This is a time of trial for the Anglican Communion, and in particular for our brethren in the Episcopal Church (PECUSA) who have completed their General Convention this week. The election of Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church marks the first recorded time a woman has served as primate of one of the 38 branches of the Anglican Communion. This historic milestone was overshadowed by continued dissension within the Convention over the Windsor Report and the Convention’s response. At least one diocese in Texas has filed for alternate pastoral oversight, and the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa has offered to provide alternate jurisdiction to all those in need.

In Christian charity, please pray for the Anglican Communion, for the Episcopal Church as an institution, and for our brothers and sisters in Christ who make up that Church and who seek to walk in His ways amid the turmoil of change.

O gracious Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic Church; that thou wouldest be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it. Heal the pain of thy people caused by these unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that as there is but one Body and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 23rd, 2006 at 10:03 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.