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1Tim1_13b
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jun 26th, 2008 |
| Location: | Wisconsin USA |
| Posts: | 5 |
| First Name: | Michael | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Independent Anglican (Convergence Movement), Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Jun 26th, 2008 08:37 pm |
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I am finally doing a "first-write" of this tale, after doing an hour-and-15 minute interview on Relevant Radio last week (6/19/2008). This will be a "Readers Digest Condensed Version" for now, and I will be happy to fill in the blanks for anyone who asks.
I was born and raised Roman Catholic; baptized, confirmed, Altar Boy, sometime seminarian, professed Franciscan, and then ...
Well, the short of it was that I became so terribly lonely as a religious, that I finally asked for dispensation from my vows. Having received my dispensation, I began to search for a parish in which to be a lay Catholic.
My seminary and religious life days had given me a taste for good liturgy--not theatrics; real, solid, prayerful, worshipful, dignified liturgy. I was not successful at finding much of that in the several parishes I "sampled."
In frustration and some anger, I went to the Episcopal Church. I had "dabbled around" with them in my youth, and knew that many of them had very tasteful liturgical practices. I found one that did, and established myself there.
I totally bought into their claims of being "a true part of Christ's One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church." I reasoned that Pope Leo XIII had no more claim to being right on this issue than the Anglicans did, so why not believe them? As I continued in this line of thinking, I also bought into a "pipeline theory of apostolic succession," sometimes also termed "trickle-down succession." The idea is that so long as there is a validly consecrated Bishop somewhere above you, then--regardless of any "lack of intention," or doubtful ecclessiology, the "validity" of ordination trickles down to everyone CAPABLE of validly receiving it.
The parish I was now part of, finally approached me to consider candidacy for Holy Orders. As I was beginning the discernment process, the Episcopal Church began to take moves toward the ordination of openly homosexual persons, and toward "gay marriage." Even more troubling was the move away from the Bible as being the irrevocable Word of God.
I decided that I could not put my head under the hands of any bishop of such a Church.
Instead of coming to my senses and just going home, I didn't even entertain such a thought. I searched for another "Anglican group" that was more "orthodox."
I thought that I had found one in what was then called "The Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches." I remained in contact with their Presiding Bishop, and with a local Bishop for a couple of years, and was then received as a candidate. In 2000, I was "ordained" deacon and priest.
After a couple of years, I moved to the headquarters city of my diocese, and became secretary to the Bishop, and Secretary of the Diocese. Eventually I was also made a "Cathedral Canon," and Curate of the Cathedral. For about 1 year I served as the acting rector of the Cathedral--during the illness of the Dean. I also became "Canon Liturgist" of the Diocese.
I was responsible in addition for planning and coordinating the daily schedules for the annual diocesan convention, and for the annual Clergy Retreat. Liturgically, I functioned as the Bishops MC for all Episcopal services.
Things seemed good. I seemed to have found my "niche." I enjoyed my ministry, and was liked, respected, and even loved by the people of my parish and diocese, and by the clergy as well.
The "problem" was that inside I was a Catholic. I preached Catholic, officiated in a Catholic manner, and actually considered myself (via the pipeline theory described above) to BE a Catholic Priest. My denomination (although they tried not be called a denomination) considered themselves to be a "convergence community;" a modern-day embodiment of the so-called "ancient/future church." Other such groups include the Charismatic Episcopal Church, the Southern Episcopal Church, and so on.
Things began to fall apart for me and my "niche" as I became "addicted" to programming on EWTN. They were speaking Truth, and at times I was attracted by it--and at other times I was angered by it to the point of changing channels. One of the programs that alternately attracted me and repelled me the most was the "Journey Home."
To make this short--I got in contact with Jim Anderson, and he gently walked with me through my confusion, my questions, my struggles, and my defensiveness.
Another unlikely event was my stumbling upon a kindly professor, Dr. Ken Craven, who invited me to join a "G.K. Chesterton reading group." Chesteton and Craven proved to be helpful comrades to me as I journeyed from illusion to Truth. I owe Dr. Ken an great debt of gratitude for sticking with me as a true and faithful friend.
