My first memories of religion were being taken to Episcopal church. My father was Catholic, but my mother, I believe, was Episcopal. So I sort of veered off into the watered-down version of Catholicism.
MARILYN MANSON
I like the Episcopal Church. I need to get that out of the way at the beginning, so that people don't get the wrong idea about my opinion of the Episcopal Church. I am glad that it is there. I am happy that it exists. It is helpful to point to this church when I talk with cafeteria Catholics and Catholics in Name Only. This is because I believe the Episcopal Church is the church for Catholics who can't be Catholic.
Here is the brief history of the Episcopal Church. Before the Revolutionary War, this was essentially the Anglican Church in the colonies. Then, America broke away, and those churches could no longer swear loyalty to the King of England. So, they pledged their allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and the Episcopal Church was born. It still remains in the Anglican Communion.
Today, the Episcopal Church is the epitome of liberal Christianity. It has the veneer of Catholicism but the soul of Unitarianism. It is simply the perfect church for Catholics who can't stand what the Roman Catholic Church teaches. So, when I hear Catholics grumbling about the Church needing to change with the times, I simply point to the Episcopal Church as the church they are seeking. Then, I tell them to go there. This ends the conversation. Why remain in a church you hate when the church you want already exists?
I am kinda crazy on this idea that when you belong to a group or organization you disagree with that you should simply leave that group or organization especially when one you do agree with already exists. For instance, if I belonged to a punk band, trying to turn it into a country-western band would take more effort than to simply join or start a country-western band. Similarly, if you find yourself in an organization that you disagree with for holding views that you find morally reprehensible, you certainly need to leave that group. Who tries to turn the KKK into the NAACP? Who tries to turn the Communist Party into the Libertarian Party? Yet, this is what dissidents try to do within the Catholic Church.
Now, not all Episcopalians are down with women's ordination and gay marriage and all of that. But here's the thing. They go ahead and schism out. One of those is the Anglican Church in North America. These folks knew they belonged to a church that was ridiculous and a mockery of Christianity. My recommendation to them is to read about Cardinal John Henry Newman and his journey to Catholicism. These people need to come home to the One True Faith.
As for the heretics and apostates, I ask it once again. Why do you remain in the Roman Catholic Church when the church you want already exists? The Episcopal Church is pro-gay marriage and pro-choice. You can divorce and remarry. You will be respected in the community once again and loved by your neighbors. Episcopal clergy can marry, have gay lovers and partners, and make a lot of money for doing some light duty. It's a no-brainer.
Yes, it does feel weird being an evangelist for the Episcopal Church, but I believe in doing it. If you're going to be a heretic, at least be an honest and principled heretic. Yet, the fact that these heretics want to stay in the Roman Catholic Church and destroy it only bolsters my belief that these people are agents of the Devil and wish to corrupt the Catholic Church from within. It is the only logical reason for them to remain in the Catholic Church.
