for 400 years before the Catholic Church created The Bible. It was another thousand years before the printing press was invented and then quite some time before everyone could read it. The Church is to be commended for protecting the scriptures, creating the Bible, and transmitting it to us for our benefit two millennium later, but most importantly for preaching the Word of God in the years when there was no Bible and during the centuries when few could read.

The True Church

One of the dividing factors in the community of Christians has to do with the inherent nature of the Universal Church more commonly called the Catholic Church. Which one is the true universal church? For those Christian communions who believe the Church is invisible the question means absolutely nothing. But for the rest it is a question that cannot be avoided.

If the Church is prior to her members, like a family or nation, we must be sure that we really belong to her; but if the members are prior to the Church, like the members of a club, it does not really matter which of the many visible organizations we belong to. We need a test to show us which is the true Church.

Some would look to the 'four notes' of The Creed: Unity, Holiness, Catholicity and Apostolicity. But they are rather descriptions of the Church as she ought to be, and as she always is to some extent, than tests by which the true Church can be recognized. The best test is found in an organization's Faith, Succession and Jurisdiction.

The faith of the apostles must have been maintained and taught from the beginning with nothing added and nothing omitted; the definitions of the Faith which the universal Church has found to be necessary must be observed: the sacraments must be accepted and used.

The ministry must be such as has always been recognized everywhere, as deriving its authority to minister from the Apostles themselves. The different parts of the Church must confine themselves to their own territory; anyone who secedes from the local church or presumes to officiate where he is not entitled to do so, has no right to act in the name of the Church.

Even so, if the 'True Church' in any given area fails to fulfill its purpose, it becomes merely a noisy gong or a clanging symbol. We cannot afford to be complacent in our catholicity for God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham!

General Convention

The Episcopal Church was founded by the same folks that wrote the Constitution of the United States. As a result our form of governance is identical to the U.S. congress and a lot more democratic than most Catholic Churches. The General Convention meets every three years. This year it meets in Anaheim California and Father David will be in attendance as part of his continuing education plans. He will be staying with his friends, Bob and Nancy Peterson whom we’ve all come to know.

The convention is made up of a House of Bishops and the House of Deputies and is the largest legislative body in the world. They meet to add to or change Canon Law, to pass resolutions, and to elect certain officials. There are also educational opportunities and a huge ‘trade show’.

If someone is elected as a Bishop within three months of the convention, then they vote whether or not to approve the Episcopal ordination. Between Conventions, the standing committees of each diocese must approve suchconsecrations.

The Anglican Communion

The Anglican Communion is not a monolithic structure but a brotherhood of independent Catholic churches whose roots are deep in the Chruch of England and are bound by bonds of affection. Its spiritual head is the Archbishop of Canterbury. However, in pure Catholic theology, it is not a Bishop that runs the Church but ALL the Bishops. This a conference of Anglican Bishops was created called the Lambeth Conference that meets every ten years. It takes its name from the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury with is Lambeth Palace. Hundreds of Bishops attend from aroudn the world and wrestle with items of mutual interest. We are told repeatedly that Lambeth has no legislative authority but it is not uncommon that a bishop may go home and say, as indeed many have, that because Lambeth "ruled" thus and so, it must be the mind of the Church and therefore the "law" in his diocese. Others will more or less ignore the conference if its findings are contrary to his views. The real "law" comes however when its official statements are embraced by all the member churches throughout the world.

Church Glossary

Some can be quite puzzled at the language of The Church for we use words generally unheard in today’sworld. So here is a little glossary you might find helpful:

• Narthex—Vestibule
• Undercroft—Basement
• Ciboreum—Bread Box
• Ewer—Pitcher
• Burse—Folder
• Eucharist—Lord’s Supper
• Nave—Area between the Narthex and the Chancel
• Chancel—Space around the Altar
• Episcopal—Of Bishops
• Sexton—Janitor
• Sacristy—Room where sacred vessels and vestments are kept

—FR. DAVID+