About a year or so after first contacting CHNI, I was at a critical point in my spiritual life. I began fervently praying for the grace to Come Home; knowing this would mean a "10-year Confession," which I really did not yet have the stomach for.
I contacted a dear friend from my younger days; Msgr. Roy M. Klister of the Diocese of Green Bay, and enlisted his prayerful support as I considered my upcoming step of faith.
The grace came powerfully at 5:00am on a Sunday morning in October of 2007. How very inconvenient! I was due to "celebrate Mass" at 9:00am. My problem was that I could not be sure that this present visitation of God's grace would still be there after "Mass."
I put my clericals on, and drove to the local Roman Catholic Parish. The elderly priest was having breakfast. I asked him if he would hear my confession. He cautioned me: "You know that if I do this, you will be a Roman Catholic again. You have to promise that you will resign that ministry, and that you will not officiate any more over there." I gave him my promise. He put an arm over my shoulder, guided me to the living room of the rectory, and carefully led me through my entire life's journey--not just the past 10 years!
An hour later, after hearing the most beautiful words "I absolve you from all of your sins..." I was HOME. I approached one of the other clergy at my former cathedral, and arranged for him to officiate at services. I then took a leave from ministry, until I had a chance to formally ask for release.
The graces and blessings have continued, and there is so much more to tell. Even now, I shed tears at every MASS during the time of Communion. I pray that it will always be so.
What I tell my former compatriots of the "Convergence Movement" is this: If one believes what the Catholic Church teaches--and believes it to be the Truth, then one is morally obliged to unite himself to her. That's it; no conditions, no deals, no bargaining chips, nothing. It's all about humility, submission, and obedience to the Church founded by Jesus Christ; the Roman Catholic Church. Interestingly, the freedom I have sought all of my life has come to me abundantly now that I have submitted in obedience to the Truth.
I can never thank Jim Anderson enough for his friendship, counsel, and prayerful support during this difficult yet wonderful journey. I pray for him,for everyone at the CHNI, and for Dr. Ken Craven and his "Chestertonians" daily.
Last edited on Fri Jun 27th, 2008 01:20 am by 1Tim1_13b
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Michael
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tedjenczewski
Member
| Joined: | Thu May 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Richmond, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 253 |
| First Name: | Ted | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Presbyterian, revert Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Jun 26th, 2008 10:30 pm |
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| God bless you Micheal. This is a true testimony to the obediance and humility of faith. Welcome home. A difficult step to take, indeed impossible without the grace of God. I believe all of Anglicism is an attempt at catholicism without the obedience of faith to the successor of St. Peter and the teaching of the magisterium. St Ireneous was correct when he suggested that one cannot be sure he holds the catholic and apostolic faith if he is separated from the chair of St. Peter? You have taken this step by grace. We are blessed by your witness.
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"...the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." 1Tim 3, 15
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1203 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Jun 26th, 2008 10:31 pm |
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Michael, I am honored to be the first (oops, Ted beat me) to welcome you to the CHNI forum.
Thank you for the blessing of reading your story.
Grace and peace,
BeckyLast edited on Thu Jun 26th, 2008 10:32 pm by Intercessor
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"The perfection of a soul may be measured by the degree to which it does the will of God, and finds its happiness in doing it.... O my God,...the only thing necessary is Your holy will," Divine Intimacy, pp. 15-16 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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Ave_Girl
Moderator
| Joined: | Wed Nov 7th, 2007 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 170 |
| First Name: | Mary Clare | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Jun 27th, 2008 12:47 pm |
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Welcome, welcome Michael! It's so nice to have you with us. I look forward to reading your future posts.
