ecumenism lives on

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Oct 23, 2009

Don't listen to those people who say that by spreading the welcome mat for Anglicans, the Vatican has ended an era in ecumenism: an era marked by pleasant conversations which produce agreements on dates for future pleasant conversations, with an eye to continuing pleasant conversations unto countless generations. No, don't you worry; those pleasant conversations will continue. Why, already the Anglican Bishop Anthony Provenzano of Long Island has engaged the Catholic Church in respectful dialogue:

At the heart of all of this is the reality that the Roman Church is willing to welcome angry, reactionary, misogynistic, homophobic people.

The general thrust of the argument is that the Episcopalians of Long Island-- mellow, progressive, feminist, and diverse-- aren't likely to seek entry into the Catholic Church. A grave disappointment, to be sure. We had so much in common, and the spiritual vigor of Long Island Episcopalians is the stuff of legend.

Still, don't despair. The friendly dialogue continues.