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photo - Brother-John-Charles Vockler FODC, former Anglican Bishop of Polynesia and Assistant Bishop of Adelaide, who is retired living in the parish of Maitland. Brother John Charles is an Anglican Catholic Franciscan friar, and was formerly Metropolitan of the ACC. His books can be found for purchase at the Anglican Parishes Association website. His Grace is an inspiration, serving 50 years in the episcopate, last year and still writing, preaching and sharing transformation in Christ.
In a world obsessed with materialism - I pods and cell-phones, internet and Mcmansion houses, the call of Jesus of Nazareth is a call to reject the spirit of the world and embrace the life of the Spirit. Scripture continues to contain what we need to obtain salvation - the sacred and inerrant Word of the living God for humanity.
From abortion on demand to euthanasia, from gender reassignment to liberals forgetting 2000 years of tradition upheld by all orthodox Catholic Christians, Christians face the challenge of the modern era. Traditional Anglicans know that we have no right to change the faith of our Fathers - to reject the sacred priesthood, like Sydney Anglicans calling for "lay presidency"or demand women priests, to those who argue for homosexual l marriage, or secular divorce with no notion of the place of Christian repentance, sacrifice and surrender in the schema of life.
We see that modern worship in lecture hall styled "churches" lacks the beauty and dignity of traditional liturgy, while nuns dressed as laywomen or priests trying to be trendy in civvies just look like any other materialist as we pass them on the street.
Traditional Anglicans know Jesus Christ in serious personal commitment to prayer, to fasting, to Scripture study. They know Jesus in the sacraments, especially in the Holy Eucharist or Mass, the communion of the Body and Blood of Jesus. They know His redeeming mercy in the sacrament of confession, and healing in anointing with unction, the age-old prayers for the sick. They know Jesus in the old, the infirm, the hurting and the wounded, seeing Jesus in the dispossessed and outcasts. Anglican Catholics may not have the grand cathedrals, but we have hearts that are full of love and compassion for those alienated from their fellow men and women, as well as from the life in Christ.
Anglican Catholics, lacking the rich cathedrals and churches of the Canterbury Communion are rich in fellowship and love, for one another and for all peoples in Christ. From the homeless men of Sydenham in Sydney to the islands of Queensland, you'll find traditional Anglicans dispensing free soup and books and warmth, friendship and love to one and all - believer or non-believer, Anglican or atheist.
The 2008 consecration of the 2nd Bishop of the United Kingdom. Presiding was Bishop Ronnie Stark, representing the Metropolitan, His Lordship Bishop Denis (Hodge), Suffragen Bishop of the Missionary Diocese of Australia and New Zrealand and His Lordship Bishop Dawson, retired Bishop in the Patrimony of the Metropolitan
Our joy in the Lord makes our lives and communities rich in the spirit of service, surrender to God, and while some of us might own Ipods, we know that the spirit of 21st century materialism in which moral and spiritual values are relative is not our spirit. Our lives are being transformed, day by day in Christ.
We do not presume to come to this Thy table, O merciful Lord, Trusting in our own righteousness But in Thy manifold and great mercy We are not worthy To gather up so much as the crumbs under Thy table Buy Thou art the same Lord Whose property is always to have mercy So grant us gracious Lord So to eat the Flesh of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, and to drink His Blood That we may evermore dwell in Him And He in us. Amen
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