November 17, 2003
An open letter to St. Christopher's Church
Please forgive the impersonal nature of this open letter. Its purpose is to let you know why Jan and I have chosen to be in exile from the Episcopal Church and St. Christopher's at this time and for the foreseeable future.
In August, the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church approved the election of a man who both lives in and advocates an openly sinful sexual lifestyle, as the next bishop of New Hampshire. This General Convention also passed a resolution stating, "that local faith communities are operating within the bounds of our common life as they explore and experience liturgies celebrating and blessing same-sex unions." While both of these actions are related to homosexual practice, they are only symptoms of the core issue, which is the departure of the Episcopal Church from the clear reading and historic interpretation of Holy Scripture. By this departure, the Episcopal Church has rejected both the authority of Holy Scripture and the united voice of the Church catholic, including that of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Sadly, these actions by the Episcopal Church have been accepted by our diocese and by our Rector. As a founder and leader of the orthodox witness in the Diocese of Southern Ohio for the last several years, I have been unable to remain silent in the face of these radical departures from the faith.
My inability to be silent has resulted in a severely broken relationship with our Rector and several of you. The divisiveness has become counterproductive, therefore I have decided to resign from the Vestry as requested by our Rector a couple of months ago, and to withdraw from active participation in St. Christopher's ministries. In the meantime, Jan and I will be on an Anglican sojourn with others who are looking forward to the reorganization of Anglican structures in North America.
I would be eager to discuss the details of where we stand with any of you. Please be encouraged to write or call, or feel free to look at the information on the website that I run for the Southern Ohio chapter of the American Anglican Council at: http://philippians-1-20.us/
You are, and will remain, in our prayers.
Yours in Christ,
(signed)
Andy Figueroa