Buddhist Bishop? NO!

I recently sent the following letter to our Diocesan Standing Committee:

Dear Members of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Southwest Florida,

I am writing to ask you to deny consent to the election of Kevin G. Thew Forrester as the Bishop of Northern Michigan. I note that the Reverend Forrester was elected in a non-contested election in which he was the only candidate nominated by a committee which he chaired. The irregularity of this election would be sufficient enough to deny consent to his election. However, there is also the problem of his record of composing non-Prayer Book liturgies of the most questionable nature in which he denies the Virgin Birth of Jesus among other things. His sermons which are readily available on the internet are at odds with the basic principles of Christianity. A bishop is called to be a defender of the faith not to deny the creeds and the catechism.

I had the good fortune this last week to meet with Bishop Ed Little of Northern Indiana at a conference attended by the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord George Carey and other bishops of our church. Bishop Little spoke of his very clear objections to the election of Kevin G. Thew Forrester during our discussion and noted that he had put his objections on his diocesan website. I am appending those comments at the end of this letter since I believe he states the case more eloquently than I am able to do. I ask you to read the comments below.

Finally, I would ask you to remember that a bishop is a bishop of the entire Episcopal Church not merely the bishop of a particular diocese. To approve this election will do great harm to Northern Michigan, to our diocese and to the entire Episcopal Church. I have expressed my objections to this election in private conversations and meetings with the President of the Standing Committee and to our Bishop so I feel compelled to express these objections to the entire Standing Committee. I pray that you carefully consider the ramifications to our laity and our clergy if consent is given to this election by our Standing Committee.

Grace and peace,

Joel+

The Reverend Joel J. Morsch
Christ Church
4030 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, Florida 34205
Office Phone (941) 747-3709
Cell Phone (941) 773-6018
fatherjoel@tampabay.rr.com
fatherjoel@christchurchswfla.org
http://www.christchurchswfla.org/
http://fatherjoelmorsch.blogspot.com/

From the Diocese of Northern Indiana website: http://www.ednin.org/ednin/

A Letter from Bishop Ed Little on the Northern Michigan election

by Bishop Edward Little - Tuesday, 7 April 2009, 02:09 PM

Dear brothers and sisters,Many of you have asked me about the election of the Rev. Kevin Thew Forrester as Bishop of Northern Michigan, and in particular about whether I gave consent for his consecration. I did not; nor did the Standing Committee, which had its own in-depth conversation on this important matter.Several issues have been raised concerning Fr. Thew Forrester in the months since his election. First, he has undergone “lay ordination” in the Zen Buddhist tradition. Is this simply an acknowledgement that he engages in meditation practices with Buddhist roots? Or does it indicate a more dangerous mingling of Christian and Buddhist teaching, a hazardous syncretism? I do not have a clear answer to that question, though his articulation of the Christian faith seems to blend spiritual categories in a disquieting way. Second, the election process in the Diocese of Northern Michigan, while not uncanonical, gives the appearance of a closed system. The nominating committee presented only one candidate to the electing convention, and thus the election seems like the ratification of a decision already made. Third, the website of Fr. Thew Forrester’s parish – St. Paul’s, Marquette – indicates that he has written his own Eucharistic prayers and even made significant modifications to the baptismal liturgy. The Book of Common Prayer, on the other hand, is part of the constitution of the Church; its use is not optional, and clergy are not free to modify its texts. The Prayer Book is our doctrinal anchor, rooted in Scripture and summarizing the essential teachings of the Christian faith. Fourth, Fr. Thew Forrester’s sermons – also posted on the parish website – indicate a disturbing weakness in his understanding (and embrace) of basic Christian doctrines: the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the atoning work of Christ on the cross. As I’ve pondered Fr. Thew Forrester’s election, this is the most troubling dimension of all, and in the end it is what led me to withhold consent.In the Christian Church, bishops are not “private citizens”. They are called “to be one with the apostles in proclaiming Christ’s resurrection and interpreting the Gospel, and to testify to Christ’s sovereignty as Lord of lords and King of kings . . . [and] to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church” (BCP, p. 517). These are solemn obligations, and inherent to the ministry of bishop in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. St. Paul himself lays this charge upon his successor, Timothy: “Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us” (2 Timothy 1:13-14).A bishop’s teaching ministry must never be idiosyncratic. We have no message other than the one that has been given to us. The task of bishops is to pass on that message as faithfully as we can; to proclaim Jesus Christ – crucified, risen, coming again; clearly and winsomely to present his person and his work; and to offer the world a Gospel that challenges, heals, and restores us to a relationship with the Father. With the information I have at hand, I am not convinced that Fr. Thew Forrester would be able to discharge this essential obligation of episcopal office.I cast my No vote without joy; indeed, with sorrow in my heart. If the Church denies consent for Fr. Thew Forrester to be consecrated as Bishop of Northern Michigan, it will be a tragic development for the diocese, and for Fr. Thew Forrester himself. He is, from all reports, a beloved and respected priest, passionate about ministry and committed to his people. Please join me in praying for him, and for the diocese, that in the midst of a most difficult time Jesus will be experienced more and more deeply, and ultimately his kingdom extended and his people with encouraged.

With all blessings I amYours in Christ,

+Ed

I can now report that our Standing Committee today denied consent!