The Whole Roman Enchilada

Take a look at the Apostolic Constitution here.

A New Friend

It was my pleasure to introduce OCA Archbishop DMITRI (recently retired) to the 27th annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. His Eminence spoke to us of his admiration for one of our local heroes, Fr. Homer Rogers (a.k.a. "Padre"). Fr. Rogers married my parents, mentored my father, and has been a profound influence on my life and that of my family. The Archbishop also attended Padre's classes as a college student in Denton. He expressed deep gratitude for Padre's instructions and their value in his life.

I had a chance to visit with him a bit and am now very proud to call him a new friend. I got him to autograph two books of his that I have just finished - "The Kingdom of Heaven: The Sermon on the Mount" and "The Parables." I am looking forward to reading his commentaries on Hebrews and Romans. He is currently working on a commentary on the Gospel of Saint John.

He celebrated his 86th birthday just a week ago. May God give him strength and many more years! Bless Him!

Thanks to Suzanne Gill for the photo.

Fort Worth's Response

I have read with great interest various reports concerning today's announcement from top officials in the Vatican about some new provisions being made whereby Anglicans may enter into full communion with the Holy See. For some time now I have understood that high-level discussions about this were taking place in Rome and that an announcement along these lines would be made before the end of the year. As today's announcement indicates, a new Apostolic Constitution is soon to be released which will spell out Pope Benedict XVI's response to Anglicans who wish to enter into full visible communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

Many Anglo-Catholics will welcome this development as a very generous and welcoming offer that enhances the Pastoral Provision that has been in place for several years for those seeking reunion with Rome. Other Anglicans who desire full communion with the See of Peter would prefer some sort of recognition of the validity of Anglican orders and the provision for inter-communion between Roman Catholics and Anglicans.

The virtues of the proposal as I understand it have to do with maintaining certain aspects of the Anglican way of worship, spirituality, and ethos while entering into full communion with the Pope. But of course, not all Anglo-Catholics can accept certain teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, nor do they believe that they must first convert to Rome in order to be truly catholic Christians.

This option to choose different paths comes at a difficult time for us as together we face the challenges of the litigation brought against us by the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Rather than making hasty decisions or quick resolutions, we will continue to work and pray together for the unity of Christ's holy catholic church throughout the world.


----The Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker is Bishop of Fort Worth

Images from Nashotah

For some wonderful shots from the Anglican/Orthodox Conference at Nashotah House Click here: Courtesy of Michael Howell.

Nashotah Podcasts - In the Footsteps of Tikhon and Grafton

Click Here to listen to the Addresses from the recent Anglican/Orthodox Conference at Nashotah House last week - “In the Footsteps of Tikhon and Grafton - Anglican and Orthodox Identity, Ministry and Mission in the 21th Century.”

Fond du Lac Circus II

Woo Whoo!!

Anglican/Orthodox Dialogue

It is really good to be back at Nashotah House. Even more so to be here for the Anglican/Orthodox Dialogue Conference - In the Footsteps of Saint Tikhon & Bishop Grafton.

And it is a fine thing to be hanging out with his beautitude Metropolitan Jonah of the OCA.

May God smile upon what we are discussing here. May we seize the moment he has provided us.

A Distinguished Visitor

We were blessed to have as our guest last night for a men's meeting and today for a deanery clericus luncheon Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi of Jos Nigeria.

What a treat. And what a witness for the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is a guy who has had his house burned down three times by the muslims - and suffered in so many other ways - and yet he speaks with joy and confidence.

A blessing.

Blessing the Beasts

In anticipation of tomorrow's feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, we had our annual Blessing of the Beasts this morning. This year it was a clean sweep for the dogs. The Senior Warden brought three; Lottie, Major and Gunny. All in all, we had seven canines. Not a cat, pig, goat, or even a llama in sight.

Oh well, there is always next year.

Blessed Francis, remember and pray for us.