Those pushing revisionist theology have repeatedly attempted to frame the debate in terms of human sexuality. While that is the issue that has gotten the most coverage in the secular press, it has been stated time and again by those who have come to be known as re-asserters — those wishing to uphold the faith without modern innovations.

The oft-covered Louis Jordan song asks of a sweetheart “Is you is or is you ain’t my baby?” It’s a question that attempts to DTR – define the relationship — and recently the Rt. Rev. Charles vonRosenberg, provisional bishop of the Episcopal Church in South Carolina (the structure set up for the minority of parishes and clergy who wished to remain a part of The Episcopal Church after that body’s October move against the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence and the Diocese of South Carolina) sought to do just that as he contacted each of the approximately 140 clergy who did not respond to his call to convention earlier this year and asked them to make their allegiance known. In a letter dated April 7, vonRosenberg cautioned that priests and deacons “face a very serious decision, with significant consequences” for them and the church and encouraged their careful and prayerful consideration.

Bishop vonRosenberg outlined two possible courses of action for those clergy wishing to remain loyal to the Diocese of South Carolina — the majority — rather than align themselves with him and the with The Episcopal Church. If they are willing to indicate that in writing they may be released from their vows and the related responsibilities; for those who do not respond to his letter vonRosenberg cautions that he and the Standing Committee of the Provisional entity would proceed to determine whether the conditions of Title IV, Canon 16, “Of the Abandonment of The Episcopal Church,” in the Canons of The Episcopal Church are present and, if they are — a near certain finding given the tenor of the letter — to restrict the recipients from ministry and, ultimately, to depose them from ministry. Either conclusion would result in the clergy losing their right to exercise their ordained ministry in the eyes of The Episcopal Church and its local representative, Bishop vonRosenberg of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina.

This writer was informed that another letter from Bishop vonRosenberg arrived by registered mail several weeks later — after the two-week time frame outlined in the April 7 letter. None of the recipients with whom he has spoken, however, signed for the letter with at least one priest of many years service saying that he didn’t wish to dignify the letter by acknowledging receipt. This will clearly be a time of decision for affected clergy and, by extension, the parishes and missions that they serve.

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