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| Why the Society of Catholic Priests? |
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“Take delight in the Lord… be still before the Lord… refrain from anger, leave rage alone…”
The first nine verses of Ps 37; with its message of joy in the Lord, patience and stillness as God’s purposes unfold and its call to a non-reactive, non-anxious calm seems to speak precisely to the unfolding nature of the Society at this point.
The Society of Catholic Priests is slowly emerging from the realm of ideas and possibilities and becoming tangible. A couple of things became obvious in the conversation - first that there is a real hunger for a group focused on mutual support and collegiality freed of the competitive and issue driven nature of things- that there is a desire for a solid, creedal, sacramental and prayer book centered spirituality.
Along with those hopes, there is a real suspicion and fear that the Society could become – or could be intended-- as another party or divisive group-that it is going to define itself against other groups or positions (the last thing the Episcopal Church needs is one more re-active effort) that it could feed into the precious or the arcane fascinations that can be the shadow side of anglo-catholicism. read more here...
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A Welcome from the Society's Patron
"If you believe that the priestly task is to be what Austin Farrer called a ‘walking sacrament’ (not just a leader or co-ordinator or even teacher) SCP exists to help you flourish as a deacon, priest or bishop in the Anglican Church."
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The Second Annual Conference...
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The Society Prayer
Father, we thank you that you have called us to your service, to feed your people by word and sacrament. By the power of your Spirit, keep us faithful to you and to those in our care. Keep united in the bonds of peace and love the members of our Society, that by sharing in Christ's priesthood here on earth, we may come to share in the joys of his eternal kingdom, where he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.
Amen.
A Prayer for the Increase of Priests
O ALMIGHTY God, look mercifully upon thy Church, and incline the hearts of many of her believers to offer themselves for the work of the sacred ministry, so that by their labors, thy Light may shine in the darkness of the world, and the coming of thy Kingdom may be hastened by the perfecting of thine elect. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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As we work to put the initial structures in place, the swift and growing response the Society has received is surprising and encouraging. It is an immense blessing to stand in the heritage of the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion, it is an awe-filled responsibility to offer the Eucharist and to serve Christ’s people, and it is an abounding gift and a great joy when priests support and encourage each other. The Society’s call and purpose is to celebrate that heritage, to encourage us in priestly ministry and to allow our common life to be enriched and gladden in fellowship. We look forward to your companionship in this work and in this joy. | |
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Fr David Cobb, Convener, Society of Catholic Priests North America |
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| Essential Anglo Catholicism |
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The Spirit of the The Rev'd Dr George Houghton
Fr. Houghton was a pioneer of the Oxford Movement here in America. The Church of the Transfiguration was founded as a direct outgrowth of the Tractarian (or first) phase of the Oxford Movement, which began in England in 1833 and sought to restore the practice of the full Catholic faith to Anglicanism. The movement brought not only renewed sacramental life and enriched liturgies to churches but also, to worshipers, a deeper understanding of the Church's comprehensive concern for all people.
His long interest in the abolition of slavery led Fr. Houghton to found the first black Sunday school in New York City and to harbor runaway slaves as part of the Underground Railway, one stop on which was the basement of the church's rectory. During the Civil War, many recent European immigrants of the late 1850s and early 1860s were drafted against their will into the Union Army. They took out their rage and resentment on the blacks, whom the immigrants blamed for the war. Blacks were burned, hanged, and mutilated during the Draft Riots of July 1863. So well known as defender and friend was our courageous founder that a large number of black people who were beleaguered and threatened sought sanctuary in his church. Angry mobs trying to get at those who had found sanctuary within the church twice thronged the gates of the churchyard. Policemen on duty warned our founder that they could not insure protection from the mob. With firm resolution, George Houghton lifted the processional cross from its place in the church, walked out to face the rioters, held it before them, and said, "Stand back, you white devils; in the name of Christ, stand back!" With such courageous words, George Houghton held off the unruly mob, and those in the church remained safe for several more days, until the mob had been quelled and dispersed. | |
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