God bless you,
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~Mary Clare Piecynski~
Coming Home Network Staff
740-450-1175 ext 105
maryp@chnetwork.org
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Free
Member
| Joined: | Wed Nov 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 199 |
| First Name: | Jane | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, Gnostic, non-denominational, Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Jun 27th, 2008 11:54 pm |
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Thanks for your condensed and powerful story. I would like to know more about the "convergence movement." Who or what is going to converge? When and how? Also, the term "ancient/future church" is new to me. What does that mean?
I'm so glad you were promptly obedient to the Spirit. Welcome home.
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Steven Barrett
Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 894 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Jun 28th, 2008 12:52 am |
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Michael,
Welcome home again from another "revert." I saw so much of myself in your story and it's given me great encouragement as I'm in the midst of trying to get mine off the ground and running. (In some respects, I'm writing my story much in the same fashion I learned how to drive a stick-shift car. Lots of false starts and sudden stops!)
But you said something that hit me with a very strong force:
"The "problem" was that inside I was a Catholic."
The old saying "once a Catholic, always a Catholic" isn't just a funny saying, a cliche or a truism for making nice conversation. It has the force of real truth for those among us who grew up in the Catholic Church and received a strong formation.
For whatever reasons we left, the Mother Church has always held her arms out open much like Mary.
Now the problem with watching so much EWTN is that it makes a wonderful subversive out of you if you're volunteering at your family's evangelical baptist church and you've come home.
But that's a small challenge compared to the uneasiness I felt while hovering outside the Church and always wondering "what have I done?"
Ain't it great to be back home, Brother?
Steven
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For anybody interested in reading commentary from a Catholic's socially conservative/fiscally liberal viewpoint, go to my new blog at http://www.politicsramble.com/ .
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TerminalNewEnglander
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jan 1st, 2007 |
| Location: | Rhode Island USA |
| Posts: | 42 |
| First Name: | Bill | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic; Lapsed Catholic; quasi-UCC; Reverted Catholic. |
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Posted: Sat Jun 28th, 2008 10:54 pm |
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I predict you'll be a guest on Marcus's show some day.
Welcome home!
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1Tim1_13b
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jun 26th, 2008 |
| Location: | Wisconsin USA |
| Posts: | 5 |
| First Name: | Michael | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Independent Anglican (Convergence Movement), Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Jun 30th, 2008 07:18 pm |
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The term "convergence movement," was, I believe, coined by Robert E. Webber. He is the author of a books entitled "Worship Old and New," "Ancient/Future Church," and "Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail." The term originally described the movement of a group of evangelical clergy and faithful from The Vineyard and some similar groups. Jonathan Wimber, of the Vineyard was a sort of "prophet" of this movement, in that he saw it as a future re-uniting of ancient Christianity.
Convergence is usually described as the uniting of "the three ancient streams of Christianity; the Sacramental/Liturgical, the Evangelical, and the Charismatic." The ideal, as seen by adherants of the movement, is that all the various churches and denominations get caught up in this great movement, and the result is the reunification of the one church, mannifested by the fullness of the three streams being expressed everywhere.
That is the ideal. The actual, from my experience, is that it is lived out as a sort of "anything goes" with certain restrictions. If a particular practice is, or ever was a legitmate Christian practice, then you can do it--and you can incorporate it into the liturgy (wherever the "spirit" tells you to put it). So you end up with something that has the "shell" of the Mass, with things like half-hour "praise and worship" sessions, charismatic prophesy proclamations, and time for people to stand up and "speak out a 'word' they just got from the Lord." It sometimes makes for a very clumsy, cluttered, and zig-zagging sort of "Mass."
For more information on "Convergence," you might check out Robert E. Webber's books. For all of his converging, he ended up an Episcopalian--and I don't believe he converged any further.
Michael
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Michael
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1657 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Mon Jun 30th, 2008 07:30 pm |
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| Welcome to the forum and to the Church, Michael! I'm sure you'll be a wonderful addition to both.
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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Free
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| Joined: | Wed Nov 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 199 |
| First Name: | Jane | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, Gnostic, non-denominational, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Jun 30th, 2008 08:33 pm |
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I had to smile at your last sentence, Michael
Thanks for the explanation about the "convergence movement"
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