Thursday, July 05, 2007

Bishop of Rhode Island issues "Pastoral Direction" to Episcopal/Muslim Priest

Tip in the tinfoil to Kendall Harmon at T19:

A Communication from the Bishop of Rhode Island Concerning Ann Holmes Redding

To: Clergy, Members of Diocesan Council and Standing Committee
From: The Rt. Rev. Geralyn Wolf
Re: The Rev. Dr. Ann Holmes Redding

As many of you know, The Rev. Dr. Ann Holmes Redding is an Episcopal priest who has recently professed her faith in Islam. Dr. Redding is canonically resident in the Diocese of Rhode Island, though she has not served here for over twenty years.

After meeting with her I issued a Pastoral Direction giving her the opportunity to reflect on the doctrines of the Christian faith, her vocation as a priest, and what I see as the conflicts inherent in professing both Christianity and Islam. During the next year she is not to exercise any of the responsibilities and privileges of an Episcopal priest or deacon. Other aspects of the Pastoral Direction will remain private.

I am sending this e-mail to you because the continued web-site coverage suggests that I be as clear as possible with those exercising leadership in our diocese.

3 comments:

Kevin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kevin said...

Praise be to God, discipline inside TEC! We should all be grateful for the small step.

May the Lord open the eyes of Dr. Ann Holmes Redding+ to the exclusive truth claims of each that she can make a wise decision.

Anonymous said...

I am grateful to see this data point. Perhaps there is a line TEC will not cross. For me, the jury is decidedly still out. A single robin does not a springtime make.